Anne, your Inner Panda Diary is reading like the story of my life! I grew up in many places - my father was a college professor and the only way to advance his career, it seemed, was to move from place to place - so Falls Church, VA was my home from age 2 to 5, Pullman, Washington from 5 to 8, Eugene, Oregon from 8 to 11, Berkeley Heights, NJ from 11 to 14 and so on . . . each place I moved, all the other kids knew each other, and I had to start over getting to know new people, and I was shy! My chief focus was drawing, on large rolls of butcher paper my parents got for me since I went through so much paper - and reading - I read all of Shakespeare's plays when I was 10, and everything on Greek myths I could find. My other love was for animals - we had beagles and cats - and I always loved going to zoos (when we moved to Seattle for two summers for my father to teach summer school, we were within walking distance of the Woodland Park Zoo!!!!). Can't wait for the next installment!
That was a lot more moving than we did! How cool that you got to live near Woodland Park. Phinney Ridge is one of my favorite places in Seattle, along with Queen Anne Hill. Reading and making art are definitely great ways to find comfort and community when you are an outsider.
I just had this conversation with my mom a couple months ago. Family Dinner - my brother was recalled events and everyone laughing- my brother could see so clearly in his mind. Me - i only know these stories from hearing them at get togethers. I see absolutely nothing in my mind 🤷♀️ and i can also relate to the move - when I was about 8 my dad’s work transferred us over to Scotland for 3 years - so moving there & then back was a lot. I often wish we stayed there. 😃
You are very brave to try and find your inner panda. I know about parts of my life I cannot remember or parts of my life that constantly remind me of things I do not want to dwell on. I wonder if we all have this. I have had my head in books for all of my life, and reading has always been a pleasure and an escape mechanism for me. I do not have your artistic talents which I admire and appreciate so very much. For me, your artistic talent is such a blessing for me. My mind takes over, and your precious bears are alive for me. Pookies and pandas!❤️🐼
Anne, your Inner Panda Diary is reading like the story of my life! I grew up in many places - my father was a college professor and the only way to advance his career, it seemed, was to move from place to place - so Falls Church, VA was my home from age 2 to 5, Pullman, Washington from 5 to 8, Eugene, Oregon from 8 to 11, Berkeley Heights, NJ from 11 to 14 and so on . . . each place I moved, all the other kids knew each other, and I had to start over getting to know new people, and I was shy! My chief focus was drawing, on large rolls of butcher paper my parents got for me since I went through so much paper - and reading - I read all of Shakespeare's plays when I was 10, and everything on Greek myths I could find. My other love was for animals - we had beagles and cats - and I always loved going to zoos (when we moved to Seattle for two summers for my father to teach summer school, we were within walking distance of the Woodland Park Zoo!!!!). Can't wait for the next installment!
That was a lot more moving than we did! How cool that you got to live near Woodland Park. Phinney Ridge is one of my favorite places in Seattle, along with Queen Anne Hill. Reading and making art are definitely great ways to find comfort and community when you are an outsider.
Love that pandas were with you all along, I think.
Pandas were there all along! When we were little, the pandas all belonged to my brother. Now they are mine mine mine!
Absolutely LOVE! And again I can totally Relate! ❤️
I never know whether I should wish I remembered more, or should be glad that I don't.
I just had this conversation with my mom a couple months ago. Family Dinner - my brother was recalled events and everyone laughing- my brother could see so clearly in his mind. Me - i only know these stories from hearing them at get togethers. I see absolutely nothing in my mind 🤷♀️ and i can also relate to the move - when I was about 8 my dad’s work transferred us over to Scotland for 3 years - so moving there & then back was a lot. I often wish we stayed there. 😃
I wish I was in Scotland now. I'm not sure my brain can cope with the next several years as the rethuglicans attempt to take over the country.
Totally agree! 🫂
You are very brave to try and find your inner panda. I know about parts of my life I cannot remember or parts of my life that constantly remind me of things I do not want to dwell on. I wonder if we all have this. I have had my head in books for all of my life, and reading has always been a pleasure and an escape mechanism for me. I do not have your artistic talents which I admire and appreciate so very much. For me, your artistic talent is such a blessing for me. My mind takes over, and your precious bears are alive for me. Pookies and pandas!❤️🐼
Reading was my main escape method. I could be so absorbed that you could set off a firecracker next to me and I'd never hear it.