#writer

Every year my little family of three travels East to Maine for a couple of weeks. This time is usually a vacation, but I find myself so inspired when visiting that I carry my notebook and pen around everywhere I go. After a few years of these trips I find an almost spiritual feeling in these woods and see where Stephen King gets his ideas (It is almost like he doesnt write fiction) Being in Maine, away from the drove of life I get a little retreat to write. Be it by the ocean in Bar Harbor or just on the back deck at my Mother-in-law's. I make some great progress on my upcoming novels. Last year it was a hike in Acadia National Park that "The Dorcha" came to light. I was walking along a trail by Jordan's Pond and I could fully see my characters running through the woods unseen from their mythical world to our own, all the while tourists walk by unaware of what is happening a few feet away. I am working on a new novel (sorry no spoilers)called "Who Spilled the Tea?" and look forward to see how Maine will inspire this story.
Above photo: Bar Harbor, where I found a folk singer giving a small concert on a lawn.

Two years ago, I decided it would be fun to join my child in Martial Arts, little did I know that this would take me down an amazing path where I found confidence, and strength, but also a love for the traditions of the practice.
I get asked a lot what martial art I practice, when I respond with Tang Soo Do, I get loks of what? did she mean Taekwondo, which leads me to go into a long description of the two practices. The type I study is the more traditional Korean martial art, I usually explain that we learn traditional weapons and Korean culture as well as forms, and sparring. It has a long history, and for me I have taken to forms as my specialty
A form? its a group of moves almost like a dance, that highlight offensive and defensive moves. I am currently working on Pyung Ahn firms which is a group of 5 forms that make up one large form which comes from the traditional Japanese Martial Arts.
I have learned so much on this journey, and as a cultural historian I have found it fascinating the traditons and adaptablitily of the moves and weapons, since for some time, weapons and martial arts were banned in Korea. Take the fighting fan, it is a traditional fan, but when used as a weapon by adding blades, a simple item can be used to defend oneself.
I recently made it to my red belt, which means I have four more belts and three more years to my black belt, and I am looking forawrd to the journey ahead. Its through this practice that keeps me going, I get a chance to grow both physically and mentally, and I have found friendship and purpose through out my time.
If you want to find out more, or want to join in with me I practice at Lane Academy of Martial Arts in Arvada, CO or check around you, its fun and excitin seeing how much you can grow!
and as we say:
Tang Soo!

Wow! It has been a while since I've posted, but with good cause. A lot has happened since my last post. I published another book, I moved up in Martial Arts, and am currently recovering from knee surgery.

First to the good news! My newest book is out! The Dorcha, the first in a three book series starts the adventure for Sarah and her mythical friends. This book was outside my normal of writing about history, but the challenge was too tempting. I had the best motivator and idea machine in my 10yo. We would sit in my car before Martial Arts, where I would tell him what I was working on, and he would add ideas to it. He came up with the idea of Death Turtles and helped me figure out how best for them to combat the evil in the mythical world. He was very proud of this book, so much so, that he convinced his teacher to read it to the class! Now write the next two!

I am now a Brown Belt (for 3 more weeks) and have moved up to the ‘gup’ class. It was an easy transition as my years of sports prepared me for 3-4 practices. I committed to the process and was super excited to move up and learn more. Sadly, the muses had other plans. By week 3 I was out of commission and looking down the bleak tunnel of being on the sidelines.

I was at one of our study sessions (intensive 3-4 hours classes) where we were practicing board breaking. In hour 2 we switched to inside outside kick, one of my least favorite. I twisted my body as far as I could to get the power I needed to break. As I spun and kicked something popped, but I did break my board. I stepped off the floor and I haven't practiced since.

The next day I went to Urgent Care. After some x-rays, it was clear I had dislocated my kneecap. This was not the first time, more likely my 5th time. I always go all out when I play a sport, and this has led to many knee injuries over the years. Well, after over 30 years of sport, it finally said ‘I’m done’. After consulting with doctors and surgeons, it was determined I needed a new ligament, and I was sent into surgery.

I am 3 weeks post op now and the road to getting back looks longer than ever. It is a 6 month recovery, the longest in my career. It has been a hard road, and I am trying to stay positive. I still go to Martial Arts, I just help from a chair. I also am testing to move up, but yet again from a chair. As someone who has spent so much time on the field/court/mat, being away is hard. I try to sneak some extra movements in, but right now, my biggest movement is standing for a few minutes.

It has helped me go back to art and crafts. I keep myself busy drawing and knitting, or other crafts. Today I crocheted patches for a chair that my cats destroyed! I am looking ahead, but the steps are small. It is helping me find different paths to stress relief and has shown me where I belong: On the mat!