Hello and Welcome

Hi, and welcome to the first post of my new blog "Honestly Lou" in which I hope to talk about life and my journey through it, bringing you the highs and lows in glorious technicolour and honesty!

As a technical 'adult' there may well be so called 'adult language' in the posts that follow, and I make no apology for words I may use or any upset any of my posts may cause. This will be a blog about life as I see it - it is my opinion and I cannot and will not apologise for my thoughts and feelings - it's that simple. Equally, I will not ask or expect anyone who comments to apologise for any of the thoughts or feelings they may express!

So who am I?

Well, the answer to that one is simple - I am Lou, short for Louise. 

I am Mum to 3 glorious children who I love unconditionally, but who are far from perfect, I am wife to a wonderful husband, but it took 3 attempts to get this great one! I am a photographer who refuses to conform to what society tells me I must do to make money from my art. I am also a Volunteer Fire-fighter and Emergency Medical Responder, and in the summer months you will find me working as a Tour Guide on certain days, at a local Limestone Show Cavern, just a few short miles from where I live in NW Arkansas.

I am a Warrior, who has in the past defended my children and myself, quite literally with my body, against a brutally violent attacker, namely my ex-husband, and emerged whole and victorious.

I have a confused faith - it's definitely faith and it's strong, but quite where it lies no one really knows - Mother Nature (Gaia) holds a strong place in heart, as does Kuan Yin, and then every morning I find myself asking God what my purpose is in life! My Pastor tells me I have more faith than a lot of so-called devout Christians he knows...All I am sure of is that when I go out into the woods and wander in the sound of nature around me, I am often overwhelmed by the emotion that fills me and overflows from me and I feel at peace!

The promise I make to all of you here now on this page is that as I move forward with this blog, I will be nothing other than honest, about my thoughts, feelings and opinions. I am not here to defend my opinions - I am me, and my aim is not to upset others, it is just to continue to be me, in the best possible and most honest way I can.

I hope you will come on this journey with me, and that my honesty will inspire others to be their own bare and honest selves as well.