I was born in Key West, Florida on September 11th, 1951. My family moved us up to Jacksonville, Florida in 1952. My mother read books to me. I remember her asking me if I could read between the lines and explained the meaning of that. From kindergarten through 8th grade I attended St. Paul's Catholic School. I was in an advanced reading class in 7th and 8th grade. We read Quo Vadis, Homer, Mythology, Oliver Twist. I went 2 years at Bishop Kenny High School and 2 years at Robert E. Lee High School. Our basketball team won 26 games and lost 3. Leonard Skinner was our coach; the great band used his name.