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I came to San Francisco in 1951 as a five-year-old French immigrant who spoke no English. By the time I moved in with Phil Lesh and the Grateful Dead in early 1966, I'd already been documenting my life in photos for years - my life with the Dead now moved into my viewfinder.
After Phil and I parted as a couple, I stayed within the Dead's core family as the band’s friend, travel agent, and French interpreter; and when moved to do so, I danced onstage.
In my first self-published book, "Dancing with the Dead—A Photographic Memoir: 1964 - 1974", I tell ten years’ worth of stories—illustrated by 200 of my photos—of living, traveling, and working with the Dead during their first decade as a band. It's been in print and selling since 2013.
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In 2026, I self-published its 29-year sequel," And THEN What Happened? 1974 - 2003", picking up where I left off with the earlier book -- 1974, when I (thought I'd) left the Grateful Dead behind to follow my heart to Taos, New Mexico.
Moving from a craft cooperative in Taos to a converted lifeboat in Sausalito; to a school bus in the mountains; to a house in a suburban cul-de-sac; to a dorm room at the Grand Canyon; and coming back to the Grateful Dead scene years later - my native optimism and adaptability helped me overcome continuous obstacles to living a quiet and peaceful life.
In this book, I share my personal journey, sometime into - and then out of - dire circumstances - but always moving forward with a wry sense of humor and the belief that things will always work out.
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I'm now 80 years old, living in Eugene, Oregon, near my son and grandchildren, and I couldn't be happier.
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