I am essentially a life long resident of Long Island, having grown up in a very special community on the north shore of Nassau County and currently reside with two lively chocolate miniature poodles on Long Island’s South Fork, or on Quiogue as the area is know by locals. Quiogue is a little bitty island that’s long been connected to the mainland by pavement and viaducts.  In other words, you wouldn’t know its an island just by looking around. The surroundings are beautiful and unique, the birds stop here first on their trip back north and the ocean breezes in summer are cooling  — perfect for growing a climbing hydrangea.

I came here to take on the task of getting a fledgling hospice up and running and stayed for the past 23 years as the President and CEO.  Its been a pleasure and at times a pain — but the end result has been a huge benefit to so many!  I am honored by being given the trust and continually humbled by the admiration that comes my way.  We do a good job and that takes work and dedication from many many people. With big doings ahead, there’s lots more work to be done.

My career began as a registered nurse, going back to college on my late husband’s GI Bill. At the time was told I was the only wife of a vet in the state doing so — and its no wonder, I found out about dependents ability to use the GI Bill quite by accident. And it was a blessing, I got the education I needed to have a career and be able to support my family. I’ve since gone on to get a Master’s Degree as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, specializing in issues of emotional trauma, grief and children’s bereavement — more on that later.

As the artist, I began studying an early age taking life-drawing classes with my mother and sisters. Now my work is mostly concentrated on watercolor painting in a contemporary botanical style, using a traditional approach to capture the translucent colors and crisp details of local flora. A single stem or blossom, the brilliant hues of autumn foliage, winter fruits and berries are favorite subjects as are bees, caterpillars and other garden creatures.  Many have asked “how do you do that?” —  look for answers on this blog!  Here’s a picture of my studio!

Recently, my sisters and I formed a greeting card company, Busy Lizzies Paper Goods, although still in a fledgling stage, its exciting to see the hard work pay off.  Who knows what’s ahead!  BTW – Busy Lizzie is the  nickname for Impatiens — one of my favorite flowers.  Follow us on Facebook or the web site at http://www.busylizziespapergoods.com

That seems like enough for now.