New Leaf

After being forced to retire due to an injury and after 16 years restoring my homestead, I am now knitting another new beginning. I sold my home and - after 40 years in Maine - have moved to Southern New Hampshire. The difference is striking! I am a citizen naturalist, gardener, knitter, writer, photographer, and learning about herbalism with the Herbal Academy. Past lives during this lifetime include Unitarian Universalist Ministry, Asst. Cook aboard the Schooner Adventure, Street Youth Worker, Farmer, Special Ed Tech, Snowplow Shipping, Multicultural Human Rights Volunteer, and Pharmacy Tech! I am a second generation Scots and German immigrant and militant about reminding Americans that, but for Native Americans, we are ALL immigrants in this land! I am passionate about how children are treated. For me, this is the yardstick by which I measure human integrity. The health of our beloved Earth guides my heart and hands. The pandemic means I have been sheltering in place for 6+ months so have not had a chance to make new friends in this new place. However, my bestest friend since 1976 lives 8 miles away and we are relishing her nearly 2 year old granddaughter, Isla. She calls me "Kooks," as her father still does! My 1st granddaughter lives in Maine...Haley Elizabeth. Sadly, I am unable to see her but I keep her close to me. As "Nana Kooks" to Isla, I pour extra Haley-love on her. Ben is my son and is a dog-whisperer extraordinaire! We share a deep love of dogs. For the 1st time in 18 years, he is without a dog by his side and we are grieving the loss of Nina...a loss only a week old. Buttons is my mixed breed, Puerto Rican companion who keeps me moving and feeling less alone in this Covid climate. The greatest gift of living at the end of my 6th decade is the clarity that is granted. What truly matters and living a simplified life makes for a very spacious place in which to live. Curiosity blooms, as does my humility, and love grows deeply.