I'm interested to know...

[PMG]

That's some life story Dai. . . keep on keeping my man and well done for coming out the other side - tho we are never sure we have come thro - as they say life is lived one day at a time. . . I too had a drinking 'career' which spanned 25 years and which I now regret - but there you go. I stopped boozing on the 9th Feb 11 years ago and haven't touched a drop since! Of course now I'm in my fifties I can't help but think what I might have done if I hadn't wasted all my evenings drinking. . . ah well that's life isn't it - by the time you know what you should have done/be doing you're too old! At least Dai we are both doing what we want to now - and if we're not then whatever it is we should be doing it! More power to both our elbows and anyone else who may be going thro or gone thro a similar thing - its difficult at first but the further away and longer the better you feel - trust me!

Pauline

[speckled wood]

Butterflies were my first love from when I was four years old and dominated my childhood. I am very much a loner and I am truthfully happiest when I am alone, been through a couple of failed relationships but eventually learned that I am not livable with! Very much get fixated on things and will spend hours reading up on a single subject that has got my attention, but never really fully comprehending it! I worked on the railways for many years but lost my job through deafness in 2002, this devastated me as I loved working on the railway and the fact that it allowed me to easily travel to places to see butterflies. Luckilly I kept my concesionery rail travel. I went into a deep depression when I lost my job only thing that held me together was my love of nature and discovery of local glowworm colony (12 miles from home) which gave me an excuse to cycle out every night in July 2002 and since counting them. Have recently been diagnosed as having a form of Aspergers Syndrome which explains a lot of things.

[PMG]

What an interesting bunch of folk we're all turning out to be!! Do you think a love of nature, art and photography goes hand in hand with adversity, personal difficulties, trauma etc? I know I escaped into wildlife from an early age - and I've always regarded nature as 'real life' work, housework and other forms of drudgery are the un-naturals for me!! It has to be done tho to finance the 'real' things!

[Wild-Woman]

Well as you know, I'm a teaching assistant. Had a family early so didn't really get started on a career path. Too busy with nappies.
The're grown ups now. Eldest son in RAF,daughter at uni and youngest son in finishing year before uni. Youngest has been looking at uni's to study medicine.

I've always loved wildlife but never had the funds or time to go after it passionately like I do now.Now the kids are almost independent (still cost loads though) we get out and about the reserves in Kent and further most weekends. We've formed great friendships with people with shared interests.Notice I say 'we' now-that's because my husband is discovering how much he likes nature, later in life.

I'm happy to say that I've just landed a part time job as a field teacher, so I won't be stopping during the summer hols now. No peace for the wicked as they say. Still it'll keep me fit and away from food!!

There's loads of interesting people here and I'm full of admiration for you all. Great thread.

[littleT]

Arty?? I'd say a bit ....Yes.
My father always encouraged me with whatever I wanted to do.
As he worked alot and Mum took us to dancing most nights, the time we had with Dad was always memorable. He'd take us for walks and had answers for our questions, and if he didn't he'd show us how to find out.
After leaving school at 16, working as a doctors receptionist/runner girl, I met my husband and had our first child(girl) by the age of 18 in 1998. I did a part time twilight shift stacking shelfs at the local super market - I was always picky about how presentable the boxes and tins looked. At this time I did a night course on my day off doing Art stage 1.

Flora and henrya there's no such thing as a straight line in art!!. and Jonny design and Archiechture, though they do use straight lines, are still a form of art and the imagination is an art in itself, like wise photography.glsamy.

After the course I had our second child(Boy) in 2001.
Suffering from postnatal depression I didn't continue to work.
Getting married in 2002 saw me designing my own dress, the bridesmaid dresses, page boy outfits, flowers, etc.
There are so many forms of art that it's hard to say that any one particular person hasn't got it in them.
After the birth of our third child(girl) in 2004 and buying our house I returned to part time work - taking care of "vulnerable adults" in their own homes.
I have recently be signed off with depression and anxiety.

My main hobby is ....... do I dare say it?? ....... Harry Potter. JKRowlings books of this wonderful magical world are so entrapping. It's so easy for us 'muggles' to ignore the magic going on. I relate this to our world. How many of us actually don't see the wonderful magic of nature thats right in front of us because we are busy with everyday life.
I became so entranced with these books - considering I've never read a book cover to cover before -that my husband (the computer wiz) recently set up a Harry Potter website purely for me. This takes up some of my time but as it's only a baby theres not a great deal going on there yet.

The other interest that inspires me is Ghosts, mediation and such like. Strange happenings. Ever heard of Derek Acorah?? - Well I'm going to see him tonight. Some of the little philosophical sayings that go along side it can be extremely helpful, whether you are a believer or not. Some think this is a form of art too.

Having these interests and my parents encouragement has, I think, made me into an open minded person and helps me to really stop and look - 'opened my eyes' so to speak. Not just with nature but other things that are happening around me, in our world.