I’m one of the people who simply loves to learn and then to share what I’ve learned.
Over the years I’ve completed countless numbers of workshops, classes and self-directed studies in spirituality, metaphysics, energy healing, astrology, Human Design System, and more recently Quantum Human Design. Prior to “retiring” I taught Tai Chi for Balance for 5 years as well as workshops for several wellness programs. Fertility awareness is a long-standing passion.
From a more traditional academic perspective, my credentials include: Master of Public Health (MPH) with a focus of Health Promotion and Health Education from Portland State University, BA in Home Economics with a focus of Consumer Educational Studies in Child Development and Family Relations from University of Montana, and Certificate in Desktop Publishing from University of Oregon Continuing Educational Studies. After graduating from London (Ohio) High School, I attended the College of Wooster for 2 years.
My Story
In 1971 I moved sight unseen to Portland, Oregon from rural Ohio and quickly became deeply immersed in studying spirituality, metaphysics, channeling, energy healing, archangels, UFOs, astrology and fertility awareness. Although my focus has changed from time to time, my interest in these topics has both continued and expanded to the present day. Over the years, I’ve taught many workshops on these “nontraditional” topics. Back then they were too far “out there” or “woo woo” and I couldn’t figure out how to use them to create a full-time income. Now they are almost mainstream.
Professionally I’ve had to reinvent myself several times. I seem to have a knack for being at the right place at the right time for changes in market conditions and grant funding. Always lacking some credential, I turned to higher education more than once.
Realizing that 2 years of liberal arts college post-high school wasn’t enough, I went back to school in my mid-30’s, preschoolers in tow, to finish a BA at the University of Montana. I taught occasional Natural Family Planning classes for the local Catholic hospital, then did my required internship in the Planned Parenthood education department. We moved back to Portland where I worked for Planned Parenthood as a clinic assistant, public relations coordinator and newsletter editor until funding ended, as did my marriage. Sometimes life just gets in the way!
Next came an employer-paid certificate in Desktop Publishing while working in telecom as an in-house graphic designer. Laid off when high tech crashed in the early 2000’s and without an art degree, I couldn’t even get a job interview! I made it (barely!) through a year of self-employment, but really needed the stability of regular employment as a single parent of teenagers.
Now in my 50’s I decided a health education credential was my best fit for the rest of my working years. During my first quarter of post-bacc community health coursework, professors encouraged me to forego a second bachelor’s degree, take the required pre-requisite statistics courses, and apply for the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at Portland State University. Finally, I have some serious initials to hang after my name!
A summer intership lead to full-time employment that required relocating to Pendleton, Oregon, and in 2008 I started the Umatilla County and CTUIR SNAP-Ed program as a faculty instructor with Oregon State University Extension Service. After yet another funding change lay off but with a promising relationship, I moved to Hermiston in 2012, figuring it was easier to find work than a good man. We live on Tumbleweed Lane on his 2 acres outside Hermiston.
For 7 years until retiring in 2019, I worked for CAPECO, starting with Workforce Development as the Umatilla Army Depot contractors laid off more than 1000 employees associated with the chemical weapons disposal project. I taught Microsoft Office classes, rewrote many resumes for dislocated workers, and helped others secure funding for training. Then I worked from home for 5 years as the half-time health promotion coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging. Certified to lead 8 different health education programs, my favorites were Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance and Powerful Tools for Caregivers. As timing would have it, I choose to retire as grant funding ended.
Now I am returning to my roots and am pursuing my dream of self-employment through sharing what I’ve learned about the subjects that hold my interest and my heart, both “traditional” and “non-traditional.” I’ve chosen to focus my energies on the three broad areas listed on this site. As an independent contractor, I also co-train Powerful Tools for Caregiver class leaders and facilitate virtual classes for caregivers. I do some graphic design for select clients.
Whenever I can combine wellness education, healing and spirit with graphic design, I’m in one of my happy places.