inHERview: pen*

today's inHERview is with pen*.
i don't remember how i found pen*? how our paths crossed in the blogosphere?
this doesn't matter.
what matters is this - in finding pen* i encountered a kindred spirit.

i think she's someone you would very, very, very much like to know.
she is a brave creator livin' a life of love - a life of making a difference.

while preparing to post this inHERview i thought about the chalked words i magically discovered today, "sing a happy song."
this inHERview with pen* is just this - a tender & gorgeous being singing a happy song.
lovely pen*, thank you for singing your song for all of us to enjoy!

Who are you?
my name is pen* and I've been a nomad, both literally and figuratively, for some time...however, more recently I have been yearning to grow some roots, and feel now is the time ripe for commitment.

Where can we find you?
most likely tapping away on my laptop, in ye old english cottage, snuggled up on the sofa with my boys (dogs) on either side of me...the end result of such endeavours are generally found here or here or even here.

What is your motto for living? Or, what's on the bumper sticker of your life?
life's meaning is love's magic...this was actually written on a bookmark i had years and years and years ago (!) and it's always stuck...

How do you spend your days?
i work part time as an offender manager with adults on probation (parole) and, spend the remainder of time, marinating in creativity.

How do you spend your nights?
during the work week, i generally try and pretend to be nigella lawson for half an hour in the kitchen rustling up dinner, whilst cam walks the boys. after which, i usually lose myself on the computer whilst cam serenades me on the guitar...

occasionally we may both do something useful like a little bit of cleaning, or a spot of laundry, but not nearly as often as we should!

How do you spend your weekends?
the perfect weekend would be one long love-treat with my, out-of-this-world-amazing, husband and our little fur babies. long walks, picnics, laughs and cuddles...bliss.

How do you define your tribe?
coming together...a work in progress.

What makes your heart sing?
real people. originality. the human spirit. love in action. the written word. hearing my dogs snore in their sleep...

What do you care about?
i care about people, particularly the disenfranchised. i care about the injustice which surrounds me and the choices our governments make in our name.

i care deeply about my friends, my family.

What nourishes you?
my husband. blogs. spring flowers. fresh sheets. my camera.

or simply, as i read on a mug somewhere: "happiness is a cup of tea and a new magazine"

Where and/or when do you feel most at home?
by the sea...i think i may have been a mermaid previously.

in my husband's arms...it's like we were made for each other.

at night, when the world around me is sleeping...i feel brave enough to come alive.

What is one question (in your life/journey) you are currently answering?
how can i make a difference?

What dream are you dreaming right now?
i am wildly excited about a new project i have germinating, which revolves around the idea of creative workshops for disadvantaged young women.

What are you celebrating right now?
this. right here, right now. sharing this space with you.

What does spring mean to you?
wow. where do i begin? spring is my absolute favourite season. it truly marks the new year. an opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings...i love how the arrival of spring tips the balance in favour of light over dark...how gardeners plant bulbs that will be delighting us in the months to come...all around, you see magic sprouting...little buds slowly blossoming...splashes of colour appearing...the sun comes out to play a little more often, and so do i...it's a wondrously inspiring time.

If you were to "tell the world just one thing" (as Jewel sings) what would that "one thing" be?
yes we can.



i chose this because i felt it encapsulated where i am and where i am heading right now...i hope the other photographers won't mind me using their images, and i have included their photo credits below!

photo credit: 1. schmoopy girl*, 2. Untitled, 3. jen_gray_squam, 4. restful, 5. love 52, 6. * inner muse