I live on a farm in eastern Kansas with my wife, Michale Ann, three horses, two dogs and two cats. This land has been in our family for many generations and before then was owned by the Shawnee Indians. We have about twenty acres, so it’s not a large farm, but we back up to hundreds of acres of land owned by either the park system or other family members. The terrain is gently rolling with lots of timber and creeks which affords good walking, jogging or riding spaces. Our house looks over a large meadow and distant hills.

                 For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed writing and reading. When my children were little, I found that they liked the stories I made up for them just as much as the stories I read them. One Christmas I decided to put a little extra into the process and actually write a story out to tell around the fire on Christmas day. That’s how A Dog Named Christmas got its start. It was only a little five or ten page story, and this was back in the Christmas of 1999. I remember a couple of my children just sat there when I was finished. They finally pleaded, "that was a good story, but an awful ending! You’ve got to redo that.”

              Well, I can take a hint. I redid the story and in particular focused on an ending that they could better understand. I read the story next Christmas and got a better reception. “Dad, that was great. You should try to get that one published.” It wasn’t an easy process, but that’s ultimately what happened.

              When I’m not writing, I practice a type of law called mediation in my home town of Olathe, Kansas. I have been involved in promoting reading for children and at-risk youth for many years. I helped start a reading program called “Changing Lives Through Literature.” One of the highlights of my week is that I get to read to a little second grade Hispanic boy who is struggling to read English. He is doing fantastic!

              I hope you read and enjoy A Dog Named Christmas and if you have any other questions about the book, the setting or the characters, please write.

              Below are some paintings from a local artist, Kim Casebeer, that capture the feeling and look of the east Kansas countryside. I hope you enjoy them and if you would like to see more of Kim’s work, please visit her web site, at www.kimcasebeer.com.

A typical small farm house nestled in against a stand of timber.

 One of thousands of small creeks that attract wildlife, including deer and turkeys.

Gentle rolling hills in the winter.