Across my life, I've been called many things: teacher, storyteller, writer, singer, grandmother, mother, daughter, and adoptee. I'm an award-winning French teacher, and speech and debate coach, retired.

My writings, as well as storytelling and public speaking gigs have appeared in regional publications and venues, including Volume One Magazine, Barstow and Grand, the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild Snapshot Spoken Word Series, the Eau Claire Leader Telegram, and appearances at the Lakely, the V1 Gallery, and Pablo Center at the Confluence.

I've also been a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tunisia and served for many years as the education director for an adult English school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. These days, I volunteer as an interpreter and driver for World Relief, helping newly arrived refugees from Africa and the Middle East.

I grew up in southern California but followed a boy home from Tunisia to Wisconsin. Along the way, I've learned to speak six languages. My husband and I have one daughter, who is an international humanitarian aid strategist. We also have a son-in-law, two grandchildren, a dog, all of whom are delightful.