I’ve lived in the United States, Russia, and Canada. Nova Scotia has been my home since 2007.

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Born in the Anthracite Coal Region of Pennsylvania, I advocate for creating jobs in alternative energy and oppose politicians who deny climate change and whip up futile hopes of restoring coal to its Glory Days. Yet, I remain very proud of my heritage and the people who worked so hard in the mines and factories where I grew up. My dad, uncles, and grandfathers mined coal. My aunts and grandmothers worked in clothing factories. One sister worked in the cigar factory. I worked in a shoe factory and a plastic-hanger factory near my home town. Though I did earn university degrees and have had jobs related to that education, I'll always have a blue-collar soul. I've often been drawn back to working with people who make their living with their hands, once again doing factory work and maintenance. I plowed snow in Maine for nearly ten years. Volunteered to work on a collective farm in the USSR.

 

Besides writing, I work as support staff in special education and do freelance editing of math and science textbooks. Every spring, for fifteen years, I wrote multiple choice questions for the general knowledge section of the FSOT (Foreign Service Officer Test) for the U. S. State Department. I’ve taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Maine, Iowa and Russia.

 

MUSIC.  For nine years I was part of the Portland Folk Club in Maine. I love hitting the road with Brian and finding open mics to perform in. Thanks to Meetup.com, we have also found an acoustic song circle here in Nova Scotia. We meet at a library where people who come to read books often end up in our song circle.

 

 

There is also a Facebook page called the NOVA SCOTIA KITCHEN PARTY: COVID-19 EDITION.  It was started during the pandemic for people isolating throughout the province to keep each other company by uploading song videos to share. The Kitchen Party is still going on. Performers range from 2 years old to nearly 100 and now come from all over Canada and around the world.

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