Diana
I didn’t care for reading as a child – I preferred Bonanza and Beverly Hillbillies reruns, Saturday morning cartoons and the Ed Sullivan show. Then one day, I opened a book titled The Hobbit.
Tolkien … literally changed my life.
I love to write. It’s a luxury I never expected I’d have time for – life got in the way. You know how that goes – kids, work, chores… sleep. I worked for 18 years in business where amassing coin was the all-consuming objective. It required huge amounts of time and mental energy. And for me personally, it was soul-slaying.
Then on September 11, 2001 two planes flew into the World Trade Center. I was working in Connecticut, about 2 hours from ground zero, and remember sitting in a conference room, watching the second tower fall. That tragedy initiated a process of redefinition for me, an evaluation of what was vital and important. Life felt short and precarious, and I started to wonder if it was time to do something that actually mattered.
In a moment of loving kindness, my husband suggested that I quit my job and go back to school (he still wonders what he could possibly have been thinking). I graduated with a Masters in Counseling and a mountain of debt. Oh well. I worked in Burlington, Vermont for peanuts – but, oh, they were chocolate covered! The human experience was sweet and rich. I had the pleasure of working with people who cared deeply about the challenges facing children and families, and I came to understand how the power of relationship, in all its myriad forms, can change the world. In Myths of the Mirror it is called the Belonging.
Then life got in the way again, and Randy and I made a move to the lush, wet, green wilderness of the Oregon rainforest. We live on a mountain a half-hour beyond the edge of civilization in a wonderful community where, once again, I encountered the Belonging. In another regrettable moment of loving kindness, he suggested that I write a book rather than work, and Myths of the Mirror poured onto the keyboard. Fast forward a decade and more than twenty books line my Amazon shelf. They have each been labors of love and I hope you enjoy them.
Myths of the Mirror 
Thank you for stopping by my blog & enjoying the story “stereo types”.
Michael
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I discovered your blog from a link on Dan Antion’s site. I have just gotten into writing short stories and I share most of them on my blog. I love the prompts and writer tips you have on your site so I look forward to following.
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Thank you for the kind comment, Janis. Usually my blog isn’t quite as hectic as it feels right now with the writing challenge underway. But it is a book-ish writerly blog at heart. I’m delighted to hear that you’re writing! I didn’t start until I was 50, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s never too late. I’ll be over to say hi in a few minutes!
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What an interesting story, Diana. You had me at the start with your love for Saturday morning cartoons, Bonanza, and Beverly Hillbillies. Working for chocolate-covered peanuts made me laugh.
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Thanks for taking a peek at the bio, Frank. I haven’t updated it in years, but it was such a pivotal time of huge changes for me. And since then, not much new. Lol. Have a wonderful week. Be well. 😀
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I love your blog Diana. 💖🤩
I have started following you. You are one of the best bloggers I know on WordPress.
All the best for your future endeavors. 👍🏻😊
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Thank you for the lovely comment. WP is loaded with awesome bloggers, but I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my posts. Yay! I look forward to visiting your site and getting to know you. 😀
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Welcome! 😊 True! I will be more than happy to have you on my site. 😇 You can check out my latest post, which is a poem, and give me your feedback. It will be helpful as I am new to poetry.
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Will do!
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Hi Diana! I want to inform you that I have a new primary blog now, it’s https://thesrishtiblog.wordpress.com/.
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I love Pixabay too. Fab blog, by the way, love the Arthur Rackham style artwork. Loved those cowboy programmes as a kid, and the Hillbillies. Such escapism. Have a fab week. x
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Thanks for reading, Jane. I often wonder about updating this bio, but it’s me from beginning to end. Lol. I’m sure a bunch of readers have no idea who the Beverly Hillbillies are. Have a lovely day and thanks for the visit!
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I feel like a dinosaur knowing these old shows (all the very best of TV I think) and I always read bios from start to end and I love finding out about authors. Keep it as it is. Have a fab weekend. Jane x
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Thanks. Enjoy your weekend too, my friend.
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Thanks for the follow 🙂
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Diana, after reading this, and realizing that some of you impetus to write was from the events of 9/11, I thought today would be a good day to reblog your art post.
It is 20 years later, but it is yesterday.
I hope it is okay by you. – Resa
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Certainly okay! That was such a pivotal day. It changed my life profoundly. I still can’t watch the new footage or look at the images without feeling retraumatized. I remember with honor and respect, but quietly.
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I’m with you!
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Hi, really like the art on your site. Are you the artist?
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Nope. Not an artist. I get my images from Pixabay and sometimes turn them into composites. Those images are attribution free so you don’t have to worry about copyrights. Have fun!
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