Jeanne Broome

I was born in a small town in Northeastern Illinois called Waukegan. It is on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan, a short distance from the Wisconsin border. When I was 13years old we moved to Antioch, 25 minutes northwest of Waukegan. Antioch was a resort town on the Illinois- Wisconsin border. It had many advantages...woods...water and snow skiing, good fishing and boating etc..quaint small town feel..but close enough to Chicago and Milwaukee to take advantage of the Museums and Art Institute, Zoo's, Airports and other educational and fun experiences. Although there were only 396 residents year round when we moved there...there were lots of summer people with cabins and summer homes. They added to the fun of the summer. We loved when they came...and loved when they left. It was very interesting growing up in a resort town.
I had wonderful parents whom I loved so very much. I was from a large family, five sisters and a brother. My dad owned a Marina on a Chain of Lakes, and living on the water was so much fun. I was educated in private schools...so the freedom of summer was exciting. I lived near Antioch most of my life until 2005 when I moved out of Illinois to Alabama.
I am married to the most wonderful man, who is my soulmate and best friend. I have 4 sons- 40, 38, 31, 23yrs. old and a daughter 30 yrs old, and 3 step-sons 26, 25, 14yrs.old. I have 14 grandchildren ( 10 boys and 4 girls) and 1 great-grandson 8 mos. old .(Hey how did that happen..I'm too young ; )
We moved to a small town of 1200 people in Alabama almost 4 years ago in November at this writing. We like the quaintness of it. The summer heat....is way different then what I am used to, but I'll manage. What I love about Alabama is that it reminds me of life up north in the 1950's, when life was simpler....easier...friendlier.. when saying you loved God was the norm, and you weren't afraid to tell anyone. When Pledging Allegiance to the flag of America was important to the kids, and your parents wouldn't think of taking the school to court over it ...because you both thought being patriotic,loving your country and wanting to keep it safe was your duty as an American. When loving your country made you feel good inside. When the flag represented all the blood shed for our freedom, and was a symbol you held in high esteem. Funny how we knew that at such a young age. We were Americans!! Not something to be ashamed of...we knew our country was good...like we are today. When saying the" Our Father " prayer before class started..was normal in public and private schools alike. Why, because everyone knew the Constitution didn't say separation of church and state ...it said and still says, the Separation of the State from the Church (meaning the government must stay out of the business of the church... and everyone KNEW WHAT THAT MEANT. When you knew all your neighbors, and you all looked out for each other. That is what my town is like. I love it here. Life here is like the good old days....Sweet...

I love the outdoors..especially woods and water...and find great inspiration both poetically and artistically in outdoor adventures. I love writing poetry, painting- (water fowl, landscapes, cabins, hunting scenes etc. and watercolor medium is my favorite) I adore fishing- I clean my own and also cook them- ( I was raised a country girl). I love walking, boating, camping, nature walks, cooking and making my own recipes, arts and crafts, sewing, gardening and lots of other activities.

I love having my grandchildren over. We laugh continually when we are together. Life hasn't always been fair...but who said life was fair. Life hasn't always shown itself to be good to me...but it is what you make of it. Life has taught me to make the most of everyday and trust God. A lesson I learned or should I say re-learned later in life....after my hippie days. Now.. I keep my eyes on the One Above...where He takes me is always a true path...a path worth walking....the right path. I Love Life!
Life is Good!