My wife Shirley and I are both retired from the federal government where we both were employed as attorneys. Two days after Shirley's retirement we packed up our possessions and moved ourselves and our two cats to sunny Tucson, Arizona, where we are very happy to be away from the humid summers and snowy winters of the east as well as the traffic congestion and what seemed to us to be a hectic lifestyle. Things are much more laid back here especially in the summer heat which we actually don't mind.

Shirley is interested in cooking and writing the great Victorian novel which she refuses to let me look at. I have been a stamp collector since I was a teenager. I don't know how I got interested in it. There are no other collectors in my family. I collect US mint, space covers, and US first day covers as well as MPP's. My collection is complete back to about Scott 500 and I have intermittently copies of the less expensive earlier stamps. My airmail collection is complete including Zepps. Right now I am filling up the back of the book stuff because I am finding nice copies of many of the early 20th century US which I need to be too expensive. I am a member of the American First Day Cover Society, American Philatelic Society, and of course the MPPC. I have Arlington, Virginia MPP #1 from when I lived there and will have to see about getting a Tucson MPP.

I am also interested in old cars. I have a 1972 Dodge Charger which I exhibit in shows. It was my first car and I am the original owner. It is an unrestored survivor! When I was in Virginia I joined the local Chrysler car club there and I remain a member of that club. When I go back east for visits I check in with my old friends in that club. I am also now a member of the Southern Arizona Mopar Club in Tucson.

We built a house in Tucson with a large garage where I can do some mechanical work on our vehicles and also a separate study just for my stamp collection!!

Thanks to Scott Shaulis for giving me this opportunity to publicize myself on the website.

Picture of Pete Bookman squinting in the bright Arizona sun.