About Me and Why I'm Writing

Well!  This adventure seems to be addictive!  78 views in two days!!  Have no idea if this is a lot, but it has blown ME away!  I am giddy!  I do apologize for it being so difficult to comment, that nobody has commented.  If you know me from Facebook, and have tried to comment but been unsuccessful, will you please message me and let me know what the problem is?

ALSO THANK YOU FOR SHARING!! I have gotten very positive feedback from my piece on Adam Lanza.

So, what will this Blog be?  In one word, ME.  For years now, I have cogitated about and pondered on everything, from current events to historical dilemmas, personal issues to familial issues; what it means to be a person, a soul, a citizen, a female, a daughter, wife and mother.  I have very strong opinions about EVERYTHING, but strive to be open-minded, aware, and educated.  I do have a tendency to become extremely passionate about something and run with it without being aware of or acknowledging some major piece of information.  In my awareness of this flaw, I do try to combat this, but am not always successful.  I DO change my mind, and reserve the right to do this on this page, especially when struck with a new or novel viewpoint or new information.  I am human and because of this, am flawed, but as a human, I also have the right to express my thoughts and opinions.  That people actually take the time and energy to read these thoughts and opinions, amazes me and makes me exceedingly grateful that it is so easy to reach so many people.

This page may contain personal experiences, thoughts, opinions.  I also write poems, but am trying to get some of them published, and this requires that they not have had a life on the Internet, so am not sure yet that I will share these, tho I WANT to.  

I love whimsy, and fancy myself an optomist. Some people may find me naive, but I prefer the word hopeful.  I have been blessed with a variety of experiences in my life.  I have lived in ten different states, traveled to/thru all the states, except for Maine, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Missouri, an exception I hope to correct within this lifetime.  I have traveled to Mexico, Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Kenya, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa.

I started kindergarten at age 4, skipped the 4th grade and graduated High School at 16, starting University at 16.  I have an Undergraduate Degree in Elementary Ed. with Allied Endorsements in Early Childhood and Special Education.  I have a Masters in Occupational Therapy.  In my life's work, I have been a babysitter, house cleaner, Avon Lady, Agricultural Aide/Research Assistant, High School English and Geography Teacher, Bar Maid, Waitress, Water Well Rigger, Telephone Opinion Surveyor, Girl Scout Camp Counselor, Manual Laborer, Special Education Self-Contained Classroom Teacher, Pediatric Occupational Therapist working in schools and outpatient clinic, and OT working with adults in Acute and Rehab Settings.

I love the outdoors, hiking, biking, camping, photography, canoing and watching nature.  I will watch people fishing, but do not fish myself. I have never hunted, but have owned and shot BB guns and recurve bows. I am a total bookworm and have been called a nerd.  I love classical, blues, some jazz, bluegrass, folk, hard and classic rock, heavy metal, New Age, and some country, especially the older stuff.  I played the flute through High School, but was probably just mediocre despite lessons and practice.  I have played piano, but not kept up and still occasionally play the soprano recorder.  Music is still a very important part of my life, and if I am not listening or dancing to it, it is playing in my head.  I have composed whole symphonic pieces in my sleep, but never been blessed with this skill in real life, altho I would not be averse to trying sometime.  I do stained glass, batik and have sewn whole outfits as well as a sleeping bag.

I have been married for 27 years.  I have a 22 year old daughter who has graduated from college and is in the midst of an Americorps year.  My 19 year old son is a Freshman in Wildland Restoration (terrestrial).
 
I mourn my life as it was, as my current health has curtailed most of the above activities, most significantly, my ability to earn a living.  I was a Pediatric OT for 14 years, and once I had the energy to miss anything, dearly missed the families, children and other professionals I worked with.  I suppose you could say I was passionate about my livelihood, and do miss being able to be a positive force in people's lives.

I share this information.  Not to brag, apply for a job or win awards (is there an award for living?), but to let you know the experiences from which I pull my viewpoints and stories.  If you know people's backgrounds, their stories make more sense.  I'm not sure I consider myself an "expert" on anything, but I feel I am a competent mother, and have shared my experience and expertise with other professionals and students in the areas of Special Education and Occupational Therapy especially in Sensory Integration and dealing with the Developmentally Challenged, and persons with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorders, and Fibromyalgia.  When I am comfortable with the subject matter, I enjoy talking in front of people especially about things of which I am passionate.

I consider myself a questioning Christian.  I was raised, baptised and confirmed Episcopalian.  I attended church every Sunday for 10 years, taught Sunday School and led the High School Youth Group.  During my health struggles, I have done tons of reading and as a result have questions about my faith, not so much Jesus, but the INSTITUTION of Christianity.  I DO NOT believe that Christianity is the only way, and I am not a prosthelytizer.  I try not to judge, and do not appreciate others of my faith judging for me in my faith's name.  There will be tons more on this subject later.

So...I think you for your time, your ears, your hearts and your comments, if this page will let you share them.  I appreciate the opportunity to take this journey with you.  I hope we learn and share together, and especially share our humanity.  For this life is a gift.

Peace,
Kismet