Working as a freelance writer has allowed me to not only be flexible enough to take care of my mom in her last years, but it has also given me a remarkable and varied career that is rich and full. My writing work ranges from education (history, geography, and language arts, with clients that include the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and National Geographic Learning) to food (including two highly regarded books of food/ag history: Midwest Maize, and Pigs, Pork, and Heartland Hogs).

Public speaking takes the food history to an even larger audience, and also allows me to share about my travels in pursuit of history. In addition, as part of the Illinois Humanities “Road Scholar” speaker bureau, I am able to share history in remote towns that would not otherwise have access to good speakers. This life would be completely crushed by laws that limit my flexibility or impinge in any way on my being a freelancer.