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Peg Tuomisto, a native of Coleridge, Nebraska, uses writing as her 'therapy'. Her writing of books began when she was 78 years of age, when she wrote a book telling of her growing up years on a farm outside of Coleridge in the '20s.
Peg, nee Florence Leapley, began teaching in a rural school where she had 42 students in eight grades. During World War II, she drove intercity buses in San Diego, California. When she married, the couple took up residence in Coleridge, and Peg continued her teaching. Later they moved to Omaha, where she taught journalism in the Omaha Public Schools. In 1983, she retired from teaching, and a couple of years later, the couple moved to Tallahassee, Florida, where their only daughter and family resided.
Since her husband's passing, Peg has been busy with volunteer work, and is now an employee of the Leon County Sheriff's office as a Coordinator of Volunteers.
Peg's motto at the age of 83 is 'Love, Laugh, Learn, and Live.' Peg's first book is titled How Did I Get Here From There. The book follows her through childhood days with no electricity or other modern 'necessities', to teaching in Cedar County, and on to Bryan High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Then the book takes the reader to Tallahassee, Florida, and on through the loss of her husband in 1992. It is a book that the youngsters need to read to remind them of how far we have come, and oldsters read it and reminisce. All readers in between those ages, are reminded of the stories they have been told of 'the good ol' days when grandpa walked to school in the snow.' The book entitled Recliner Logic which Peg wrote when she was 80 years of age, is a collection of tid-bits on how to grow old and still be happy. It is cheerful, funny, motivating, and compassionate. It includes Peg's views on her grandchildren, her daughter and son-in-law, her life during the technological 'outburst', which she doesn't understand, and laughable essays on the aches and pains of reaching octogenarian status. It is for anyone who feels old, anyone who is old, and anyone who wants to chuckle about it all. In 2004, Peg began writing children's books, the first series being about DeeDee, the Greyhound.
In the first of the series, DeeDee is born on a puppy farm, trained to race, and does not become the fastest dog on the track. That book is titled, DeeDee, the Greyhound, Meets World.. (Can be expected in book stores by August, 2004) The second in the series follows DeeDee to be rescued from the track and helps her find a loving home with Dad, Mom, Cameron and Tybee. The book takes DeeDee through the re-training she needs, to be a pet in a real home. This book is titled DeeDee, the Greyhound, Finds Family
(Scheduled to be for sale in September of 2004) 'DeeDee, the Greyhound, and Those Darned Cats is the title of the third book which relates some of the trouble DeeDee and the cats get into, and tells how they finally become friends. DeeDee enjoys a birthday party at her new home, cake and all. (Scheduled for November, 2004) The last book of the series is titled, DeeDee, The Greyhound, and The Grandma Lady. In this book, DeeDee finds out how to be number one without winning any dog race. She learns how fun it is to make others happy. (Expected to be at the book stores in December, 2004) Watch for the Maggie series next. These books will be about Maggie, The Retriever. Also, in the pre-planning stages, as yet, are the series about Hollie, the Collie. |