1. I'm 51.

2. I live in North Florida and it's mostly rural with this I-wannabe-a-real-town vibe. I like that it's got Live Oak trees, rivers and beautiful rolling hills. I can't stand the tiny, closed, little minds and the plethora of rednecks.

3. Terrific house, all on one level, built in 1963. Set on 12 acres of an old Pecan Orchard, the original owners used pecan trees to build shelves, trim and flooring throughout. Has a nice bunch of bedrooms, most have a private bath and that was good as we raised four of our five kids here. We are putting in a small organic garden this winter, can't wait till that starts producing. We have a very large kitchen (we took two rooms and made one big open space) and we have a library with floor to ceiling shelves for books .... and we've had to build more shelves in lots of nooks and crannies and we still have books in stacks. There is also a media room for listening to old vinyl records on a turntable. There is a movie screen and DVD player too. We're hoping to impress the grandkids one day.

4. How did you learn to be a mother? Mostly learned what NOT to do at my home, and then made a concerted effort to be creative and present. I also had to have lots of therapy and help from friends and I grew up. All necessary.

What mistakes did you make and how did you correct them? Too many to catalog, but I know the correction of them came from practicing the 12 steps of Al-Anon which taught me how to take responsibility for my part in any interaction, and then move ahead. I used to feel very victimized and did a lot of justifying. Not any more.

If you could go back, how would you change your methodology/approach (of/to motherhood)? Nope, not a thing. My kids are all over 21, healthy, smart, independent, creative, gorgeous and we have great relationships. I think every single thing we went through got us here. And I love here.

5. I want to finish my novel and see it published. I want to live for a month in Greece. I want to live a winter in Maine. I want to be a grandmother.

6. In my attic I found the hospital bill for my husband's three months of cancer surgery and treatment... 1988. I found about a dozen musical instruments: violin, clarinet, sax, electric guitar among them and I'm thinking of requesting a concert at Christmas. I found my wedding dress. I found my grandfather's writing box. I found my husband's christening gown. I found about a gabillion pictures and spent all day today scanning them.

Hope you had fun at work. I am exhausted - and must retire!