I began writing poetry in Viet Nam in 1967. My first poem was published in "Best of Poetry 1968". After the military, I quit writing until the late seventies only to start again after I retired in 2001. I have been interested in photography since childhood and have taken thousands of photographs all over the USA. I was born in Big Stone Gap, VA and moved to Seattle, WA after serving in the Navy. During my military career, I served aboard a nuclear submarine, a PBR and two different destroyers. After my military years, I helped my father in law build houses, and then worked 18 years in the home center business. I became store manager after three years and was "manager of the year" in 1971. In 1988, I retired from the home center business and bought my own hardware store in 1989. I closed my business in 2009. I am the proud father of two wonderful sons, and one 10 month old granddaughter. I live alone with my cat, Emily.