In our first five years of Marvelous!, we have been fortunate to meet lots of truly marvelous women who have become a community of girlfriends. When you don’t see one of these friends for a while, you wonder what she’s up to. We asked five women who were featured in the past five years where they are now and what they are doing—Debbie Love, Lindsey Hardin, Harley White, Kathryn Miles, and Kwinn Varney
By Deb Peterson
From Debbie Love: As many of you know, the last couple of years weren’t that easy for me. I lost my husband to pancreatic cancer and then both of my Irish Wolfhounds died. But life goes on…I’m getting another Irish Wolfhound on top of three rescue dogs.
I moved back to Ohio to help my brother who was a medic in Vietnam. He volunteered so many times that the military finally sent him there. He was on track to be a doctor in the Navy, but the sixth time he volunteered, he was sent to Vietnam. I won’t say much more other than he worked in a factory and missed his calling as a doctor.
I live in Hamilton, Ohio, which is north of Cincinnati. I volunteer in one of the
schools trying to get kids on track with reading. Some days it is tough to listen to kids, who have much of nothing, talk to me about their lives. But if I can make their lives better, I will certainly try. I had a couple of job offers, but I’m older and can’t keep my mouth shut!, so volunteering is where I need to be.
FIVE THINGS I ALWAYS HAVE WITH ME:
• My American Express Card. “Don’t leave home without it!”
• Gloves. I have Raynaud’s Syndrome so my hands are always cold.
• Reading glasses. Getting older…ARGH!
• Receipts. Man, can I spend the money!
• A picture of my dogs and my husband. Keeps me smiling!
From Lindsey Hardin: Over the past few years there have been many changes in my life. I’m happy to announce that we are expecting a baby in July! We have moved to Fayetteville where Erik is running a second Ozark Integrative Medicine clinic. I am working as a personal chef and teaching Food for Life classes in the new culinary program at Northwest Arkansas Community College. We still operate our clinic in Mountain Home one day a week, so we go back and forth.
I have to brag that I do indeed make the best food when I am pregnant! My sense of smell increases and I am able to bring out delicate flavors while infusing the food with the earthiness that comes with motherhood. I am also doing a 200-hour yoga training with Circle Shala Yoga. This training is a challenge for me and also a wonderful way for me to connect with myself and others on a deep level. As I learn and grow, I am cherishing kindness, gentleness, and family more and more.
FIVE THINGS I ALWAYS HAVE WITH ME:
This is super hard. I have my phone…that’s about it. I lose or forget credit cards and drivers licenses, and I never carry a purse. I always have the appropriate clothing for the weather…does that count? I love not carrying anything I don’t need.
From Harley White: Since being with Marvelous!, I graduated from Hendrix College with a degree in mathematical economics in 2014. After graduating I was a teaching resident at eSTEM High School in Little Rock. Most recently, I have started working at Walmart in Bentonville as a space productivity analyst for toys and seasonal departments. Working for one of the world’s largest retailers is a whirlwind. There are always interesting problems to solve (and never enough time!). I really love my job and get to work with wonderful people whom I learn from everyday.
I like living in Northwest Arkansas, especially being so close to Crystal
Bridges. I met my boyfriend, David Allan, at Hendrix, and we’ve been dating for two years. We enjoy eating good food and exploring new cities, most recently, New York over Thanksgiving, where our photo was taken.
Congrats to Marvelous! on five years! I am very happy and lucky to have been a part of it!
FIVE THINGS I ALWAYS HAVE IN MY PURSE:
• My Kindle
• Hand lotion
• A pen
• Gum
• Spare change
From Kathryn Miles: My husband, Joe, often says, “Time flies whether you are having fun or not,” so we have chosen to have a little fun. The story in Marvelous! about my dream of building Milestone, our home on the White River, was written just months after we moved into it five years ago. Time flies! Things change! I have a new hair color! And we have purchased a condo in Chicago as a second home, providing us an urban experience much different from everyday life we enjoy here in the Ozarks.
We have varied interests, and the city of Chicago gives us every opportunity to explore those interests. Art and architecture are tops among the keen attractions there. Our Arkansas home is Frank Lloyd Wright influenced, and Chicago is home to many of his designs. I have met some fine folks through the Chicago Architecture Foundation. We love live theatre and live music! There are several blues and jazz clubs within walking distance of our home there. And the “L” gives us easy access to theatre venues all over the city. Joe is a sports enthusiast, and I like watching the Blackhawks hockey team, the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Our Arkansas home is all about the view of the White River valley. Similarly, our Chicago home is all about the view. We reside on the 42nd floor of our building that sits steps away from the heart of the “Magnificent Mile” and the historic Water Tower with a panoramic city view. The shopping spots, museums, and restaurants right out our door are marvelous! Our four daughters and their families now have another fun place to visit. We have five grandchildren (two born since Marvelous! was created five years ago), and it is good fun introducing them to new things in their lives.
In a sense we are living the “Green Acres” storyline and loving it. We have always enjoyed traveling and embracing new experiences, so darting back and forth between life in small town Arkansas and life in the big city is a lot of fun. It really fits who we are and that makes a marvelous life!
I offer hearty congratulations to Marvelous! magazine on reaching this “milestone” anniversary. I have enjoyed being a sidekick on your journey!
FIVE TOP THINGS WHEN LEAVING THE HOUSE:
• Sunglasses
• Burt’s Bees peppermint lip balm
• Credit card
• Driver’s license
• Lipstick
From Kwinn Varney: Magic floats in on a soft breeze, lightly caressing my face—I smile and raise my arms to embrace the warm southern sunshine, it’s all a dream here, really…
Last I encountered the lovely women of Marvelous!, I was modeling jewelry for an amazing company called Virgins Saints & Angels. Since that feature, I have been on a voyage of self-discovery, adventure and awakenings—something I truly hope every single person gets to experience at least once in their life. I owe this pursuit of inner happiness to the Ozarks, as this land holds me captivated; I’m in constant awe of the natural beauty that these ancient forests hold, the secrets that are whispered and whirl around in the leaves and of the treasures that hide for so long in the dark depths of the earth, dug by hand on a wish and a whim.
It was as if one day I awoke and magic demanded to be made. I found my calling within the mystical realm of the most exquisite Arkansas quartz crystals and other natural gems, creating and binding these powerful pieces into the form of wearable art and wondrous jewelry. I am humbled to have the ability to bring such earthly goodness into the light as each piece is unique within itself, carrying metaphysical properties of protection, healing and a magnetism for beauty.
Everyone should have their moment to dance where the wild creatures of the woodlands chant, to soak in the everlasting warmth of the infinite skies, never forgetting, never losing the awe-inspiring bliss found within this miraculous place we all call home.
The ability to hold Mother Nature so close, wherever your travels may take you is spellbinding—find your dream and hold on tight. You can see my work at OldEarthVoodoo.com. M! February/March 2016
MY FIVE ESSENTIALS:
• Crystals
• Pocket knife
• Lighter
• Vintage hair wrap
• Childhood lucky coin from Zoltar (circa 1989)
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