About

I was born in Chicago and grew up on the southeast side. Check out those chubby cheeks!

Pure love! I don’t remember my mom’s hair like that. But I do remember the scent of the Max Factor Pan Stick makeup she’d wear on special occasions.

First day of kindergarten. In school, my job was to pass out the jumbo purple crayons.

High-heeled me! I was an only child, but I had lots of friends. We’d roller skate, ride bikes, and play with dolls. After dark, we’d catch lightning bugs.

In sixth grade, my best friend and I decided we’d become teachers…and we did!

In high school, I tried to iron my long hair on the ironing board. Don’t try it at home. BURNT. HAIR. STINKS.

My dad and me and my college degree. I love learning! I went on to graduate from three other universities.

When I got married, I already had 25 kids…twenty-five 3rd grade students, that is!

I once ate a chocolate-covered cricket and fried mealworms at Purdue’s Bug Fest in hopes of selling a magazine article. The story never sold.

My sweet little Teddy lived to be 14 years old. I’d put a biscuit on his nose, and he’d wait till I’d say, “Get it!” Then he’d toss the treat in the air and catch it.

As a kid, I loved ice skating, sledding, and building snow forts. And I’m still an expert at making snow angels!

A red-letter day! While in Alaska, I received an email from an editor who wanted to buy DON’T FEED THE BEAR.