Childhood

I first arrived in this world on a cold winter's day in the mid-20th century to simple, honest parents. Good fortune (and God) smiled on me when I was blessed with robust health and kind parents who loved me very much, and who instilled in me a sense of honesty, integrity, duty, and a Puritan work ethic. The small, somewhat isolated Midwestern town where I grew up enabled our family to live the early part of our sheltered lives peacefully thinking the world in which we lived was relatively safe and most people were honest. It was quite common for us and most of our friendly neighbors to leave our doors unlocked. The inside back door was left open whenever the weather was nice and someone was at home. Sadly, like many other small towns, ours became less safe over the passing years.

While she was still present on this earthly plane, I remember my mother being very pretty, loving, cheerful and good natured, despite her strict elementary schooling by the Roman Catholic nuns. In his youth and long into adulthood, my father was handsome, athletic, honest, playful at times, always dependable and a good provider - but also stern when need be, and prone to a hot temper. I always remember thinking that my childhood years could have been the real-life study for the "Leave it to Beaver" show, other than the fact there were two sisters in the household, along with myself and my younger brother.

I remember being both smarter and a faster runner than most other kids, so I never feared the bullies that life inevitably brought my way, believing I could always outwit or outrun troublemakers. Although I was not overly studious, I always paid attention during classes and enjoyed reading from an early age. I also found many different subjects interesting, especially science, geography and math. As a result, I always was among the top kids in my classes when it came time to hand out grades. When I was 7 or 8, I remember being placed in an accelerated learning curriculum with the other "smart kids". When choosing teams for sports, I always seemed to be chosen first when teams were picked. Like many boys, I was mostly confused and annoyed by the opposite sex, other than during my teen years and early twenties, which hasn't changed much in my adult life.

Young Adulthood

At thirteen I began wearing glasses. My high metabolism combined with an active and energetic lifestyle resulted in a slim physique. Later that changed as I began weightlifting and eating more regularly. My athletic activities led to my development of a slim but muscular frame. At 15, a beautiful, auburn haired young lady with bewitching green eyes captivated my attention and soon captured my young heart. Fortunately for me, she also felt attracted to me, so we maintained a close and affectionate relationship until we were in our early-twenties, after which she chose to take a different path in life. Most of my time during these young adult years was spent chasing income, so it left little time for leisure writing, and focused mainly on those reports one must do for school classes and business proposals.

After having developed a love of learning and a penchant for math, science, and art during high school, I decided to apply my talents to am education and career in architecture. Later, while designing buildings during my twenties for clients in Southern California paid the bills, I also began a series of interesting business and entrepreneuerial endeavors. These interests engaged me in new and exciting ways that stimulated and challenged my restless mind, and nearly always put a little extra money in my pocket. My business pursuits enabled me to travel often, with jets becoming my preferred method of transportation. Crisscrossing the continent dozens of times by the time I was in my late twenties, I had become as familiar with the topography and geography of the United States and Baja California, as I once had learned to be as an energetic child biking around the city streets of my small, Wisconsin hometown.

A Family Man

One day, while visiting a Japanese business associate in Del Mar, California, I met a beautiful young woman of Spanish descent that beguiled me with her beauty, charm, and grace. Smitten by cupid's arrow, (or surging testosterone) I soon asked the woman to be my wife. A couple years passed, and we were blessed with a strong handsome son. She passed away soon after giving birth, leaving me to raise our infant son with the help of my devoted parents. A few more years passed before I met and eventually married a cheerful, intelligent, and kind hearted woman. Within a few years, two beautiful daughters were born into our happy growing family. In the years that followed, the demands of fatherhood led me to join the ranks of middle class America. Like many young families, we worked and struggled together to feed, clothe, and house our growing family. With the help and blessing of both this lovely, hard working, patient woman, and divine Providence, all three children survived to adulthood, earned college degrees, and began down their own paths in life creating families of their own.

The Present

Though still remaining friends, once our children had all grown to adulthood, my wife and I found we had grown apart and mutually decided to part ways. Now feeling that I had entered life's final phase, I sought out a cheerful, pleasant companion with whom I hoped to share the remaining years of my life. Within a year, I met a beautiful young woman who captivated me with her charming personality, and who once again reignited the flames of my passion, and renewed the optimism I had once felt from pursuing the dreams of my youth.

Together, we co-authored our first romance novel, Clark and Sacajawea - the Untold Love Story. Since then, I have also written my memoirs, founded a nonprofit, environmental organization, and launched several new business ventures, all with varying levels of success.

I now live simply and frugally, sharing the remaining years of my life gardening, writing when the spirit moves me, and teaching what I know to people who I believe are wise enough to learn from both my past successes and past mistakes. Traveling often to magical destinations, I often find inspiration for my next book, poem, movie, or invention. Although my varied interests always keep me busy, I still try to make it a priority to spend time with my children and grandchildren whenever possible, or at least whenever their busy lives allow it. Sadly, this never seems to be often enough.

Who are your favorite authors?

My passion for reading is diverse, so it ranges from the science fiction of Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov and HG Wells to the poetry of Homer, Shakespeare, John Keats, and Chaucer. I also enjoy the musings of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Pat Choate, Nikola Tesla, Lee Iococca, Richard Branson, and Melissa Dawn.

Top