Hello there!

I'm Joy. I am retired now.

This is my first feeble attempt at creating my own web page. Hopefully, it will get better and better.

I have varied interests - jack of all trades and master of none - I guess. One of my main "interests" is reading. I have always enjoyed reading. I slacked off for a while as I concentrated on my career. A couple of years ago I re-found the pleasure encouraged in great measure by Oprah Winfrey's book club. As I've matured my eyes have become tired so reading had become a little less pleasant though I still hunger for the feeling reading gives me. I enjoy detective/police kinds of reading materal but occasionally read other types of stories. Since reading has become difficult I have switched to "reading" books on audiotapes. In many ways it is much easier than holding a book and turning the pages. My hands are free to do other tasks. I can "read" while I am doing housework or driving a car or sitting in waiting rooms for appointments.

Pets! Now there is my sustanance. I will never be without a dog. I have had dogs all of my life and cats the better part of the last 15 years. At present, I also have two aquariums. I will have things to share about this area of my life in my moments section. It takes some extra work through the week to keep my pets healthy and happy but the rewards I enjoy are WELL worth it. I will also use this section to share other musings as they impart themselves in my life.

My scrapbook section will be a sort of many faceted area. I was going to call it my portfolio to reflect some of the things I will be trying to show here. I am enthalled with learning how to do some of the amazing things people are doing with drawing and photo manipulations to create web graphics. I hope to put some of the things I do on this site. I am attempting to teach myself how to use Corel's Photopaint so that will be what I am using.and they will be from exercises created by someone else and that I am practicing with for now. I will also use this section to share photos I have taken and/or manipulate. I have also added Adobe's Photoshop and now use it more than any other program.

I am not a prize winning house keeper by a long shot. Most household chores are as abbreviated as possible. However, one thing I do like to do when I can is cook (and eat). I hope to share recipes here. I am not imaginative so the recipes will be ones I have found in books, shared by family, or from searching the internet.

Since the internet has become a wonderful way to learn and share I will be listing web sites that I find interesting, useful and helpful.

I have started going back to college, taking some photography classes and have gotten much more involved in church activities. Also have been visiting my family more often and going to a movie now and then.

I took a couple of photography courses via the internet a while back. What fun! I have taken these courses through a site called betterphotography.com. Assignments come via email once a week and once a week you upload the results. From there they get critiqued by the instructor as well as fellow classmates. You can go to the site and log into the "campus" under your password to check out fellow class mates work and critiques. The site has A LOT of other information to offer. If you are into photography, check out the site.

I joined a photography club (westbridgecc.com) some time ago but the meetings are located quite a distance from my home. And it also is wonderful. We have a speaker for the first meeting of the month and a contest the second meeting. Members bring their work to display and have critiqued and win first, second, third or honorable mention. It is great to share time with folks interested in one of your own interests. I have now joined another photo club, Photo Nuts, closer to home. It deals mainly with our local metro parks. It is a little easier for me to get to than the other club.

When I was teaching sunday school on a weekly basis I put together a weekly magazine for the kids. The magazine contains the lesson for the week along with its scripture; a recipe the kids can make; a section of answers to questions kids ask about the bible or faith; and, guess what else?, a page of PHOTOS every week.

In the last couple of years at work we became involved in a really neat program. We go to one of the local schools each week to mentor kindergarten students. This is really a rewarding experience.

See what I mean about being busy? I am also involved in a lot of happy family activities. Last year my granddaughter received the honor of becoming Phi Beta Capa. My grandsons take me along when they go on learning and field trips in their home schooling experiences or to their sports activities. .

In updating the site I have removed a couple of areas and I am adding an area called "my book" which will be a much more in depth view of my life.

If you would be interested in seeing some of my photography work feel free to visit my pages at Betterphoto.com.

Well that is enough prattle for a while. Keep visiting.