Once upon a time a little girl was born in
Waco, Texas. Many years later she moved to San Francisco and a whole new
world opened to her; North Beach, poetry readings, coffee houses, and
the flotsam and jetsam of wannabe artists, and writers. Life became a
colorful canopy she had never envisioned before. This too ended and
another life began; a marriage, responsibilities associated with
marriage, still beautiful, and still colorful but never as stimulating
to the younger fringe beatnik who lived in the enchanted world of San
Francisco's North Beach.
I began with my memories and now have finished 7 books.
I have just about finished my
newest work: Maggie & Me.
This is my second picture book, and it takes us back to
a time when I was at my childhood best.
This is
a book within a book. Animal Crackers are stories about
cats, who contributed their unique qualities to my life,
especially Muffin and Finian. Add to that a journal of
remembrance, poetry and talking on paper sometimes
daily. Since Maggie and I live together, her presence
gives me pleasure and comfort. I have tried to add a bit
of humor to most entries since I have lived in pain much
of the time. I seem to be on the mend. Possibly, I have
written myself into wellness.
Helen Lewison
Listen to this interview
with Peter
Anthony Holder
of Canadian Radio station
CJAD 800 AM,
Montreal, and CFRB
1010 AM in Toronto
