“A rolling stone gathers no moss” -  and neither have I since departing Walla Walla in 1968 for Central Washington University.  Soon after I went to Germany, got married and lived a year, then on to Texas, Wenatchee, Vancouver, Spokane, Montana, Carson, Battle Ground (got a divorce somewhere in here and married Pete), & Portland, OR, We took our sailboat to Mexico from 1995-1996 and then did the Inside Passage on our sailboat to Juneau, Alaska in 2003 where we lived aboard our boat and worked for two years before returning to the PNW and moving to Eugene, OR.  My husband (Pete) and I returned to my hometown of Walla Walla for retirement and we love it here! 

I had three children but I lost my oldest son Shawn to a tragic car accident when he was 20.  My remaining children are Kyla (with husband Eric and two grandchildren – Jessie – 18 & Cale - 14 who live in Washougal, WA and my son Nick and his wife Nvada and  two year old son Shawn who live in Albuquerque, NM.  I also have a step-son, Avery, who lives in Tillamook, OR.

I retired in 2010 from working in social services as a CASA Supervisor (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children in Eugene, OR.  While traveling, and in my spare time, I am a freelance writer and have had several articles published in national sailing magazines.  Pete and I regretfully sold our 36 foot Union sailboat we had owned and lived aboard for 11 years.

We have one very spoiled and neurotic black cat named Blackbeard’s Coal and a sweet elderly rescue Daschound named Rufus.  We have a 17' Casita trailer we love traveling in and exploring. We did the Alaska Highway last year - 9,000 miles total. It’s a very good life!

We have lived in Oregon for about 30 years. Various towns...Salem, Tigard, West Linn, and now Gladstone (Happy Rock). We have 2 grown children. No weddings or grandchildren yet. I plan to attend the Friday night event, but not sure about Saturday.  It will be a kick to see everyone!