Beyond Books
The inspiration behind many of my stories stems from my personal connection to the people served by organizations like Team Gleason and Give Kids the World. I also find limitless inspiration in the garden—when I actually get out there.
Give Kids the World
My niece, Savannah, was born with myotonic dystrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy. Savannah won her battle with the disease at the far too young age of 25 on August 4th, 2025.
We lost her mother, my beautiful sister-in-law, Sandy, to complications related to the disease on August 12th, 2011. This organization is one of my brother’s favorites, providing cost-free dream vacations to families of children with life-threatening illnesses, offering a respite from the harsh realities and limitations of their day-to-day lives and an opportunity to simply enjoy worry-free time together.
Team Gleason
My best friend, Kendel, was diagnosed with ALS in September of 2019 at the age of 35. Team Gleason was instrumental in helping create a new life that mirrored her old life as closely as possible. hen Kendel lost her ability to verbally communicate, Team Gleason provided her with a Tobii Dynavox tablet she was able to control with her eyes. Because of them, my friend had her voice back, and was able to communicate until April 7th, 2023, when we lost her to the devastating disease.
Garden
Both of my parents were Master Gardeners and while I inherited a passion for growing things from both of them, my results are a bit more chaotic.
CaliKim is one of my favorite resources for garden and specifically vegetable related questions, and her book Organic Gardening for Everyone is a wonderful place to start for newbie gardeners. Plus it makes a lovely coffee table book, with gorgeous photos shot by her own family. And her seed collections are perfection.