My mother was given two months to live when I was eleven – a defining moment for me. The cancer had not spread, but my mother lived in fear of its’ return. This had a powerful effect on my life. I decided not to wait for retirement to start living. I knew I would be bored and frustrated by living in the suburbs. I wanted to be an anthropologist or photographer, but my father refused to give me the education I wanted. He sent me to a small religious college where I took teaching. I hated it, was bored, tried to transfer to a university out west but was unable to get student loans due to my father’s income and control.

After graduating I taught elementary school, married a guy I met in college, planned to take environmental biology at a nearby university. But my husband Bruce refused to let me go back to school. Eventually he got a position as V.P. of a bank in Aspen, and we bought a little house on a mesa overlooking snow-covered mountains just outside of Aspen. After the divorce I became a photographer for ski areas and rafting companies, did free lance photography for ski areas and resorts and worked as an contractor for American Express. For 12 wonderful years my life included lots of skiing, rafting, riding my horse, hiking with my golden retriever, Windy.

In the late ‘80’s I took a position in Boston working for American Express. I enjoyed New England, but it’s no match for the blue skies and wide-open spaces of the Rockies. I returned to the mountains, this time to Santa Fe 1991, where I immersed myself in the local history and cultures, sold artwork and advertising, worked for the Chamber of Commerce, and as a research assistant for writer David Witt.

In spite of being held back by the men in my life, I have pursued my interests in anthropology, archaeology and photography. I have spent time among the Cheyenne, Sioux, and Pueblo people, even living at Taos Pueblo. I worked on several archaeological digs, and earned a degree in fine art photography. I am a glass artist, and also work in bronze. And I volunteer with Listening Horse Therapeutic Riding, where I work with children, veterans, even an 85 year-old woman who is learning to ride!

New Mexico is the most interesting place I have lived. Even Aspen became a bit boring, there wasn’t much intellectual stimulation. New Mexico has historic churches and forts, many different cultures to study, amazing art, opera, scenery, hiking, ruins. Santa Fe has the best community college for seniors, with an art department better than those at art schools! I love the constantly changing skies over the mountains surrounding Santa Fe. The clouds are amazing…huge cumulus over the Sangre de Christos, storms over the Jemez….blue skies and sunshine all at once!

It’s hard to believe we are already getting old. How can it be 50 years? Glad to see that most of us made it!

John Denver playing at a picnic near Aspen

Rodeo 2001 Jemez Mts. 2001 me hiking Tapia Canyon

1998

Taos Pueblo caldera – Jemez Mts

typical sky

sunset over the Jemez Mts