My first job as a child was helping my Uncle Al with his firewood business. I got 50 cents an hour and loved it. We drove on his tractor out into the woods where the trees grew very thickly. He had a huge circular saw on the back of the tractor and he'd cut sections to the right length and I would stack them in his truck and later in bins behind the house where people came to buy them. It was a great way to spend time active outside and be with my uncle, who I worshipped. It was a very small business and probably a good way to manage his forest land.

I've always loved the outdoors and good, healthy, hard work. Most of my life I've worked with nonprofit organizations, including 16 years in Papua New Guinea where I was involved with anthropology, linguistics, literacy and community development. We lived in a very remote area that was accessable by helicopter or several days hike. No roads. No electricity. Actually, we did have electricity! We had solar panels on the grass roof of our house. They powered two truck batteries. That gave us enough electricity for our two-way radio, computer, printer, and flourescent lights. We also had a simple solar hot water heating system. Those were the days...

Now, I'm older and back in the States. Not much need for an anthropologist here in Asheville where I've decided to build my nest. But what could be better than helping others plant their roots! I absolutely love Asheville! It's the best place to visit or live. It has everything except the ocean and that's just a few hours away. I love the arts, the beautiful mountains and rivers, the trees!

Besides my career in real estate, I also try to balance my life spending time involved in the arts. I enjoy creating various kinds of art pieces using paper I make, found objects, photos I take, drawing, painting and oil pastels. I love making all kinds of things using whatever I find or can recycle. I like music, cooking with natural ingredients, working in the yard, walking around downtown, visiting galleries, entertaining friends, watching the birds, sitting on our porch, and meeting new people!

When I was a kid I loved having a special place like a play house or treehouse. It presented all kinds of special opportunities to have adventures, use my imagination. I like the idea of people being able to recapture that same spirit of childhood as they seek a new place to live, a place to create a unique home that will meet their own unique needs. I am honored to be involved in that process.