I grew up playing in the outdoors of Louisiana. My parents were my first teachers, my mother having an interest in birding and gardening and my father a hunter and fisherman. I attended LSU and discovered the book store. Here I found wonderful field guides. When I met Tom, we spent many weekends in the Tunica Hills north of St Francisville. We were lucky enough to live at Como Plantation for three years. This is where I honed my skills at plant identification and edible wild plants. Hardwood Forests are where my soul is most happy.