Bio

I was born— I guess that goes without saying, in Wilmington, Delaware— at the beginning of the last year before the 60’s started. Went to a catholic school for Kindergarten, first, and second grades. This did not go so well as I am very left handed and refused to write at all with my right hand, no matter how many times I got whacked with a ruler. I then had the dubious privilege of being a scholarship kid at the rich kids’ school. I got a very good education; I hated it. But I did learn that being a rich Dupont doesn’t make you happy, although money does make life easier up to a point.     Okay, this is too long. Travel— Vermont backpacking, also in Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Jamaica, Mexico, Argentina. Lived in Vienna, Austria. My German is trouble; my Spanish is pretty good, weekends in Checkoslovakia and Hungary when still Communist countries, a wonderful week in Italy— Venice, Florence, Rome— with an art history major (student) as my fellow traveller— she taught me about art and knew what to go see. I taught her how to drink, smoke cigarettes and flirt with men. Also traveled in the U.S.A., lived in San Diego, California, St. Pete, and Tampa, Florida, and now Melrose warranty staying at a lovely villa in Gadsden.      Moving on, education— University of Delaware, didn’t finish, sold hot dogs in the stand at the football stadium for the Fighting Blue Hero, among other jobs. During this time, spent a semester in Vienna but didn’t leave, quit school, stayed in Vienna with Austrian boyfriend and sold batiks I made. (For him I left my Mexican boyfriend, a sculptor) On with education— San Diego City College, St.Pete Jr College, and USF (University in Tampa), got my BA, then UF, Gainesville started my masters.     Plus I’m a curious person so I learned a lot on my own, especially since I could go online and look up anything. So I know a little about a lot of things, such as playing the guitar, music in general, especially the blues, gardening, cooking, baking, landscaping, alternative energy resources, and so on. Also learned how to sell pot, since I thought it should be legal and I smoked it at the time.      Got married, it was abusive and crazy, I divorced him. I was a teacher so I had my own income and no kids— it still wasn’t easy. Eventually met the love of my life, we had almost a year together and he was killed in an accident (not his fault) on his way to get me on the first day of class of the last year I taught school. I still miss him. I was fighting depression, denying being depressed at first. Eventually married again, had a daughter when I was 35 and 36. Lea and Xans, now ages 19 and 18.     Lea will be 20 this Sunday, February 15th, my Valentine. I won’t be there, I am in prison. I got 10 years for selling my pain medication. Last year my daughter came for the weekend so Lea could be with me on her birthday. One of the officers barked at her and made her cry. My girls haven’t visited since then. I wish I could be with my girls, at least for their birthdays. I’ve missed all the special days in the past 4+ years— their 16th, 18th birthdays, their high school graduation, and Xeno’s wedding last June. I am 56 years old. Writing and listening to music to help me keep some sanity in this place so morose and grey.

- Bonnie Koefelz