Write

I wrote my first story at age 7 when I learned to hunt and peck on the typewriter. Articles, press releases, grant proposals, even billboard copy followed. Eventually, I wrote novels. My latest, The Tin Horse, was inspired by a minor character in the classic noir novel The Big Sleep—a woman working in a bookstore in Hollywood, described as having the “fine-drawn face of an intelligent Jewess.” I also do dance journalism, and lately I’ve surprised myself by writing poetry.

Dance

As a teenager, I fell in love with modern dance. It was expressive and weird. In my 30s, I decided that in my next life, I’d be a dancer; I figured I’d have to start early. Then I found a beautiful dance-based fitness practice, Nia. I started teaching Nia at 58. To my amazement—and gratitude—I am still, in my mid-70s, teaching four classes a week. And I’m leading a dance retreat in Tuscany.

Love

I was blessed to find my soulmate, Jack Cassidy, in 1974. Jack was a writer, a brilliant mathematician, and a joy-bringer. In April 2022, he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. During the 16 months until his death in August 2023, we posted updates online. Jack awed me. As I said in one post, “This sweet soul has a gift for finding happiness beyond anything I could have imagined.” People told us they found our story inspiring. In This Moment We Are: A Love Story is a memoir (in progress) about our experience.