Where to begin? I’m a Christian, an English teacher, a late-blooming writer, and a taker-of-long-walks. I’m an introvert who loves talking to people, a twenty-something trapped in a fifty-something body, a book lover who quit her book club, a poet who fell hard for Breaking Bad, a home decorator who inflicts too much purple on her loved ones, a Canuck who’s never watched Hockey Night in Canada, and a word-game whiz who can’t figure out which remotes and buttons (*#!!) turn on the TV.

I’ve never played a videogame, but I’ve lived in a tree house; never been to Vegas, but I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro; never held a gun, but I’ve camped in a tent while cycling North America, mostly alone. I’ve never met a movie star but I did get to talk to Mother Theresa. She told us adopting a child from India was next to impossible, and then it happened.

I’ve never worked in an office, but I’ve supported myself by cooking, waitressing, fishing, delivering mail, working in a daycare, serving hospital food, selling music and labouring as a night janitor. (Worst job by a long shot: cleaning gas stations at night.) All of that was long before I went into the ministry and lived in lots of different countries, adopted two amazing children, and finally came back to my home country after twenty years abroad. Oh, and I’ve never had Botox, but I have had typhoid fever, malaria, and several unexplained collapses and seizures, some of which involved falling down stairs. I’ve delighted in the best of times and stumbled through the worst, and I’m here to write about all of it.

Friends Like to Share What They Love and What They Seriously Can’t Stand.
Here’s my current list:

Purple / Beige ~~ Garlic/Cantaloupe ~~ Travel/ the ‘travelling’ part ~~ Thrift stores/ Malls ~~ Hiking, Running, Walking / Treadmills and Stationary Bikes ~~ Talking One-on-One / Loud Parties and “Group Hikes” ~~ A Clean House/ Being Harassed for Liking a Clean House ~~ Canyons and Mountains/Tour Buses, Interstates & Highway Billboards ~~ The Strange, the Unusual, and the Exotic/ Conformity, Predictability….. & the Color Beige

So. If you ever see me in a beige pant suit, chomping down cantaloupe and travelling the Interstate by diesel bus, on my way to a group hike round the mall followed by some gym time, totally unconcerned about my slovenly house in the suburbs, and wearing a “what’s-it-to-you” look on my bored, inscrutable face – you’ll know I’ve completely lost it.

Rescue me.

AN UPDATE:

I started this blog a year before relocating from Vancouver to the Okanagan, embarking on the first chapter of empty-nesting. Like many bloggers, I’ve gone through cycles of lovingly feeding my blog, followed by periods of neglect. But whenever I’ve disappeared, it’s always because I’m busy writing something else. First thing to know about me: I love writing!

 
And I love sharing what I write.

 
After settling into my 25th home since getting married (no, that’s not a typo or an exaggeration) and taking a year or two to catch my breath, I started writing my first book—a memoir. As soon as that was done, I wrote my second memoir—because the story wasn’t over. And as soon as THAT was done, I started my third book, now into its first edits. (It’s about living in India, late 80s.) All these darlings are seeking the perfect agent and traditional publishing.

 
A few facts about me: I became a Christian during an extended solo bicycle trip after my fiancé died of cancer (that’s memoir #1). I met and married my husband, Henry, in Toronto, and we went on to serve in ten ministries around the world. (Portions of Memoir #2). We currently have eight cats living in our house, but five of them are kittens, soon (and sadly) to be off to new homes.

Besides writing, I love hiking, reading, watching binge-worthy Netflix series (but rationing them out to make them last), and having long heart-to-hearts with good friends. My favorite movie is Dr. Zhivago, and my two favorite songs are both Canadian: Neil Young’s Helpless, and Joni Mitchell’s Case of You.

I can’t start my mornings without a tall, strong cup of jasmine green tea.
Oh, and I REALLY love people who read my blog, click ‘follow’, and even dare to comment!

 
Welcome!