Acknowledgments

Profound thanks to the journals and anthologies who first published selections from this book. Anyone who reads or runs a literary magazine keeps us alive.

The Hook In The Heart, first published online in Compass Rose.

Measures Taken, first published online by Carbon Culture.

A version of Creating My Reality appears as “BFF” in the volume “Back to High School,” published by 650: Where Writers Read.

A version of Crime on the Catechism appears in the volume “On Siblings” published by 650: Where Writers Read.

I offer particular gratitude to my brilliant, gentle, experienced, intuitive guide and primary editor on this book: the marvelous memoirist Laura Shaine Cunningham. Rich ongoing conversations, emails, and time spent with her at The Memoir Institute in Stone Ridge, New York, renewed my faith in this project and helped turn recalcitrant pages into the finished book you hold.

Warmest thanks to my beloved and steadfast agent, Anne Marie O’Farrell, whose belief in my work has meant the world to me. Thanks also to her savvy partner Denise Marcil and all the staff at Marcil-O’Farrell Literary Agency for great suggestions and support. Editor Brenda Knight, publisher Chris McKenney, designer Morgane Leoni, and all the Mango team have been wonderful. Without them, this book would not exist. Special thanks wing their way to Molly Friedrich.

Thanks to these small but mighty organizations: The Garrison Art Center in Garrison, New York, The Butterfield Library in Cold Spring, New York, Calling All Poets in New Paltz, New York, and Poets and Writers in NYC, who offered a place and/or funding to explore the early stages of this work.

Writing thrives on friendship. For years of wonderful conversations and support, thank you to Jean Marzollo (sorely missed) and dear Patricia Adams. Dear Tracy Strong, thanks for the best possible local sistering. Hats off to Mark Lacko for design expertise, photography, and friendship, as well as mending my dictionary stand. I am so grateful for the juicy talks, literary and otherwise, with dear Richard Kollath and his partner Ed McCann. Their Creation 650: Where Writers Read is a gift to writers and audiences alike. Thanks to Bill and Ann Strohmeier, to Scott Laughead, Jorie Latham, Vay David, Thomas Donahue, Mark Rettman, and Steve and Cecile Lindstedt for always fanning creative flames. Thanks, Gretchen Dykstra, for incisive advice. Kathy Curto, I’m loving this shared ride with you. Jenna Zark, your passion for this book has helped propel it here. Moira O’Keefe, you gave an early version of this book a big boost, and I’ll never forget it.

Thanks also to the remarkable folk who paddled the Flathead
with me.

Robin O’Brien, your unflagging support and love are indispensable. As are yours, Jim O’Brien and Dan O’Brien. (Mark Muenster, Linda O’Brien, and Maggie Norman O’Brien will always have my appreciation for caring for my sibs with so much love.)

A wilderness-size bouquet of gratitude to my husband John, ever-darling, John Pielmeier, whose ongoing love, patience, and exquisite literary taste make my creative life possible and my daily life glorious.