When Linda Hays-Gibbs lived in Demopolis in the mid-1960s, she probably looked out her Strawberry Avenue window and saw images on a mental canvas, ideas of things she would someday write about to share with others unable to experience the things she had seen.

Now, Hays-Gibbs is publishing a book of poetry called “Sailing in My Sunshine,” due in bookstores on Oct. 11.

“’Sailing on My Sunshine’ is a collection of my days and a kaleidoscope of remembered emotions,” she said in a release issued by her publisher. “With each event that caused emotion, I tried to capture that raw feeling and give some unique perspective of my own.”

Hays-Gibbs was born in Pascagoula, Miss., and moved to Demopolis in 1963, where she attended Demopolis High School in her junior year. She has lived in Moundville since 1985.

She went to college later, graduating from Shelton State in 1999 with a degree in computer science, and getting her bachelor’s degree from Alabama in 2003 in anthropology and archaeology, with a minor in creative writing.

“I have two boys and a girl,” she told The Demopolis Times, “and I have two stepsons, my husband’s children.”

“I have always loved poetry and songs,” she said. “I have made up songs since I was only 4 years old, something that my granddaughter Sailey does, too, so I had to dedicate this endeavor to her, as we shared our days and we sailed through them together. She and my daughter, Bea, are the ones that especially encouraged me to complete this book of poetry.

“I have also tried to inspire with my determination and hope in the future and with the faith I have in my creator. I believe that, through His Love, I can try to show the human spirit in my poetry.”

Hays-Gibbs is married to Donald Garner of Moundville. She also attended high school in Gallatin, Tenn.

“Sailing in My Sunshine” is being published by PublishAmerica, a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers.

“Sailing in My Sunshine” can be purchased online at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com and numerous other Internet sites. The book should be available in stores on Oct. 11, and may be ordered through them. The book’s ISBN number is 1-60610-933-2.