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Bio

I have been lucky to have poetry in my life since childhood. I talked in rhyme by age three. My mother, Helen Erickson Varsell wrote down a poem I dictated at the age of six which I illustrated. My father Roland Varsell told me fairy stories. I have learned from many poets, teachers and writers.

I have been lucky in teaching poetry to children and adults in workshops and creative writing classes. I have taught creative writing, children’s literature, write your life story at Linn-Benton Community College. My Literary Publication class produced an award-winning publication The Eloquent Umbrella for ten years. I give workshops for several organizations such at the Northwest Poets Concord and Writers on the River.

I have been lucky to read thousands of poems from all over the world as an editor for Calyx Books from 1982-2013.

I have been lucky in poetry associations such as Oregon Poetry Association serving on the board for 20 years- ten as president) and Portland PEN Women (currently president).

I have been lucky in writing and reading groups such as Poetic License, Marys Peak Poets, Wednesday Salon, Poetry Readers, Children’s Book Writers.

I have been lucky to play Scrabble- cooperative and competitive with poets, psychics and English teachers.

I have been lucky to have been inspired to write journals since the age of 11, a weekly family chronicle since 1966, editions of family poems and travel.

I have been lucky to have a passion for poetry to convey my love for family, dance, art, plays, the cosmos, contemplations on all aspects of experience.

I have been lucky to have artistic and technical assistance for my books from Court Smith, Dick and Mary Lutz, Maureen Frank, Susan Johnson and Joanna Rosinska.

I have been lucky to live and write in Oregon since 1969 with my husband Court and family in a mini-museum filled with my collections of angels, dollhouses and other small creatures.