Welcome To Shimaka's Place! ~Talk Is Good ~~ Hugs Are Better ~~ Love Is Best ~




Welcome to my world! Please, sit back, have a cup of coffee or tea, maybe hot cocoa with marshmallows, and let's chat. There's nothing finer than an afternoon or evening spent with a friend, and I'd like to be your friend.

My name is Phyl Shoney Shimaka. No, that's not my birth name; it's a name I chose not all that long ago. It represents many things about who I am and how I feel about my world.

I was born Filomena Maria Schmidt, believe it or not. My parents changed that to Phyllis Marie before they made out the birth certificate. My mother was a full-blooded Italian, and every generation as far back as I can trace has had a Filomena Maria. I'm the last.

I grew up in the Allegheny Mountains in Western Central Pennsylvania, the younger of two girls. Billie, my sister, still lives in Pennsylvania, and as we have grown into adulthood, I've found her to be my most valuable friend and ally.

I attended Thiel College in the 1970's, and though I went to Thiel majoring in math and physics, I somehow ended up with a double B.A in psychology and religion. Actually, I mostly majored in volleyball, but unfortunately, they didn't give degrees in volleyball.

I've lived a variety of places in my adult life, and I find myself at the moment in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a wonderful eccentric place in the Ozark Mountains. I moved here in 1994 with my partner of 10 years, Kate. We lived for many years in the high country of Colorado, and at times, I really miss Colorado. Sometimes, I really miss Kate too. Our partnership ended in 1996 though she will always remain a large part of who I am. We shared far too many good times and tender moments for me to be able to say anything else.

I was a computer consultant in Eureka Springs for nearly seven years. My company, Geek to Go!, was in operation here, and I saw (still do, sometimes) geeking, in many ways, as my ministry. It is also a wonderful way to meet people. I looked (and look) upon my trade as a marvelous way to help people discover their dreams and bring them into reality. And so, I feel truly blessed to live in a time and a place where this is possible.

Though geeking is/was my trade, my true calling and destiny is in the written word. I've known I was a writer since I was in the 9th grade. It's difficult to explain how I knew that, even then, the written word had a magical quality that brought out the best in me. But, I did. There is something truly majestic that happens inside me when I write.

I know you'll notice all the past tense verbs up ahead of this, and to make a long story short, in 1998 I basically had to retire from full-time geek work. I took a nasty tumble down a client's flight of stairs after slipping on his deck. Treated wood and a Spring mist make for half-gainers down staircases sometimes. Since that time, one thing after another has decided it was time to quit working so I have been mostly waiting for disability to come through, working through Western and Eastern medical treatments, and learning a whole new way to live - with disabilities. It sure gives a grrrl perspective, I'll tell you.

I consider myself a spiritual person, and I've spent a lot of time in study of various spiritual disciplines. Though no one particular point of view seems to fit completely with my inner knowing, I've taken bits and pieces of many philosophies and made them into something that makes sense for me.

I enjoy the study of astrology, in all its various forms. And, lately, I've taken to studying the Mayan Calendar. Kate studied the Mayan Calendar in depth, and she really sparked my interest though it has taken me awhile to get to a level of interest where I am studying on my own.

For those of you who like to know astrological specifics, I have a Cancer Sun, Leo Rising, Gemini Moon, and Pluto Rising. That last one gets me in trouble consistently (particularly in writing), and though I'm learning more all the time, I find astrology to be a fascinating study because I could never possibly learn it all. There is just too much there, and I like that.

In terms of the DreamSpell (Mayan) Calendar, I am Red Resonant Serpent, a member of the Chichaan tribe.

So many wonderful people have crossed my path in the 48 years I've been on the planet, and as I develop this site more, I'd like to honor them. As I continue to grow and learn more about myself, I can see so many ways that I have been influenced greatly by those whom I have loved. I'd like to share some of those experiences with you as time goes on.

I am a deeply feeling person, passionate, loving, philosophical, romantic, and I enjoy a good debate. I like hugs a whole lot more than anything else, but a good debate comes in a close second. I've been told several times throughout my life that I'd make a good attorney simply because I can always see both sides of any issue, and frequently play devil's advocate.

I like to think of myself as a bridge builder. At times in my life, it's been a royal pain to be able to see all sides of any issue. As a frequent newspaper columnist thoughout my life, I've been able to upset just about everyone on any side of a given issue. It does have its moments, however.

Obviously, this is a site that will be under construction for some time. I had a personal site that was built and that I added to for three years, and as I have grown and changed, I found I needed to start all over again. Some things simply no longer fit. So, please bear with me as I get comfortable and do my best to share with you the me I am today. If I can guarantee you anything, it's that you most likely won't get bored.

Again, welcome to my world. Kick back and enjoy! The coffee is always hot, and there will always be warm hugs and friendly conversation waiting.






















Here are the critter loves of my life that share my household. Meet Medi (Sheih Sheih Medicine Peke). He has been with me for eleven years now, coming home to Kate and I at 5-1/2 weeks of age with his brother Moose. To say he's cute and knows it would be a real understatement. After all, he's a Leo and a Pekingese, with a short man's syndrome. But, I sure do love him.




















Ponte and Stivale, pictured below, are reading their weekly favorite newspaper, the Lovely County Citizen. Due to some debilitating physical disabilities, I was no longer able or capable of keeping Ponte & Stivale with me, but I get frequent updates on their progress and from what I hear, they haven't changed a bit. Marty and Mary Ann, who own and publish The Herd gave DaBoyz their new home, and I am forever in their debt for giving my guys such a loving place in which to live and play.


















Goldie, on the left, Thumper and Checkers are the newest addition to my menagerie. Thumper and Checkers, I was told, should never be put together because they wouldn't get along, but they seem to just love each other. They regularly groom each other and sleep curled up in a ball together. Goldie is by herself now as her mom, Chelsea, died less than a month ago. But, she seems to be doing just fine under the circumstances. Medi finds them highly entertaining, and I think they are very special. The newest Shimakas.

Thanks for dropping by Shimaka's Place. Soon, I hope to have a kind of on-line resume of some of my writings for you to look through, and in the meantime, sit a spell, take your shoes off, and enjoy your visit to shimaka.com.


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