I’m just like Lewis or Clark. I found this place.

No really, I did. OK, so I wasn’t the first to find it. I’d heard tales of “The West.“ The Beautiful West. Knowing I’d move from my home state of Louisiana, I wanted to go to this place that my newfound friends had come from, or told me about. My tribe would be there. Hiding in the mountains.

Find something you love to do and figure out a way to make a living at it. That’s the path toward a fulfilling work life. May every one of us find it some day.

My path has been a curvy one. Secretary and newspaper reporter. Waitress, baker, chef. Public relations and graphic design. And lastly - currently - clothing designer under the label Big Brown Eyes. I’ve changed hats so many times my hair’s a mess. The occupations I found most rewarding were the ones where I put my hands to use: feeding people and clothing people. It could just be I’m a people pleaser and with those, I get to see people’s smiles when their bellies are full or they look pretty spiffy.