Curious Ink

Curious Background

Full Name: Danny Joseph Teevens

Born: October 8, 1962, Ottawa, Canada

Residence: Fresno, California since 1979-Present

Parents: Danny Sr. & Gwen Teevens (1975 father passed away having colon cancer); 1979 mom married Joe Sullivan in Fresno, CA (Nov. 2023 Joe passed away having congenital heart failure; March 2024 mom passed away having dementia)

Spouse: Stephanie Teevens (formerly Ratliff)

Children: Mackenzie and Bailey *Mackenzie is married to Phil with two children, Darcy Lynn (granddaughter) and younger brother Wesley Finn (grandson).

Hobbies Over the Years: Hockey, soccer, running, weightlifting, cycling, art, travelling, writing, & now blogging

Favorite Things to Do: Walking my dog, podcasts, music, audiobooks, e-bike, writing, visiting Morro Bay where our trailer is stored, and precious time with Darcy Lynn ❤️, Wesley Finn❤️ and family

Curious Journey

Growing up in Bells Corners, Nepean Township in the outskirts of Ottawa, Canada I led a charmed childhood. A paper route at 9 years of age and a 78 square mile Greenbelt Forest one street over from behind our house was a young boy’s independence and paradise. It is where my bike rolled along dirt paths, cross country skied on snow covered trails, sledding down crunchy iced hills, drank a few Labatt’s Blues and other concoctions with friends before puberty, and cut through on my way to the ice rink to play my favorite sport, hockey, imagining I was #4 Bobby Orr in the flesh.

Paperboy was the first of about twenty-five jobs over my lifetime. Bells Corners was the place I began my transition from a boy to a young man. Dad was an Ottawa Police Officer who I respected, admired, and obeyed. Honestly, I had no choice. His death when I was 12 years old left a chasm in our family requiring mom to raise three young preteens; a thrifty, hardworking, old school service-minded dear heart. After turning 16, mom married Joe Sullivan moving us from Canada to Fresno California, USA, the American agriculture heartland.

About this time I began to write lyrics, poetry, and sketching on the blanched hardwood floor of my shared bedroom. It was a creative outlet giving me fleeting moments to escape in a house I did not care to reside. After being deservedly kicked out Joe’s house following high school graduation, I became a contemplative, soul-searching bachelor until 1989 when I married Annie, who is thankfully my soul-mate to this day. Together we raised two dear, adorable girls. Our eldest, Mackenzie, is a Math teacher; married to Phil raising our lovely granddaughter, Darcy Lynn and grandson, Wesley Finn. Bailey is our youngest enjoying her role as a flight attendant travelling and exploring the U.S frontier.

I am now retired after a 36 year career in Education as a teacher’s assistant, elementary teacher, vice principal, principal, and high school academic counselor. About ten years before retirement I took notice of how inspiring my in-laws were, taking up art, piano, and gardening as a creative outlet. The deeper they went down the creative rabbit hole of expression, curiosity grew in ways that influenced and encouraged me. I began to dabble in water color and sketching like them.

Yet, I found myself often drifting back to indelible people, places, and events in my life, putting down the paint brush, picking up pen and keyboard; researching, writing, outlining, and endlessly editing. I fell head over heels into a state of curious contemplations about varying topics under the sun. Writing was not something I was seeking, but it found me and I find it to be very fulfilling, mind consuming, and never boring. Since, I have written five books (not yet published), one fiction story in progress (ugh! 😒), and several poems and lyrics. Good or bad, that is not up to me to decide. I simply choose to enjoy it.

Each evening I prep tomorrow morning’s coffee for Annie with cups displayed awaiting our indulgence. I wake early, walking my Labradoodle Dassa (full name Hadassah) while listening to music, books, or podcasts for a couple of hours stopping at one of four Starbucks for a Grande Honey Citrus Mint tea, or iced Passion Fruit during 100+ degree scorching summers, and a Puppuccino (whipping cream in a cup) for Dassa. Once home, I pour a delightful cup of java with cream (no sugar), sink into my worn leather cat scratched arm chair in my upstairs writing mantuary, and watch one or two (maybe three) podcasts that catch my attention. I eat my first meal of the day (typically a ribeye or chicken thighs and a single slice of sourdough covered in avocado). Then, I write.

I hope you enjoy my recent curious contemplations and wish you a healthy daily dose, as well.

Curious Beliefs

As stated on the Home Page, I believe in the might and influence of curiosity, critical thinking, reflective writing, and thoughtful insights to inspire personal growth and mental independence; true personal confidence and contentment.

Like trying to stuff Jeannie in her bottle, I will list my unexhaustive foundational beliefs, below. All were learned and exercised through the whisper of family, friends, strangers, authors, and God:

Be Curious (go down the rabbit hole)

Be Kind (don’t be nice)

Be Honest, But Discerning (grace can be a good thing)

Know Your Roles & Responsibilities (and exercise them)

Integrity Shadows Loyalty (always)

Seek Contentment, Not Complacency (contentment isn’t lazy)

Have Boundaries (for self and others)

Listen & Learn (you don’t know everything)

Have Empathy (and mean it)

Have Value (able to decipher good/bad ethical behavior)

Seek to Understand (… before being understood)

Be Understood (specifically as a leader, authority figure)

Separate A Person’s Heart From Their Behavior (both independently accountable and fairly treated)

Open Hand & Closed Fist (discern what is of importance)

Meet People Where They Are (not where you are)

Agree To Disagree (if necessary)

Ask Permission (others will decide if they choose to hear you)

Care About Their Business (no matter how crazy it is to you)

Life Is Not Static (we are all adapting to a world of change)

Simplify Input & Output (we are too data rich and info poor)

Embrace Challenges (they make great stories)

Engage a Jackass (conflicts bring forth better understanding)

Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance (Reflection)

Authentic Traditions (something people joyfully anticipate)

Do What’s Right, Be The Best You Can Be, & Treat Others The Way You Wish To Be Treated (Thank you Lou Holtz)

Time to Reflect (create margin in your day, week, month, etc.)

Courageous Conversations (ok to risk not being accepted)

Notice Small Things (more minor than major moments in life)

Get A Good Night Sleep (tomorrow is another adventure)

My collection of stories and experiences represent the wisdom on loan from others, gained from 50 years, 25 jobs, and the journey of becoming legally blind, falsely accused, offering diverse perspectives on life, leadership, and resilience. I am dedicated to fostering introspection and empowerment, where each reflective piece serves as a beacon of hope, provocation, and encouragement for all who seek to embrace life’s ‘silver-lining’ blessings and trials with truth, kindness, and determination.

Take care, my friend👍 .