“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead
About Me
I was born and raised in the Midwest, and have never strayed far from it for long. I now reside with my family on an organic farm just outside of Lawrence, Kansas.
I am so blessed to be living in this wonderful little valley surrounded by so much wildlife and hope that it is teeming with abundance and diversity far into the future.
I have begun this website, Plains Speaking, not because I have all the answers, but because I want to do something to help our planet, and encourage others who may be searching for solutions to do the same.
I graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa, have a graduate degree in journalism from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Kansas.
My professional career encompasses working as a civil rights investigator for the Kansas Human Rights Commission and teaching English at the University of Kansas.
I have been published in numerous print and digital venues, and am the author of Searching for Spenser, a memoir about the death of my son that won the National Indie Excellence Award.
I now spend most of my time growing produce, volunteering as a Douglas County Extension Master Gardener, writing, playing piano and harp, and working alongside other environmental activists.
