Life in Missoula

As we live our days in Missoula, we are always trying to find ways to grow and progress in our own lives.
I have been working more and more on the river, teaching kayaking almost five days a week and enjoying every minute. The Women's Paddling Club that I created has taken off beyond my expectation and I am so excited to have so much support for the program. The group of women that attend the weekly lessons are just the type I was hoping for. Each is determined to learn how to kayak and plow through the many challenges that are inherent to the sport.
Everyone is so supportive of each other and openly thankful to me for my presence on the river. This is as much success as I could hope for. I am realizing more and more that I truly enjoy teaching in general, and am continuing to think about attending an Adventure Education graduate program- something I have researched and thought about since I finished my undergrad last year.
I am also taking a grant-writing class online and am looking forward to exploring the world of nonprofit work and service. I would like to travel again, but this time with a service-oriented goal in mind. Grant writing will be allow me to fund service projects that I come up with myself, for example helping our new friends in Cambodia, or to join up with international organizations already in place and doing some good. Who knows where this will bring me, but I find it an inspiring field.
Our house is still lovely and our 'flower-pot garden', in our backyard, is growing into healthy plants of tomatoes, basil, peppers and strawberries.
Charlie is working hard in his new shop making new wall pieces, many of which were dreamed up in Asia, and doing metal work on the side to earn some extra money. He is moving forward with the startup up of his business and we are slowly working out the kinks of building a website. When it gets up and running, we will certainly fill you all in on the details. Since this is new territory for both of us, it is taking a little longer than we had hoped to work out the logistics of starting a business and getting over those first hurdles. Thankfully, Charlie has many friends who are Craftsmen and many own their own small businesses, so he is receiving a lot of advice and encouragement.
Nonetheless I am glad to say he is plugging away at both making art and creating a business through which to sell it. I am very proud of him for sticking to his dream despite challenges that can sometimes be discouraging.
Thankfully Montana has provided us with a situation where we can live simply and plug away at our goals and dreams.
We are living, and happily so.
Much Love.