About Me

I was born in Washington, DC, grew up in its suburbs in Maryland, and now live in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.

Along the way, I’ve been a tour guide at Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts, picked cucumbers on an Eastern Shore farm, catalogued for the Maryland Folklore Archives, backpacked across Quebec, worked as a waitress at Howard Johnson’s and a short order cook at Woolworths, survived neurosurgery, run 100s of miles, completed a 50k race, given birth to three children, advocated for disability rights, and taught writing classes.

I’ve written a book that changed my life.

Whew. A lot has happened in 70 years.

Like many others, my life has been filled with challenges, but most importantly, with joy. One thing is certain. I am nowhere ready to give up on that joy.

I’ve learned that joy is an act of resistance. It’s what stood with me during the long hours in the pediatric cancer clinic with my son as he got chemotherapy, it’s what kept me positive when the book banners tried to tear down my beloved library, and it’s what keeps me moving forward as I age. Gravity may weigh me down, but it’s joy that keeps me soaring.

I know challenges are ahead, but I also know that joy will be my companion as I move into my next phase of life. It’s time to find happiness in the flowers and wildlife outside my home in the Appalachians, savor having children back in my life with my grandchildren, and delight in beaming myself over to Ireland via Zoom for Irish classes and conversation circles.

It’s time to write about the things I love for as long as I can and find joy every day that I’m alive.

I hope you will join me.

Colleen