Where do I begin trying to tell you something about myself? (In other words, do you have any idea how hard it is to talk about yourself without sounding pompous??

I've been married for over 25 years with three kids, all grown now (it says in the fine print.) I live on the Central Coast of Sunny California where, in less than fifteen minutes, I can either be at the Pacific Ocean or up in the wilds of the Coastal Mountains.

I learned to read music before I learned to read words and play several instruments with varying degrees of proficiency. I took piano lessons for the first part of my childhood, and then began 13 years of violin lessons at 10. When my back could no longer handle the strain of holding the violin, I returned to study the piano on my own. Along the way, however, I learned the basics of guitar, flute, recorder, organ. About ten years ago I began learning and teaching Japanese taiko drumming.

I've been writing stories for the better part of my entire life, beginning way back in grammar school. I am still involved in writing swords-and-sorcery fantasy pieces, as well as indulging in the fun world of fan-based fiction writing for The Pretender. I have a couple of my original fantasy stories posted here, and as time goes by, I'm hoping to get more of them available for you to read. I've not sold anything to the hardcopy publishers yet, but I'm encouraged by some of the feedback I've been getting from readers.

During the ten years or so that I didn't actively work on my fiction writing, I was an active member in the online interfaith community. I still am very committed to promoting understanding between the members of the various spiritual communities, and see the power of the internet as essential to breaking down many of the barriers that mankind has created to prevent just that kind of dialogue. I am proud to say that I have very good friends who belong to just about every world religion imaginable — from Islam to Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Theosophy and Paganism.

One of the very few organizations that I've belonged to and worked very hard to promote is the League of Women Voters. I can't say enough about the good experience I've had getting to know and working side by side with these people. The League of Women Voters is all about becoming an informed and active participant in government at all levels — from local to state to national. They are a grass-roots based organization well-known for their impartiality in moderating candidates' forums and, years ago, the televised debates for Presidential candidates.

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