Every introduction describes curriculum and career, successes and failures. For me, this means former veterinarian. Lifelong reader and unproven writer. But will anyone recognize me? Agree with the words I choose? Kidney donor. Animal lover and nature addict. Determined wife and clumsy homemaker. Given the chance, would family and friends describe the same person?
Just as the bulk of language weighs somewhere between noun and verb, so identity lives between the name and action of memory. Like flattering phrases or awkward lines, my virtues and flaws can be edited away, absentmindedly overlooked, and truthfully cast aside because they comprise an almost universal state of being.
So where is the text that defines me, the written equivalent of a fingerprint or DNA analysis? That’s not rhetorical. I’m asking. In everything I write and everything I do, I’m asking.
Rae Spencer 
Hi,
I’m Tokoni, a poet and fellow blogger. Its a pleasure to meet you. I wanted to find out, does your blog accept guest posts? Like i said, I’m a poet and I’m looking to contribute to new blogs if you’re interested.
Regards,
Tokoni Uti.
My blog format does not include guest posts, though I know many do. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment, because your comment led me to your beautiful blog. I enjoyed spending time with your poems today, and I look forward to reading more of your poetry.
Why former veterinarian? Just asking because of your statement about words defining you. I’m thinking that’s still a big part of your psyche.
I say “former veterinarian” because I no longer practice veterinary medicine, and I can’t think of a more positive way to phrase it!
It sounded positive. It’s just that when I read it, I recall thinking that this was a major defining role for you.
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I love your photography. I landed on the dragonflies first…wonderful creatures.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks for being my newest follower! I enjoyed reading some of your recent posts.
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Leibster Blog Award. I enjoy the understated elegance of your blog which is thoughtful and accessible. You take great photos which often display the intimacy of nature in the local environment or scenes of home.
You can see the nomination and more information about the award on my blog at http://mayandseptember.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/my-first-awards/. I hope it will encourage others to enjoy your blog. Please don’t feel obligated to do the full acceptance unless its something you would enjoy.
Thanks so much for the tag! (And I apologize for taking so long to respond!) Here’s the post: Sunshine and a Blog Award
thank you for visiting my blog and for the follow.. I appreciate it very much.
Hi, I was referred to your blog from Jackie with Swerving for Butterflies!! Your poems are breathtaking!!
I’m delighted that you stopped by my blog! Thank you for reading and commenting!
It was my pleasure!! 🙂
I featured your blog and your dragonflies. 😀
Wow! Thank you!
Thanks for the like on my blog. I like your about page, especially the last sentence. Look forward to reading your posts.
thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for the follow
I’m delighted to have found your blog, and I look forward to reading more of your poetry!
Thank you for liking my blog. Your poetry is wonderful and your blog inspiriing. I’ll be back!
Thank you! I enjoyed your post about the process of revision. I took a dreadfully wrong turn with my first manuscript, which I don’t see until chapter after chapter had passed. The mistakes accumulated and multiplied, gaining momentum and mass, and the plot finally ground to a painful halt. I couldn’t see a way to fix it, at the time, so I gave up on the story. About a year later, I read through the manuscript and found my initial mistake. I threw out the last half of the book, reworked a major character (and the plot elements surrounding that character), and let the story grow in a whole new direction. It worked. All of my internal alarms have gone silent, and I’m satisfied with the result. My first book may never be published, but it is finished.
Thank you for visiting and following my blog. I’ll be hanging around.
So you know, your post today made me smile and then smile some more. You just linked and linked… I’m honoured and i’m grateful…And don’t forget the smiles 🙂 Goodnight to you, Rae. Hope the bunnies showed.
In my linking frenzy, I forgot to click “allow comments”. I’ve corrected it now. Sadly, the bunnies didn’t show tonight. They never do, when I want them to…
Thanks for the fun awards!
Rae, just wanted to let you know that i nominated you today for the Beautiful Blogger and Very Inspiring Blogger awards. Info is posted on my WordPress blog. Have a wonderful week.
Wow! Thank you so much! I’ve had a lot of fun with these, this afternoon.
I’m so glad you discovered my blog, leading me to discover yours! I’ll look forward to exploring your words and photos.
— Trileigh Tucker
Thank you! Loved your post about metaphor, and I’m jealous of your snowy owls!
Thanks back at you!
I so enjoyed your blog. I am going to follow you-you have a strong voice and a haunting sensitivity. Keep Going!!
Diane Tucker
Hill-stead Museum
Thank you! I love your blog, too. And I’m quite jealous of your job title, “Estate Naturalist”. 🙂
Thank you for leaving a “like”. I’m very new to this blog thing and didn’t expect anyone would even notice my addition to the vast space by the second post. Will be following your interesting blog.
Thank you. I’m pretty new here, too, and I’m fascinated by the process. I found your blog because your spider caught my attention on the topics page!
How kind of you, Rae, for liking my recent post announcing the publication of my novel. I can already see you are a fine writer. I love: ‘In everything I write and everything I do, I’m asking.’
Thank you! I will be back. All the best, Diane
Thank you. And of course I liked your announcement! I’m always excited to see writers succeed!
Many thanks for your “like” on my blog. I love this profile shot of you. Have marked your blog for my bedtime reading. My best to you> Shona
I enjoy reading your blog, and I look forward to reading your book!
wonderful blog
Thank you!
Hello Rae,
I love the nature photography on your blog……speaks to my heart. I live in a suburban wasteland and often feel my nature sense withering. The only thing that saves me is that I am close to the beach and wetlands, so I do have an opportunity to catch my breath. I hope to have time to poke around and read more of your work in the days ahead.
Angela
Thank you so much. I enjoyed your recent post about poetry, and I look forward to reading more of your work, as well!
Hello Rae,
I’m just curious, but may I ask what kind of camera you use? I’m looking to get a new one and your pictures are just gorgeous. I need something that will allow me to take pictures of the bees in my garden — that close up. Just rather have a personal recommendation. Thanks!
For the last few years I’ve had a Canon PowerShot SX20IS. It should receive most of the credit for my pictures, because it does most of the work! Not only does it have a really nice macro setting, but it also takes awesome video. At first, I was disappointed because this camera burns through batteries rather quickly. I ended up buying the rechargeable batteries recommended by Canon, and I’ve been happy with that solution.
Good luck with your camera search. Hope this mini-review helps!
That helps a great deal. Thanks so much for taking the time to give me the info., Rae!
Rae,
I just read “Separating the Irises” at YourDailyPoem.com.
A superb piece if there ever was one!
Russell
Exciting! I look forward to the future.