"Wanna Come Up & See My Etchings?"

Well, here I am starting over on a new site, although definitely not new to blogging. I must admit starting over with an introduction had me a bit stymied initially and I procrastinated on the dirty deed.

UnFayzed has enticed me into the warm waters of CS blogland, promising not to cannonball me as I tentatively wade into this new pool. Not that I'm some shrinking violet afraid of new adventures - not by a long shot. Nope, I think it's more the time element and I'd much rather be out in nature with my camera than trying to think how to introduce myself.

Who am I? A 65 year old woman in BC, Canada, who's just received her old age pension and is absolutely loving the security that it offers. I also have my own business that keeps me more than busy from May to December. I have a great love for the US, having travelled there not only as a child, but also as an adult. Due to my business, I travel across the border to ship orders twice a week, often taking my bike in the summer time to avail myself of the wonderful rail trails.

I have one adult daughter who lives up north, who I rarely get to see, unfortunately. My mother, at 91, is still very much alive and kicking and I see her fairly frequently. Last year, I purchased my dream home, a 1400 sq ft ranch-style home in a small farming community of about 5,000 people. Although it wasn't a planned move, it was absolutely the best thing I've done. The natural beauty of the area has me out with my camera almost daily.

About a 20 minute drive from my home is a popular resort area with a huge lake, and 4 other lakes in close proximity. As the area is mostly flat, it's superb for biking, one of my favourite pastimes. I love that I can bike to the store or the river, or up to the lakes if I'm ambitious. It affords me the opportunity to follow my passions, cycling and photography. I call it photocycling, as I pack up my photo gear into two panniers on the back of my bike, along with a tripod and cane that becomes a stool, and off I go.

No, I'm not into figuring out how many miles I've gone and that I've got to accomplish x miles for it to be worthwhile. I cycle, see something to photograph, stop and carry on. Sometimes I've gone 40 miles, other times, much less. It all depends on how much time I have or want to spend.

My other passion is art, with watercolour painting being the major one, pen & ink, and graphite following close behind. However, due to my recent foray into photography, I haven't pursued my art. One of these days.....

Oh yes, and writing is the other passion. I love words and always have. I am a member of the Travel Writer's Association of BC, but have to admit that I haven't actively pursued that avenue due to some unforeseen circumstances in the past two years. As those circumstances are now resolved, I anticipate I'll be going on more adventures and writing about them this year.

Now I've dived into this pool and gotten the anticipated chill out of the way, I look forward to swimming with everyone.

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