Storyteller

A hobby is something of pleasure that you do to pass time. Usually this is a skill that you want to learn and become adept at doing. Activities are plentiful. Sewing, knitting, gardening, art, cooking, playing golf or bridge. Well, none of these tempt me.

Being the only child in my household gave me much time to pass. I found what is now my hobby at a young age. I loved to play with paper dolls, especially those cut from the Sears catalogue. I gave them names, a vocabulary and relationship of my choice. I “made up” a story for them to “act out”. My parents were pleased that I could entertain myself in this quite way. Next, I started writing my stories on paper in a spiral notebook with a stubby pencil that no one saw but me and the paper dolls. School gave me more joy from writing. Book reports, essays and later themes allowed me to use this talent. I realized that writing is more to me than just a fun hobby. It is a love that has given me much satisfaction through good times and hardships. Thank you always to Mrs. Edna Bailey who taught me to type, and fill the SHS High Flyer with articles other than gossip. I proudly became the editor in my senior year. She encouraged my writing when she said to me, “Shirley, you have a way with words.” This culminated in four published novels and a newspaper column that you might have read. On this lovely fall day with blue skies and leaves changing color—why am I sitting at the computer and using my way with words. I will go out to enjoy the day as soon as I write The End.