As a middle-aged (there is just no getting around the terminology) empty-nester, a "displaced" worker (or in my "fortunate early retirement", as my friend likes to refer to me), and a woman trying to find her place in this world, A Sense of Place will hold my space as I try to figure out what my ultimate path will be. There will be ruminations and lamentations, but hopefully some revelations as well, as I write. As a former visual merchandiser/stylist of home merchandise (read: bedmaker, tabletopper, trash-hauler) in department and specialty stores, my focus has often been on making the ideal of home look pretty. Pretty is as pretty does. As home and place nurture us, they can also confound us as constant reflections of ourselves. Join me here, I saved you a seat.