Woody Weingarten, author of MysteryDates® and several other books, can't remember when he couldn't talk - or play with words. His first poem was published in high school, but when his hormones screamed that adulthood had arrived, he decided he'd rather eat than create rhymes (or even blank verse). So, he switched to journalism, jumpstarting his career in New Yawk more than 65 years ago. Now he's a California-based blogger and publisher, a feature writer, and a critic/reviewer - despite allegedly being retired.During his earlier, better-paid years as a wage-slave, he was an executive editor and writer for daily and weekly publications in California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.He's won writing awards for columns, features, editorials, public service, investigation, and news.A graduate of Colgate University, he owned a public relations/ad agency, directed a congressional primary campaign, served as media liaison for a psychiatric hospital, managed an advertising publication, and worked as a legislative aide.The father of two and grandfather of three, he's lived in San Anselmo for more than 37 years with Nancy Fox, his companion, collaborator, lover, wife, caregiver, editor, and a person who loving fills a score more categories.He figures he'll stay.