After 30 years of teaching English (Central Michigan University and University of Nevada, Reno), I retired to Northern California to found TurkeyTail Farm with my family. I currently co-host Ecotopia on KZFR 90.1 in Chico and am an environmental activist. 

I've always been a writer. I've authored and co-authored with my husband and with colleagues a number of books for teachers, for students, and for children. At the University of Nevada, I was a part of the Northern Nevada Writing Project where I worked with writers and joined my writing group, which, in various permutations, existed for about ten years. I've taught writing to everyone from kindergarten through graduate school. (Does one teach writing or does one encourage and support writers?)

I received my undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and my MA and PhD from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.

I have four children—Emily, Stephen, Michael (aka Mojo), and Christopher (aka Cheetah), and two grandchildren, Rose and Eva—both brilliant and beautiful. My husband Steve and I have been married for 48 years. We are a “blended” family.