I was the third of nine children in our family who were born after World War II when the U.S. was in the midst of a national resurgence of hope, optimism and renewal. The idealism of the 1950's and...ver maisI was the third of nine children in our family who were born after World War II when the U.S. was in the midst of a national resurgence of hope, optimism and renewal. The idealism of the 1950's and 1960's influenced me greatly. My parents were smart, didn't worry about what most other people thought and lived with unashamed zeal. Their approach to life also influenced me substantially. Together, these two things coaxed me into a bold and colorful life.A Midwesterner at heart, I grew up in Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois. I worked for nearly thirty years as a university professor in the field of textile science at Kansas State University and the University of Tennessee. I also conducted forensic consulting for criminal cases that included the "Dingo Baby" murder case (Australia vs Chamberlain), the "Hillside Strangler" murder case (California vs Buono), Pennsylvania vs Smith (Main Line Murder) and the "Atlanta Serial Child" murder case (Georgia vs Wayne Williams). In addition, I contributed insight to the question of image formation on the Shroud of Turin and conducted analysis of a historic fabric swatch believed to be from the coat Abraham Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated at Ford's Theater.I retired a few years ago and currently reside in Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where I write books, author a photography blog, photograph, enjoy fine wine and try to live life colorfully and boldly.ver menos