I was born in Des Moines, Iowa. During the war Mom and my sister and I lived in Mason City until Dad came home. Then back to Des Moines. Graduated High School at Topeka High in Topeka, Kansas, and then went right to work for Hallmark Cards in the Litho Art Department. This proved to be better than a college education in art. Met and married my husband in Topeka, then moved to Staten Island, NY to take over De Jong's Bakery, the family business. We ended up in Colorado, bought a new bakery and settled down to raise our four kids and a menagerie of critters on a 15 acre homestead. For the most part, these were wonderful and fun filled years. Then I lost my husband of thirty-seven and a half years, January 1, 1998. Happy New Year.... It just hasn't been the same since, and a fair amount of my poetry reflects this transition in my life.

I have always drawn and painted for pleasure, to tell small stories, but I also have always written down my feelings. Sometimes when I couldn't find the words to say them out loud, or when I was filled with joy or frustration, writing set the feelings in order. (I am famous for having the right words to say the next day after the wrong words were already said!)

Locally I am a member of the Greeley Poetry Club, and the Greeley Art Association. These are fun groups and has flowered some good friendships.

I am a watercolorist of wildlife and Americana subjects. If you are interested, here is the link to my website and blog.

http://www.fortmeyereditions.com/

http://fortmeyer.blogspot.com/