I began writing as a teen, inspired by my grandfather Edwin Grandfield's journal, "Bits of Wisdom". Mine is called "The Observatory", which I illustrated with pen and ink.  My day job has been that of a teacher, which I always infused my lessons with writing and art..My teaching career is crowned with a doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago, 2008, (Ed.D), my dissertation-the National Writing Project. Ever since then, I have been facilitating in writing workshops at the Northwest Indiana Writing Project at Purdue University Northwest. Now I enjoy working on my BFA in Painting, (‘20) at Indiana University Northwest.  Plus, I am always writing and illustrating stories in my mind and at the desk.I created an educational nonprofit, Family Folklore Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to have people of all ages learn about the world, then in turn, share their new understandings with the greater public.  This year our learning quest is storytelling.  This 501C3 experience has polished my writing skills in playwriting, press releases, web design and blogging on www.famfolkfound.org and our Facebook page. My avocations continue to be fruitful in my quest to write children's books. I wrote four books in the Tabbie Tales Series, published by my emerging small press, Blue Moon Publications, at www.reflectiveteachinginc.com.  I saw the need for beginning biographies so I researched, wrote, and illustrated "Queen of the Limberlost: The Gene Stratton Porter Story". Four of the books have Spanish versions. My experience with self-publishing taught me skills in story development, editing, graphic design, marketing social and virtual channels. I have pitched my books on public television, which you can view on my website.