What’s a moment that made you realize you were stronger than you thought?

In the Summer of 2007 I was renting from a sexist slumlord. He entered my apartment without my consent & then tried to evict me because by law he had to replace my door lock. Something he refused to do.

Not 2 weeks later I was at a homeless shelter for women. Where I spent the majority of that Summer. In August a family member came out to visit. She treated my situation as if it was normal. She also refused to help me get out of the street shelter I was  in. After she left, I became suicidal & hit the lowest part of my life. If it wasn’t for my husband & my friends in the city I was in I would not be here today. I’m so grateful for the friendships I had that Summer as I never used drugs or turned tricks to stay off the street. They fed me & made me coffee I’ll never forget. Remember if you hit rock bottom the only way is up.

What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?

I feel grateful for our sweet & old Lundehund Flekk & our one year old Ozzy. Both are wonderful in their own way. Having a dog makes life something to look forward to.

Having a dog isn’t always roses & cuddles, but work. We’re dealing with a stubborn babe, the little dude as we call him. He just doesn’t want to do his business outside.

True to his breed he doesn’t want to go outside. It’s an on-going battle we have in the house. Sweet old Flekkies does all his business outside. The little dude just likes to spend hours in his kennel.

I do have to say that they bring us joy. When we come home from work or errands there’s always someone who’s glad we’re finally home. That’s my simple joy!

What’s a classic book that you think is overrated?

I read it over 20 years ago & have to say it’s way overrated. It’s not all about sex like the movie makes it out to be. It’s about an unhappy woman trapped in a small town & with the wrong man. The book isn’t about female empowerment but rather about entrapment & having little or no way out.

It’s highly overrated & I’m not at all surprised by the modern take on classic, namely sex. She’s trapped & the movie doesn’t allude to this in any way. Skip the book & the movie. Read instead something else by thevBrontë sisters or Jane Austen.