CURRENT MISSION

To create a community arts hive in Peterborough, ON. The work has begun and it is very exciting! I love connecting with people through the arts.

ABOUT ME

I'm a grower, a teacher, a learner.... the life journey never stops. I took early retirement from teaching elementary school a few years ago due to health issues. I'm still in the process of creating a new life, the centre of which has been my love of clown. It's probably not the kind of clown you're thinking of. I've been studying clown for 7 years now, and do a combination of performing and teaching. Both areas are starting to grow. My first clown training came from a technique developed by a guy named Richard Pochinko. You can find out a bit more by looking at www.mumpandsmoot.com , two guys who are my main teachers. I have a new love, which is community engaged arts and am seeking to develop that in Peterborough through an internship with Jumblies Theatre in Toronto. I love poetry, particularly the work of David Whyte. I adore the writing of Anne Lamott.I love the autumn leaves and pumpkin pie, frosty winter breath and the clear blue sky, tender buds spring promise and planting seeds, freedom of summer days. I love time with friends and family, but equally value time alone. I'm an introvert by nature, find small talk challenging, but I would love to hear about what matters to you. What makes you come alive?

PHILOSOPHY

"You were a lonely grape and now you are sweet wine.
There is no use trying to become a grape again." Rumi

"I would love to life like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding." John O'Donohue

"Don't worry about what the world wants from you, worry about what makes you come more alive. Your real job is to increase the color and zest of your life." Lawrence LeShan

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted a few people, though not all show up here on the CS page. I'm happy to show people around Peterborough if you come this way, or to meet for coffee.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

All positive so far. I've just had someone here for 2 days that I'd never met before (Maya Stein on her "Tour de Word" poetry tour) and it was great. I share my house with others and there is a regular turnover as people move to the next stages of their lives. Most of those experiences have been positive.

Interests

the arts, expressive arts, the healing journey, gardening, a good read, community arts

• arts
• writing
• poetry
• coloring
• wine
• coffee
• gardening
• painting
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Kung Fu Panda!! Po rocks! Whale Rider....
Oliver Schroer, Oren Lavie, Duffy, Adele, Seal, Tony Bennett, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen.....
Anne Lamott, Michael Connelly, Roald Dahl, Jeanette Walls, Philip Pulman, David Whyte, Kim Rosen, Ann Patchett, J.K. Rowling, Willian Steig, Steig Larsson, Mary Oliver.....

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The word "amazing" often makes us think of big, spectacular things. But the most amazing things I've experienced are centred around connecting with people, often through the arts. Whether we are painting or stitching, weaving or clowning, it's the discoveries and finding common ground that is most amazing to me.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love conversations of the heart, to hear about what matters to people. I'm not much of an intellectual - for a long time, I fooled people into thinking I was. What can I teach?? I've dabbled in a lot of things - how about needle felting?! I can teach you how to do that! And now I'm learning how to bake grain-free. It is pretty interesting.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United Kingdom, United States

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