Welcome 
As
far as issues encountered by women in recovery, I have had first-hand experience
with every one listed on my home page, both in experience with
the issue and the path to healing for each one. I am farther
along in my healing journey on some issues more than others, but I believe
all are important for me to work on. My priority is to stay clean
and sober, above all else.
I have found that being in nature, hiking with my dogs on the spectacular Oregon Dunes , or along the McKenzie River Trail through the forest provides me with some of my spiritual "necessities".
I am also an avid downhill skier. I began skiing at age 6 on Stevens Pass. Since I moved to Oregon in 1992, I have enjoyed skiing at Willamette Pass, Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo ski areas.
I was introduced to sailing in the late seventies and became a member of the Northwest Multihull Association. I helped build and launch several trimarans during the following years. I have sailed all over Puget Sound in Washington, and in 1980 I made a bluewater crossing from Cabo San Lucas to Honolulu as the only female crewmember on a 46' trimaran.
Animals are another important part of my life. I currently share my home with 4 very special animal friends:
The Pups
I was very fortunate to find these two at the Greenhill Humane Society. Greenhill not only has a great adoption program, but they also have programs for pets and the elderly and also the pets of victims of domestic violence.
Shasta, a.k.a. "The Lardo" has been with me since July of 1995. She
is a wonderful, devoted friend, but VERY independent for a dog. In
fact we sometimes disagree over which of us is the "Alpha" in the pack......
McKinley (or Mac as he is known around here) adopted me in September, 1995. He has a definite "dog" personality; loyal, trusting, unselfish devotion to his human. I tried to teach him to be less codependent, but finally gave up and accepted him the way he is...after all, he's perfectly happy behaving like a dog! Codependency is MY issue!
The Aviary
This is my baby, Chopper. He was born on George Washington's
birthday, and since George was supposed to have chopped down a cherry tree,
I named the birdie "Chopper". I know, I know, it's quite a stretch,
but I gave up riding on the backs of Harleys several years ago. I
got Choppie 4 years ago when he was still a baby. I had to feed him with
an eye-dropper. He thinks I'm his mom. Chopper has quite a
vocabulary, and says all the usual bird stuff like, "Hello", "Whatcha doin'?",
"Such a PRETTY bird!" "Here puppy!", "Woof, woof!" He also knows
how to whistle the entire "Song That Never Ends" that Shari
Lewis sang at the end of her TV show.
Sam...the
newest member of the household,
a
Nanday Conure. He's only a year old and originally I thought the
previous owners had abused him, because this reputedly gentle breed of
bird BITES! After a little more research, I learned that Nanday Conures
are known for their loud screeching and their habit of chewing on humans.
I've had him for a few months now and we are learning to trust each other.
He loves to take showers in the bathroom sink! And he can talk a
little, too. He can say, "Come here, come here" and he also says,
"Your ass is grass!" in a loud whisper (No, I didn't teach him to say that!!!)
He also mimics the sound of my laughing and when he sees someone drinking
something, he makes a funny gulping sound. Right now we are working on
"Bye-bye", but it sounds more like "gawk-gawk"...oh well.
I would love to hear from you...Please click here to send Email