The author, Jeanee Cordery-Maring, was born in Hemet, California, in 1936. Until she was eight years of age, she experienced pristine woodlands, crystal lakes, white winters, and iris- and lupin-colored summers at the little mountain community of Running Springs above San Bernardino. Jeanee attended a one-room schoolhouse there. Then with her parents and brother, who was thirteen months younger than Jeanee, she moved to an apricot and walnut ranch in eastern Hemet that was adjacent to her grandparentsa home. Jeanee was born with cerebral palsy. Perhaps her handicap gave her a more acute sense of observation and appreciation. Jeanee was lucky enough to live in a very structured, but loosely encouraging, environment. Jeaneeas passion for writing came early in her life when, at the age of eight, she wrote her first poem. The love of literature and of nature has always been an important part in Joanas life and activities. Her writing reflects that love.