Introducing Judy

I am a young-60ish, and live in Columbus, OH. I'm a retired social worker, but spent most of my years (happily) as a stay-at-home mom, with my three kids and husband, from 1970 to 2002.

I discovered Story Circle in 2000, just as the internet chapter was up and running, and became its first membership chairperson...a very exciting time! At that time I was realizing that I didn't want to go back to doing social work, and was finding much more satisfaction in memoir writing, singing in a local chorus, continuing my interest in nature photography, all encouraged by Story Circle and an Artists' Way group I joined.

In 2002 my husband decided to take a job in San Franciso, just as our last child was graduating from high school. We moved in June, the day after he graduated. Thus began a period of six years which has felt like traversing a barren desert. I had left behind all of my good women friends, my kids were all out of the nest, and I found myself living in the heart of the city, which my husband loved, but I hated. We returned to the midwest. After six months in Columbus, my husband came out as gay (why hadn't I read the signs??) We finally separated in July 2006, and I have lived alone in a sweet little garden apartment in Columbus since, with my three cats.

Through all this upheaval I struggled to keep my writing and artistic interests going, but with little success. New good female friends here in Ohio, and on-going online relationships with Story Circle members kept me afloat. Only now that I have been grieving my losses for some time do I feel like my creativity is beginning to return. I have been singing, and have been doing nature photography again, as well as discovering the magic of Photoshop! As Christmas gifts for my three adult children this year I *finally* put together 20 of the stories I had written in a Story Circle e-circle, along with family photographs, and desk-top published a lovely little book. That gave me such satisfaction that I want to keep the creative spirit growing...which is why I am joining an e-circle once again. It feels like coming home!

The picture is of me and my daughter this fall, when we visited my younger son in L.A.