Kezi Matthews...

My favorite T-I-C* quote: The person who says that something can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it...Chinese Proverb.
(*Tongue-in-cheek)

My best friend of thirty-five years picked this photo out, saying, "That is so you!"  Hmm... perceptions, perceptions.  My life has been uncertain, wacky, painful, hilarious, evolving, funky, heartbreaking, glorious, and much too confusing to try and figure out.  Let's just say, I don't sweat the small stuff.  My major life lesson?  Save your energy for the high hurdles!   

I was born in South Carolina...In the spring of that year.  At the age of four, my young parents' marriage ended in a shambles and I found myself bouncing from pillar to post just like the little sing-along ball.  Not quite as merrily though.  Don't worry, I gave them all a run for their money !   

After an early career in radio and television, both on and off air, I settled into a lengthy stint of creating original porcelain artist dolls for collectors and later accepted a commission to do the same for a major company.  After porcelain allergies brought that to a frustrating halt, I began creating original cloth dolls and eventually designer doll patterns marketed successfully worldwide.  After twenty-some years of doing all that and needing a serious change of pace, I decided to tackle another dream.  You see...

I was born with a writer's gene as surely as I was born with auburn hair.  When I finally knew that I was ready, the universe apparently agreed because the doors were thrown wide open for me.  I had none of the struggle for publication that so many  writers go through.  I began with short stories that were quickly accepted and appeared in Cricket Magazine and Cicada teen magazine.  My first novel, John Riley's Daughter, was submitted to only one publisher, Cricket Books.  It, too, was quickly accepted and ten months later was on the market.  Two more novels followed in quick succession.  I had come up with the winning combination: getting the right work to the right editor at the right time!    

I live in the great Pacific Northwest with Bobby, my two-year-old Boston Terrier and a very courtly old gentleman cat named Jake.  Bobby is a mini-Boston who's still working hard to grow into those ears! I don't have the heart to tell him it's not working.  Two years ago when this little mug-faced guy, weighing in at four pounds, toddled over and plopped himself down on my shoe and gave me the once-over I was a goner! He's a people dog; affectionate in a laid-back endearing way.  Everybody loves him, including old Jakey.  He has just enough independence and style to keep it interesting! And yes, he was the star of his obedience class! Click on the thumbnail to see a close-up of my little cutie-pie at 3-months!  (Who wouldn't love that face -- and check out the goatee!)

Since I missed the motherhood loop and don't have aging children trooping through the house, I have no sense of chronological time.  I may be way over the hill and don't have enough sense to know it--or I may still only be twelve. Probably both!  Whether I'm writing, creating doll art, fooling around with polymer clay, designing teddy bears, making fudge brownies or taking "Big Bob" for a walk...I finally realize it's all a gift!  On my last birthday, I woke up laughing.  It doesn't get better than that!  

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