I look so serious in this photo, but it was the only one in focus. I’m not very practiced in taking selfies.
I grew up in Southern California and moved to the Rocky Mountains in my early 20s to complete my education. With all the determination I could muster, I completed a degree in Math, then slogged my way through a graduate degree in American History, and finally, a PhD in Psychology. My writing style followed the same path, at first poor, then stuffy, then pretentious. I had to get away from academia to finally write as myself.
My professional career took place at the same institution that granted my three degrees. I worked there for about 30 years; teaching classes, conducting research, and serving on degree committees. After leaving the university, I started a consulting company to pay the bills, and I wrote a book: Seven Dogs. I think you’ll like it.