Terribly shy at TJ, I blossomed my senior year, after Outward Bound course summer of ‘69, and especially in theater. Big thanks to English teacher Sandra Belgrade, who used a red pen on my papers – looked like it was from a slasher movie. Convinced me to enter state-wide contest, which I won and paid my tuition at UNC for my bachelor degree in journalism. Also a thank you to AP History teacher John Miles, who worked my butt off. Stood me in good stead for my master’s in Natural Resource Policy at U. of Michigan, where I was in the inaugural class of Scripps Fellows for Environmental Journalism.

Met Sharon Roadifer at UNC, where we were best friends before I kissed her one night. 47 years of marriage through way too many jobs and moves. I was a roving gypsy and along the way earned 21 national, regional and state press association awards in five states. Also worked public affairs gigs for Colorado School of Mines, The Nature Conservancy, Crested Butte Ski Resort, Wyoming Democratic Party and BLM. Have seen and done a wide range of things that would never have happened if I’d worked one job all these years.

Three kids: Eric is an Air Force Lt. Colonel in Florida, Katie is raising her fiance’s daughter and Sarah probably knows more about “The Count of Monte Cristo” than all but a handful of scholars in the world. Eric has beautiful wife Riann and kids Elle and Max.

Living in Hayden, down the road from Steamboat, where Sharon works as HR director for Liftup, the biggest charity in the region. We’re buying a home – the rental we’ve lived in for 2.5 years. Plan high-quality renovations and maybe sell later for handsome profit in crazy market. Aspirations for international travel, though there are states I haven’t visited yet.

Free-lance writing assignments have largely dried up over past decade and ageism is very real. Over-qualified is the phrase in bite-me letters. I keep juices flowing with letters to the editor and articles for free, regional arts/entertainment magazine.

I earn a paycheck in retail, where I’ve learned a great deal about cheese and wines and I specialize in bad Dad jokes for my customers.

Health is extra-ordinarily good for my age, though I have had two eye operations and lost a fair bit of my hearing while target shooting without adequate protection. I could easily stand to lose 20-40 pounds, though I do not yet suffer from Dunlap’s Disease, as in my belly dun lap over my belt buckle.

Beautiful area up here in northwest Colorado. Fall colors about to peak. Skiing, for those who have functional knees and ample income, can be spectacular. I hope to ski a few days this winter.