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A Couple of Other, Earlier Journeys...
Born in Nebraska
into a family of Missouri-Synod Lutherans, I never felt connected to its doctrine, and at an early age became disenchanted
with organized religion. I instead spent much of my time outside exploring, daydreaming, and learning about
living with Nature. At age eleven I experienced the first of many awakenings; I dreamt of living
on a hillside, viewing a sunset from my wood porch.
Then, at age 15, while working my
first job at a livestock auction company, I had another awakening. I realized that I had manifested a reality! When
I was three years old I used to day-dream about riding the cattle-horses at the Omaha Stock Yards. Then, 12
years later, I was actually doing just that. At age 16 I moved
out on my own. After graduation, I immediately went to explore Los Angeles. I landed a job at a riding
stable, leading night-rides through the Hollywood Hills under a blanket of stars in the middle of the largest city in the
United States! I also spent as much time as possible in Hesperia, CA, exploring the desert and trekking
to the hot springs on spiritual quests. Three years, and many artistic and spiritual endeavors later, I left California.
After roaming the U.S., and a bit of Germany, I settled down enough to earn a B.A. in Liberal Arts
and was a contributor to the college’s literary magazine. During this time I also realized physical health was
an huge part of a the big three, and should be intricately woven with, spiritual and mental health. So,
to win a “free ride” for a M.S. in Athletics, I joined the Army, but, the goal was put on hold when deployed
to Desert Storm.
Upon returning, I finished my Master's degree and then
developed the Army’s first regulated Pregnant Soldier Wellness Program at Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1993. I
also wrote the first pregnant soldier exercise manual, and received an award for this undertaking. But, did I stop there?
Nope. I went on to write and earn a $100,000 grant to research exercise and pregnancy outcomes. The five-year project
culminated with a journal article in Military Medicine in 1999. My research and book were foundations for development
of Army-wide programs and a standardized training manual. Soon after, I married an Army captain and had three
children. During this busy time, I continued to write for a military newspaper, Paraglide, as a columnist for
Family Matters. I also volunteered at the post’s child care center as its newsletter
writer and editor. After a divorce I earned a second Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate, hoping to have
a work schedule that more closely matched my kids', and I also began writing novels and screenplays. However, writing
came to an end during a two-year-long rehabilitation due to a compounded injury from the war.
At this time I became very interested in alternative healing, not wanting to permeate my body with prescription
drugs. I researched gemstones and their vibrational qualities of healing, as well as acupuncture, chakra
balancing, and homeopathic remedies. After recovery, fully understanding Forest Gump’s saying, “Life is
like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get,” I made the only decision that seemed
appropriate; sell everything and become gypsies.
The RV adventure that began in June 2006
was a Journey with many dreams woven into its tapestry, and many were brought to fruition. Just as important as historical
education, and a learning about developing a physical connection to Nature, I also felt the children needed
spiritual growth as well. We visited 80 Sacred Sites, from Alaska to Maine. All 49 continental states
have been united in light and love with prayers and offerings, and I've taught them the basics of meditation, respect,
and oneness. I now
am actively pursuing sustainable living, am creating gemstone jewelry, and am still writing. This time
my focus is on the wonderful sites I saw and how they moved me into contemplation and growth. The kids and I also participate
in Native Drumming circles to encourage prayer and healing through song, and I've incorporated a bit of Spiritual Education
to our homeschooling agenda as well.
The mega field-trip is an education-vacation
they will never forget and an undertaking I’ll never regret, even though the proceeds from the Florida house sale
are long gone. A heatfelt "Thank you" to the historical sites of George Washington
Carver, Samuel Clemmons, Henry David Thoreau, and Spiritual sites like White Sands and Shiprock, and many, many others, because
now the spark of creativity has grown back into a roaring flame. It is time for another adventure.
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