As the daughter of a naturalist and adventurer, my childhood spent in remote places, was essentially feral. My own wild mother, author Constance Helmericks, allowed my sister, author Jean Aspen, and me almost unlimited freedom to roam wherever our interests took us—and where those interests took us—were mostly outside. My references are drawn from growing up in a family of story-tellers and a lifetime spent in the company of animals, plants, mountains, rivers and deserts. Where--when I quiet my own chatter and listen, they continue to give me joy, peace and true council. I care passionately about this planet and while celebrating nature my work also reflects concerns for our endangered planet.