: About Me

I was born and raised in rural South Dakota, one of ten children. I grew up 'wild', with lots of animals, open space, and blue skies. The Lakota culture was a great influence on me as was my father, who's family came from Quebec, who was a historian and writer. My grandmother and mother both inspired me because they were very creative: my grandmother a musician and mother both musician and artist. I am an art teacher and I love to paint. I write stories for children and completed my first novel 10 years ago; it will be revised and edited this fall and my intention is to have it published very soon. It's a great story.
I need to clone myself to get everything done I hope to accomplish in my lifetime. Life is very precious to me. I've been a practicing Buddhist but truly embrace all faiths (raised Roman Catholic).
I love my family so much, my husband and son, my dog and cat. I am so grateful for everything. Everything. Thank you!

My passion is ...

mindful living, being fully alive, every moment!

I know too much about ...

fleas on my dog.

My parents always told me ...

I would cry if I laughed too much.

My childhood ambition ...

to be a writer.

My favorite memory ...

the birth of my son.

Why I write ...

because I love to.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Easter Island by Jennifer Vanderbes

My first job ...

A swimming instructor and lifeguard at the YMCA at age 14.

My best moment ...

When I won first place in a declam contest in 7th grade, I was very shy.

My inspiration ...

My Italian grandmother, Rose and mother, Rosemary.

Health & Fitness > Pediatrics Why children need nature

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Nature is within us and outside of us. We are so fortunate to have city parks inhabited by squirrels, birds, and plants (some that may be native to specific areas) that grow in the full sun or under the gaze of ancient redwoods or ancestral oak trees. You see, even in the city, we ARE nature. We live in a world of human-created streets that cover up the dirt but wear down in time, and sidewalks that cannot hold back the weeds, and we have the blue sky above us in spite of all the wires that hamper our view. The outdoors are, well, literally just outside our doors, or windows. We are a part...

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• Creative Writing Bronze