This is a story of a modern-day Spartan. Though not a biography, it is biographical in the form of anecdotal tales inspired by a life, "well-lived."

The life and work of Debby House Spencer positively affected folks and communities throughout Appalachia and the mid-southern part of the USA. Through dogged determination and her mantra of "we make things happen," she completed hundreds of projects by getting folks to work together. Her mental and physical toughness were epic yet simple and stoic, thus the Spartan analogy.

In her honor, this book is a celebration of her life, not about grieving and her death. My method of "dealing" with her loss has been to write about Debby's anecdotal history and cherished memories from our 42 years together.

The anecdotes about my best friend, lover, wife, and partner are blended with entries from my journal (posted as a blog) in the year following her death. As a critic and unofficial editor, she helped with my earlier book-writing efforts. She knew that specific truth involving my storytelling was semi-twisted. As Mark Twain stated, "A writer should never let the truth stand in the way of a good tale." With that said, do not assume that this is a work of fiction. All the tales happened. There are no lies and no fabrications. However, my memory may be somewhat fogged with age and the numerous blows to my head through the years.

This book is the result of encouragement by a wide range of folks. Some had also lost spouses, some only desired to read my tales, but many were friends who thought I had some talent. Though I question the talent thing, writing is how I manage the grieving process from her loss.

And notice the tense in the previous sentence… because memories last a lifetime and grief never ends. Understanding that "grief will never end" does not mean I spend considerable time depressed. Rather, it is a recognition that life goes on, albeit, with significant changes.