I am the WHY girl. Just last evening, while eating dinner with a dancing friend, Virgilio sneezes, and automatically I say, “Bless you; where does that come from?” We shared two theories then I looked up on google: “way to keep demons away from sneezers’ soul”, along with other historical theories.

All growing up; I questioned the validity of the bible, fighting with my rigid religious mother’s rules; defending my dad, whom she humiliated while criticizing me.

I am the rebel of the family.

I am the proud driver of a Jeep hailing the license plate: CRYBABE – for more than 20 years…recently adding: Conserve Open Space.

Now, I’m on a rampage (maybe too strong a word, but a very good feeling) to rid sign clutter in Tompkins County, NY, ongoing for two years. ITHACA IS GORGES is a bumper sticker commonly seen in these parts. But now loud yellow orange signs are taking over, sprouting up like wildflowers; distracting one’s view from roadside wildflowers, trees, mountains and streams, or creeks as we say in these parts😊.

I want to enjoy the countryside. I do not like speaking in front of a group yet continue to stir up my apprehension monthly at the Tompkins County Legislature Committees concerning the environment: Tompkins County Transportation Council, Planning-Policy committee, Planning Energy and Environmental Quality. After calling and emailing the director of the highway department I was eventually ghosted. WHY I am ‘forced’ to speak 3-5 minutes only when public comments are allowed.

I ask WHY do we need Driveway signs for 8-9 miles of Coddington Road as driveways are seen one right after another all along these miles? WHY are large yellow signs up for DEAD END streets? As well as for other street names, when these streets have clear green signs at their intersection?

WHY? – I only hear silence.

And WHY do I often send Correspondence to the SUN magazine, asking to be interviewed (along with others) to focus on preventing anxiety, depression, and suicide in our youth, which continues to rise at an alarming rate?

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist, having written seven books focusing on the healing gift of tears. A sadness felt as nature is being trumped by signs.

For over 30 years, I have advocated for a HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP SKILLS COURSE to be implemented at Ithaca’s high school through many meetings and phone calls and petitions – the pot is still being stirred, while still on simmer.