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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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