Solar Living Institute

For 30-40 years I've been helping individuals grow and learn and improve the quality of their lives. Mostly in some form of teaching, mostly young children. I've also spent years with disabled or elderly as my second job. I've been present at both births and deaths and usually made a positive difference of some sort to individuals.

Now I'm transitioning to a different scale, of teaching others the tips and strategies that make me good at what I do. Workshops, writing, publishing. Turning 50 is an excellent time to make these changes.

WE NEED GOOD FICTION, TV, AND FILM SET IN A NEAR FUTURE THAT'S SUSTAINABLE. Not much out there. Writing speculative fiction of any kind is a process of envisioning, but needs to be driven by character and backed up by research of various kinds. Set up a wiserearth group for this, WRITERS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. Please check it out if interested. We are collecting book reviews at the moment; have links to film resources.

My original plan was for a local event (my county) that encourages community envisioning, as well as connecting writers and offering background info for these settings. First meeting Sept 2008, and a larger event starts Jan, hopefully at downtown library (UPDATE 4/09...delays due to family priorities this winter; starting to grow with spring; will report August 2009).

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My publishing efforts reflect my background with children and teaching. Room to Grow Educational Publishers, with CloudPillow Books for children.  A picture book in three languages, and other content should be up by end of Sept. Some of the other content can be printed out, some things I just want to get out to people who can use the games or tips.

Two handouts with the book make a packet. Nonviolent Chase games, and Games to Play when You are Tired and Your Children Aren't!  I plan to get these packets to organizations working with families at risk of child abuse and parents working to get their kids back ( will solicit donations to do so; they are inexpensive so reasonable). Some help on the lighter side.

The nonviolent chase games teach safe touch, respect and kindness as well as much fun and creativity! Well tested too...when I saw a classroom where the kids I taught the game to had taught the new kids the next year, then  I knew they were winners. Grad student watching, young man, had no idea it was a new game or one I taught; put it in the same breath as "Red Light, Green Light".

I started a number of services and organizations when I was younger that are still in existence and useful. I've got other ideas nagging at me from files I've started, so back to that as well.

I'm always curious, always creative and seeing possibilities. I could putz along slowly but getting older and global warming creates an urgency. I am positive there are sponsors out there who would feel richly rewarded by the results of supporting a sort of sabbatical for me. I've worked low pay but satisfying jobs for decades, as hands on teaching assistant, caregiver or support staff for folks with disabilities. Wish I could work full time or even halftime for 6 months to a year on projects instead of doing it on top of 2 jobs..well, many people have these problems or worse. It's not going to stop me, but if anyone would like to support my work and see it speed up, I can arrange something with local oversight & safeguards through a nonprofit or other organization here.

Eventually my business will support my nonprofit projects, but the short term transition is frustrating, discouraging and slow. Well, any pointers appreciated (have grant writing/nonprofit board experience).

Three great kids! (my programmer son, 23, is setting up website) and so on...easier to leave the classroom now that my daughters have given me four young grandchildren to play with instead (ages 2 and under). Live a block from old school now owned by Headstart, worked there in special ed classroom leased by U of O...lots of opportunity to do pilot projects, teach workshops, etc as I have a lot of positive connections among educators in this town and elsewhere. So have more resources than many.