The Obligatory (but not Mandatory) Page About Me

Welcome to Constant Commoner. If you’re wondering why I chose that title, it’s because that’s what I am. I’m a blue-collar woman living in a small but adorable cottage that keeps crying out for repairs I can’t afford. I live on an island floating at the edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, accessible only by boat or car ferry or plane; a place where northern lights are said to appear often, but I’ve only seen them two or three times in the 28 years I’ve lived here so I probably won’t be thrilling you with amazing pictures of the Aurora Borealis.

Everything you find here will have been filtered through the eyes and ears and mind of an ordinary observer. I have no discernable wealth or talent or experiences that might blast you out of your seat. I’ve never had a passport. I don’t have a single college degree. I don’t know famous people.

But I’m pretty good at witnessing and chronicling. Before we moved to the boonies, I had a long career as a citified freelance feature writer and columnist for newspapers and magazines. I’ve written essays and short stories, and now I blog.

I’ve been a practicing writer for so long it seems I don’t know how to do anything else. I love that so many of you have subscribed to my newsletter. It tells me you’re not just passing by. You’ve given me permission to send my latest pieces to your inbox, and that thrills and humbles me.

Here at Constant Commoner I write about living in the northern boonies because that’s where I live for most of the year.

I write about ageing because I’m way past just ‘getting old’. I’m old.

I write about widowhood because my husband, Ed, died last year and I’m still trying to process the realities of my life without him.

I write about the fears and triumphs of the country I love.

Sometimes I write just for the heck of it.

I write to make you think, to feel, to laugh, but I’m doing it for myself, too. I get a kick out of some of this stuff and the truth is, I’d probably be writing it with or without you.

But I’m glad you’re here. I’ll never not be glad you’re here.

WRITERS, please check out my sister publication, Writer Everlasting. I’m taking all I’ve learned over these many years about the art and craft of writing and putting it all out there. We’re a community and a safe place for writers. No gimmicks, no sales talk, no garbage. We love words, we’re addicted to writing, and there’s nothing in the world more satisfying. Until it’s not. And we’ll talk about that, too.

Writer Everlasting

If you’re reading this and you haven’t yet subscribed, here’s your chance. Subscriptions can be free or paid—and thank you in advance if you choose paid—but everyone receives the same work. No paywalls, no blocking of comments. The doors are always open.