Merry Weatherbee's Alter Ego
Penny Stephenson
Oklahoma Inspirational-Humorous, Author & Speaker
What do you get when you cross a housewife and mother, with a commercial writer, actress and poet? — A not-so-desperate housewife? Close. “Merry Weatherbee, Life Observer!” Still confused? “I like to think of her as an Erma Bombeck put to rhyme!” says Penny Stephenson.
She created the character of Merry Weatherbee, who observes life in the rhyme of schemes, in 1985, during the oil bust years of the Mid-West, while raising children as a stay-at-home mom and working as a freelance commercial writer, producer, and actress.
Initially, Penny created “Merry” as a fun short radio program intended to lift up people that were hurting from the impact of the vast economic downturn, with laughter and hope.
In the midst of this endeavor, she began performing “Merry Weatherbee” in person to church and civic groups upon request. Soon, she was on her merry way, bringing laughter and inspiration to audiences all over Oklahoma and Texas!
Penny has been happily married for over 44 years to her loving husband, is very proud her two talented children and their spouses, and adores being “Noni” to her many precious grandchildren.
She earned her B.A. Degree in Radio and Television, and has enjoyed more than 35 adventurous years in the Broadcast Industry, Public Relations and Corporate Communications.
Each of Merry’s observations is written from Penny’s first-hand experiences. Although some of her topics have been suggested by family and friends, or submitted by keen life observers—like YOU!
Like her name implies, Merry discovers the merriment and object lessons hidden in the mundane things of life. “She’s my merry-ministry, spreading the medicine of mirth and encouragement to audiences of all ages and stages. I love performing Merry as much as writing her, I’m like an audio book in living color except I get to enjoy watching audiences respond when touched by laughter or inspiration.”
