I am a freelance writer based in London, ON, a professional member of PWAC, Professional Writers Association of Canada,  www.pwac.ca

Having worked for many years in the not-for-profit sector, I was successful in writing grant applications and proposals to both government and private funding bodies.

I say that my interest in writing started when I was in secondary school, spending several years on the year book and newsletter committees, however when I was a young child I read a tremendous amount of books and always dreamed of one day being an author.

As a wife, a mother of three and grandmother of six, I spent some time at home with my grandson who came to live with us. While I was a stay at home (grand)mother, I started writing again and have actively pursued my goal to be a freelance writer. My work has appeared in MacLeans Magazine,  Westover Treatment Centre Newsletter, Trucking Trade Magazines,  East Side Story, In Stride magazine, as well as several newsletters.

I am a community activist and have been involved on various committees and not-for-profit boards of directors. I have volunteered with new Canadians, helping them to settle into the community and am also a church warden.

In 2002 along with Lynn another grandma raising a grandchild, we launched a local support group for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG’s). I also co facilitate workshops for GRG’s.  For more information on the workshops please contact Childreach, Ontario Early Years Centre at 519-434-3644. To join our London area support group, please email or call me. To find a support group in your area go to www.cangrands.com.

They say that “life begins at 40", but in my case I think it begins at 50. I have recently taken on another venture that I find very rewarding. I am now “Skuttlebutt” the clown and am a member and “Grape Vine” clown of Clown Alley London. Visit us at www.clownalleyoflondon.com.  Not only do I love “Clowning Around,” but am also involved in starting a new chapter of the infamous “Red Hat Society,” a group for women over 50, who “believe silliness is the comedy relief of life” www.redhatsociety.com.

In addition to my writing, I am a public speaker, available to speak to groups and coordinate workshops on various topics, most recently speaking on codependancy, the joy of humour and stress management.

I love to cook and entertain and plan to publish a cookbook. I also love the theatre, travelling and most importantly spending as much time as I can with my family. The quote “if I knew that having grandchildren was so much fun, I would have had them first” is certainly true for me.

My life has been a journey with many detours and curves in the road, but I have learned over the years to take things “one step at a time”, “one day at a time” and “not sweat the small stuff.” As I learn from day to day, I want to share with others so that they too can find  “inner peace.”