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Current Address ... 111 Moss Wood Lane, Clinton MS 39056 Email ... merrie@netdoor.com Relationship Status ... Married Occupation ... Library Media Specialist Hobbies ... Keeping up with my men Education ... Elementary education degree |
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Taken a few years ago while on a research trip for one of Rick's books. The photo was actually of the waterfall. Rick was just humoring me by including us. |
| With my darling Denman. |
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Ringing what are reputedly the largest windchimes in the world. Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Yes, I am amused by simple things. |
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Okay, here goes, I'll try to be brief, but 40 years is a long time. After stints teaching elementary school and working with McRae's (when there still was a McRae's) as a store and corporate training coordinator, I quit work to spend more time with my husband and son. Corporate work was interesting, but all consuming. After doing the mom thing --- housekeeping, cooking, gardening --- for a number of years, I decided I wanted a little part time job and this led me to our local library in Clinton, MS. Though I originally envisioned doing simple clerical work, my education degree made me a candidate for the vacant children's librarian position, which I accepted and discovered I enjoyed very much. After a few years at Clinton, I continued public library work as a branch manager in Terry, MS. About seven years ago, I took a final professional step back into the public schools. I am currently the library media specialist at Clinton Junior High.I have heard it said that there is a special place in heaven for those who work on the junior high level. Yes, there is the drama you'd expect from hormone raging teens, but their energy is amazing, and I am lucky to work in a supportive environment with very nice people. On the home front, Rick retired after teaching art for 25 years, but retirement brought him the opportunity to work harder than ever. He continues to create his art which he markets at art festivals and with art agents. He has illustrated seven books for a couple of publishers and is currently working on an eighth. As a tangential activity, Rick travels around the southeast conducting presentations at schools and conferences which emphasize literacy and creativity. Our son Denman, the benevolent wild man, fled the South as soon as possible after graduation from USM with a double major in technical theater and performance. He found his way to Washington, D.C., where he has worked as a freelance theater technician, actor, lighting and sound designer, barista, gallery sitter, band booker, often all at the same time. Most recently he has affiliated with a worker's collective which specializes in dog walking. He is a bicycle-riding, straight-edge vegan and his most recent vacation found him in Chiapas, Mexico where he studied Spanish with Zapatista anarchists. I swear all this is the truth. Responsibility for my little mom has kept me close to home for the last five years. She suffered with the progression of Alzheimer's and unfortunately outlived her life by a couple of years. Mercifully, she passed away in late July, following my dad by 41 years to the day. Having turned this major page in my life, I am looking forward to doing some traveling with Rick. seeing new things, enjoying good food, and just having fun --- while I still have my teeth and passable recollection. If you want to have lunch sometime, give me a call. |
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