I am retired from a variety of careers in the health care field having worked as a pediatric nurse, massage therapist and most recently as an acupuncturist. Currently I’m immersed in my love for all things fiber, teaching rug hooking and working towards my teaching certificate in this form of fiber art. Many days one can find me in my studio dyeing wool or helping a student color plan a rug. I also enjoy gardening and the outdoors (especially bird watching). Other hobbies include reading, traveling, cross-country skiing, hiking, cooking, and teaching.
Although I grew up on the East coast and spent most summers in Maine, I have had the opportunity to live in many parts of the country. I graduated from the University of Colorado with a BS in Nursing in 1974 and lived and worked in this beautiful state until heading to Kentucky in the late 70’s to live in a community called Cornucopia. This community was founded by Ken Keyes, author of the book Handbook to Higher Consciousness. It supported itself by offering personal growth workshops and was very committed to fostering healthy communication skills. I had an opportunity to work both on the farm part of the community, raising food for 100-150 people, as well as working in the kitchen cooking for large groups. It was a very special time in my life, very rich with music, fellowship, cooperation and personal growth.
In the early 80’s I left the community and moved to Seattle to be near my siblings. I soon found a small community to join on a farm on the outskirts of Seattle. The farm grew organic vegetables and also buckwheat and sunflower sprouts, and I helped sell produce at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. From there my travels took me back to Kentucky, and then on to North Carolina, where I was immersed in working at Duke University as a pediatric nurse and developing a massage therapy practice. I took time out on the weekends to help out on a friend’s farm, re-learning how to milk goats, make cheese and grow vegetables. The synergy of working alongside friends made the time that much more fun and enjoyable.
Although I came to Maine most summers of my life, and have always had family here, I only made my permanent home here seven years ago. I heard about Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage from my friend Elizabeth Garber, and I am very excited by the possibility of realizing my long term dream to live in a rural co-housing community which brings people together to share in so many different ways. I love the idea of having children back in my life, as well as people with whom I can garden, cook, play, work, and create community.
