About Me

I have been an animal lover all my life. My first love was my uncle’s dog, a female mixed breed named Pokey. She was the main reason I slept over at my aunt and uncle’s home. My parents, sister, and I lived in a NYC housing project, and no pets were allowed. When I was eighteen, I purchased my first dog for $15.00 at a local pet shop in Brooklyn, NY. He was a six-month-old “mutt” whom I decided to name Bagel as I was working in a bagel bakery at the time. He was, by far, the most intelligent dog I have ever owned (despite his habit of pulling garbage out of the kitchen pails!). He was 14 1/2 years old when he passed, and I still have fond memories of him to this day. I have owned several dogs over the following 54 years and adored every one of them. Currently, we have a rescue dog named Buster, a Shih Tzu/Poodle/Pekingese mix, who is both a treasure and a clown!

*I love cats and would have been happy to own one, but a bad allergy to them makes ownership a non-starter!*

Among my many passions, of which writing and reading are number one, I deeply love cooking. I enjoy it even more than eating my recipes. There is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when I see friends and family empty their plates and return for seconds. I suppose that feeling is equal to or the same feeling I get when someone reads one of my stories and leaves a positive review.

My husband and I have been hiking in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states for many years. We rent pet-friendly cabins on short vacations and spend our days on hiking trails with the dog. Being out in the quiet of the woods and forests, without the noise of traffic or construction, is a remarkable way to center yourself. It also lets my mind wander as we walk, and I have developed several story outlines in the middle of a hike.

In our backyard, a section is set aside for growing vegetables and herbs for personal use. Some of the staples each year are tomato, oregano, basil, jalapenos, lettuce, and string beans.

Reading has been my strongest passion since I was four years old. I am a voracious reader and never without a book. I guess my need to write was born from my love of books. Creating stories for others to read is now a legacy issue for me.

Here’s hoping you will enjoy what I’ve written as much as I’ve enjoyed their creation.

Warm wishes

Jay