Jeff Mann is a retired engineer, Carson's grandfather the owner of two young Saint Bernard dogs and a teller of children's stories. He has won art awards at local and state competitions, and he is currently studying creative writing at Waukesha County Technical College. When not taking care of his dogs, he is renovating a house, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. Winter finds him at the ski hill where he teaches skiing and snowboarding. In his spare time, he plays the banjo, and played in a band for 10 years, both locally and at Bluegrass festivals.