Who is she? She was
born in Oklahoma, part American Indian. Her family lost their
farm during the Depression, packed up an old truck and headed
for California. They made it to Las Cruces, New Mexico. She
was five years old and was raised in the sand hills of New
Mexico, where her home is today.
When her Navy brother-in-law and sister moved to Dallas she
went along, went to modeling school, entered a beauty contest,
was selected Miss Semper Fidelis. She married an Air Force
Major who died in Korea. They had a daughter. As a single
parent, she had a lucrative career in television, and was
working for an NBC station in Corpus Christ when she married
a young Navy pilot. After his tour of duty, he flew for Pan
Am World Airways; her ticket to world travel, Central America,
Japan, the Fiji Islands, Germany. Divorced in Germany she
returned to school, in Florida, earning an AA in Psychology
and a BA in Liberal Arts.
In Japan she wrote a behind-the-scenes book about an horrendous
mid-air collision. She has been writing all her life, her
works have been published around the world. She has intense
interest in aviation, co-authoring two study guides with her
husband teaching at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University between
piloting jobs. One guide on Boeing 727 systems and the other
on FAR's Part 131.
Once asked, "Who are you?" she answered, "I
am my work, my manuscripts, my art, a mosaic wall mural my
husband and I made. I am my home, my garden, my religion.
I went to Taiwan, a tourist. I went to Guam, a traveler. I
am a teacher. I taught English conversation in Japan. Konnichi
wa! I am an archway in Monterey, Mexico, a sunset in Fiji
Islands. I am my hobby, making music on my guitar, making
Indian 'Ojo' de Dios. I am my poetry, God's gift. I am my
daughter's art, I encouraged her. I am my writing, it is accomplishment.
I am my husband's successes with a degree from Embry Riddle
Aeronautical University, PHT, putting hubby through. I am
the clouds in Texas at my sister's farm, the planes I fly
in, the flowers, the brook running to the sea. Most of all,
best of all, I am me!"
That is the lady.
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