There was always a story to be told in the Coco home. Here, my brother, Larry, and I listened as Mother read to us. My favorite stories were told at the dinner table. Dad and Mother would tell us their childhood experiences of growing up during the Great Depression.
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday for many reasons. You can't see the Christmas tree in this photo, but take a peek at the big box behind me. Can you guess what that was? Hint: the big circle in the center was a screen.
MORE FAVORITES
FOODS: Gnocchi Ravioli Shrimp Spareribs Cold Pizza Cannoli CANDY: Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pops Red Licorice Milky Way Dots COLORS: Bright yellow on a rainy day Baby blue or forest green on any day Red in the autumn PHRASE: “Bah! Humbug!” WORD: This word frees my weary brain! You’ll find it in another section of this website. Happy hunting! MORE FUN FACTS BIRTHDAY: October 22 HOBBIES: Long walks Bell Choir Collecting kaleidoscopes, art glass, hobo and tramp art QUIRKS: I LOVE theater popcorn...the next day when it's stale and chewy! THINGS I CAN'T RESIST DOING: Asking too many questions Staring at the stars Smiling at the moon Hugging my kids, even if they are taller than me THINGS I CAN'T HELP DOING: Asking too many questions Telling my kids to think safety first then have fun Humming or tapping along to music THINGS I ABSOLUTELY WON'T DO: Stop asking too many questions Peek to the end of a story Drive or ride in a car without a seatbelt Go skydiving again (it was fun but my ears were clogged for a week) |
SLEUTHSLife is an adventure! That is what inspires me to write. Be a sleuth and uncover clues which may help you to know me a little better. Have fun.
WHY A Hobo Queen?
FAIRY PRINCESS to HOBO QUEEN
In was a long ago birthday that I pretended to be a fairy princess for the day, and duly dubbed my brother and all at my party as loyal servants! However, I am truly a hobo queen, among the latest in a long line of many wonderful women. It all began with research. As a writer, I have traveled all across the United States and to other countries meeting many interesting people. Two of my favorite people to interview also became dear friends - The Hobo Whittler and New York Greenie. These men, and many others, rode the rails while looking for work during the Great Depression. Let me add right here and now that this was and still is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS and ILLEGAL venture. Stories told to me by Whittler and Greenie captured my mind and heart as a writer. I have developed a love for this part of American history as well as the town of Britt, Iowa, the people who live there, and the hobo family. I was proud to serve as the 2008 National Hobo Queen and dedicated my year of service as the queen to the our American soldiers and veterans. INTERVIEWS When I travel to interview a person it is to gather information for the stories I tell as a writer and storyteller. Those interviews have led to many adventures. When you open my books I hope the characters will take you by the hand and my adventures will become yours as you travel with them throughout the story. THE SHY GIRL Wow was I ever shy growing up! I spent a great deal of time reading about the adventures of many different characters, especially Nancy Drew. My favorite place to read was at the Cambria County Public Library in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. At that time the library was located on Washington Street, in a building that has been there since 1891. You can see pictures of the building by clicking on the link to the Johnstown Area Heritage Association. The building is no longer the library, but a wonderful flood museum. However, the marble steps that led to the children's section on the second floor still exist. When I was young, I would peek to make certain nobody saw me (remember I was quite shy), then walk up and down those old steps several times just to hear my heels click. Yes, you guessed it - I also took dancing lessons at the Kelly Dance Studio, and tap was my favorite. Though the library has relocated to Main Street, my heels still click on the marble steps of the flood museum. Yep, you bet I still tap my way up those steps! Trinkets of Trivia: Those old marble steps were there... Long before my grandparents arrived in the United States from Italy 40 years before the Stock Market Crash in 1929 47 years before the second Johnstown flood in 1936 56 years before the Slinky was invented 66 years before the opening of the first McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants 80 years before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon 88 years before the third Johnstown flood in 1977 Those steps have seen a lot of history…and water! 
Ciao! We're off on another adventure.
THE FEARSOME FOURSOME
This is a photo of the four Coco children taken in 1963. My sister, Risa, is the sleeping baby; my kid sister, Joselle, has the pixie haircut; and my brother, Larry, has the curly hair. As for me…the hairdo and glasses were quite popular just before I became a Beatlemaniac. Okay, are you done laughing? I told you growing up was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do!
To find out what years these photos were all taken, click on CHIT CHAT. Remember to take a guess first...and no, they were not taken during prehistoric times!
ORGANIZATIONS IMPORTANT TO ME (all links to the right) HOMES for the BRAVE (Male and Female) Our daughter, Lauren, served a 400-day tour of duty in Iraq. A social worker by profession, she recognizes the need for better care of our veterans. Please take a moment to learn more about the valiant effort to provide homes for our heroes. KICK for NICK A precious story and campaign to honor one of America's fallen heroes, Nick Madaras. APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT(ASP) Dad always took us on fun trips to the hardware store. I love gadgets and tools, and working with families is why ASP is special to me. I've learned how to frame and deck a roof, frame inside and outside walls, sheetrock and spackle walls, and plaster ceilings. Mr. De Young, our children, and I have enjoyed working on ASP. A BETTER CHANCE PROGRAM(ABC) The De Young family has been involved in ABC for nine years, and Christina, our host daughter, will always be a special member of our family. RELAY for LIFE Cancer can be a very scary word, and maybe you or someone you know has cancer. Take another look. Do you see the word "can" in there? Believe that you CAN feel better. Believe that you CAN help another feel better. To all who walk the Relay for Life...thank you. To all who wear the pink and yellow bracelets, ribbons, and other signs of support...thank you. To the doctors, nurses, and those who continue the research for a cure...thank you. We CAN all beat this together! |
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