I m a Texas Master Naturalist Class of 2021 in the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Chapter. I was born and raised in Colorado. My playground was the foothills of the Front Range of the Rockies. I have also lived in Wyoming and California. I grew up outside in nature and gained a love of and great respect for the natural world. My grandparents and mother loved gardening so I was taught early to enjoy the rewards of that work. My bother -in-law was the head of Biology and the Director of their Museum of Natural History at one of the Texas Universities. He was a fascinating man who was also an internationally recognized mammalogist. I Talking with him added to my interest in the natural world and learning more. I taught preschool for 26 years. Now it is my turn to learn more about The natural world in Texas. I am very happy to have the opportunity to become a Master Naturalist, to volunteer and to engage others in the natural world.