Oh, Sue, you scamp. I came to this page to see whether there were any new threads and found a picture of me. That photo was taken at Garden Valley Ranch, by the way, in case anyone thinks that's my garden.
I'm not sure what the answer to your question about cultures is, Steve. It worked out that way for me, but I had friends in the Russian community in San Francisco whose stories were much like mine and they ended up living strictly according to the rules set by their families and that community. I guess I ended up happier and more independent because I had the "advantage" of a truly rotten family. I had to fend for myself at a very young age and that let me make my own choices. It also taught me that there were no bonds I couldn't shake off. It took me years to get rid of all the negative people in my llife, but I ultimately did succeed in doing that. I now have an idyllic life, doing whatever I want and choosing my own "family" for myself.
