On her resume, Donna Lee Tufts can say she’s been an elementary school teacher, a pet sitter, an interior designer and now an author.

The Marion native’s first book, “From My Kayak: A Photographic Journey by Kayak on Aucoot Cove” is a compilation of 42 pictures with accompanying text about her trips on the water.

The whole journey for Tufts began when she made a decision: Go on vacation or learn to kayak. She chose the later. After acquiring a kayak, she said, “I didn’t know how to paddle. I googled it: How do you get into it? How do you get out of it? It worked.”

Still, she had her husband Peter walk the short path between their home and the beach so he could make sure she didn’t sink. But Tufts immediately felt at home on the water, and visiting the cove became a ritual.

Then and now she wakes up early, checks the tide charts, and if the water is high enough, hops in her kayak.

“I love the walk down the path. I can’t wait to take that first paddle stroke,” she said.

In conjunction with her newfound love, Tufts began taking photos of the scenery and wildlife in Aucoot Cove using a point and shoot Cannon Sure Shot.

“It’s nothing fancy,” she said.

Many of her photos are taken at nearly eye level with the water.

“I love it. It’s that closeness. It makes me smile,” Tufts said.

Three years and thousands of photos later, she hasn’t grown tired of the small cove where she usually kayaks alone.

“I just really love how it’s never the same. The water is never the same color, the clouds are never the same, the wind is never the same,” said Tufts.

With so many photos, Tufts began printing them as note cards and framing them on the scant wall space in her home. Her images of geese floating on still waters, kayaks dusted with snow and clouds reflected on the water were so well received that she was chosen as one of four local artists to exhibit at the Marion Art Center earlier this year.

While photography is relatively new to Tufts, writing is something that’s been in the background for a while. She once took a course on writing for children and later penned a few articles for local publications. Until attending Judy Rosby’s memoir class at Taber Library, however, she hadn’t written for some time.

Some members of the group “clicked and connected” and decided to keep meeting after the workshop ended. It was they who encouraged Tufts to write about kayaking and to turn it into a coffee table book.

Tufts say an advertisement for Page Publishing and sent in her manuscript and photos, which were accepted.

The book will be available for purchase soon, and Tufts hopes it inspires others and reflects her perspective on life.

“I am a spiritual person,” said Tufts. “I believe that these are all God’s creations, from the humming bird to osprey.”

Tufts will have a book signing at The Book Stall in Marion on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.