Having been raised on a cotton, corn and tobacco farm near Smithfield,NC, I learned the value of hard work. Not only does it bear fruit but it also brings joy, plus the fact that getting your hands in the soil is very theraputic. When I became an "empty nester", I went into real estate for 26 years. After many years of city life and traffic, I retired to become matron of Bethlehem Retreat in the beautiful mountains of southwestern Virginia, though I still maintain a home near Charlotte NC to be near 2 of my 3 children. I also have 13 grandchildren and 9 great-granchildren. Most of my time now is devoted to reading and writing children's books, two of which have been published, "Arthur the Talking Goat" and "Arthur's Friend, Hazel the Hen". They are about real animals on the Retreat Farm.