About

This blog is about my thoughts on being human. I don’t have any answers, but I do have a lot of questions.

Shasta, me, and Nevada in Wyoming

I decided to start this blog because other subjects kept showing up in my running blog.  Even though I believe everything is interconnected and bound together, I’m giving all my more esoteric, philosophical, and quirky subjects their own space.  My running friends are probably happier for it, too.

About me:  I dropped out of college to travel around Mexico on the back of a motorcycle–and it pretty much changed my life.  I lived in Switzerland for seven years, then came home to Texas and finished college.  I was an elementary school teacher for 20 years and two years ago decided it was time to set out in a new direction.

I love the outdoors, and am an avid runner.  I love to hike and camp, especially in the west, but I love the desert southwest most of all.  There’s nothing better than  gazing at a star filled sky in the desert. It keeps me humble and reminds me that I really don’t know anything at all.

Which is just as it should be.

I love to knit, and I read a lot, even though I never seem to have enough time. Most of all I love to write.  I always have.

All my life I’ve wanted to be somewhere else. Writing keeps me grounded.

In June 2013 I was diagnosed with stage 1C ovarian cancer. Less than 15% of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed as early as I was. 61% are diagnosed after the cancer has already spread to other organs. There is currently no screening for ovarian cancer.

I wrote a lot of posts about my journey to survive cancer as I navigated my way through that incredible time in my life. I hope it doesn’t scare you off. There are things about living with cancer that need to see the light of day.

I hope that by sharing my journey through this experience of cancer and chemotherapy that I can help other women who may be sharing the same story. I hope to help other women become advocates for their own health and to become more aware of this pernicious, silent killer. My number one piece of advice to women: listen to your body. My number two piece of advice: for ANY type of unusual symptom below the waist, always see your gynecologist first.

I have a small business, Toasty Strings, and design and make knitted scarves, wraps, and blankets. Please feel free to check out my shop.

Also, please feel free to leave a comment, and be sure to leave a link to your own blog, if you have one, so I can visit your site.

I also have a running blog, Run Nature. Thanks for visiting!

You can contact me at:

angela@toastystrings.com