I grew up in southern Arkansas near the Louisiana border. I graduated from University of Central Arkansas and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy eighteen months later. 
I served twenty years retiring as a Commander. Along the way I earned my Masters at the Naval Postgraduate School. After retiring I worked as an Associate Director of the Computing and Information Services Department at Texas A&M University. After six years in Texas we moved to Portland, Oregon where I took a year to enjoy myself and to study theology at Marylhurst University. I then spent five years in multi-family housing management. In 2006, we decided to leave our beloved Portland to return to Arkansas.
I am now primarily a jewelry artist but I enjoy developing new creative interests. I also write, design web sites for friends and family and enjoy making my own schedule. I am a left leaning, progressive thinking visionary and live by the rule, “speak your mind even when your voice trembles.” I frequently get excited about issues but in my writing I let myself be guided by facts and my own values and perspectives even when unpopular. I believe that we must not accept the status quo because we can always learn and improve.
While serving in Guam I met my husband, Matthew, a mechanical engineer, software developer, pianist, and multi-faceted artisan. We have a daughter, Lydia, and son-by-marriage, Kawn, who live in Portland, Oregon.
