GREAT ADAPTATIONS

Amazing Influences

Kathy DeAnn Stinnett

My sister, Kathy, is a mentor because she has always lived her life with natural enthusiasm, an open heart, a zen-like acceptance of others, and the ability to get things done. I still learn life’s most important lessons from her. Kathy performs in a bell choir, plays piano, mountain dulcimer, saxophone, and sings in choirs. She took up painting around the age of 50 and creates exquisite, lively works. She does what she sets out to do, and that is something I admire.

Christopher Houghton Budd

The creator of Associative Economics. I had the privilege of working directly with Christopher when he came to Sonoma county and taught the first of his workshops called “Colour of Money.” See his books here, and read about the community based on his work in Switzerland which is flourishing here. The community is called L’Aubier.

Tamara Slayton (RIP)

Entrepreneur and visionary extraordinaire. I was working closely with Tamara at the time of her death. We had several projects going, including a game board for Associative Economics. I learned more from Tamara than anyone in my life, and the scope of what I learned from her continues to emerge.

Sebastopol Economic Forum

Alternative and local currencies are very interesting and worthwhile conversations. I participated in this forum when Ed Baumheier started it. They continue to do good work.

Art

Most of my university training is in Art. I do a lot of small wire sculpture, produce tiny books of short poems (called “Tight Shorts”), create eye-pop collage, and participate in community art projects, some of which go to Burning Man.

Community

Living in a sustainable, intergenerational community of some kind is a strong magnet for me. This can show up in so many different forms it is hard to nail down just what it might be. My projects and passions always lean towards this inclusive, sustainable kind of thinking.

Dogs

Dogs are a deep passion for me. I have worked as a dog masseuse, a dog walker, a dog communicator, and a dog’s best friend. You’ll see more about dogs here at Great Adaptations and here on HubPages.

Our Village Dogs

This is a social program I am working on. Short version: It’s a program that will help elders keep their beloved dogs, help people adopt dogs by providing community support, and help arrange shared ownership of dogs for people who are not able to have a dog full-time. It is meant to keep more of our pets in happy homes, and allow more dogs to be the healing, loving forces they are for their beloved owners. Right now I am speaking with people who are interested in being on a Discovery Board to develop this program. Let me know if you or someone you know would like to be involved!

Reclamation Arts

See the glossary for more about this. I keep my hand in a few projects that promote the creative re-use of resources which are commonly referred to as “garbage.” I am very inspired about the potential of making everything we need out of things we’ve already made. This is one of the most progressively creative areas of human endeavor, as far as I’m concerned.

Professional Projects

I’ve served on the Board of the Graton Community Projects nonprofit and did a short stint as President of the Board. We put on a local Variety show, which was a blast. This nonprofit was involved in the incredible feat of creating a sewage district for Graton so they could institute a world-class sustainable sewage treatment plant. You can read about their accomplishment here. I was not on board at that time, so I can’t take any credit for the fifteen years of toil that produced this remarkable achievement. But I’m proud to be associated with them.

My Strange Talent

See “biscriptic” in the glossary. I write with both hands at once. It’s a kind of circus act. I’ve done this biscriptic writing on stage, and it seems to induce an “ooooooo” response from people. I also use these odd talents in my classes on Activating Creativity.