a brief history

When my son was in elementary school, his teacher asked his class to describe their moms in three words.  My son said, "Weird.  Artistic.  Loving".  I'd say that about sums it up.  I'm pretty sure I know how I got this way, too.

my mom & me, 1967

Born in 1966, I grew up in the Boston area in a family of other weird, artistic, loving people.  My aunts and uncle were educated hippies (The Joy of Sex sat next to Anna Karenina on the bookshelf), so free-thinking and creativity were always encouraged.  Reading, writing, and ballet were my things.  My grandmother is an artist, and she spent a lot of time taking me to the galleries and museums in Boston, New York, and Washington, DC. My grandfather played the sax, and he instilled in me a love for jazz that continues today.  The arts surrounded me like a comforting blanket.  It's where I'd turn for solace when life got tough.

I had a paradoxical personality - an extrovert who loved solitude.  I'm still that way.  My astrology chart shows Leo sun, Virgo rising, and Scorpio moon.  The Fire Horse is my Chinese sign (the most undesirable sign in their culture - rebellious and independent).  Growing up was a wild ride.

with my two of aunts and uncle, circa 1980.  i'm on the right

my grandmother, early 1940s

By the time I reached my 20s, I was married and had two adorable munchkins, Erica and Nathan.  My husband and I were together seven years, but were too inherently different to stay together for the long haul.  So, I raised the munchkins alone.  It was hard, but they turned out great despite having me for a mom.  I tell them they did a wonderful job raising me.  They're adults and on their own now, each doing amazing things with their lives.

the munchkins ~ high school years.  nate's about a foot taller than that now.

While the kids and I were growing up together, I worked teaching dance and fitness classes, travelled, hiked, learned to swing dance, tried to keep up with the art scene in Boston, read tons of books, and had a lot of casual dinner parties (I had this cool kitchen with a brick oven).  I dated, too, but it was a frustrating process.  After years of wondering if I would ever meet that guy that gets me, he finally arrived. We've been together for about three years now.  He challenges me on every level.  I need that.  

 If soulmates exist, he's mine.

took this from my favorite mountain top near my home

So what am I doing now?  Living in a funky cottage in rural New Hampshire with 3 crazy cats, creating jewelry, dabbling in ashtanga yoga, enjoying the natural beauty around me, about to teach dance again, reading, questioning things, praying, reinventing myself, cooking once in a while, struggling to cope with long winters, and trying to love without ceasing.

I hope the ride stays wild.