Hello! I'm new to the team and should introduce myself. Me, I'm Karen also known by my nickname Fhionn <--- pronounced like a fish fin and short for Fhionnlaigh (the original spelling of my mother's maiden name of Findlay). My bricks and mortar + online sales in the past 'shop'/biz umbrella was called Fhionlaigh's Rafter (as in a rafter of turkeys) for many years - it's a long story ;)
I joined this team as I share in the interest of the things unexplainable. It's a large part of my life and not always a comfortable part of it. As I age (I'm 55 now), I take my individuality more and more as a gift than a curse. I am empathic and sensitive with precognition thrown in from time to time - a few times it's quite honestly saved my life, at others I repressed it so as not to interfere in others life (and I regret this) and at times it makes absolutely no sense to me at all other than a very disconcerting feeling that I am unable to identify in it's cause (or future effect). For those who have similar 'gifts', I know you understand.
I am hosted by a fabulous house ghost and a story of synchronicity of how I discovered my home that I will share one day if anyone is interested. I have investigated haunting on an amateur level throughout my life, though have not done so here at home. Our ghost may be one of two previous residents, and they are very kind. I don't wish to bother them with questions and the like. They are simply family. Very seldom does "Pa', (our ghost as we refer to them) play pranks. Only once was the prank intended to scare me a bit, though undaunted I asked them to please stop and they did. I am very comfortable with disembodied spirits whenever I come across them.
I live in a very small town of 500 people near Morris, MN. I am an urban refuge who moved out here to the country in 2001 after living in St. Paul, Mn for the majority of my life. It has been a bittersweet experience.
I have a beloved partner/husband person who is an artist. I've gone back to college and hope to emerge better trained to work and write about the world of building preservation and especially to better define 'sense of place'. We have 3 dogs and endless critters around to enjoy and care for. I am very grateful for their presence and love.
I am on Facebook and you are welcome to join me there, though my page is more personal than work oriented. I am a progressive humanitarian and 100% intolerant of racism, religious bias, misogyny, bible bangers, evil, and cruelty. If you have any of these named perspectives on life at heart, please don't seek me out there, here, or anywhere. I am also a bit of a ditz at times, so in advance, please forgive me that.
It's good to feel welcome at a team whose members share what is part of my inner me and life in general as I live and view it. I am very much looking forward to virtually becoming acquainted with you!
https://www.facebook.com/kprattsmithCheers!
Karen
a.k.a. Fhionn
