Get to Know Prof

Get to know a little bit about Prof. She's had an interesting life.

Life Challenges
When I came into the world, I had just one hand, my left.  My other arm ended in a stump just below my elbow.  Being a parent myself, I realize how deeply my mom and dad must have suffered and worried over my handicap, but they also had a no nonsense attitude about what I could accomplish in this world, and that was everything that anyone else could do.  Since they believed, I did too. I skated and road a bike. I sewed and knitted. I played baseball and basketball. I loved to dance.  I even learned to play the piano. I had many friends who were just as encouraging as my parents.  I grew up believing that I was special, perhaps more sensitive to the pain of others because of my own affliction.


My husband went through cancer with radiation treatments which were terrible for him and me.  As he became cancer free he began to have balance problems.  He underwent two brain surgeries, and just as he was getting back to his old self, he was rear ended at a  stop light and the vertigo became very much worse.  He had to give up his job which he loved and eventually we came here using the last of our savings to build on to Heather's house.  At first I was so lonely for Oregon and friends I left behind, but now I feel loved and supported by our Ward and would not go back if I had a chance.

Education

My college years were spent in Utah at Brigham Young University. I was a Language Arts major.  By the time I was a sophomore, I was into creative writing classes. I soon became an editor on the staff of the Wye Magazine, the literary endeavor of the school.  I published much of my own work in this magazine. I also won prizes in both of the writing contests on campus.

Career Opportunities

I continued to write such things as skits and road shows for church, and plays for the school. I always wanted to write professionally, but the time didn’t seem right.  Eventually, I snagged a job at Mount Hood College. First I taught Communication Skills. Then, I got a job with a specialized program involving veterans of the Viet Nam war.  I was to teach science.

I loved that job.  I knew little about science, but I put together a yearlong curriculum by quickly reading through children’s books. My students were an odd assortment.  Most had come out of drug rehab centers or prisons.  There I was, a prim little Mormon lady, hanging out with motorcycle gang members and ex-cons. Never have I been treated with more respect and kindness than by those fine men. I soon realized that I had the power to make them believe in themselves.  Once they believed, there was no end to what they could accomplish.

Thoughts About Being a Reader

I am a voracious reader, and have been since I was a small.  I was also something of a loner because I was an only child until I was thirteen.  I found, however, that I never had to be alone as long as a book lay open in my hands.


Life Pleasures
I find that if I am not doing something creative I am not happy.  I had a little business going with knitted hats, scarfs and purses for a while. I also made some unusual underwater centerpieces that I sold or gave away.  I love to garden and was out in the rain yesterday planting when I noticed it was snowing on me. What a crazy place.

Favorite Book

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury


Favorite Movies
Across the Universe, The Fountain, Fried Green Tomatoes and, surprisingly, any Martial Arts movies that are funny or artistic.

Writers Who Taught a Love of Language
Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald for economy and precision
John Steinbeck for beauty of phrasing
Ray Bradbury for poetic language
TS Elliot for fine imagery and content
ee cummings the deliciousness of words