Date: Sun, 8 Dec 1996 15:08:58 -0800 From: Judy Ray Subject: Introduction, belatedly Well, it just crossed my mind that maybe I should finally try to intro myself just a little. Who am I? Now there's an interesting question. Just the facts, ma'am, nothing but the facts.... 51, one son (16), 3 cats and a 95 lb. basset hound, currently unemployed (by choice) but doing some research consulting on the side to bring in some $$, live in Oregon, have all my life except for a brief 3 yr. stint in Fargo, N.Dak., widowed just over 4 years ago, and trying to see if I can write for some kind of a living (or maybe for a life). I've had a rather checkered career up to this point...teacher of severely retarded children in the late 60's and early 70's, pizza cook, tire recapper, case manager for vocational training program for developmentally disabled adults, research assistant, statistician, and then I gave up and decided to write. I have a lit degree (BA) from eons ago, and mucho hrs. towards an MS in stats, but will never complete that MS. Thinking about taking some classes in the Creative Writing program at the U of Oregon. The sudden traumatic loss of my husband (together for 26 years), dropping dead right in front of my eyes and those of my 12 yr. old son, has been the signal event of my life. Pushed me into all sorts of new stuff, especially a deeper exploration of spirituality. Not especially a New Age type, but respect all approaches to the sacred. More into eastern thought and combining that with quantum physics, which, as far as I can see, is demonstrating the validity of eastern thought. I love the outdoors and gardening, used to love to cook, but that's kinda boring now most of the time...don't want to make all those dirty dishes, but I love to *eat* good cooking, and like good wine and Irish whiskey from time to time. Also some other 'escape' sorts of uhhhh...well, I'd rather not get too specific about that in a public forum, if you don't mind. So...to sum up? A person who thinks she's learned something so far in this journey, but who knows she's still got a lot to learn, and who thinks she learns as much from giving as from receiving, from her mistakes as the things she does right, and who generally has an optimistic outlook on life. But who, from time to time, has her moments. This is her current motto....'I yam what I yam, and F'em if they can't take a joke, but kiss 'em first and afterwards.' Judy... just a goddamned ray of sunshine all the goddamned time. (and please pardon my French.)