My interests include writing (prose, poetry, recipe books, family history, etc., etc.), reading (prefer a fast paced who-done-it) photography (started with a Kodak Instamatic, then 35mm, but have discovered digital photography), music (have an extensive collection of Country, Rock, Oldies, Jazz, Blues, Religious, etc. music), plants (specialize in container gardening at home because of the soil, water, and weather conditions in New Mexico. I am into genealogy (I am researching the McCallister, Bloomquist, Westenskow, Hahn, Totten, Hodge, and Hilley families), Cocker Spaniels (currently have Liz E Ball de Brune Dowger, Dudley Ball de Brune Dowger, Katie Ball de Rojo Dowger, and Oreo),and one Australian Dingo, box turtles (I have two: Alejandro and Mohammed), goldfish (I can't count them because they keep moving around too much), frogs (raised from little tadpoles). I built a "turtle ranch" and goldfish pond that is complete with water lilies, cattails, and a waterfall in my front yard. I am a "pack-rat" and collector of all sorts of junk. I have two pianos, but can only play very simple songs and only in the key of middle C.

In February 2005 I was admitted into the hospital for 14 days. During that time my family was called in during the wee hours of the morning because the doctors thought they were losing me. My heath has not improved much since then. I was on the lung transplant list for fourteen months and praying for the gift of life.

I was called to Denver, Colorado on March 11, 2008 for the lung transplant. The surgery was very successful. I am now back at home and back at work. In short, I have been able to resume my life. Life is good ...

11 March 2014: Today I celebrated my sixth year anniversary from my lung transplant. I've since retired from work (27 December 2013), I've moved from Albuquerque. Dr Burr Passenheim and I (and our dogs and cat) live together in San Diego. Life is grand... thank you to all of my loving friends and family for seeing me through the ups and downs of life. I am blessed...

11 March 2017: Today I celebrated my 9th year anniversary from my lung transplant. These days I spend my days working on my family genealogy and taking care of Dudley. He is now 15 years old and the only surviving dawger from the pack I had in 2008 (transplant year). He took care of me back then; now I take care of him. I pray for a 'Rainbow Heaven'.... surely God has a place for such a gentle soul in Heaven.