About Me
Like a giraffe I tend to be slightly awkward, tall, quiet, but I never allow myself to go unnoticed. Unless I am comfortable in a situation I will hide among the trees and try to blend in while observing my environment. However, when I have something to say, I demand attention, probably the reason I write.
I am more than a list of facts. I am a combination of all the people and events that have contributed to teaching me the art of being human. Writing is my in effort to understand.
“How can I know what I think till I see what I say?” — E.M. Forster
Once I learned, acknowledged, and accepted that it is not my duty to solve all problems and heal the world, I dumped the baggage that weighed me down and began to enjoy the journey.
I am OK with detours and if the trip takes longer than planned, fine by me. In fact, I am content with never making it to the destination — because it is the ride that makes life worth living.
Since retiring, I have evolved to a new me who a little overweight, maybe 10–15 pounds, but still sexy as hell. My hair color is now white, picture Elsa from Frozen. Most days I can be found wearing comfortable sweats, sitting in a chair and typing with a cup of lukewarm coffee.
Unless you knew me before, my transformation might go unnoticed. However, the new me breathes easier, feels healthier, lives happier. Very little persistently worries me. I drove down the road of anxiety for so many years, concerned about what might appear around the next corner, allowing my body to absorb each pothole and every bump that my body grew tired, bruised and sensitive to the touch.
I not only insisted on driving my own car, I navigated others, a self-proclaimed backseat driver. Fueled by the belief that if I controlled my destination and designed the road maps for everyone else, a paved road would provide a smooth ride leading to a destination of safety and success.
Then mom died. After sleeping on a windowsill for many nights, rubbing her feet and guarding her from human error, the machines quit humming.
My daughter, mourning the loss of her grandma, quit eating. The doctors assigned many labels: anorexic, bulimic, depressed, suicidal; she tried to control something in her life. Fortunately, our family bonded together, embraced and provided support; we survived.
The day the doctor’s office phoned and requested our youngest daughter return to the office to discuss the test results, I sat beside her to hear the diagnosis, cancer, osteosarcoma. Again, the family rallied and beat the beast.
The day my dog died, a family member for 13 years, it was the proverbial last straw. That straw broke my back — the one that allowed me to stand upright on the worst days and the one I carried everyone else on. When I crawled into bed, the pillows covered my head, the blankets covered the pillows, and I acknowledged things had to change or my journey would lead to a dead-end road. I asked myself three questions.
1. Why stress and worry if the results remained the same?
2. Why attempt to control the uncontrollable?
3. What do I gain by directing others’ lives, if I do not live my own?
Within a few months, my husband and I had a huge garage sale and downsized our home. With the essentials and two Harleys we retired. Recently we have added a motorhome. We eat well, surround ourselves with friends and family, and experience daily satisfaction, love, and contentment.
What you will read
Humor - Laughter makes life easier. I live by three axioms: 1. Laughter is the best medicine 2. Healthy people laugh at themselves 3. If you can’t laugh with them, laugh at them; therefore, I share events that spark laughter.
Life Lessons - All life events teach lessons when we slow down to observe. These are some of my favorite stories - playful and somber.
Family - I married my adoring husband when I was 19 and we celebrate our 42nd anniversary in September 2024. We have two daughters who have blessed us with four granddaughters— yes, all girls. Our life revolves around family, so they are often the main characters and because we embrace our dogs as family, they also have parts in the stories.
Travel - We spend 70% of our time away from home so tips and tricks from time on the road are shared, as well as experiences.
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Professional accomplishments
A master’s degree in Educational Leadership
National Board Certification in education
Published Strategies for Writing: An ASCD Action Tool for writing teachers
Most recently, published Lockers Speak, words that share the thoughts of high school students who often stay quiet but when they speak provide valuable messages. Two other books authored by me are available. Understanding the Power of Not Yet: Accepting the Challenges of New Beginnings and Live a Satisfying Life By Doing it Doggy Style
My career in public education spans 35 years. I have worked as a classroom teacher, teacher mentor, administrator, and have always served as a student advocate.
