Does it make the blog heart grow fonder? Well to make up for time spent elsewhere and in light of certain malfunctions I give you some morsels:

1. I have a bachelors and masters in creative writing and the closest thing I do to using those degrees? This here blog. As a result of all those poetry workshops I attended, I am a scrupulous editor. I read and reread my posts, even after I post them. And yes I will edit after posting, so if your bloglines (it will change your life) shows that I've made 4 posts, don't get too excited it's likely I've just gone back and forth making my little adjustments and rebuilding the site. So all I can say is: 'Burth' imagine the horror.

2. I've never been one for chain letters, either in the paper or email form. So if I don't respond to your meme it isn't because I'm not paying attention (wait maybe it is) or that I don't appreciate the thought, just that I'm not that into them

3. I loved printmaking, discovering it late in high school. I always intended to go to art school or at least study art.

4. I had my oldest son, very young - one month into my 18th year. Yup, I was a teen mom. Scourge.

5. I ended up taking a more circuitous route to college and now think that it was for the best that I didn't go to art school. It almost saved me from getting burned out. Am I burned out with poetry, the poetry and publishing scene? Yes. Do I write much poetry anymore? Nope. Maybe one day. I am much more interested in combining poetry and art, like this talented lady.

6. Knitting was like a breath of fresh air. I had various sewing classes in school, but it never really clicked. I also tried crocheting in college, no magic click either. Then Philip started going to a Waldorf school. He learned how to knit and I got caught up in all the crafting elements - the felting, the dollmaking and for whatever reason I kept being asked if I knew how to knit. Since Philip was learning, I joined in. Like a duck to water.

7. None of the kids are in a Waldorf school now, Philip left at the end of the third grade. I do miss many things, but I also love the arts based school they are attending. I am a supporter of charter schools and education reform. I also believe in quality public education, largely as a result of always falling into that fuzzy income bracket of making too much to qualify for financial aid of private schools, but not enough to pay for them out of pocket. An advocate out of circumstance.

8. The income bracket is a choice and that's because I stayed home with each of my children for at least the first year and after that I was either in school or working part-time. I've never had an office job or been part of the corporate world. I really value being able to go outside and be in the world.

9. I am learning to make do. Money and the managing of is a continuing struggle for me.

10. I have always loved cooking and I have dabbled in the idea of culinary school. I have an amazing collection of baking, pie, cake, and tart pans. Cooking stores used to hold the same lure as yarn stores.

I'll add more to this list, another post for another day.