Writer & artist, meditator & house sitter

About this sitter

Hello, friends! I am new to house sitting, but I am really excited about this wonderful opportunity. I am a history professor, a published author, and a visual artist. I am a beadworker -- I make mixed media portraits of my ancestors and family members. I'm inspired by landscapes, by Indigenous arts, and by history. I am 51 years old, I have a son who is a university student, and I am a world traveler. I practice daily meditation in the Zen tradition. I love to walk, swim, and read.

What am I looking for in a house sit? I am open to both urban and rural places, cozy and comfortable homes, and a relatively short-term house sit. I would ideally prefer 1-2 week opportunities. Because I have the option of teaching my courses online, I would need a stable and reliable wifi service. An "off-grid" situation would not be best for me. I would also be grateful for a dining room table or a desk at which to write and sketch. I am open to house sitting opportunities in the US and abroad.

Why they want to house sit

I want to house sit for many reasons, the first of which is that I truly enjoy traveling but I do not enjoy hotels! When I travel, I seek to understand how locals live. I seek mostly quiet experiences and solitude; house sitting gives me the opportunity to spend time with myself, to journal and write, read, relax, and hopefully give love to another person's home and/or pets. I am a homeowner and my home is a sacred and safe place. I will treat another person's home with the same reverence and respect.

Their experience

I am technically new to this kind of house sitting network, but I have varied experiences. I have cared for the homes of friends and professor colleagues here in the US and in Haiti, Cuba, and Vietnam. In Taiwan, I lived as a resident in a Zen monastery; I was responsible for caring for newly planted trees and cleaning an entire floor of the residential hall, twice per day. In Japan, I cared for a small Buddhist temple; again, my duties were to care for the garden and to clean the main meditation hall. In these spaces, I was welcomed and entrusted with the care of sacred spaces -- this was and is an honor for me. I am really excited for the opportunity to house sit.

At this time, I have no testimonials because I am new. But I hope that I will be given the chance to acquire these. I do have references who will be available upon request.

What can they bring to the assignment

I am a responsible and conscientious human being. As a long-term meditator, I live my life quietly, compassionately, and thoughtfully. As a university educator and a writer, I spend much of my time in contemplation. So, I believe what I bring is a calm energy and an unquestionable respect for another person's home. I have immense gratitude for the many times in my life that I've been welcomed into other people's spaces.