I am a transdisciplinary educational gerontologist, writer, community activist and facilitator.
I am former Chair of the Department of Human Sciences and Director of Gerontology at Marylhurst University. I joined the faculty as an adjunct member of the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program in 1997 and since that time, I've been involved in designing many on-campus and web-based courses and programs for adult learners, including in Gerontology. As an undergraduate I attended Willamette University, graduating Cum Laude in Psychology and Music; my interdisciplinary graduate studies at University of Oregon and Oregon State University focused on the Human Sciences, with specialization areas in adult development and aging, women’s studies, and critical social theory and alternative research methodologies. My dissertation became part of a book published in 1996 and co-authored with Dr. Janet Lee--Blood Stories: Menarche and the Politics of the Female Body in Contemporary US Society. Over the past twenty (or more!) years I have been involved in inquiry in the areas of creativity in later life; older women's embodiment; sexuality and aging; critical Gerontological theory; transformational adult learning practices; and inter-generational friendships and cross-generational collaborative inquiry.
I am co-author, with Dr. Harry R. Moody of Aging: Concepts and Controversies (now in its 10th edition!) and first author, also with Moody, of the recently published Gerontology: The Basics, as well as author/co-author of several book chapters, articles and essays.
Currently, I work at Portland Community College in the Center for Learning & Teaching Excellence as a Teaching & Learning Specialist and as part-time faculty for the Gerontology Program.
Good to hear from you again. You’ve reminded me to notice things on a walk. I am dog sitting my daughters dog for 3 weeks while she visits Japan and have enjoyed the first few walks again.
So appreciate this invitation into being present! As you know – sensory experiences are a wonderful way to regulate ourselves when life is overwhelming, stressful or even traumatizing. Just noticing…collecting visual images…it is grounding. Thank you.
So good to see your posts again!! I love reading your colorful words and pondering the thoughts. I didn’t take a walk today, but sat on my front porch watching the tiny butterflies and a few bees enjoying some nectar in my yard. One of my daily pleasures – sitting on my porch with something to drink and watching the birds and bugs and squirrels.
Nice to see you in action. I had a fantastic stroll through a new neighborhood yesterday. I always appreciate the time my body demands for rest while walking. It’s a chance to sit and look up, talk to passersby, and make new friends, even for a moment. Miss you friend 🫶🏼
Good to hear from you again. You’ve reminded me to notice things on a walk. I am dog sitting my daughters dog for 3 weeks while she visits Japan and have enjoyed the first few walks again.
Hello, far-friend! Thank you for reading me and commenting. Trying to get warmed back up after a challenging three years! I hope you are well.
So appreciate this invitation into being present! As you know – sensory experiences are a wonderful way to regulate ourselves when life is overwhelming, stressful or even traumatizing. Just noticing…collecting visual images…it is grounding. Thank you.
Hello, colleague! Thank you for reading me and for your thoughtful response. Making my way back into gero-punking. 😉
So good to see your posts again!! I love reading your colorful words and pondering the thoughts. I didn’t take a walk today, but sat on my front porch watching the tiny butterflies and a few bees enjoying some nectar in my yard. One of my daily pleasures – sitting on my porch with something to drink and watching the birds and bugs and squirrels.
Nice to see you in action. I had a fantastic stroll through a new neighborhood yesterday. I always appreciate the time my body demands for rest while walking. It’s a chance to sit and look up, talk to passersby, and make new friends, even for a moment. Miss you friend 🫶🏼