What Kind of Person do You Think I Am ?

    

With all the work I have put into my blogs over the years it has become an assumption of mine that my readers have deduced my character, demeanor and lifestyle through my writing. Perhaps that’s a bit of an error on my part. Most of my writing only requires me to step aside and lay down facts. My own agenda, opinions and preferences are put aside in most instances or kept to myself. That works for me because I can concentrate on what is essential to my subject without adding my own colors unnecessarily. Additionally, non-fiction writing allows you to work incognito and I’ve taken that road more often than not but it isn’t absolutely necessary. In all honesty, I’m a modest person but not necessarily shy so it’s become a habit for me to keep myself out of it, if possible. However, I’m going to try to break out of that rut. This entry is an attempt to introduce you to the person you’ve been reading so you can get a clearer image and better idea of who I am as a person.

     The fact that I’ve been mostly reticent about myself was entirely unintentional. In trying to be as professional as I can I’ve deprived you of knowledge about my aspirations. However, I do want you to know where I’m coming from in terms of my personal and work background, where I have lived and traveled and what I want and expect to achieve with my work on castles. I’ve never really thought much about my station in life because my priority has always been following my interests, desires and needs. God has been gracious to me and helped me (along with my parents) in achieving my goals and aspirations. No one could ever rightfully accuse me of being high maintenance. Economical in every sense of the word is not only my highest priority on a day to day basis, it has practically become my motto. It’s all too obvious what my excesses are from my writing so this will not be news to you. My main overindulgence is education, knowledge and, above all, truth and honesty in dealings and communication.

    

Someone once left a comment on my WordPress castles blog which said simply, “What’s with all the castles?”  After I stopped laughing- actually, I just laughed again- I started to seriously ponder the question. It’s obviously a favorite subject of mine to put it mildly but beyond the apparent reasons why I started to write about castles I’m sure that the mysteriousness and appearance of these magnificent edifices is what started me on the journey of exploring and then writing about them. I pored over books on castles from the time I was a teen. It didn’t occur to me at the time that I would eventually visit these places. Supposing that I couldn’t possibly ever visit even one made them more attractive and important. When I finally went on my grand tour of castles back in 2001 it was a dream come true and has been my best and most exciting travel excursion in my life- thus far. I’m more in love with castles now than I ever have been! I’m not sure if I have answered the question above but it’s the best way of explaining why I have spent the past 19 years researching them online. I have a small library on the subject of castles alone. Well, it’s small if you think 100 books is a small collection. There are many more I’d love to own and hundreds more I’d at least like to read or read again!

     If someone asked me, “What’s with all the writing?” I’d probably only laugh again. I’ve been writing longer than my so-called obsession with castles and has become such a part of me that- to think of myself as something other than a writer- I’d probably just say I’m a poet. I started my writing career with poetry as a child. Further I’d say that I’m a poet first, even if the number of my poems pale in comparison to all my other writing. When did I start singing? My mother told me that I sang back to her from the crib! People used to stop my mother in church and remark that they’d never heard a baby sing before. Eventually, Mom took me to a professional vocal coach who wanted me to try for a scholarship to C.U. for operatic training. Somehow I couldn’t visualize myself in that scenario and there are times that I regret not taking that more seriously. I felt that my voice talent belonged in the church because it was God-given. I never had to struggle with my vocal talent and have always enjoyed singing. Playing the flute was practically the same thing. I only wanted to play for the Lord. I may need an attitude adjustment for that someday but for now I’m happy with singing occasionally here and there, mostly at church and definitely to the Glory of God.

    

I enjoy life as it is, also. From 1977 up to 2007 I kept busy making a living working as a nail tech. I’m still a working technician but I’m not anywhere near as busy as I was during those first 30 years! I have traveled to nail shows and seminars all over the U.S. (mostly on the West Coast) and even lived and worked in San Diego for three years. Mostly what I learned in San Diego was autonomy. I moved there when I turned 22 and did all the California things that a young woman can do when they are in such an environment. Sometimes I wonder if I would’ve had certain opportunities in my life if I had continued living there. Moving back to Denver after all that wasn’t easy. I just readjusted and went back to working as a nail tech but I also enrolled in college and started taking music classes and advanced flute performance training. I didn’t come away from there with a degree because I wasn’t seeking a degree. I didn’t feel that I needed one and when I decided that I’d gotten everything out of musical training that I wanted, turned my sights on nail salon ownership.

     Being a business owner is quite a high ride even as a small business! It is very demanding of time but there is no better confidence builder. If one does not become a millionaire at the end of it then there is the prestige of such experience which is not generally overlooked by potential employers. The responsibility is enormous and will take every bit of your energy. Your work ethic becomes top priority because you don’t make it unless you rise to the occasion. From 1990 to 1997 my salon survived two locations and a growing retail business and eventually tanning. The latter was not an asset but I learned something about the business that I didn’t know before I added it. I’m convinced that my expertise in nails (which I had already acquired before I started the salon) made all the difference in my success. Interestingly, when I decided to close my salon and move operations to my mother’s full service home salon, it wasn’t that difficult to give it up. I’d learned what I needed to learn from that period of my life and wanted to move on.

     After that, I knew that whatever I decided to do from here on should be a dream maker because I am convinced that if I apply all the things I’ve learned through the years- the work ethic, following desires, being confident, using energy well- the effort of all that will impart more success. To me, success isn’t just about making a million (or more) dollars, it’s about making dreams a reality. It isn’t a game, it’s real life and a real possibility. Success isn’t a competition, it’s arriving at the destination you wanted. It’s finding out that what you wanted is worth your time, toil and care. Success, for me, is an intrinsic value and an extrinsic one as well. Whoever said, “Nothing succeeds like success,” was not being facetious- he knew what he was talking about. I know what it is to be a success, the kind which is worth its name.

     Finally, in conclusion, my hope is that you understand me a little better and know that I’m as down-to-earth as anyone else. My castles are real, not in the air! I know what it is to turn around after a big monetary windfall and put 90% of it back in for the next project or keeping the business afloat. I’ve put in seventeen years of dedicated work for a dream, which as of today, has not yet made one dime for me. However, I believe in the worth of the work- it couldn’t remain a fantasy that long and survive in my world! I believe it was Flaubert who said, “I beg you to believe that if it didn’t amuse me to paint, I wouldn’t do it.” There’s the love part. It’s the true key to success.

Honestly,

The Castle Lady