My full name is Clare Annette Aylward: I look just like her mom, who is from Germany, though my love of Irish music must come from my dad’s family, who comes from Newfoundland.
Some folks know me from my parent’s bakery and restaurant in Sonoita, Arizona: The Grasslands. Some even remember me from her parent’s bakery in Tucson in the late 70’s and early 80’s, Monika’s Bakery. Everyone who knows me knows I always say I’m going to move away from Tucson; but I’ve been here most of my life and haven’t found a way out yet.
If I had it my way, I’d draw, paint, sew and play my fiddle all day long. Being an artisit is a solitary life but I like it. I’d take breaks to walk, swim, and work in my garden or around the house. Since I haven’t figured out how to do this just yet, I have a day job and work as a social worker in a local Newborn Intensive Care Unit, and I must say that I really do love my job: I work with a great team, and I find it fulfilling to make a positive contribution to families and children in crisis.
I’ve had some success selling my art quilts and hope to sell more. The last one I sold helped me remodel my kitchen; I hope my current work-in-progress will help me remodel the bathroom. I don’t think anything’s been done to upgrade it in 50 years.
