Peg Tuomisto

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.

 

 

PageOneLit: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Peg Tuomisto: I grew up on a farm in the Coleridge, Nebraska area.  Electricity did not come to our rural area until I was in the 8th grade. I began to country school when I was three weeks past my fifth birthday, walking to school carrying my lunch pail, and proud to be going to the little country school.

We were poor in material things, but rich in family love and caring.  Books were always a big part of our lives--there was never a birthday, or Christmas when we didn't get a book or two--maybe that was all, but we got books.  All of the family read, and all the books in our big bookcase were read over and over.

My parents were my most powerful influences on my life.  My mother was a lady who taught us morals, caring, and compassion by example.  My father was a jolly man who was honest, hardworking, and caring. I never heard my parents argue.  Also, there was only one time that I remember that I came home from school when my mother wasn't there to greet me.  That day she had gone to a funeral.

 

PageOneLit: Why do you write?

Peg Tuomisto: Why do I write?  I believe writing is, for me, therapeutic.  I think it is exciting to put something in print that someone might think is interesting.  I hope to bring humor, memories, and enjoyment to others.  It would be nice if my books brought as much joy to others as books do for me.

 

PageOneLit: In your first book, How Did We Get Here From There, you recount your life in the 1920's through the early 1990's. What inspired you to put your experiences into a book?

 
Peg Tuomisto:  My first book really was inspired by questions my grandchildren were asking.  I was proud of my heritage and my growing up in the days before all the "progress", and I wanted my grandchildren and my nieces and nephews to know something of that time.  I felt that all us people who had been blessed to live this long should share with the younger generation some of the obstacles, and the advantages of growing up in what some of us call the "good ol' days."    I also hoped to impart to my readers that no matter how long we are privileged to live, "Today is the good old days."

 

PageOneLit: Your second book entitled Recliner Logic, which you wrote when you were 80 years old, is a collection of tid-bits on how to grow old and still be happy. What is your top one or two pieces of advice to person who wishes to remain happy throughout the aging process?

 
Peg Tuomisto:  To stay happy for seniors, and eager for another day to dawn, I feel strongly that it is necessary to keep busy, to do for others, to laugh, love, and learn.  We need to learn to laugh at ourselves a little.  Life is precious. Love is precious.  I have new aches and pains every day, but  "What's another crisis in my young life?"

 

PageOneLit: In 2004 you began writing a series of children's books about DeeDee the Greyhound. How did you get the idea for DeeDee? How have these books been received by children?

 
Peg Tuomisto: Recently I have written the Greyhound Series about DeeDee, the Greyhound.  This series was inspired by our family's dog, DeeDee.  She passed away in 2004.  As I thought of her, and all the unconditional love she had brought to the family, I wanted to write her story to perhaps create more interest in greyhound rescues.  I also wanted to impart the feeling that these regal animals have feelings such as worry, sadness, happiness, and pain.   Hopefully, children of all ages could relate to the love of a pet.

The people, both young and old, who have read the DeeDee books so far have said they loved it; wanted to read more about DeeDee; felt like adopting a greyhound; wanted to buy the whole set for their grandchildren; and couldn't wait for the last two books.

 

PageOneLit: Your next children's books will about "Maggie, The Retriever," and "Hollie, the Collie." What can we expect from these series? What are the anticpated publication dates?

Peg Tuomisto: The writing of my next two books depends on my continued health first; then on whether my budget can afford the publishing; then on how the greyhound books are accepted.   But if all these things are favorable, I'm ready and anxious to begin more books.

 

  
PageOneLit: What do you hope to achieve with your books? What do you hope readers will take away after reading your books?

 
Peg Tuomisto: I hope readers will remember that animals have feelings, and that they can become so very much a part of our families.  I would be so flattered if my children's books could be read over and over to some child by a grandma, as I did some books for my grandchildren.  We read some of them so much that we nearly had them memorized.  The reading, the cuddling, and the warm feelings were the last thing before the quiet restful night of sleep( probably for both the child and the grandma).

 

PageOneLit: What has been your feedback from readers?

 
Peg Tuomisto: Feedback from readers has so far been a pride in knowing me as an author; disbelief that an 83 year old woman was writing; interest in pets, and comparisons to pets they have had; and my family seems proud of me.  The book  "Recliner Logic" has been very well received by the older generation.  I have readers who have read my Nebraska book over and over and reminisced about their own childhood.  I have people  at work who, I believe, buy the books mostly for my autograph, so they can tell their families--look here, an 83 year old woman wrote this--how about that?

 

PageOneLit: What's next?

Peg Tuomisto: What's next?  Living, loving. learning, and laughing!  As long as I can stay well and active, I will be putting ideas down on paper, if for no one else's enjoyment but my own.

 

PageOneLit: What was the last book you read?

 
Peg Tuomisto: What was the last book I read----I read about two or three books each week.  I love Debbie Macomber books.  I am now reading the Miss Julie books by Ann B. Ross.  I have read The Mitford Series, and I have so many books that are my friends that I need to find another bookcase.

 

PageOneLit: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Peg Tuomisto: Hobbies?  Yes, writing, reading, and working.  My family and friends are the wind beneath my wings, and I love my little lake home with the ducks, geese, egrets, and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.