I was born on the day Babe Ruth died. Unfortunately he didn't leave his athletic ability to me. I began writing poetry in college for a course project, and have been writing off and on (mostly off) ever since. In the last year or so the Muse has whacked me upside the head again and I've been writing fairly regularly.

Major influences....Hmmmm......for poets, certainly no one famous. I like a lot of stuff from contemporary New Hampshire poets, notably Ed Pacht, Steve Redic and Skip Manning. For authors, I like Mark Twain, Armistad Maupin, Guy Davenport, Colleen McCullogh and Mary Renault. How's that for a spread? Influenced by them???  Don't  I wish!!

I guess having been a French Major  I would have to cite some influences there, but it is mostly subliminal. l enjoyed reading Pascal, found the existentialists dreary and most 19th century poets pretentious, but that's me. I did like 20th century author Roger Peyrefitte, though he is a bit verbose. About 20 years ago I finished an English translation of his major work Les Amities Particulieres., which sits on a shelf in my office awaiting my finding time for revision and editing. I would like to get it published, as any English translation has been out of print since.the 1950's, but I haven't got the faintest idea how to accomplish that.

I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire in 1970 and a half. For my first three years I spent a decade as a French Lit. major before figuring out that the department wasn't exactly friendly to French Canadians, then switched to Psychology to try and figure out why I was so screwed up. I never used my degree vocationally, instead working in either manufacturing or retail until I became disabled a few years ago. Currently I supplement my income through online book sales and take care of my two cats. Peppercorn and Chicklet.

While at university I also expended considerable energy on playing Canasta, foreign and domestic "films" (we didn't call them movies back then!) Playing various sports more or less abysmally, and in general avoiding serious study. Maybe that explains something.

I've also been a Christian for a long time, in both evangelical and liturgical churches. It's something I wouldn't want to trade for the world. Unfortunately I have found that most people who call themselves Christian are lousy at following the example of their Founder, myself, unfortunately at times, included. At the moment I consider myself to be a Continuing Anglican, but have no church to attend.

I also graduated from the School of Hard Knocks. The school colors are indeed black and blue