In some of my books, there are hints of supernatural beings who help my characters. Do you, as my readers, believe there really are ghosts who walk among us and help us?

I ask, because until lately, my husband laughed at such nonsense. He said there was no such thing. When you are dead - you are dead and that's all there is to that.

During the last few years, the man has changed his viewpoint (and admitted he might be wrong; a thing he hates to do). The reason? We share our home with one, or possibly more then one.

We moved to our present home around 8 years ago. Four years ago, we started hearing noises we couldn't explain. Smelling bacon frying when our stove was off and none of us near. The scent of perfume would linger in the...

Several years ago, I attended a convention held by my publisher. It was interesting meeting other authors and learning our different ways of creating our work.

I talked to one gentleman who wrote the last chapter of his book first. Every book, the last chapter first with the ending of the story. Then he went back and created a story to go with his ending. Interesting.

Another author had recipe cards for each character, describing exactly their place in the story, along with all characterisics and persnality traits before she ever started writing. Then she 'fit' each character into her story.

Some of those attending the convention had set hours they wrote. Very cut and dried; certain hours, as if they were at a job and punching a ...

My books are about women, forty years old and above, who are living an active life and supporting each other.

Several years back, a group of my friends and I were discussing books on the market and complaining.

Women characters, in most novels in our age group, were meddlesome mother-in-laws or interferring neighbors. We wanted books featuring our point of view with main characters over forty.

One of my friends, knowing I enjoyed using my imagination, dared me to create a story to share with the group. So it began - my debut as an author. I would write a chapter or two and mail it to the group. They asked me to continue and the book took on a life of its own in the following days and months. Hidden Legacy, my first book was born.

I ...

In less then two weeks, I will be 70 years old. The number of years seems impossible. Inside, I feel I am the same 'me' as when I was 30,40,50.

As I look back over my life, it seems to be divided into chapters, similar to the books I write.

The beginning of my life, growing up, enjoying my childhood.

Next are chapters of marriage, children, life on the farm and creating a family.

Then the chapters where the children left home to make their own life and create their own families.

Later, the grandchildren years and Jim and I finding a comfortable ground where we each had our own interests while maintaining a connection and closeness between us.

Now, the Golden years have arrived. Life is good and these are interesting chapters ...

in case anyone wonders, thanks to my ancestors, I am Scots/Irish on my Mother's side of the family and nearly 100% Polish on my Dad's. This combination is fairly volitable. Depending on which side is dominate on any paticular day, I can blow like a volcano or smolder like a heavily banked bed of coals.

Mom was dark Irish. Short, barely 5 feet tall, with snapping brown eyes and coal black hair. A bundle of energy until the day she died. My love of words and descriptive terms came from Mother, along with my horror of incorrect grammar and poor useage of the English language.

Dad was tall; 6 ft. 3 inches and blond with eyes that changed from clear blue to green or hazel depending on his mood and clothing. He was a quiet, peaceful, ...