Let Me Introduce Myself

My name is Sandra Guest van Riper, writing from my Homestead, Beyond the Sidewalks. I have a formal education in science that has spanned 20 years and encompassed several degrees including a BA and MS with minors and majors in English and Biology (Ornithology). I've taught at high schools, junior high, community college, and universities, lived in Montana, Hawaii, California, Arizona, and currently have family in Montana, California, Colorado, Florida, Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Texas and New York. I am a published author of a variety of papers and books, and in all I've raised 4 children through our perilous times, and kept one husband. In the photo is my best helper, Jesse. She keeps me company as I work.

People are always asking, What is Beyond the Sidewalks?

It is where I live and work. I have several passions, and they come together .. Beyond the Sidewalks. First is my small farm where I raise sheep and spin wool. You can read more about this at www.beyondwool.com.  I also raise white doves and provide white dove releases for weddings, funerals and other events in southern Arizona. Read more at www.catalinawhitedoves.com. As an offshoot of the white dove world, I provide supplies and education about white doves at www.whitedoveceremony.com and I'm executive editor of www.whitedovesociety.com. When I am not in the dove loft or in the barn or at the cabin in the Colorado mountains, I design websites and provide hosting services worldwide at www.beyondthesidewalks.com. In between all of these activities, I assist my husband with his antique firearm business at www.homesteadfirearms.com and support his research (see www.charlesvanriper.com). And finally, I have several books in the works and am finally fulfilling some of my longtime dreams of writing. That is where I began many years ago and I am currently working on several manuscripts. I offer E-Book publishing services and hosting of websites online at www.beyondthesidewalks.com.

And so, What is Beyond the Sidewalks? It is not a 'What', but rather a 'Who' or 'Where'. It is who I am and where I live and work. It is where I have been and where I am going - and I invite you to join me, Beyond the Sidewalks.

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