My path has been a serpentine road, driven by curiosity and adventure. In each chapter of my life, I’ve carried the baton as far as I could, then handed it off to the next version of myself. Some chapters might be titled, Never do this again and others Yes, I want more.

In 1971, a friend of my mother’s recommended me for a job at Pan American Bank the summer out of high school.  I was an installment loan teller and posted customers payments by hand on a posting machine. We wore navy polyester pant suits. It was the first in a series of banking jobs.

I opened new accounts at the Bank of Melbourne. When it was slow I’d walk across the lobby to talk to another account rep. “What’cha reading today, Judy?” I’d whisper.  “Hawaii by James Michener” she said, showing me the paperback hidden in a manila folder.  She was always a good resource for book recommendations.  At Exchange National Bank, I spent the day alone in the basement helping old people into their safe deposit boxes.  When I was a teller at Cocoa Beach National Bank, I’d wish the hands of the clock to move faster so I could surf before dark.

Did you know that in 1972, you could buy three cantaloupes for a dollar? Just a tidbit from my days as a grocery store cashier. I also stocked shelves at a five and dime, where you could buy three packages of vanilla cream filled cookies for a dollar fifty.

I waited tables, peddled Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen from a kiosk on the beach, dug holes for a landscape company, sold women’s clothing at Robinson’s Department store, and cleaned houses.

I held a multitude of secretarial positions including one with Nationwide Insurance on the 15^th floor of a high rise in Honolulu.  I lived on the north shore in Haliewa and waited for the bus on a red dirt road. It  carried me past the Dole Plantation pineapple fields and across the island. I watched the sunrise from the grimy bus windows. 

After several years as a surfing nomad, I enrolled at the University of Central Florida, majoring in journalism with a minor in broadcasting. I worked part time in UCF’s media department and was a camera operator for classroom lectures. I also edited audio. In a weathered black and white photo I’m in front of two large audio reels, a razor blade in one hand and a roll of splicing tape on the counter.

My first job out of college was at a top 40 radio station in Orlando. I was the morning news anchor and was on air at 5:20 am. One evening, I stayed out too late drinking free champagne at ladies night. My news director called at 4:45 am waking me up. I rolled out of bed hungover, grabbed my coffee mug, threw on jeans and a t-shirt and flew out the door. Thank goodness it was radio and not television. One morning, I accidentally left my microphone open and sang along to Jackson Browne’s ‘Lawyers in Love’. When I realized what happened I threw in a few “oh shits” over the air before I scrambled to close the mic. I drove the news car around with the logo on the side. ” Are you Casey Conerly?” people asked.  “Yes, I am,” I answered smugly.  It was great to be a local celebrity.

The best gift from that job was the mentoring of my news director. We listened back to my newscasts each morning and he’d give me directions I use today. Like pronounce the ‘c’ in picture.

I hosted a classical music program on Monday nights at the PBS station and blundered through more than a few composer’s names. I tried my hand at radio sales, because the sales people made more money, but I quickly found out I was not sales material.

Eventually, I moved into the big world of local television in Orlando. I started out as a weekend camera operator for the evening news pushing ginormous cameras around the studio. I also ran camera for a Sunday morning live church broadcast and from my perch up in the balcony in jeans and a ball cap, I watched the well-dressed parishioners find their seats.

I was soon promoted to audio engineer for the 6 and 11 pm news. My other job was to make sure our alcoholic weather man showed up for the last newscast. “Where is he?” the news director would shout at me. “Find him and his jacket. Its ten minutes to air time!”

In one episode of a local talk show I helped produce and host, I participated in a yoga session on air with a fitness expert.  I wore blue tights and Jane Fonda leg warmers. I had big hair.

As a reporter for the Florida News Network, I was on the scene at Cape Canaveral when the Challenger space shuttle lifted off. I will never forget the silence as the raucous crowd’s joy turned into disbelief as we watched the space shuttle break apart 73 seconds into flight.

In 1985, I was sent to report on the birth of a killer whale in San Diego. I met Sea World of Florida’s public relations director and she offered me a job. I was tired of local news, so I accepted. I was named public relations director when she left the position.  I joined animal care and biologists on rescues of sea turtles, manatees and whales, and also recorded voice overs and produced video news releases. I took a film crew to Alaska to acquire footage for a new show. We flew over glaciers in a helicopter. Although the animals were treated well and the park rescued and rehabilitated a multitude of wildlife, I wouldn’t work there now. Perhaps someday, zoos and animal parks will be a thing of the past.

When I moved to Charlotte in 1990, I started my own business, Conerly Productions, a combination of public relations, on camera and voice over work. I had a variety of clients including the City of Charlotte. “Speed A Little, Lose A Lot” was a campaign for the city to prevent young drivers from speeding. At local high schools, we displayed the wrecked Porsche of NBA basketball player Bobby Phills who had died from a speeding accident. His young widow implored students during assembly not to speed. She received many letters from them saying her words made a difference.

I wrote and produced corporate videos for First Union Bank. I was also on camera from time to time. In one training video, I demonstrated how to wrap a present.

I was the mother of the main character in an ABC movie of the week about the birth of rock and roll called Shake Rattle and Roll.  I had two scenes only, but was thrilled to be in the makeup trailer with all the lead actors.

I helped conduct media training sessions for companies, including Bank of America and Lowes, teaching executives how to present on camera and handle interviews. They definitely needed help. Many of them would tell you anything in a mock interview, even their income.

I earned a degree in Holistic Nutrition, a lifelong interest, and partnered with a naturopathic doctor, setting up an office in his practice. My son was six months old at the time, and I had a hard time leaving him every day, so it didn’t last long.

I became a realtor and sold a few houses, but the recession hit, so my timing was off.

I’ve been a nature photographer for over 30 years and have sold my photos at festivals. I have an Instagram account, Celebrate the Beauty, where I post my nature shots.

Songwriting has also been a passion. I have played original songs at coffee houses and small venues and taught 4^th graders how to write their first songs. They are the best songwriters.

I’m a yoga teacher and have taught private sessions, in studios, to female inmates, teens with behavioral issues and at a safe house for victims of domestic abuse.  I record free guided meditations on the app Insight Timer. If you have trouble sleeping or want to start your day in a good frame of mind, check them out.

You can hear me on the phone systems for Union Bank and Visa to name a few and thousands of companies across the US. If you travel to Japan and take the rail, it is my voice directing travelers in English. “Next stop Tokyo”. You’ll hear me as the guidance system for Hyundai’s Kia model.  “Please adjust your rear view mirror”. 

I’m taking a master herbalism course. I make teas, tinctures, lotions and salves. I harvest and dry my own herbs from my medicinal herb garden.

Have you ever heard of Fire Cider tonic? You combine fresh horseradish, garlic, onion, red pepper, turmeric and ginger in a solution of apple cider vinegar and let it sit for three weeks. Shake daily. Strain and pour into small bottles. It will last a few months in the refrigerator. It’s a great remedy for the cold and flu season. Use a shot glass. It opens up your sinuses like crazy.