I have been a Justice of the Peace for over three decades - my husband and I officiate together. We've been happily married for over 50 years. A mother of four and grandmother of eleven, we even officiated at the second marriage of our two daughters.

I've been writing formally and informally all my life - trips, experiences, poems, thoughts. I'm working on a piece called 'Snapshots' - verbal pictures of my family to introduce previous generations by description, habits, colorful and candid bits. It paints a picture of personalities and keeps alive those who share the same blood, so children and grandchildren can 'know' their forebearers to some degree.

Contributed to church newsletters, interviewed new members. Researched and wrote the history - a summary of 150 years using archived and interviews of the older members.

I had a bi-weekly column, The Human side in a local newspaper. Wrote about anything that came to mind - provocative, amusing, timely. One in particular about buying daffodils in February and mixing them in with pine boughs - the color and aroma chasing away the winter blues. Florists called to say they'd have a run on daffy's so I became the Daffodil Lady. Lots of reader reaction.

Co-authored a column for a year, Food For Thought - writing about the origins and superstitions of various foods. It was breezy, informative and fun.

After starting out as an Administrative Assistant of a Continuing Care Retirement Community, I became the Resident Services Director - responsible for Admissions, Marketing and Public Relations. I even did some radio and television and loved it! The position entailed a great deal of writing: a monthly newsletter, reported, interviews, speech-writing and lots of public speaking - to groups of 20 to hundreds.

I interviewed prospective residents, meeting people from all over the world. The residents became my extended family and I correspond with some of them to this day.

A very important part of my life is church. I'm a lector and Minister of Communion. It's a tremendous privilege to administer the Cup and very educational and moving to read the words of the Scripture. It helps bring things into perspective especially after surviving two bouts of cancer. I learned a long time ago that the power behind you is infinitely stronger than the challenge that lies ahead - and that faith is the key.

I am a part of a group called 'Connections' through Oncologist where I am paired up with a patient (by telephone) who is undergoing treatment for cancer. The patient and I will share feelings, thoughts, fears in a confidential way and hopefully my positive experience and attitude can be a healing thing that can be transferred to yet another patient down the line. It's a constant reminder that we are all in this together and we can draw strength from each other.

Politics - I managed an office, worked on campaigns, oversaw fund-raising functions, kept volunteers involved and got caught up in the excitement that surrounds a candidate, a State Representative, A State Senator and a Gubernatorial run. Those were demanding, exhausting, exhilarating days.

During high school and college, the emphasis was always on writing. Journalism and Professional Writing majors, I was on the staff of the yearbook and editor of the newspaper at Endicott College.

Now, I'm in a marvelous stage, with time to put pen to paper, or rather, fingers to keys. My husband and I officiate at weddings often, meeting an eclectic group of people - generating almost enough material for Book Two. An anthology of essays on myriad subjects is in progress and I have also outlined a book drawn from years of experience - the warm and human side of the Continuing Care retirement Field.

My husband and I did a whole batch of weddings this past summer - on boats, docks, indoors and out - even on the sand. Weddings seem to be very much in vogue wherever they're held and we're thrilled to be a part of the biggest decision people ever make. These experiences - humorous, poignant, bittersweet, make a great read. I even see a televisions aeries- a perfect reality show.

I'm a happy soul who sees the cup half full. Here I am at the beginning of my 7th decade with lots of energy, enthusiasm for the gift of life and a strong desire to pass on some of the interesting experiences from the broad variety of weddings husband and I do.

I love people and have many interests - the theater, reading, taking long walks in the quiet of first light when you can hear the birds celebrate the beginning of the day and I have time for reflection and appreciation of life itself. I play a decent game of tennis, share the fun of bocce with my husband and friends and absolutely love to give parties (usually small ones that promote conversation).

My husband and I have four daughters and eleven grandchildren, nine granddaughters and two grandsons whom we adore and who keep us au courant and our senses of humor nicely honed.

I correspond with many of them via email and have developed what I consider a precious relationship. We share experiences, confidences, fears, and uncertainties, hopes and dreams. It is an opportunity to LISTEN which is valuable, and, a chance for me to impart some of my experiences of life and a positive attitude, i.e. when things seem to be going in the wrong direction, you CAN turn them around and rise again - and you WILL.

I'm fired up with ideas and spend hours at my computer writing about LIFE. Now I am trying to take all of this to a new level - finding a publisher and passing on the wisdom and experience that could be so helpful to people in the marvelous estate called matrimony. After all, it's the basis of our family system and needs all the help it can get.

It's time and I'm ready!