My fascination with writing began during first grade when my mom Adelina, “Addie,” would read stories to me, and make me read others to her. Then she let me type nonsense on her depression era portable Remington typewriter.
It wasn’t long before she demanded I make up one paragraph stories and type them. I hunted and pecked with my fingers till she accepted my stories. She expected me to speak clear and strong.
That began my lifelong love affair with stories, writing, and writing machines. I didn’t know then that she was class valedictorian in high school, captain of the girls’ basketball team, editor of the school newspaper, played lead role in the Senior Class play, or that she was the only one of nine siblings that went to college.