Let’s see…I always hate these little “about me” blocks…because I suddenly find myself having absolutely nothing interesting to say. I have never been good at selling myself. I am the youngest child, and only daughter of Michigan farmer, who married a beautiful German girl…after WW II. I am also their only adopted child, and I have four natural born brothers. I have been married since 1990 to my best friend, and love of my life, Don. We were never blessed with children, not for lack of trying, and we now share our home and lives with several loving cats. I am a voracious reader, fancy myself a writer (hey, a person can dream), like to garden, believe in shopping locally for fresh goods, and support fair trade. I love to cook and bake. I was in the U.S. Army for 9 years as a military police officer. I’ve had many different jobs over the years. I like meeting new people, making new friends, and cherishing my old friends. I never thought I would get to the age where I could say…I have known (and liked) some of my friends for over 55 years! Me in a nutshell? I’m an average person, who loves my husband fiercely, my country deeply, my family thoroughly, my pets unconditionally…and I believe everyone matters…to someone. It’s wise to remember that. It’s also smart to keep in mind…everyone is fighting some kind of battle, so be kind.

UPDATE (May 3, 2026):

I wrote the above “About Me” blurb in 2009.My blogging was sporadic for many years. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to write. It was because I never felt worthy enough to share my stories, or voice my opinions. Between then and now, there has been tremendous change and growth, in my life. There has also been some healing—–and the healing is on-going. I still, very often, feel “not good enough”—–but I’m much braver in 2026, than I was in 2009.

In 2021, my brother Joe, gifted me with an Ancestry DNA Kit so I could hopefully find my birth mother. When my results came to me, the person who held the closest relationship to me was a “Half Aunt” and there were also two close Cousins. I contacted all three of them. One of the cousins was immensely helpful, and also replied to me immediately. With her help, and a few months of intense research, I found out who my birth mother was. Sadly, she passed away in 1999. But, I connected with two half siblings (a brother and sister). Circumstances have not allowed us to meet face to face, but thanks to smart phones, laptops, and social media, we have developed positive relationships. I’m especially close to my sister. I love them both, dearly. They always knew I existed, and our mother was forced to give me up (long story that I do not care to share). They also shared with me that our mother was always sad about me. It is so meaningful to me that my birth-sibs have made room for me in their lives. As of May 2026, I am still searching for my birth father. I’ll keep looking, but the focus is secondary to building and nurturing relationships with the members of my birth family that want me in their lives. Not all of my “birth relatives” want a relationship with me. I’m OK with that, disappointed a little, but I’m not going to chase after folks that don’t want me. That is a futile endeavor. 

For new readers, or current ones that may have missed some things, both my (adoptive) parents have passed away. Mom died in 2007, and my Dad died in 2020.