We arrived in Kauaii at the beginning of the year, January 1, 1988, and stayed at a friend’s

beach cottage until we found our own place. Of course, we went to Nawiliwili Harbor to visit our

new project right away.

Grit & Grace has been reviewed by Kirkus and it has an Accolade that says "Get it."   Only 25% of their reviews receive this accolade.  Happy first time author moment!

As with some projects, this one began a few years before we knew it did, with a trip to the boatyard on Kauai. On that original visit, Tosh visited with the previous owner. Walking under the stern, he looked up to touch her planking and felt an overwhelming wave of wonder and magic at the beauty and symmetry of her lines. Little did he know how that moment would determine the course of the next chapter of our lives.

“Is this a photo journal? Or is there a story to tell here?” I was at Mimi’s Café with Helen Chang, a writing coach. She was looking at me with amused intensity. The question created internal conflict because I was sure I was supposed to do a photo journal of The Elixir Project but … there really was quite a story behind all the photos.

One of my fears about publishing a book, and particularly a memoir is having to speak to people about myself and my story. While teaching at the college, I can deliver directions and instructions to students without hesitation, but standing up and impromptu speaking has been a scary thing for me, and a lot of other people too, if the stats are accurate!

There is a moment in many lives, a crossroads, where the path of a life is radically altered. I would like to share one such moment with you …. a moment that shaped the last forty years of my life. And was why I began writing a book.