This blog is to showcase writing, pure and simple. Unlike most blogs that have a focus, this blog may wander as far as topics go. I’m okay with that, for the writing is really about life’s everyday adve
ntures. I’m hoping that readers will drop in to read stories, recipes with playlists, political commentary, and my narratives on rediscovering who I am now that I’m no longer “Ms. Powell.”
The first time I blogged was in 2009 when my family and I traveled in Europe. That was a private blog, just for friends. This past year I wrote an anonymous blog called Lame Duck on an Empty Nest, which included snarky political posts and comments on teaching. And let’s not forget those damn migraine pieces. Yeah, that’s been a personal struggle. I’ll post some of the more popular pieces from both of those old blogs just to get things started.
I’ve just retired from twenty-seven years of teaching high school history and political science. I absolutely loved it (well most days). That career took me to jobs as varied as my first job on the Ft. Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana to Salzburg, Austria. I spent the past 18 years teaching on Vashon Island in the Puget Sound. I hold a Master’s Degree in Women’s History, and I’m thrilled to be starting serious historical research again. Right now my topics of inquiry are the 18th Century Philippines, the Pacific fur trade, and a small ship named the Fair American, the cannon of which was integral in Kamehameha I’s unification of the Hawaiian islands. I’m married to a great guy who keeps me up to date on international politics and have a daughter in college who keeps us both up to date on the latest idioms. We’re owned by a rescue Border Collie and two cats.
Our immediate adventure is to move from Vashon Island in the Puget Sound to the Big Island of Hawaii. I hope you’ll travel with me in my narratives, my commentaries, my recipes, and my occasional poems.
Writing Isle to Isle 
Cindy, I look forward to getting to know you via the blog. I’m familiar with Mike’s intelligence and acerbic humor; since you and I only met for a couple of hours on Lopez about 16 years ago I’ve got some acquainting to do with your interesting self. Mike is a lucky guy.
Buppie,
How nice of you to join the blog. And how nice of you to count Mike lucky. Of course, I’m constantly reminding him of this very thing! Hope you can get to the Big Island for a visit one of these days and we’ll get to know each other the right way–over one of those mojitos!
Thanks–Dan and I will look forward to that. In the meantime, you’ve reminded me that writing used to be fun. Many years of grading essays kind of dulled that early zest (sad comment for me and for my students). Love your style: you must be/have been a wonderful teacher.
Cindy,
I am Bup’s older sister, Sue. Don’t think we have met, but loved your blog that Bup forwarded to me. Nice to touch base with you all after all these years. We have retired to Texas to be near grandkids. Sounds like you are starting another adventure. Seems like all of you are lucky to have each other, including your dog and cats.
Look forward to meeting you sometime!
Sue Pierson
Thanks Sue. How nice of you to drop by the blog and leave such a nice note. Yes, adventures await big and small. I hope to meet you as well one day. Until then, I’ll divulge bits and pieces of myself (and Mike by default) through this blog. Thanks for tagging along.
It sounds like you have some big changes coming soon. That is when life is the most exciting (expect the unexpected). We hate to see people leave our neck of the world but what better place to go. I look forward to reading about your adventures!
Take care