Although born in La Jolla, California, Patricia spent half her childhood in Washington, D.C., the home of several generations of her mother's family. In 1961, her mother died. Only 18, Patricia returned to Vassar College with a year at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, another year in Rome, and ultimately earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy. Later, as a single parent of three children, she raised, raced, and showed Thoroughbred horses. She also completed a Masters degree followed by a PhD. Patricia has taught English and writing, written for magazines, had a newspaper column, and sol...