Horses were Phyllis’ true passion in life she began riding at 7 on a pony that was a stallion. Not only did she break him–she taught herself how to ride the hard way. She quickly went from a pony to horses. Horses bond with their owners and they can be like a best friend. They are quite intelligent. She loved to find big open spaces where her horse could run like the wind. She loved a horse with a bit of spirit to him. When she was a teenager, she was a barrel racer and did well. She rode until she was fifty and her poor back couldn’t take it anymore.
Phyllis loves and enjoys music and the Moody Blues are her favorite band. The lead singer, Justin Hayward reminded her of her first husband, Bruce. Her son, Jason took her to see Justin Hayward in concert (he was at least in his seventies) in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Beautiful little town, and she had a FANTASTIC time! Justin still has it!
Her son and grandchildren are quite musical and for a special occasion they recorded themselves (playing and singing) “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” by Justin Hayward. It was the first time she heard her son and grandson sing together! How beautiful their voices are together.
Another favorite thing she loves is to paint (canvas, not walls). While in college at age thirty-four, she took a Painting class that was required to earn her degree. She had to buy oil paints for the class and packed them away when the class ended. Phyllis didn’t touch the paints for years. Then, out of nowhere she started painting—some better than others. Jason is her biggest fan! He wants to keep all her paintings. She has probably painted close to 400 paintings. It served as great therapy for her—she could escape when she painted. The canvas was the only thing on her mind.
Phyllis and Ron live in West Virginia (it is a state; not the western part of VA); about one and a half hours south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They enjoy their backyard birds and quiet evenings in their back yard in the summer.
