I’m not one to toot my own horn. That said, I suppose it’s considered polite to introduce myself.
As I said in my opening post, I’m a woman “of a certain age.” I’ve lived most of my life in California, and most of that in Southern California. Like many women of my generation, I received an education but was expected to put it on the shelf and raise a family. I fondly recall an apron with the message “For this I spent four years in college?” So I stayed home, raised my kids, and got divorced as soon as they were on their own. The reasons weren’t all that unusual, but they’re mine and mine alone.
I grew up in the LA basin, went north to college, then did my time in Orange County, often feeling, as someone described, like a faint blue light in a sea of red. Moved to New Mexico for most of a decade, then Las Vegas, and finally back to California, where again that same feeling of being adrift in a sea of red.
My interests are varied… politics (local and national), current events, books, music, good food, wine, and needlepoint, along with and preferably in the company of family and friends. Probably my favorite activity is good, intelligent conversation. It’s what gets my juices flowing, and it’s so much more satisfying that screaming at the TV! And I love new ideas and learning new things. I view change as an opportunity. Sure, change can be very unsettling. Maybe having lived in California most of my life, where the very ground under my feet shakes on occasion, being unsettled periodically comes naturally.
My education along with the events of my life have shaped my ideas. My degree is in history with a minor in international relations. I did graduate work, first in elementary education and later in Middle East history and culture with a research focus on how traditional cultures modernize.
I expect this adventure, blogging, will cover the gamut. So hop on, and come along for the ride. As I said in my intro post, if you’re into insults or flame wars, this isn’t the place for you. My commitment to you is to be a place where you can find more light than heat, a place for respectful conversation. But if you just want to stop by and chat about what’s on your mind, welcome aboard. As time goes on, and my disclamer gets buried in the archives, I’ll recreate it here. Who knows, there may be more to it as time goes on.
Disclosure statement:
- I’m an Obama supporter this time around. (Yes, we DID, but the job is only beginning.)
- I believe that what happens to a person AFTER he or she is born is even more important than what happens before. I call that being pro-life.
- I was brought up a Christian, but I don’t think that non-Christians or even non-believers are consigned to eternal damnation.
- I think there is a role for government in society beyond just the military and police and fire protection, but that role is very limited when it comes to personal behavior.
- I love my country enough to criticize it when I think it’s on the wrong track
- I am convinced that global warming is largely caused by human activity
- I don’t think “they hate us because of our freedom.”
- I like smart. Human intelligence is what gave us the Enlightenment, the Renaissance, the advancement of science — everything that is good and noble in human history. It gave us art, literature, poetry, philosophy. But intelligence alone can lead as easily to evil as to good.
- Values are important. But in defining pubic policy they should be overlaid atop facts, not facts chosen to support ideology.
I’ve appreciated your thoughtful messages on Mudflats, and finally came on over to see your own blog.
My story is similar to yours. Now on my own after 25 years in a decent marriage and 3 amazing children.
I spent my formative years in Santa Cruz (lucky me!), jr high through college, and am fond of California, but could probably not live there again.
Cool to meet others via that courageous woman, AKM. My screen name is taken from a comment on an earlier post she made (pre August 29) re. the John Edwards scandal. It’s under Uncategorized if you want to look it up.
Regards! WD
Hello Palm,
Good to see your blog–I’ll definitely be back when I can stay a little longer!
You sound like an amazing lady! I am enjoying reading your thoughs.
Enjoyed reading your thoughtful-about me. I somehow got bump into your blog and actually liked reading your posts on economy..
Hope to see much more in immediate future.
Sounds good to me…..great minds think alike…..
Hi! I popped over from mudflats to check you out and say hi! We have a lot of interests in common – intelligent, interesting friends and conversation, food and wine, books, politics and current events. I will be visiting often – I have moved you onto my favorites bar…
Ah! Now I know more about you. 🙂 I should have read this before I posted my earlier comment. Beautiful and expressive.
ATW
I’m back…enjoying your blog.
I love your site. Keep it up !
If I could express myself as eloquently as you did, I could tell you better how much I found of myself in your description of you.
What a comfortable place your blog is. I plan to visit often, pull up a chair and make myself comfortable. Thank you.
Glad to have you all here. I hope you stop by often and join in the conversation.
Hi! I popped over from mudflats to check you out and say hi! We have a lot of interests in common – intelligent, interesting friends and conversation, food and wine, books, politics and current events. I will be visiting often – I have moved you onto my favorites bar…
+1