My brother Larry for telling me to get my ass to the PNW to live with him and for him and his wonderful family Elsa, Kyrie’ and Tali for welcoming me and loving me.

Gregory, my 578 mile away partner-in-crime, still after 24 years. Without you I would not be alive. I cannot thank you enough for your support and input in this part of my journey. Love you! Are you looking at rocks?

Best therapist ever, Stephanie F, LMFT, Yuba City. Thanks for the many years you spent with me on my interesting but treacherous and soul tearing journey. Thanks for guiding me on my path and creating the caring space for me, the way I needed. Thanks to therapist Dr. Q who kicked my ass to make me prove just how resilient I am! Thanks to my current therapist, Dr. Erica H, PsyD, for her general awesomeness and for her supreme skill in guiding me through my trauma with her institutive and deft brainspotting, her compassion, her ease, and for getting me!!

Kerry T, my UU friend, who took the picture of me in my tattooed glory at the Maypole and who has kept my mind sharp in the professional realm.

Speaking of tattoos!! Jackie Rabbit I miss you!! Drew at Illuminati Tattoo in Vancouver, WA for being my new artist. Both of you are awesome masters!! I bow to you. Thanks for helping me be me.

My cat children Ku-Co, Mushroom and Bell Pepper. My love and my laughter and my cuddles.

Tina M for helping me figure out how to do this whole web design thing—eternally grateful!!!!!! You are awesome.

For all of my friends, new and old, who have listened to me talk about “my website,” been supportive, listened to and read my stories, and provided invaluable feedback: Madeline C, Debbie B, Kathleen, & Maryann H (best group of spiritual sisters ever!!), Nina, Kerry T, Cicely G, Melissa, Chris C, Quince A, Mike T, Martin S, Stephanie H, Sandra T, Shari J, Cynthia F, Jenn C.

I would like to profoundly thank my friend Maryann for giving me the best compliment I have ever received in my life when she said while reading one of my stories she almost peed her pants. Doesn’t get any better than that!

I would like to thank my high school English teachers (Live Oak High School, Morgan Hill, CA, class of 1984): Aaron Spain, Irv Peckham, and Terry Bernard. The Absurdess was still a shy, quiet kid at that point (can you even imagine!?), but their presence, patience, and kindness did nurture the seeds, which you see now blossomed here. I also owe a shout out to my Psychology teacher, Diana Rocha (and later my supervisor when I taught High School Social Studies at Live Oak from 2003 to 2004 until I was laid off—life is indeed weird, to be teaching at the high school I graduated from!!). Ms. Rocha started me down the path of being interested in psychology (as my father killed any thoughts of me wanting to be a marine mammologist, since “you are a woman and that requires a lot of math.” Thanks Bruce!). Entering the field of social services most certainly has lead to lots of writing material, so thanks Ms. Rocha!!!

Much gratitude is owed to the wonderful poet, writer and woman, Dayle Olsen. Dayle invited me to join the board of the Writer’s Guild of Astoria (OR), where I am serving as Secretary. Dayle speaks my praise at our local open mics. Dayle interviewed me for the local radio program on KMUN, River Writers (to be aired June 12, 2023). Dayle has become, in effect, my patron. I know having a patron usually implies they are financing one’s artistic efforts. Dayle is not handing me cash to write, but she is giving me a much of valuable gift of believing in me at the start of my writing career, promoting me, and offering me her wonderful friendship, and that is priceless!!

https://www.thewritersguild.org/

I need to thank Steve P for coming into my life and for understanding me like no other romantic, love interest. Steve, you speak my language, you see the The Universe through the same lens as I. When we sit together and talk about our distress over the state of the world and how life mostly does not make sense to us, how we feel like outsiders and loners, at least in our togetherness it can finally “make sense.” 56 years is along time to not be completely understood (except for you, Larry, my baby bro). Thanks, Steve, for getting me and accepting me for who I am—as you say, “Funny, smart, attractive, a little nuts.” 😊