I've been a student of Zen and Tibetan
Buddhism for over 20 years. While spending
a semester in Nepal in college, I attended a
workshop given by a Tibetan Monk. It wasn't
so much what he said that moved me as his countenance - he seemed like the happiest person I had ever met, and the most peaceful.
I especially appreciate the teachings of Cheri Huber, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hahn and Sylvia Boorstein. (See my Powell's bookshelf
for titles.)

I have a wonderful standard Poodle named Francine who is a registered therapy animal.
We visit community centers and retirement homes together. Francine helps me remember
the importance of play, exercise and snuggling. 

My family joined a peace corps-type communal living organization when I was seven,
and we lived in large mission-focused communities until I was 15. The organization was
started by Methodist activists in the '60's and opened its first community on the West side
of Chicago just after the race riots. While the founders had some great ideas and made an impact in some of their communities, it was a challenging environment in which to be a child. I'm grateful for the experience and think it greatly influenced my desire to help groups grow 
in a healthy, sustainable way. 

I'm an amateur astrologer and I read tarot cards. I find the metaphors and perspective of
both systems deeply useful and beautiful. While I don't plan my life according to the
planets or the cards, I do find that both help me and my clients see thelmselves and
their challenges in new and provocative ways.

I love birds and think they have a lot to teach us about kinship, patience and perseverance.
I find myself learning from them often and write about them a lot in my blog. My favorite bird
is the American Crow, who I admire for it's ingenuity, persistence and commitment to community.

I started writing poetry at an early age and won a local college poetry contest in high school. Some of my favorite poets are Mary Oliver, Heather McHugh, Anne Sexton and Charles Simic.

I don't have children, but I have  four nephews I love dearly and close friends named their daughter after me. I love being an Auntie.

I spoke 100 words before I turned one. This may not be something to brag about, especially if you're a person who prefers quiet, but it says a lot about my personality.  

I've had a leach on my face (while trekking in Nepal) and a spider in my ear (while sleeping
in Seattle). Both times I kept thinking "wow this is going to make one hell of a story!" and
I was right!

I volunteer for and served on the board of the Pride Foundation, a Northwest Regional Community Foundation for GLBT communities