I’m Jeanne Faulkner and I’ll write about anything. I started with an essay (Full Cart) about grocery shopping for a large, multi-generational family for an anthology looking for midlife wisdom. My wisdom came from buying every product sold in the personal hygiene aisle, from Huggies to tampons and Depends. It got published and a writer was born. Totally ignoring sound advice to start small and work my way up (so, not my style), my next gig was writing for Better Homes & Gardens. I’ve since written lots of articles for newspapers, magazines and websites like the Oregonian, Real Simple, AARP, EPregnancy, Pregnancy and Fit Pregnancy Magazines.

My essay, Not Pretty in Pink (Shape Magazine 10/2004) was a Maggie Award finalist and presents an alternate view to life with breast cancer when you choose not to join the pink sorority. I specialize in smart-aleck, stuff about brass tacks parenting, pregnancy and life with kids. I write about food, entertaining, health & wellness with subjects ranging from truffle making to addiction and skateboard safety. I’m particularly proud of “into Africa” an essay written for the Oregonian about how confronting and helping Africa’ out of its health and debt crisis, we help ourselves and America’s global image.

I’m the “Ask a Labor Nurse” blogger for Fitpregnancy.com because, I’m also a registered nurse and specialize in obstetrics and maternal/child health. I credit Butterfly McQueen for keeping my sense of humor despite 17 years as a labor nurse. “ Miz Scarlett. Babies! I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ no babies.” I like to quote that line from Gone With the Wind right about the time my patient’s start pushing. It lightens the mood. OK, not really. I’ve lost track of how many deliveries I’ve assisted. Thousands, at least. From the most natural to the most medical.

I claim five kids in my personal posse: Three daughters, a son and a niece. They currently range from 7 to 23 years old. Teenagers and two-year-olds don’t frighten me. Though I’m a little young for all this life experience, I’ve already done the aging parent/sandwich generation thing and been there/done that with breast cancer. Married for 25 years to the best man I know, I’ve learned something about making a relationship work through thick and thin. We live in a 100 year old craftsman bungalow in Portland, OR with two Scotty dogs. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. And again, I’ll write about anything.

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