My name is Gail Gates and I live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes… also known as Minnesota. I don’t like lutefisk even though my father is 100% Norwegian (just thought I needed to retain some credibility). My childhood was spent on a small dairy farm where I learned about the seasons, hard work, and equally hard play. My great-grandmother lived to be 100 years old, and my grandmother lived until just shy of 102. I lost my mother when she was too young… 74.
Much of who I am came directly from these women. So who am I? I am a woman filled with wonder, hope, joy, and a warped sense of humor. Being middle-aged only adds to the rate of discovery.
Since my teens, I devoured articles and books on natural living but was seldom saintly in my adherence to doing what was best for my body and mind. Marriage, motherhood, and an 18-year career as a dental assistant didn’t leave much time to follow my interests regarding integrative health and healing, at least that’s what I told myself. A second marriage and newly empty nest made me realize time wasn’t waiting for me to get my act together, so why was I? I gathered my courage and went back to college in my late 40’s.
Through my blog and website, I hope to share beauty, laughter, inspiration, aging & midlife lessons and advice on dealing with menopause. I will also devote time to integrative health and healing tips and news. I want feedback and questions because, while we may be sharing the journey, every woman has her own experience and her own story.
I hold a Bachelors Degree in Integrative Health and Healing in Women’s Issues from the Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Masters of Liberal Studies from there as well.
My Master’s Capstone Project explored post-menopausal women and creative resurgence. I am humbled to say my self-published book, Smoldering; Post-Menopausal Women and Creative Resurgence was accepted into Metropolitan State University’s library. It is an ongoing project, and one I plan to explore for years to come.
Please join me as I walk, stumble, and grow into my best years ever.
