About me. I am a writer, a reader, a teacher, a photographer, a student of Life. I am a wife and mom, a devoted friend, a bridge over troubled water.
I have had a lot of jobs, worn my share of uniforms; soda jerk, sewing factory “call girl”, hand grenade fuse assembler, mortar shell packer, bakery dough handler, raisin washer.
Then there was teacher, document control coordinator, human resources manager, technical writer, wedding photographer, electronics distributor, caterer, hotel sales manager, teacher (again).
Those were the paying jobs.
There was even more satisfaction to come from the non-paying variety.
Volunteer coordinator, PTA officer, fund raiser, peer counselor, scout leader, welcome wagon organizer, cookbook author, classroom volunteer, soccer mom, etc.
I come from a very large family with a legacy of mental health issues, particularly depression.
I survived childhood trauma, resulting in depressive issues that were ignored or denied for decades.
Sharing my life experience, writing about it here has been pure catharsis.
From Pennsylvania to Utah, Michigan, New York, Maryland, South Carolina, I have always lived near water.
Usually near a river, and not in a van, I take inspiration from a favorite Saturday Night Live character.
Matt Foley. Motivational Speaker.
Van by the River.
vanbytheriver 
Hello…
I was recently ‘told off’ by a blogger (not a follower I might add), who said my style of ‘welcome’ note was very much against blogging etiquette. Hmm, well I hope not to cause offence, but as you volunteered to become a follower of Uncle Spike’s Adventures, I just wanted to catch up and say “thank you, and that I appreciate your ‘follow’ as there are so many interesting and entertaining blogs out there.
Blogging since June 2013, my aim is to deliver an eclectic offering of posts, from my ‘point n shoot’ attempts at basic photography, to the sharing of my travel adventures over the decades, as well as day to day happenings here on our farm in Turkey. Oh, plus a few observations, opinions and lighter-hearted stuff thrown in for good measure.
I normally keep to a couple of posts a day, maybe 3-4 at weekends if I have something special to share. But if you are at a loose end one day, maybe you’ll enjoy trawling through some of my older stuff too. I have added plenty of categories to help in said digging process. That’s not me trying to be pushy or ‘spamming’, but just want you to know what I’m all about.
Thanks again and hope you have a great day…
UNCLE SPIKE
So…blogging etiquette ? Who wrote the book on that one ? I must have missed it. You have a very creative and interesting blog. Ignore the criticism. Onward.
Dear Vanbytheriver, I find your blog very interesting and it is a pleasure to become your follower. Blog etiquete? Interesting subject. I agree on your thoughts about it. I thought that blogging was about finding our own style free from the “classic media” … Adrián
Thanks so much for the comment and follow, Adrian (I have to figure out how to do the accent over the a). ☺ Van
seams hear most ev-ry-wun agreez: 4-ni-kate “blogging etiquette”
☺ well said.
Vanbytheriver, I’ve enjoyed reading your posts for some time now, and I’d like to nominate you for the One Lovely Blog Award. I’m not sure if you have an award-free zone site or you’re too busy writing to accept the award. I’m finding this is true for many bloggers. It does involve following acceptance rules, and I’d understand if you are unable to do so. Please have a look at the award write-up blog post Thank You!!!One Lovely Blog on 11/4 under Awards in the Menu, http//cerobinsonauthor.com. Thank you so much for visiting and following my blog.
Sorry, typo! Blog address: http://cerobinsonauthor.com
Thank you so much for the lovely nomination, Christine. Not ready to accept anything like this at the moment, it would not be fair to all the excellent bloggers out there who I do not know as well as I’d like. Most of my effort involves getting my own words out; having trouble finding time to take others in. I do enjoy your posts, and our comment exchanges. And I also believe I have found some great sites because of you, so thanks for that, as well. Congrats on your award, you do indeed have a Lovely Blog. ☺
I certainly understand your thoughts. It does take time to do the acceptance work. And getting to know other bloggers sites is time consuming. Just know that you create excellent posts and I enjoy reading them. So that puts you in the excellent blogger category too! Thank you for the congrats and for letting me know you’re not ready yet for awards.
Thanks for stopping by my blog so I could find my way to yours. I love your About page–you have many interesting and intriguing hats and I look forward to reading more. I love the photos on your blog–I grew up in the 50’s and the old black n’ whites take me back there!
Glad you appreciate the “oldies but goodies”. Would be honored to follow you as well. Happy New Year. Van
Van, I’m going to try again to nominate you for an award! This one is the Premio Dardos Award recognizing values in creative or original writing. There are no questions to answer or ask. The only requirement is to pass the award a long to some fellow bloggers. I’ve enjoyed your writing for some time now, and would love to have more people visit you site to enjoy it too. I’ll be writing a post in a few days and your name will be on the nomination list. Please think about it when you read the post. Thank you! Christine
Van, here’s the link for the Premio Dardos Award. Hope you are considering it, now or in the future. It never expires! It’s yours to keep!
http://cerobinsonauthor.com/2015/01/14/premio-dardos-award-for-before-sundown
I’ve had my share of jobs (assembler, janitor, cab driver, radio talk show host, candy bar squeezer, although I admit that wasn’t the official job description, editor….), but I’ve never assembled hand grenade fuses, packed mortar shells, or worked as a raisin washer. I’ve lived a more sheltered life than I thought.
Ha ha. Thank you, Ellen. Candy bar squeezer ? They paid you to do that ?
Well, we weren’t squeezing as in hugging. The candy bar had seven pieces, and they needed to be squeezed from two ends while the chocolate was still liquid, so they’d stay together. Technically, I think we were assemblers.
Ellen and the Chocolate Factory.
You left little mystery about yourself but there must be plenty not divulged. Your honesty is commendable. It is a please to meet you as I have now a better understanding of the person
behind the wonderful posts I have been reading. enjoy life, Eddie
Thanks so kindly, Eddie, and you know what they say “tip of the iceberg”. Enjoying life, wishing you the same. Van
Glad I found your blog. Good thoughts!
Thanks so kindly, Catherine. ☺ Van
Hi Van, I just nominated you for the Liebster Award. Please feel free to participate. If you do you can learn more here: https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2015/05/12/like-love-liebster/ 😊
Thanks for the nomination, Erika, so honored to be included in that list. ☺ Van
And I am happy you enjoy it, Van 😊
Hi there 🙂
Hey there, Momma ! Thanks for the visit. ☺
Sure thing 🙂 I know you were visiting me, just took me a while to come back and see you.
I know that I’ve seen your comments on so many of my favorite blogs. ☺
Hi Van, I invited you for a fun challenge: https://erikakind.wordpress.com/?p=4920&preview=true
Thanks, Erika. This is an interesting one..easy to come up with the love…not sure about the hate. Will think on this. ❤️ Van
Take it the ironic way and it is fun on both sides… lol
Okay, then. ☺
😊
I must assume the first time I visited was during one of my 2AM expeditions and I fell asleep right in the middle. For I see no Like, no comment. Came by again today to find out where on this planet you are located, timezone-wise, should we again be chattin’, which is when I went “I’ve been here before–this is that person with THAT background! Talk about unusual!
My apologies, Van. How could I forget such an autobiography? At least I remembered I’d seen it before.
🙄
I do not have a brain like Swiss cheese, for you must slice that in order to have the holes go all the way through. Mine mind is a sieve. (I would say strainer, but common usage would imply then that some productive filtering occurs.)
Off to poke about here a bit.
Thanks, OB, I see you have indeed been poking about. Love the Swiss cheese analogy. Will see you around the blogosphere ! Van
Hi, Van. I’ve asked you to take part in the 5 day – 5 photo challenge tomorrow on my scheduled post. I hope you will enjoy participating. I did. You tell great stories, so I know you will entertain us all. Thanks again for all the smiles your writing gives me. ❤
Thanks, Colleen. It looks like fun. I usually don’t take part in these, but I’m thinking about this one. I have my share of photos from…forever ! ☺ Van
That is why I thought of you. You have great stories too. 💖
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Thanks so very much. Love the introduction, but it was more than “sort of” inspired. You triggered a special memory. Thanks for that. ❤️
Hi there. I have mentioned you in this post http://gentlementalannie.com/2015/06/29/quote-a-day-for-three-days-challenge-my-victims-are-bum-bum-bum-buuuuuuuummmmmmm/
It is a Quote a day for three Days Challenge. I understand if you are not feeling up to it. I had not read your most recent posts before I thought of putting your name on this early this morning.
It is entirely up to you. I actually chose four people rather than three, with the assumption that someone would be too busy or otherwise unable to do this.
I still have two days to go and I am thinking of a quote for tomorrow.
Blessings to you,
Annie ❤
Thanks for thinking of me, Annie, I did this challenge a week or two ago. But, there are so many good quotes out there, I might just have to do it again. If I do…I’ll link back to you. ☺ Van
🙂
❤
Van, may I call you van (by the river sounds so informal) I am delighted you chose to add my blog to your ever growing list of blogs to follow. I recognize what I have to offer will not amount to much ($0), but my idol (Matt Foley) would probably agree, that I’m not worthy. But, you have my undying thanks. Which means my appreciation will likely go on for some time. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you…etc.
OK now. But 5 thank you’s ?? Don’t hurt yourself…Looking forward to exploring your stuff ! ☺
You know, your right. I think I ruptured my thank you bone…but it was worth it. :O)
Anyone that aspires to be Mat Foley is worth a follow in my book. I look forward to the chaos that will ensue!
Laughing here…Welcome, Vic ! ☺
Hi very nice to meet you! Look forward to looking around and reading your story!
Hello – Love your blog…such a variety of interesting topics. What a touching post about your daughter leaving for college. 🙂
~Sherry
p.s. Look forward to trying one of your recipes!
Thank you, Sherry, and welcome. Hope you don’t mind if I have a few vicarious thrills with your “Travel Spirit”. ☺
Something for you. https://wafflemethis.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/3-day-3-quote-challenge-day2/
I accept. One of my favorite challenges. Thanks, Rich. ☺
☺
Hi Van. I have a little challrnge for you
http://edwinasepisodes.com/2015/09/16/episode-501-3-day-quote-challenge-day-2/
Hey there, Judy. Thanks for thinking of me. Rich also challenged me this morning. I love this challenge, and will respond soon. ☺
Great. I look forward to it Van 🙂
A little something from me to you. https://wafflemethis.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/creative-blogger-award/
Hi Van, I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Please feel free to participate 🙂
https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/the-versatile-blogger-award-3/
Thanks, Erika, much appreciated. I’ll get to it soon. 💖
Thank you, Van 😊
I always have a small inner chuckle when I see your Gravatar. When we were moving back home, from Georgia, from the end of my husband’s time in service, I all the time joked that he had to find a job relatively quickly, or we’d all be livin in a van down by the river! A red Kia minivan at that! I always preferred when people understood me, that it was a joke, that it was a skit, but apparently the entire nation doesn’t watch SNL religiously.
Thanks for the follow 🙂
We had a VW van back in the day, and I had the required “Mom van” until my kids and their friends got too big. ☺ I feel like I was following you for a while earlier, we frequent many of the same blogs..not sure how we got lost in the shuffle…glad to be back. Thanks, Joey. ❤️
I’m glad I came across your blog.. You have a lovely blog.
Thank you so much. Happy to meet you as well. Love this blogging world. ☺
I actually do live in a van. Today it happens to be by a river, now that the floods have receded.
What an interesting curriculum vitae you have! I hope you have or will write a story about each of your life chapters.
I have addressed lots of these, Laura, in bits and pieces on this blog. I sometimes feel like I’ve only scratched the surface…but…I have a few years behind me.☺ Thanks for the visit. Sorry about the floods…west coast or Mississippi River area ?
Oh, thank heaven, not in any of those horrible flooded areas! I am currently in Western North Carolina, where it was 70 a few days ago and now in the teens. But as fortune would have it, my van had some problems and I’ve had to hang around here for a while. Otherwise I would have headed West and run right into those tornados and floods. Everything happens for a reason. But yes, the small river where I am camped did flood, but I was on high ground.
I was actually drawn to your blog because I am a huge chris farley fan. I picked up on the van by the river reference immediately and had to know more about you. Look forward to reading your blog. 😊
Thank you so much, Ginger, welcome. Hope you find it interesting ! ☺ p.s. My daughter is a ginger.
Funny because I am not a ginger lol but my mother and 3 of her sisters are
Thanks for reading my “Making Sense of Life” post and several others. I’m so glad you liked them. I hope you’ll stop by often and offer your viewpoints. I look forward to seeing them.
Jerry
Hi, it’s nice to meet you! I found your blog listed on A Momma’s View. We have some things in common…. being a mom, a writer, photographer, and deal with mental health issues. Mine is anxiety and panic attacks. Take care, Jenny
Thanks so much, Jenny. Look forward to exploring your blog. 💕
I’m so happy to have come across your wonderful blog. I checked out some of your posts and I am very impressed with. I can’t wait to see more of your work.
Thanks so much. 💖
Hey…I hope being Award Free means you don’t mind being nominated! I’ve enjoyed your work and really wanted to link your blog in.
If you’d like to read about it you can find it at https://riddlefromthemiddle.com/2016/01/31/versatile-blogger-award-two/. This my way of saying I love your work; there is no obligation.
I am always honored with those nominations, Laura. Thanks so very much for the mention. 💖
Van, wonderful to read about you. lynz real cooking sent me over. A wonderful blog you have here – hope your day is a happy one! 🙂
Thank you so much, spearfruit, for the visit. Lynn is a special one. ☺
Yes, she is!
Glad to have found your lovely blog 🙂
Thanks so much, Freda. Welcome. ☺
Van, nice to meet and read you 🙂 Thanks for finding my blog through Hugh and I look forward to more of your posts as well!
My pleasure, Terri. 💖
Hello Van and thank you so much for making yourself known with commenting upon my post.. I appreciate that.. 🙂
Loved reading about you, and we have a little in common.. I was a sewing machinist in a factory for many many years.. that climbed up through the ranks over 28 yrs, to then change career paths into Support Work.. 🙂
Thank you for following I hope we get to know each other along our journey together
Blessings Sue ❤
Thanks so much, Sue. Your post “The Universe Listens” triggered so many responses in me. I’ll pursue a few examples from my own life in future posts. Thanks for the inspiration. And I surely look forward to sharing thoughts on your exceptional blog. 💕
Aww thank you.. And likewise.. I am looking forward to spending time exploring your own posts.. 🙂 ❤
Hi there, it’s a pleasure to meet you!! I wanted to stop by to thank you for visiting my blog and I wanted to return the favor. I look forward to reading more of your posts. Steph
My pleasure, Steph. And many thanks to Jacqueline for being such a great hostess. 💕
Ditto!!
I just found your blog and HAD to investigate b/c of the Matt Foley reference. Pleased to meet you.
Thanks for the visit, Abbie. Hope you find some interesting stuff. ☺
Wow! That’s a lot of varying careers. My dream job is to be a backup singer! 😃
I just had trouble figuring out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Still not sure ??? Thanks, Meg. 💘
Love your bio! I read one of the previous posts about blogging etiquette…er, ok. I figure our About pages should be about us and written by us. What say you?
Absolutely with you there, Michelle. Thanks. ☺
Hi Van, Just dropping by to say hello…your house is so warm and cozy so I will definitely be visiting you often. Have a splendid day!
Thanks so much, Dehan. You do the same. 💕
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Thanks so much. I’ve been award-free for a while, I was never good at the follow-through. But I so appreciate the nomination. ☺☺☺
Hi Van, I’ve been meaning to come to your place for a while, first to say thanks for the follow, and second to have a poke around yours. I’ve trolled through the comments here. Like others, I was taken aback about by the blogging etiquette thing. Surely being rude to someone about their blog is not in keeping with any kind of etiquette ?!
I agree, and thanks so much for stopping by…💘
Lovely to find your blog (thanks for the like that led me to it!), and I love your ‘Welcome note’! I also love, love, love, Chris Farley and his motivational speaking, so…. great to meet you! Best wishes in all your jobs/roles/musings.
Thank you so much, Nadia. Looking forward to exploring more of your blog. Very creative stuff in there. I love brevity, and you seem to nail it. 💕
Thank you! And likewise – I love the tone of your writing – you capture an ambiance very, very well. 🙂
I’m so happy I discovered your blog.
Thanks so kindly. Welcome, hope you enjoy. ☺
I know I’ll enjoy this.
You are a woman with many hats. You’ve proven woman wear many hats. I’m sure if all the things you do and have done had a hat to represent them, you could start a hat section in any boutique. Many are wearing hats now that could do the same. Thanks for sharing about yourself. I appreciate you returning the visit today.
You have an absolutely fantastic blog. I’m looking forward to following your posts 🙂
Thanks so much for the kind compliment, Brenda. Welcome. 💕
You are so welcome 🙂
Hello and welcome! Thanks for hitting the follow for Pensitivity101, Glad to have you aboard.
Looks like we have some things in common, though I certainy haven’t had such a variety of jobs as you! Wow, That is indeed some list! Love to hear your comments on views. Like you, I write a lot about things on my mind in my blog as I really find it helps.
Hi there, my pleasure to follow. And as for the jobs…jack of all trades, master of a few ??? ☺ I’m enjoying your take on the writing challenges. ❤️
Thank you, you are very kind.
I haven’t stopped by in a while…was out of the country for 5 weeks…anyway, thought I’d say Hi! ~Sherry
Hello to you, Sherry. 5 weeks away ? I’m jealous. Welcome back. 💖
Hi, lovely blog you have here! Pleased to meet you, Marina
Thanks so much, Marina. Welcome. Hope you find some fun stuff here. 💕
Glad I found your blog, I really enjoyed reading about your grandma in “the first seven years”. Loved the details – she arrived with more than $35 – and I was really saddened to read about her passing away. She sounded like the cornerstone of the tribe, in a sense.
Fabrizio
That $35. was some sort of benchmark figure for immigrants, they either had more or less than 35, which must have been worth a bit more at the time. She was our rock. Thanks for noticing, and welcome, Fabrizio. Glad to have you here. 💖
Pleasure is mine!!! 🙂
Well at this point I hope you’re just having a lovely fall break.
Thanks for checking in, Joey. We have been at MIL home, without WIFI. Back soon. ☺
Oh good 😀 I’m delighted. Thanks.
💘
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❤
Just checking in as I haven’t seen anything from you for a while. Hope all is OK with you and yours.
Hi van – just thinking of you this well – hope all Is well and hope your summer 2018 is going well.
And sending some good thoughts your way ✌️☀️
Typos with all those “well” words – geez!