JC Saffell

My goal as a writer is to “show” you the listener the story rather than “tell.”

Forty years of marriage to my deaf/blind wife has hopefully, given me a greater understanding of how, frankly, the right words matter. I would often find myself explaining to my bride, in great detail, signing into her hands, the many questions and happenings of life.

Some of my favorite authors are: Maya Angelou, Mark Twain, Jean M. Auel and Dr. Seuss. I love a quick wit and am especially excited when the author can catch me "off guard," Mark Twain does this with perfection.

I am a voracious “listener,” and an avid reader. I enjoy writing poetry as well as telling stories to my children and grandchildren, especially about my cherished Mexican grandmother. My grandmother was my “life coach” long before life-coaches became fashionable. I miss her.

One of my many blessings is that my grandmother was an excellent cook. It is my honor to pass on to my family, her passion for cooking.

I have always been cursed/blessed with an odd identity problem. Inside I am a Mexican outside I am a white boy.

My mother is a beautiful morena Mexican. (Morena is a nice way of saying my mom is of a very dark complexion.) I was born with white hair and blue eyes and very fair skinned.

My dad was a ruddy, kind man of English/ Irish ancestry. I look remarkably like my Dad.

I moved to Humboldt County from Carson California at the age of twenty where I met a beautiful deaf woman and fell deeply in love. Together we raised four great children and now we have five wonderfully inquisitive grandchildren. Oh, did I mention they are absolutely gorgeous too? My wife would be so proud.

As life would have it, five years ago, my beautiful bride suffered a massive heart attack and passed. I deeply miss her.

I am now retired. I am able to garden, to walk, to sing, to babysit, to cook, to read, to love, and attend Mass. I am also a huge lover of learning.

God Bless you,

Jack