I picture this site as an electronic version of my filing system, which is piles. There are lots of things I’ve been wanting to share—handy hints for blind people, nutrition and exercises to help strengthen eyes, stories of puppy raisers and guide dog handlers, observations from my life, and stories that will eventually go in books that I have on schedule to write, but are still several years from being published. I want to share my favorite photos, interviews, videos, resources, and songs. I want it to be informative, educational, fun, encouraging, helpful, and maybe even inspirational. It’s not meant to be the last word on anything, the source of the cutting edge latest and greatest, scholarly, meticulously researched, or definitive in any way. There are lots of sites that do that beautifully. I’m not the scholarly type. I’m more a living room kind of gal. If we were sitting in my living room (or yours), I would be telling you these types of things. Please know that everything I post on this site is intended to make your life better in some way. Thank you for visiting.
20 Comments
Danielle J. Duperret
November 19, 2012 - 4:44 PMHello dear Carolyn,
Isn’t the world of the internet fabulous? I found you, dear friend.
We were together in church at ECC (Evangelical Community Church… was that the name?) in Lower Lake, so many years ago. You taught my first daughter, Melody, to play a few notes on the piano.
Your art work is still stunning.
Eating well and juicing are two very important components of health. I have become a Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) with a PhD in Natural Health.
I was researching something about chiropractors and found your husband’s obituary. Dennis was so instrumental in the direction of my education… and in putting my back in place so I could walk without pain again.
Many blessings to you,
Danielle
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
January 25, 2013 - 2:10 PMDanielle,
How delightful to hear from you–a long, lost voice from the past! You were the first vegetarian I knew, and now, about thirty years later, I’m not only vegetarian, I’m vegan!
I remember your children, each one sweet, talented, and smart. You were such a good mom!
So glad to know you have achieved your heart’s desire, both in earning your degrees and in serving others. I watched an interview with you. The Lord has given you beauty for ashes.
Stay in touch, dear friend.
Carolyn
Cindy Massey
December 20, 2011 - 6:32 AMCarolyn,
Thanks for this wonderful blog. I enjoyed the story and photos about the puppies. My next door neighbors are foster parents for “work” pups. I will have to forward your email to them, or better yet, get them the book.
I also enjoyed your blog about “juicing” and eating better. I exercise like crazy, but know that eating right is also a big part of staying healthy. Your blog gave me inspiration to eat better.
Merry Christmas dear friend, and Hedy, too!
Jon Spangler
December 19, 2011 - 8:42 PMCarolyn, Hedy, and friends,
Thank you again for your insightful stories: they all are.
I hope not only that the book is “birthed” and healthy, but that “mom” is doing well, too. (Is there less sleep deprivation with a newborn book than with a newborn baby or puppy?)
Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, a Happy Kwanzaa, and a prosperous New Year!
Jon
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
December 19, 2011 - 11:55 PMDefinitely less sleep deprivation! And I don’t have to be concerned about its turning into a teenager.
Blessings to you at this sacred time of year!
Carolyn and Hedy!
Mel Bashore
November 6, 2011 - 8:30 AMCarie,
My mom just passed away this week. Wanting to get in touch with our old neighbors on Claremont Heights Drive to let them know, I stumbled on the Claremont High School Alumni site. I was able to get in touch with several old neighbors. Then I started looking up the names of people in our 1964 class on the Internet. That is how I found you and your enchantingly beautiful writing on your website. It was wonderful to see a picture of your dad, Dr. Wing. For years, you and I rode the same bus–driven by Bill the bus driver, if I remember correctly. I remember the bus stopping in front of your house on the edge of the hill by Webb School. I seem to remember a big ham radio tower by the side of your house, but maybe not? My wife and her brothers also have RP. Karen had a pretty good run of sighted activity, but this year she has given up driving. She undoubtedly drove beyond the point when it was safe for her or others, but fortunately no one suffered (thank goodness no accidents). She has left behind being director of an art museum–an enriching time of her life. I remember that our bus used to pick up Tony Sheets (Millard Sheets’s boy) up at Padua Hills. When I worked at Zion National Park, I stopped in one day in 1968 at Maynard Dixon’s place in Mount Carmel. I seem to recall that Milford Zornes was conducting a school there in one of the cabins. Although I graduated with a BFA in modern painting from University of Utah, I do little with it. I feed my creative juices with writing–both popular and scholarly history stuff. You are an elegant writer. I’m glad you created your website. During my elementary school years at Claremont, I was called Bucky.
Mel Bashore
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
November 23, 2011 - 7:50 PMMel–I’m saddened to hear about your mom. So strange to be without a parent, especially one who carried you and knew your rhythms before you were born! I still miss my mom even after seven years. When I wondered why I was still so sharply grieved, someone said, “You have only one mom.”
All of your details are accurate, and your words bring back clear memories. Ah, yes! Bill, the bus driver! Webb School. Padua. The huge antenna behind my parents’ house. It stood in the lemon grove like a gigantic, impaled spider.
Bucky. I remember a tall, slim boy with pale, short-cropped hair. You never made fun of me for being Chinese. How wonderful that you’ve gone into fine arts, and that you are now writing! I’m glad you like my posts. This is my first year of being this public, and you’ve just shown me a surprising blessing in being able to be found.
I, too, drove longer than I should have. Hard to give up that last bit of independence. I’m told it’s one of the biggest complaints that blind people have. For a long time, I didn’t ask for rides or help; I simply didn’t go. Now, however, I go a lot. There’s always a way, and a guide dog makes a huge difference, both in independent movement and psychologically. I hope Karen is finding her way in her changing world.
Thanks for the snapshots of our past. A few months ago, I took the last few things out of my parents’ house. It is up for sale, and I have said my good-byes. Your recollections are a lovely gift. Thank you. –Carolyn and Hedy
Kari
August 4, 2011 - 8:01 AMI love your book. What a gift! Priceless to me. You are a wonderful writer.
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
November 23, 2011 - 7:32 PMKari, your own encounters with blindness in your family have encouraged me to keep sharing the hard things about this world of diminishing light. –Carolyn and Hedy
Tracy Verdugo
June 16, 2011 - 11:14 PMDear Carolyn,
please accept my apologies for taking sooooooooo long to write back…I have been reading your blogs and feeling your sorrow and joys right alongside but life has been busier than ever with full time study, work, mothering and trying to find the time to replenish my spirit through art…..i love your blog and your honesty…you are an inspiration to many and we are blessed to have met and spent such a wonderful few days with you and Dan while we were travelling…much love and hugs
Tracy x
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
November 23, 2011 - 7:29 PMMy turn to apologize for not replying sooner. I appreciate your words. You have a way of coming alongside and offering warm hugs and thoughts that help to shield against the contrary wind. Your artwork reflects that happy and compassionate heart. I loved having you all here, missed you after you left, and hope to see you someday–both back here and over there if that is the will of the Lord for us all.
Blessings,
Carolyn
Sandra Wade
March 28, 2011 - 9:16 PMYour light attracts the best from others, dear Carolyn, and your writings are an inspiration to us all to be our best selves. love, Sandra
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
March 28, 2011 - 9:31 PMA lovely thought, Sandra. Thank you. I’m always amazed how many wonderful people are out there. They lift me up with their bright kindness when my light feels feeble and dim. It’s my desire to do the same.
kathie fong yoneda
March 15, 2011 - 10:55 AMAloha Carolyn: As always, reading your posts gives me such wonderful insights into the world of the blind, their trainers & handlers. Can’t wait for your book to come out. xoxo kathie
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
March 15, 2011 - 1:06 PMKathie, your warm receptivity to discovering this relatively unknown world is the very attitude which will spread the information and understanding necessary to end the abysmal ignorance that makes being blind and having a guide dog difficult at times. Thank you for your enthusiastic support.
Gwyn Ramsey
March 12, 2011 - 8:28 PMWhat a great write up on Guide dogs. I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for letting me know it was up and running. Take care. Hope to see you in Washington State. Give Hedy a gentle hug for me.
Patty
February 24, 2011 - 2:34 PMYou are so inspiring to me. Thanks for allowing me to share my story about Jo. All of our dogs are wonderful, and each special in their own way. Some get a little deeper in our hearts as a wise woman once told me.. but each has dug themselves a permanent place in mine!
Carolyn Wing Greenlee
February 24, 2011 - 2:53 PMPatty, you raisers are an inspiration to ME because of your hearts, so willing to take on nearly two years of focusing on a small, unformed personality, nurturing and shaping it carefully to be its very best–all the time knowing it will be given back so very soon. I wanted to post your story because you shared the hard part as well as the funny part. It’s a full and deepening journey you take with each pup, and I’m so grateful you and the other hundreds of raisers are willing to do so–again and again. May God bless each one of you in this gift of love.
Kathleen Ernst
January 24, 2011 - 9:09 AMYour site is beautiful, Carolyn! A pleasure to visit.
Carolyn
February 1, 2011 - 10:52 PMThank you for stopping by, Kathleen. I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit.