About pages have always stumped me a bit. I like to go to other people’s about pages because I’m just naturally a curious sort. I have no idea what your motivation is for being here, but I thank you for doing so. I’m pretty much an open book, so if you have any questions, just ask. In the meantime, here’s some details:
I live in rural Nevada. I’m about an hour east of Lake Tahoe, an hour and change south of Reno. It is high desert country out here and I love it. The nearest gas station (well, other than the over priced tourist station at nearby Topaz Lake) and grocery store is a half hour away. It’s a different kind of living out here, we rely much more on each other to get things done than folks who live in more populated areas.
I ride a horse, shoot guns, walk a lot, and garden. I have a lot of space to garden on my 2.5 acre corner of the universe. I also dabble in rock hounding and do a bit of rock polishing. And I cook. A lot. When you live a half hour away from a restaurant or a fast food place, you cook a lot. Plus it’s healthier. My doc says my cholesterol has been going down since I moved out here.
Here’s a photo of me and my horse, Sonny Q, taking a jump. I don’t jump anymore, but Sonny and I do still enjoy a nice little trail ride. Sonny lives on my little 2.5 acre ranch with me and a mare named Annie.
I also like to laugh....a lot!
Although sometimes in life there isn’t a lot of laughter. 2020 was one of those times. My husband made his transition in August of 2020. That one is a story 40 years in the making, even though we were only married for a little under 3 years. You can get the details of that in my second book, called “The Girl Who Cried Woogie.” That book is part autobiography and part “how to live successfully no matter what.”
I have another book too, called “A New Thought Journey through the 12 Steps.” Both books are available via Amazon, Balboa Press and through me.
Guess you could call me an author. I’m currently working on my third book, to be titled How to Live Fearlessly Feral. It’s all about using spiritual principles and practices to live, well, Fearlessly Feral! That’s the name of my Focus Ministry, by the way, with Centers for Spiritual Living.
I’m also a podcaster. My podcast is called Fearlessly Feral Living and is available through Google Podcasts, Apple Play and Spotify, and on Buzzsprout.
I’m a minister. I’m quite proud of my affiliation with Centers for Spiritual Living. And if you aren’t familiar with that, maybe you are familiar with Ernest Holmes or Science of Mind. The teaching is the foundation of all my beliefs and values, and is what I base all my decisions on. I do a lot of Interim Ministry, which in lay terms is kind of like a consultant. I go into communities that have lost their minister and facilitate good stuff, which in turn allows said community to find their new forever minister.
I also do a ton of weddings. I do live an hour away from one of the world’s greatest destination wedding resort areas after all. I specialize in elopements. I’m over the big weddings. I did that for 30 years when I owned and operated my photography studio. Been there, done that got the t-shirt, and now instead of wearing the t-shirt I do elopements. I love my wedding couples!
And I am also a happy joyous and free recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I got sober in November of 1986, and yeah that means no alcohol, no drugs, nothing stronger than aspirin, for 35 years now. That means one has to find a way to live that is different than the previous way. It is that quest that set me on my journey and landed me where I’m at today. It’s a good way to live.
Some folks (well, a lot of them actually) say I am busy, that I never stop. I disagree with that. Yes, I do a lot of stuff. But that’s because I BE first. I have daily spiritual practices that consist of going within, exploring, asking myself key questions, finding answers, being willing to change, and then connecting with that part of me that is also greater than me. With that as a foundation, I get to do a lot of stuff. But it all begins within.
I’m never bored, never lonely. Life has challenges, changes, ups and downs. That’s what life is. Our job is to successfully thrive and benefit from those things. I am so grateful I not only do so but that I get to teach others to do so as well.
Here’s a few photos of my life, since I’m still very much a visual person:
If you have read this far, I thank you. I appreciate you. I couldn’t do the work I do in the world without people like you. Thank you. And if you want to chat, here’s a nifty contact form: