Gino Peregrini

I'm a grandpa with a bad reading habit.

Born on the west slope of the Rocky Mountains; grew up in Kansas' Flint Hills. Learned to hoe row crops, milk cows, harness and drive a team of work-horses. First poems written about age six; next poem around age 13, in response to a thunderstorm.

Began reading "serious" literature at the same age: Thoreau, Plato, Bertrand Russell, Dylan Thomas, Jack Kerouac, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Dos Passos . . . a long list.

Discovered jazz and blues a little later, with immediate delight. Saw Elvis Presley's first appearance on TV as it was broadcast live. Played french-horn, trumpet, tuba in Junior High and High School band (not very well).

Started dabbling with oil paints also around age 13,

Art major in college, also English major. Fell in love, got married, had children, hired at University of Missouri-Rolla, now retired; eight grandchildren, oldest a junior in college.