Rae McDonald: Hello. My name is Rae McDonald. Rae is spelled R-A-E, like in sundae, S-U-N-D-A-E, and an ice cream sundae is something marvelous.

I am one of three sisters. My older sister and I were given very short names at birth. My parents had longer names and did not like their short nicknames, so they attempted to save us from that misery. However, my sister called me Ra, like ha, for Rae, and I called her Mare for Mary. She liked Mare because she loved horses. By the time my little sister arrived, my parents gave up on trying to prevent nicknames. So her name was longer. Of course, my sister and I gave her a sweet little nickname.

I always loved my name, Rae, except for once when I was seven years old. I had sent my name into a children's magazine to be matched with a pen pal. I received lots of letters all from seven-year-old boys who thought they were writing to Ray, spelled R-A-Y, the boys' name. I was so mad, I never wrote them back.

My last name, McDonald, comes from my husband's exciting Scottish heritage, although I am completely Scandinavian and was given the last name Jensen at birth. I'm often called Mrs. McDonald's, but I do not make French fries and hamburgers very often. Instead, I offer something super savory, stories and books.