Ward Huffine

I was born during the “Baby Boom”. Growing up in Southern California was all that the songs of the times said it was. In 1972 after having “too much fun” in college, I enlisted in the Air Force to “See the World.” As fate would have it, I met and married a young woman who would share my life for over 40 years in places all over the country. We have three beautiful daughters (all born in different states), a grandson and a granddaughter. Cancer took her from me five years ago and I found myself facing a very different future.

I started writing on a whim a couple of years ago. Sitting outside by my fire pit, I wrote about what I saw and contemplated me. Using my phone, I took notes and pictures of my times by the fire. I sent the poem to a trusted friend. A friend that would tell me what she thought about it. She is an author also and I knew she would provide me with truthful insight. She was impressed at my imagery and encouraged me to do more.

So, I did. Sending each new poem for her to critique. Each time she gave me more encouragement to continue. Finally, she simply asked, “When are you going to publish these?” With that, “Thoughts from The Yard” was born.

Since that October night in 2017, I continue to write about what my senses present me in The Yard. Five books are part of the “My Yard” Series, each one building a little on the last. Each book a little different with poems from my boat, poems from pictures that friends have taken and poems from places I have visited. What was born as a way to express my thoughts, has become a valued part of this new path of mine. Very soon, a new partner will join me on this journey. We will enjoy the new adventures that awaits us in the next chapter of our story.

Cedar Cove, MD

11/26/19