A grey seal pup, brought to us from the Maine DEM. Isn't he beautiful? He got released last summer.
Me with Kela last winter.
Yep. My feet. I know they're chubby. But check out the little guy.
What I do: I'm a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and work with any mammals native to the area, including squirrels, chipmunks, opossums, cottontail rabbits, raccoons, woodchucks and foxes. I am also on the stranding team for the coast, and rehabilitate seals, my particular favourite, for Mystic Aquarium. They are meaningful to me because I grew up with tales of selkies, and often shapeshift into a seal in my dreams and journeys. My website, which my daughter says looks like it was put together by a third-grader (stand by for revisions - LOL) is www.healingpawswildlife.org
I've done many different things over the years - I started out as a classical archaeologist, spent some time as a private investigator, was a marketing manager specializing in multinational communications, did corporate training, taught wildlife topics to school age kids...I'm nothing if not flexible. LOL This picture reminds me of being a PI in Virginia, and the guinea pig looks like my old Henry...
I'm pagan, with shamanic practice being my focus for about 30 years, originally trained in Celtic Druidry, but more recently (the last ten years or so) Wiccan practice. Check out the website I'm working on with a couple of awesomely creative friends: www.ripagans.com
Who I do it with: My funny Irishman Patrick, and the kidlets. Between us we have nine kids. They're all awesome and range in ages between 7 and 21. We also have 12 cats (plus a cat guest and her 7 kittens), 2 chinchillas, two bunnies, two guinea pigs, two squirrels (it's a freakin' ark in here! lol), a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Calypso (for Jacques Cousteau's research vessel)and a Great Pyrenees puppy named Faolan (Irish Gaelic for wolf) or Feowulf when we're feeling silly.
Who I am: intelligent,introspective, irreverent, funny, compassionate, committed, sensual, gentle. I'm organized to the point of compulsion. I make lists. Of everything. I have strong opinions but I'm willing to hear other viewpoints. I have low tolerance for bullshit and hidden agendas. You will always know where you stand with me.
Soul mate Irishman. This is Patrick.
Calypso as a baby.
Marek and Peabody doing the lasagna cat thing.
Name: Lorna
Birthday: January 4th
Eye Color: Root Beer
Hair Color: Red Setter
Right Handed or Left Handed: righty
Your Heritage: elven
The Shoes You Wore Today: light brown Bear Paws
Your Weakness: Crunchie bars
Your Fears: Something happening to one of my kids. Losing Patrick
Your Perfect Pizza: mushrooms, spinach, feta
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: losing weight and getting healthier
Your Most Overused Phrase in Messages: lol
Thoughts First Waking Up: mmm...warm Patrick
Your Best Physical Feature: eyes
Your Bedtime: 9-ish
Your Most Missed Memory: Holding my cat Roman
Pepsi or Coke: Ice water with lemon
McDonalds or Burger King: Yech, neither
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Irish Breakfast. Hot.
Chocolate or Vanilla: Peppermint
Cappuccino or Coffee: Tea
Do you Smoke: Yuck, no
Do you Swear: Frequently and fluently
Do you Sing: Frequently
Have you Been in Love: Still am.
Do you want to go to College: Did undergrad and grad and a bunch of veterinary courses
Do you like Thunderstorms: Love them!
Favorite color: Lavender. No wait, turquoise.
Do you play an Instrument: Starting to learn the harp
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: Bailey's. On the rocks.
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: Hello, I have a teenage daughter. Nuff said.
How do you want to Die: Of old age.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: A writer.
What country would you most like to Visit: Ireland. Again.
Number of things in Your Past You Regret: 4, which are: Not going to veterinary school. Moving to Exeter. Running Pagan Pride. Dating the guy before Patrick.
Number of people you've wanted to off: 2 (see above)
Animal You Most Identify With: Seal
Pets: 2 Dogs, 10 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 2 chinchillas, 2 squirrels, 2 bunnies
The release of one of our guys. We had a long recovery process with him and I got attached. I got to walk him into the water as he was figuring out his bearings and got soaked. Just call me Woman Who Gets Soggy for Seals. Still, it was an honour. Our team at Mystic is really phenomenal.