A vast garden -- ageless, mysterious and watchful -- surrounds the Hamlet, a peaceful and diverse community of animals beset by fearful threats. Clever, strong and merciless, the enemies of the Hamlet determine on punishment and conquest. With courage and ingenuity, the Hamlet attempts to defend itself, but it is not enough. Though the garden's awesome power lies outside their understanding, the creatures in the Hamlet turn to it for relief from terror. Animal lovers and garden enthusiasts will find their passions in "The Hamlet and the White Owl." The book is appropriate from readers from ten years and up. During ninety years much can happen. In my case, classical piano training from ages six to twenty, a fifty-five year marriage, seven children and teams of critters: the crow, the rooster (an unfortunate choice), the monkey (worse), beloved dogs and cats, Charlie and Cricket the guinea pigs, Daphne the raccoon, three mice, the squirrel ... I'll be reminded if I've forgotten any. And all along, adventures in writing. In college during WWII we girls wrote countless letters to our servicemen in Europe and the South Pacific. Then, writer for Fenn College, Cleveland, and light verse in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A forty-year membership in Farmington Musicale, Farmington, Michigan -- programs, skits, four years Publicity, six years Editor of the Metronome and the club's successful application for the Distinguished Service for the Arts Award. As lyricist, I enjoyed a twenty-two year collaboration with my composer friend, Charlene Slabey. We wrote art songs, song cycles, a chancel opera, two full-length musicals, all performed in the Greater Detroit Area. Now, "The Hamlet and the White Owl." It seems things are still happening.