Marching Forth

As we consider our fond retrospective in honor of JoAnn, the post I choose to share is about the day that forever makes me think of her.

JoAnn is perhaps the hardest-working writer I know.  Simply reading her to-do lists leaves me exhausted.  Among the 'read, write, revise, organize,' there's always: shoveling snow for a neighbor or cleaning up litter in the park or marching at a rally with her equally hard-working sons and husband.  All of this is accomplished with good cheer and a sunny, 'Wish me luck.' 

JoAnn doesn't need luck.  She's got guts and gumption.  Further, she always takes time to stop and smell the flowers -- literally, and usually with the dog's leash in hand.

At Vermont College, I remember trekking around campus with JoAnn in that first glorious summer.  I said to her one day, 'I don't know why I keep wanting to call you Judy.'  She replied, 'Well, I do have an identical twin named Judy.'  At the time, I was working on Mind Games, which has semi-psychic identical twins among its cast of characters.  It was one of those providential moments that made me feel both lucky and inspired.

So, in honor of JoAnn, let us March Forth into spring with big plans, big motivation, and big smiles. We are lucky to know you, JoAnn! --Jeanne Marie