CHRIS'S GENIUS

My grandmother never knew the valuable gift she gave me. Sewing or quilting, she always had a needle in hand and fabric scraps around her feet. I used a scrap to sew my doll a pair of pedal pushers—today they're called capri pants. Even at age 10 I knew enough to cut both a front and back and to leave a seam allowance, but the pants wouldn't go on. They could easily fit a paper doll, but not a doll of any dimension. My grandmother showed me how to cut a proper pattern, which required four pieces, not two, and in those few moments I formed the first piece of a basic understanding that would direct all my future education. I realized that everything in life consisted of patterns. All I had to do was find the right pattern and I could do anything, from baking a cake to one day tearing down the engine in my Datsun and replacing the head gasket.

A good student, I brought home all A's, except in gym; but before completing the eighth grade I dropped out to marry. By the time most girls my age were trying on high school graduation gowns, I was giving my attention to three toddlers. While I never missed the social aspects of school, I did miss the learning process, and in those early years of motherhood I hit upon the second piece of my education theory. I realized that teachers taught from books, ergo I could learn anything I wanted to learn by reading the right books. Which I did.

Along with cooking and sewing, I taught myself the concepts of design and literature. I passed the GED high school equivalency test; then, in my early 30s, I enrolled in college to get that degree I coveted. After two semesters, I looked at what I'd learned and knew that college was much too slow. I could have read dozens of excellent texts in those nine months, and learned far more than I was taking away.

I never returned to college until I became a teacher, but I expanded my theory of learning to include asking questions and listening. I have been a graphic designer, illustrator and marketing consultant. I've owned a business and mentored other business owners. I've published three novels, coauthored nonfiction books and taught an adjunct mystery-writing class. I've built basic furniture and fences and painted murals. I've created and conducted seminars in writing, graphic design, photo composition and small business advertising. Every aspect of my education and the process I use to educate others has involved patterns. Thanks, Grandma.

Chris, 60

WRITER AND EDUCATOR

The genius inside every woman accelerates wicked success, but only integrity will keep you at the top. Let's explore the Feminine Force of integrity in the next chapter.

DOROTHY THOMPSON