Where to begin? I grew up on (now very crowded) Long Island, enjoyed Jones Beach, and went on to get a degree in English at S.U. N.Y., Potsdam, northern New York, where I met my husband. We recently went back there for a college reunion and also to Ottawa, Canada, where he actually proposed to me on the ice on Rideau Canal! But Virginia is my adopted home and I've learned a thing or two or three about education there, even writing a book about it. I've done many things on my way to being a published author, from freelance journalist to survey taker to even doing the U. S. Census and working at Shoney's! A cancer survivor, I'm a Master naturalist member and really interested in a healthy environment for animals out in the woods—and myself. It is terrible what is happening now in Hawaii (Aug. 2023) with winds fanning flames destroying a whole town on Maui. I want to visit Hawaii (never been). But last year I took a fantastic trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. What treasures! So I write about people, nature, consumer issues (have some humor oriented stuff at Medium.com under d. j. mathews) and could use a "ko-fi" cup of coffee for my efforts. I plan very soon to have a giveaway of 10 books (and a consolation book) for my "Great American Women in Science and Environment" book. I plan to do fiction (a satire) in the future. I try to be informative, but unique. Check me out...