About SRD Straightening Reins

FJ: How did you become involved with this organization?

SRD: I became involved with SRD~Straightening Reins after losing my 15-year-old daughter to suicide. There had to be something that was missing in our community to lose an amazing young lady like Samantha Jean Rocha-Dyer. Family, friends, and community members came together back in April 2011 to help brainstorm and eventually establish a ranch facility that provides equine-assisted psychotherapy and a safe, supervised place for youth to figure out their way- and their path.

FJ: How has it grown or changed over time?

SRD: SRD has grown and changed tremendously over the last eight years. Without a permanent home at this point, we have had to change locations three times. However, we continue to grow to be proactive with workshops to help before a crisis and providing services for youth that are struggling. In addition, we work with families that have a child coming out of the hospital on a 5150 Suicide hold, helping guide them and their children back into the community with services and a safe environment.

Jamie P Walker - Artist 

I’m Jamie (Pavlich) Walker, an artist residing in Santa Rosa, CA. My studio is located at my home in my garage. I like this set-up and location as it provides me ample natural light and it permits me to take a break when I need to, or jump in at any time.

The world of art as my journey began at childhood. I loved painting and drawing and carried this passion through high school. In college, I took art classes but ultimately changed paths and started a career in ophthalmology. I felt having a conventional job would be more secure. Do I have regrets not getting a degree in Art? “Yes”. But, at the same time, I think it’s what pushed me to actually become an artist.

After years of working as an ophthalmic technician, I finally just quit. I realized that in this one life I have, it should be spent doing what I love. Re-entering the art world happened slowly by taking various courses and workshops while raising two children.

Judith Cassis - Author of the Writer to Writer series

FJ: When did you decide to become a writer?

Judith: I’ve been writing since I was 7 years old. I began with poetry and wrote my first story at the age of 11. In high school, I took every English class offered and in my senior year I asked my English teacher if she would support me in an independent study so I could write a book. She agreed and I did. Never published it.

FJ: You’re a ghostwriter. What exactly is that?

Judith: In my case, ghostwriting encompasses everything from working with what my clients have and expanding upon it, to taking an idea and writing a whole book.

Sally Van Swearingen – Author of It’s Not Over Yet!

FJ: When did you decide to become a writer?

Sally: As far as writing my book? I had written many skincare and makeup articles for magazines and other publications but didn’t decide to write “It’s Not Over Yet!” until I went to a Rockstar marketing class, where we were all encouraged to write our story. It was supposed to be only 100 pages I went overboard, Mine is 260 pages, color, and it made it to Barnes and Noble!

FJ: What brought you to write this book?

Sally: As I share at the beginning of my book, I had a baby at 42 and felt that I had lost my “Beauty Power.” I eventually rediscovered it in a new, authentic way, and I wanted to share my process with ladies who experienced the same thing but didn’t know where to begin.