Jude Tripp

'There's a story in there. Woman returning to her roots, scratching in the cement surrounded gravel to find the ground to grow.......and blossom, bare and share her fruit when sweet and ripe.'

Clio Wondrausch, artist

 

I have recently returned to New Mexico after spending a long, long time in Far, Far Away.  In Far, Far Away I discovered what a varied, never-ending story life can be.

 

I grew up in a typical family, in typical suburbia, went to typical schools and attended a typical church. This just never laid quite right.  While I was unable to consciously recognize this, I started long distance running at age 12. So began my love for journeying spurred by the curiosity of 'What lies beyond the next bend?' My legs took me to a river's wooded trails. Nature quickly became my solace, sanctuary and source of expansion.

 

I received my Bachelors majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Religion. The university I attended lay within the remains of a depleted steel mill town. The most educational aspects of these years were exploring abandoned buildings, hanging out in dives, climbing fire escapes and old roller coasters, listening to the gospel music which emerged from a rundown church.

 

With the blessing of the diploma I went running out into the world spurred by the curiosity of 'How many places could I live?'.  Thus I began collecting the short stories of my life. Arizona, Virgin Islands, United Kingdom, New Mexico, Washington, Alaska and many, many years in rural Portugal.  Survey archaeologist, sous-chef, waitress, nursing assistant, professional knitter, lab technician, gardener and many, many years as an English Language teacher.

 

Life led me through the backdoor to story.  Stories started calling me. The first time I watched a storyteller, I recognized the elements that I carried in my teacher's tool bag. I began to share stories with students and as a regular presence in my international community.  Stories quickly became my solace, sanctuary, source of expansion, core of connection with my listeners...and connection with everything else.

 

My aim is to add my contribution to storying us together, into community... and into ourselves...