Who is Ramkitten?
by Ramkitten
A bit about Ramkitten, a.k.a. Deb Lauman, a hiking writer, Search & Rescue volunteer, business owner, Squidoo lensmaster, Wizzley writer, Jazzerciser, casual runner ... and more.
Ramkitten is....
My nickname in the long-distance backpacking community and now lots of other places too
I imagine that many of you who'll stop by here have already seen me around, maybe on Squidoo or RedGage or Twitter or Facebook or my blogs or ... well, I do get around quite a bit on the world wide web. I also do my fair share of traveling in the "real world" too, and I do a lot of that traveling on foot, which is what I was doing when people first began calling me Ramkitten. I was hiking the Appalachian Trail at the time, one of the most soul-satisfying, fun, difficult, adventurous, uncomfortable, memorable (etc.) times of my life.
Which is why I write about it a lot. Long-distance hiking is a passion of mine, and that trek from Georgia to Maine sure didn't cure my wanderlust. Quite the opposite.
Another of my passions is Search and Rescue, so that's also topic I tend to write (and talk and think and read) about often. I became a SAR volunteer four years ago and participate in as many missions, trainings and other Search and Rescue activities as I can. I love being part of a team and making a difference in people's lives whenever possible.
And then there's my passion for writing, especially creative writing in character-driven novels. I've written four novels so far, two of which were fit for publication. (The other two I chalk up to experience and practice.) I'm also enjoying making part of my living writing articles online and recently became a freelance writer for American Media Distribution. Meanwhile, I'm slowly working on my first non-fiction book project, which is connected with my three-month trip to Nepal, where I lived with and got to know Nepal's only Search and Rescue team.
As For More Personal Stuff About Me -- Deb Lauman
I've shared quite a bit of who I am -- what makes me tick, my challenges, my happy times and things I'm thankful for, my bucket list, and many of my life experiences, good and not-so-good -- online through my articles, blogs, and posts on various social media sites. But there is one major thing I haven't shared and that isn't obvious from anything else I've written till now.
About a year and a half ago, I ended up, to my great surprise and heartbreak, on my own again after 15 years ... what I felt were 15 good to great years. I never saw it coming. And neither did my friends, both offline and on. After all, I'd written and spoken so much about my best friend and partner in life, who I adored, and most of what I'd written is still out there. And there it will stay, because those years are a big part of my life, my memories, and who I am today, and I don't want to forget any of it.
And now I'm moving on, on my own but with the love and support of wonderful friends. I've re-learned to be "just me" again, and I'm working on trusting and loving again, too, because I have a lot to give and enjoy sharing my life with someone special.
So there you have it. That's probably the most personal thing about me that I haven't shared till now. Why here? No idea. I guess starting something new made me do it. A clean slate. And now I can write without delicately side-stepping the issue.
And Now To Lighten the Mood
Here's the real me being the real dork that I am on video, trying out my new camera. I guarantee you will be underwhelmed.
Are You Still Here?
Well, Okay Then, Here Are My Websites
This is what I've been up to online....
Debra "Ramkitten" Lauman, the hiking writer
My trail journals and articles, books and other creative writing
Deb's Search and Rescue Stories
My personal experiences as a volunteer member of the busy Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team, based in Flagstaff, Arizona
Search and Rescue Stories
True stories by rescuers and those they've helped, along with SAR videos, articles, resources, and team directories
SAR Stories News
My companion blog to the Search and Rescue Stories website, about all things SAR
24-Hour Pack
My pre-equipped and custom packs for rescue personnel and recreational hikers
My Squidoo lenses
I began writing on Squidoo in 2008 and, to date, have over 150 lenses on topics ranging from hiking to Search and Rescue to the color chartreuse to the best barfing cat impressions to ... well, I'm all over the place.
My Zazzle Store -- Ramkitten's Adventure Emporium
I still have a lot to learn and a lot to add, but here's a sample of what I've got so far....
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Other Places You Can Find The Last Remaining Ramkitten Online
At least, I THINK I'm the only Ramkitten. Are there others?
And That's About All About Ramkitten
For now
So, thanks for stopping by. This was my first attempt at creating a page on Wizzley, an awesome new user-friendly writing and revenue-sharing platform started by three awesome Squidoo lensmasters. Now off to make a list of what else I'm going to write about on here, so come back again now, ya hear?
Ramkitten over and out to go for a hike....
Ways to Save Money on Your Billson 12/27/2011
How To Host A Local Tweetupon 07/02/2011
Images From Nepalon 06/26/2011
101 Things To Do Instead of Eating When You Have The Munchieson 06/27/2011
Thanks for visiting me! Please let me know you were here. Ramkittens are social creatures.
You got a new fan by making me laugh with the video, I kept waiting for you to speak.
What a cool idea, I enjoyed getting to know you per this page, the video is awesome, delightful and very fun, speechless ;) Great to meet you! Katie
I didn't know you before stopping by this page....but I feel like I really know you now. Am still laughing hysterically from your video! You are a hoot, I loveLOVElove your dorkiness, and think you must be as beautiful on the inside as the image in the video. I watched the video in its entirety, thinking you might just say something. It LOOKED like you were on the verge of speaking, and yet you play a mime very well. Are you an actress as well? Really nice to meet you, Ramkitty!
Your video is hilarious! I'm laughing long and hard here in my kitchen. I've got to get out and hike now too. Bye!
LOL, you silly girl, you...funny silent video! Great to see you at Wizzley, Deb! :P
Hi Deb: It's great that you're over here at Wizzley now. It's always interesting to get to know more about the people you see often online. :-)
Haha, funny video indeed.
Funny video!! I don't know how you kept from talking! I always enjoy your writing and look forward to reading more of your work here at Wizzley!
Thank you, everybody, for your wonderful comments. I really do appreciate all of you!
I'm just now beginning to get a feel of knowing you, Deb, even though the past glimpses at your life and work, through your Squidoo presence, have been already quite impressive. Your story is very endearing, and your video had me chuckling and laughing out loud. You're a beautiful woman in and out, and a hoot to boot.