Welcome to Brenda's Site

If you have firewalls or a browser that does not support Java, I'm afraid you won't get the full essence of this page - sorry about that!
Normally I am very quiet about my life. But since I have 'discovered' Johnny Depp and his 'take no bullshit; no compromising' attitude, I have opened up a lot more to people and have returned to my Boho style of life. Thank you, Johnny Christopher.
I update this site on holidays and seasons - for the kid in me. It is now set up for Mother's Day!
I am 55, divorced and love the freedom. It was a very hard marriage. I will leave it at that. My family today consists of a beautiful daughter, Christine, a handsome son-in-law, George, and two adorable grandsons, Skyler and Logan!
My son, Steven, died of heart complications at the age of 5 weeks. My daughter, Cathy, committed suicide at the age of 16 in 1992. My daughter, Karen Ann who originally helped me design this website, and who survived three open-heart surgeries before the age of 16, died at the age of 22 of heart failure in 2002. So the WORST that could ever happen to me has already happened - three times over.
I play guitar, write short stories, songs, and poetry (click on my poetry/story link below to read a few including many for children) - it's my therapy. I have co-authored a parody screenplay with my brother and am currently working on another screenplay and an original teleplay. I love doing research for my writings and learning new things!
I have taught myself (and am still learning) many languages including American Sign Language, Nahuatl (Aztec) and Swahili. Siku ya mama mzazi (Happy Mother's Day in Swahili).
I can sit for hours just enjoying nature - it's very calming.
One of my passions is crocheting. For the past 30-something years. I usually give away the items I make.
Another passion is reading - favorite authors, Stephen King and Hunter S. Thompson.
As far as tv goes - archeology / history / travel documentaries, Bears, Gators or Cubs games, Nascar (Go Jeff Gordon), or a good movie from Netflix is the norm. Oh, and if the SciFi Channel has a Twilight Zone or Outer Limits marathon on (first editions only), I'm there!!
I enjoy all genre of movies - the old horrors (Vincent Price and Lon Chaney still scare the bejeebers out of me), the old comedies (Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy) and those campy 'B' movies like 'White Zombie', 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' or 'Them.' Vampira, may you rest in peace!
My favorite directors are Alfred Hitchcock, Tim Burton and the King of Spoof, Mel Brooks (oh, and throw in Ed Wood for lots of laughs, too).
My favorite movies are Kelly's Heroes, Blues Brothers, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and Pirates of the Caribbean! (I have always had a 'thing' for pirates since childhood. Seen every pirate movie made).
As I've mentioned before, I have discovered Johnny Depp. He's come a long way from 21 Jump Street and Private Resort. Cry Baby? I've seen 3 versions - campy, funny - director cut's the best. He is a very versatile actor (watch 'Blow', 'Secret Window', 'Donnie Brasco'). Just as Lon Chaney was known as The Man with a Thousand Faces, so it can be said about Mr. Depp. His characters are all unique and he puts a lot of research into his acting. A truly wonderful classic is 'Benny & Joon' (Absolutely loved Sam and the Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin/Harold Lloyd routines). What I really like about Johnny is he never lets 'Hollywood' interfere with his life. He's brutally honest, takes care of his family; no compromising; does what he wants and likes; wears what he wants and likes. I would like to hear more of his music - he played the guitar beautifully in 'Chocolat.' I would also be interested in his paintings.
I wanted to be the following when I grew up: country western singer, stunt person, actress, and the first woman astronaut to land on the moon (apparently I haven't grown up - because I never became any of these - except I did work at Cape Canaveral and launched a rocket so technically I was part of the Space Program).
Second to becoming a country western singer and beings I have no fear (except of Vincent Price and Lon Chaney), I've always wanted to do stunts - if I had the chance to jump off a 3-story (or higher) building into an air bag, I'd be there! If I had the chance to drive a car up on two wheels and flip it over a few times - sign me up! And I have ALWAYS wanted to swing on a rope from a Pirate's mast / yardarm!
I want to be a credit in a movie and experience the emotions of being on a movie set.
I listen to all genre of music but my favorites are classic country, 50-60's, classic swing, blues and old jazz - (once in awhile a Stones tune or Aerosmith fits the bill). My favorite singer: The Man in Black, Johnny Cash - been a fan of his since I was ten! And I have four favorite songs - 'Burning Bridges Lost Forever More' by Mike Curb Congregation (from the movie 'Kelly's Heroes'); 'Daddy Sang Bass' by Johnny Cash (actually, anything by him); 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life' by Monty Python, and 'Simple Song of Freedom' by Bobby Darin. There are many, many, many others but these will do for now - sort of an overview of where I'm coming from. Playing now is Wish Upon A Star in ragtime.
I am originally from Oxon Hill (Southlawn), Maryland (and yes, I've been to the Enchanted Forest many times as a kid - a Cry Baby throwback - it was a real place).
I'm a Navy brat and a Navy veteran. As a kid I loved the traveling part - hated the 'new kid on the block routine.' But I do love to travel - been to 41 states, Canada and Spain - the tiny villages up in the middle of the country dotting mountainsides - cobble-stoned streets, flowers on or around homes, friendly people, very peaceful, beautiful - I could live there. I haven't been able to travel for awhile. Can't fly as I'm on oxygen. My next project is to find the money to buy a handicap van for traveling around the states, to open casting calls or just to the local store.
I have diabetes, and pulmonary fibrosis in both lungs of which there is no cure - given a 3-5 year life sentence - as of April 12, 2008 I am into my 6th year. Latest update: condition is 'stable' which is great!! I'm on oxygen and use a power chair for long walks.
I have survived a suicide attempt - from years ago - not proud of it but it is a part of me that no one knew of until recently.
I've been on welfare on and off throughout life; thankful for the help but hated every minute - I rather be self-supporting.
My home was one of the disaster victims in the 1998 wildfires here in Florida - lost the house and everything I owned down to dust.
October 2006 I set a goal to lose 150 pounds over the course of 2 to 3 years - slow and easy. So far I've lost 81 - over half way there!
I drive my car, live on my own and go to work everyday - so don't cry for me Argentina (or any other country). I am a survivor with a positive outlook on life - although I will admit at times it seems absolutely useless to be so damn positive. All I want right now is to stay vertical. How do I survive? With God, family, movies, Johnny Depp and a great, twisted sense of humor - I swear I am 'Job' reincarnated.
There are very few things that I dislike - anchovies, snails (although I always like to try new things and ate them in Spain), reality tv shows, people who do nothing but complain, people who think or act as if they are better than anyone else, and people who try to bullshit me.
I will say one more thing...my life sure has not been boring!