Membrecarolinawordsmith

Like Thomas Jefferson, "I cannot live without books."

My special interests include: young adult literature; American history, especially colonial America and the early republic; the history, psychology, and philosophy of religion; mind/brain science, particularly consciousness studies; and of course language: the origins, meanings, and usages of words.

I also have various reference books, some historical and general fiction, and a modest collection of science fiction.

Ever since I've been old enough to think about it, I've been happy to be a generalist in a world of specialties. My interests have always been wide-ranging, but over the years there have been several enduring themes:

* History. I've recently retired after nine years as a historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, so it's not surprising that early American history and British history are among my favorite subjects.
* Reading. I have a particular interest in children's literature, and find great enjoyment in working my way through my collection of over a thousand young adult books.
* Science. I majored in psychology in college, and have always been curious about the nature of mind and consciousness.

What ties all my interests together, of course, is words — their origins, their changing meanings, their use (and abuse), and above all their ability to allow us to communicate with one another. There is no greater satisfaction, for me, than to express myself clearly and to help others to do the same.