I am someone who cares.

I grew up playing in the wooded acres behind my rural Pennsylvania home. This influenced my perspective: it made me aware of the natural order of things as well as the value of quiet contemplation. I grew to understand that my life impacts (positively or negatively) the ecosystem in which I live, and I began to turn to Nature to help me understand the world.

Meanwhile, when weather or other circumstance forced me inside, I spent much of the time learning how to express myself through the rhythmic tapping of the keys on my mother's piano.

Heritage
My grandparents came from a Pennsylvania Dutch community where the concept of “save and reuse” flourished. My farming ancestors were at the mercy of the land and weather and found themselves isolated by a peculiar language. They learned to survive in America using their own skills and self-taught trades. They were, and I am, industrious, devout, self-sufficient, open to every shade of religious expression and dedicated to wasting nothing.

Career Path #1: Advertising
At age 18, I moved to the big city of Philadelphia where I began my administrative career in the world of advertising. I eventually became Vice President in Charge of Production at Gallagher Knetzer advertising in King of Prussia where I served as a liaison between the client and the artist. It was my job to ensure the final product satisfied everyone‘s needs, on deadline and on target. This tested and encouraged both my creative talents and my orderly talents. I learned the importance of professional design, copywriting, page layout, typesetting, and branding from a wonderful group of long-time advertising executives.

Career Path #2: Consulting
In 1999 the agency closed when the owners retired. I began consulting under the name Streamline Organizational Services. There, I used my organizational talents to assist creative entrepreneurs who were drowning in details, and I helped them build solid office foundations to support the weight of their growing businesses. The focus on office management set my service apart from other “organizers.” 

Even though I was the advisor, I found inspiration in each client's vision and entrepreneurial spirit.

In 2007 the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce gave me the “Distinguished Service Award” for my work within the Chamber office. See testimonials page to read a quote from the nominator.

In order to effectively deliver seminars, I joined a local Toastmasters public speaking club where I achieved Competent Leader status (and made a lot of great friends).

Career Destination: Writing
In 2008 I followed the long-time advice of colleagues, friends and loved ones and began focusing my efforts solely on the craft of writing. It is proving to be a satisfying destination on my journey.

I am a monthly Green Pages columnist for the Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal which is read by environmentally conscious business owners. I inform past clients and colleagues of administrative issues through my Email newsletter, the SOS Signal, and write about living a simple life via my Back to Basics blog. I enjoy writing non-fiction articles for publications that share my interests, expertise, and passion for living in harmony with Nature. You can find examples here.

I now help creative individuals organize their throughts through the arrangement of words instead of filing systems. You can find out about the freelance services I offer to small businesses on my services page. 

My Audience
Like the child playing in the woods, my readers are aware of the impact they make. I write to support them in their attempts to foster a sustainable way of life. They enjoy reading the perspective of a writer who cares as much as they do. They are looking for simple solutions to common problems, reminders to trust their instincts, and examples of the miracles that surround them each day.

My readers also enjoy musical expression. They like to hear a sad song when they are blue and a happy one when they are glad, and they appreciate good ryhthm as much as a pleasant melody.

Other Interests
After more than 30 years, in addition to tapping on the keys of my computer, I continue to express myself at the piano where I play classical, folk, pop, and more.

In my continuing effort to make a positive impact, I support various economic development, community building, and environmental organizations. I volunteer administrative time to the "Food Crew" in preparation of the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival.  I serve on the planning committee for Delaware Riverkeeper Network's annual Congress on the Schuylkill River, and I am a founding partner in the Upper Perkiomen Land and Water Alliance. A complete list of memberships and associations is above.

I also enjoy hiking, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, and living life.

Writing Vision
I strive to say what needs to be said while building a well-balanced, healthy environment for both myself and those around me. I care about making things better.