Julie Newton:  

Life I had a couple of investments that turned out rather better than I had hoped, so was able to retire in 1999 after more than 13 years of teaching. My sweetheart and I were able to settle down and buy a house in the North Peninsula part of the San Francisco Bay area. (I was too much of an old-fashioned feminist to move north and move in unless I could pay my own way and my own share.) We love being so close to The City while being far enough away it feels it still feels like we're in the country. I do some occasional consulting work helping special ed. students and parents understand and pursue their rights under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehab Act when districts get reluctant to follow the law. I also have kept my credentials current so I can substitute and keep a eye on the future leaders and workforce of the country. Mostly, I've been indulging in hobbies I got little chance to pursue while I was teaching. I've been gardening and attempting to do it organically or with minimal chemicals. I've been learning to compost for mulch and soil amending. My next project is to try composting with worms. I've been experimenting with feng shui with our house, not that you can tell the difference that much. Of course I've been reading all the fiction, science fiction, and fantasy that built up during my teaching days. Additionally, I've became interested in history from multiple points of view, including alternative historie...Expand for more