I am a teacher. I earned my BA in English and Russian at Ohio State University (73) and my MA in English at San Jose State (85). I retired from teaching writing and thinking to children in grades 6-8 at a Catholic school, but continue to teach young adults at Solano College in Fairfield, California. Teaching children to write is clearly the best of all possible professions!
A central fact of my life (and my poetry) is my love for my family, my wife and my two sons. My older son, Brian, passed unexpectedly at the age of 31 in March, 2017. That is the date our lives changed forever.
My poetry concerns the everyday life of the spirit. I am imbued by my Catholic faith, and as I get older, I find in the poetry of Mary Oliver and the writings of Thomas Merton my chief source of growth, comfort, and poetry.
Life, even in the agony of grief, is still good.
poems 
Steven,
Ethel and I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. You’ll have to go to fourwindowspress if you don’t know about it, and if you follow the instructions you’re a winner. We are mainly trying to let you know how much we honor you and your work, so you may or may not chose to accept the award. That’s up to you, but we certainly think you are worthy of more than this one gesture of thanks for you and your poetry.
By the way, I love Thomas Merton. Tom
I am very honored, Tom. Having read both of your work, I feel that I’m in very good company. Thank you… I’ll look to see how to do this.
Good to know you Steven
Steven, I just added you to my blogroll (thought you were already there, but seems I’m behind on things!) I also added you to my list of nominees for the “Genuine Blogger Award” which was posted last night. It’s a nice, easy award – no requirements, no rules, nothing you have to do, except to hopefully accept it. 🙂
Hi Steven–my good friend and Sister of the Sea, Betty, has sung your praises so often and highly (including just an hour ago, so it’s fresh in my mind!) that I’m going to follow you today–and not miss any more good stuff! God Bless You!!
Thank you so much… I appreciate your kind words! Steve
Hello big brother!
I could not be more proud, of you and my whole family!
a good life represented here.