I want to live a magical life. From childhood on, that has always been the goal. It’s a tall order, especially in our often-harsh world. Still, nothing highlights the importance of a positive attitude seasoned with humor quite like 40+ years of teaching health and wellness as a nurse. Thus, when I retired at the end of 2020, I dedicated the creative skills I developed in my former career to my new pursuits in art and writing.
I spent years as a wildlife and nature photographer; photography is still a big part of my life. The natural beauty of our world will forever keep a camera in my hand, and yet, there is much I see that I cannot capture in a photograph. Photographs are perfect for capturing moments and realistic portrayals of subjects, but not the imaginative way I see life. The visual world is an endless palette of textures, lines, colors, and shapes waiting to be discovered. Especially when my imagination is in overdrive, which is almost always, I look for the creative in the ordinary. I create with paint the world I cannot capture with a lens.
I am a self-taught artist, photographer, writer, and armchair philosopher. My style in both writing and art is decidedly eclectic. I enjoy both the natural and imaginary worlds, often blending the features of each in my art and stories. I choose to see life as the continual “what if” of an unfolding story. The world around me, especially nature and the cosmos, provides constant inspiration for stories and paintings.
One of the greatest things I ever did was teach and I did it with a passion. It taught me more about the successes and failures of life than I could have ever learned from a book. My students, fellow teachers, and parents gave me reasons to enrich my own life by helping others learn.
I graduated with a degree to teach elementary and middle school students. Later, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Science Education from Ohio University. I began teaching in 1973 and finished 35 years teaching in elementary, Junior High English, Science, and Mathematics. I wrote and developed kit science units, stressing hands-on science education. I always stressed teaching to the students learning style rather than my own.
Never Bee Without Your Honey
On a personal note, we share a blended family of five adult children, spouses, eight grandchildren, one poodle, and one maltese. We met in 2012 and married in 2014. We didn’t expect to find love this late in life. Life is deliciously complex and surprising. It is never too late to live the unexpected life.
Enjoy your visit
Life is priceless.
Spend it well.
