Bio
Writing (and Living) in the Now
I’ve decided to write a second memoir now because I might forget it later.
At this age, I might be fortunate enough to live until I’m 90. I eat well and exercise often. I’ll try anything once rather than read novels and watch movies on Netflix every night, or gamble my life away at a casino. During COVID-19’s shutdown, I wrote another novel and chronicled a trip to Europe on my website.
At a book club meeting many years ago, someone commented, “Well, nothing happens.” She was referring to my first memoir, Spirit of the Village: A Maui Memoir, published back in 2004. I’m still not sure what she meant by that because every page referred to an event that molded me into what I’ve become. My life partner, David, mentioned that it’s like a British movie—if you’re waiting for a resolution, it won’t happen.
Spirit of the Village: A Maui Memoir came to life when David invited his family, all 21 of them, to a family reunion on Maui. They came from all over the world—both coasts of the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. This was in the first or second year of our relationship. Surrounded by 21 family members who were strangers to me at the time, all with various personalities and ages, was frightening. That’s how my memoir began. I was in a state of shock. I chose to be at my computer typing while they were out swimming.
I was brought up as a single child. I’m not used to living with so many people surrounding me, although I have accumulated a cornucopia of friends outside of my home life.
People thought that David and I would not last. We are now in our 23rd year of unmarried bliss — ha! I’m laughing because an ex-boyfriend recently contacted me saying he was enjoying marital bliss. I’m trying to picture that.
Fast forward to now. In August of this year, we returned to Hawai`i for an 11-day visit — not enough time to party with all our friends. The night we returned to Reno, I boarded a plane to Europe.
Life is very dynamic these days. My twilight years are full of bright stars, and these stars make delicious beginnings for a story. Write them now before they’re forgotten later.
