Back in 2003, we had a heap of crazy things happen to our family's chicken coop.  And in telling the story via email to many distant friends, more than one of them told me that I should write for a living.  This seemed outrageous because I was a working geologist at the time, concerned more with coal seams and ancient stream beds, not to mention children.

But the stories continued and one day I sat down and wrote about being obesely pregnant and going to a spa.  I realized then that if I could entertain myself while writing something, maybe I could entertain someone else reading it. 

And so Small Town Soup was started.  I gave my column that name for many reasons, but now they all seem so distant to mention.