Barbara L. Thomas came to poetry late, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Bumbershoot Literary Award 2001 for her volume of poetry: Lilacs Wilting on Nancy's Bonnet/ A Cherokee Narrative. Credits also include a chapbook, Cherokee Rhymes with Chickadee/ A Grandmother's Primer. Since moving from the Pacific Northwest, she has become a fledgling Montana woman: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and kayaking--cold water swimming, an old love. She has also been very pleased to discover and join Authors of the Flathead. She lives in Kalispell, Montana.