Ellen Fischer

I grew up in a house where my mom was a stay-at-home mom (she was a wonderful cook), and my dad was a police officer. I have a younger sister and younger brother. Family was always important, and we spent many holidays and other events with my mom’s and dad’s family. My mom is one of 7 and I am one of 23 grandchildren for that family. My dad had an older sister and in his family there are 5 grandchildren. I even share my birthday with one of my cousins on my dad’s side. My dad has taught me the importance of finishing what you start and whatever you do to put your whole self into it.

We vacationed for two weeks every August with family at a lake in northwest Wisconsin and have many fond memories of fishing, swimming, and adventures with cousins. Family has always been important. It is from my mom and both of my grandmas that I became a bird watcher and an appreciator of all things outdoors. I have many feeders and a heated birdbath.

While I love being outdoors, I’m not a big camper, more of enjoying being in a cabin. We now have 5 generations vacationing on the same lake we did as kids, my mom vacationed with her siblings and parents, and now our kids and grandkids. I was lucky to grow up in a smaller city and to have both sets of grandparents in the same city.

My happy place is being on our patio watching the birds and any time that I’m on a lake.

While I am bird watching, I’m also reading, coloring, or crocheting. I like activities that feed my creative nature.