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Note: Check out my website for a new "Rhyme of the Month" for November---a little something for Thanksgiving: http://www.billkirkwrites.com .

As for my background, I was a nomad for 42 years as an Air Force brat and later as a career Air Force officer, having lived in Germany, Bolivia, France, Thailand---oh, and the U.S. My love for writing was inspired by my mother, who still dabbles in writing and oil painting in Fort Walton Beach, FL where my parents are both living. My writing during two professional careers was mostly bureaucratic, while an Air Force Intelligence Officer/North Africa Specialist and later as a Research Analyst and Manager with the State of California in the Departments of Health Services, Child Support Services and Social Services. From 1992 to 1995, I got a taste of writing for fun when I wrote news and features for two local newspapers in Sacramento (The Suttertown News, a weekly, and The Old City Guardian, a monthly). Since around 2002, I have primarily written children's rhymes in addition to humor and satire. Over the years, I have been published in several magazines and journals (Boys' Quest, Wee Ones, Fun For Kidz, Saplings, Grandparents' Magazine, Inner Words, Absolute Write, North Dakota Horizons and The Baseball Almanac). Four of my rhyming picture book stories (fiction and non-fiction) are currently being illustrated. Publication by Guardian Angel Publishing in St. Louis, MO, is expected starting in late 2008 and 2009. Nine more rhyming picture books (non-fiction, anatomical rhymes for the educational market) are in the pipeline for publication by GAP later in 2009 and 2010. Academically, I completed a BA degree in French (University of North Dakota, 1969), a MA degree in International Relations (Florida State University, 1975), post-graduate work in Leadership and management (1976, 1980 and 1997), a MPA degree in Public Admin (Angelo State University in Texas, 1981) and a Certificate in Total Quality Management (American River College in Sacramento, 1992). My wife, Rita (a green-eyed beauty from North Dakota), and I have been married for 38 years. Our first date was during the 1969 Zip to Zap (Google for details) and it's been an adventure ever since. Rita is a Clinical Psychologist with a busy practice in the Sacramento area. We have two grown children and three grandchildren. For over 35 years I have been an avid runner, having completed several marathons and ultra marathons. I am an Eagle Scout (1965) and am currently a Boy Scout leader with Troop 259 in Sacramento. I am trained in Wilderness First Aid and I enjoy backpacking in the High Sierra as often as I can. In 1997, I completed massage therapy training and have had a part-time practice in Sacramento for over ten years, specializing in injury prevention and recovery and deep tissue work. So far, I am enjoying my retirement but am far from retired.

Note: Check out my website for a new "Rhyme of the Month" for November---a little something for Thanksgiving: http://www.billkirkwrites.com . As for my background, I was a nomad for 42 years as an Air Force brat and later as a career Air Force officer, having lived in Germany, Bolivia, France, Thailand---oh, and the U.S. My love for writing was inspired by my mother, who still dabbles in writing... More