Suzanna Phelps-Fredette

Divining Rod

My nature:

Catalyst, seeker, lover of things no one else wants. Allergic to crowds, carpeting and deceit. I study the lesser saints for inspiration and to remind myself that flaws are okay. I understand the power of words to heal or to destroy. I believe that “hell” is regret. Metaphysical pragmatist. Passionate and loyal.

My journey:

The quintessential middle child and a Scorpio. Deep South roots with hippie overtones. B.A. in Art History. Community theatre actor. Lived abroad for 10 years from England to Taiwan. Caregiver for my parents for more than a decade. Left the big city to live among the trees and tornadoes.

I’m good at:

Listening. Unraveling. Hitting the nail on the head. Getting to the truth. Training animals without ever raising my voice. Growing things. Being faithful. “Rube Goldberg” thinking. Writing. Research. Finding the silver lining. Prayer. Manifestation. Taking ownership. Living outside the box. Being alone.

I’ve been blessed to work with:

Jackie Nichols at Playhouse on the Square. Pete Seeger at the New Paltz Sloop Club. Ettore Sottsass and George Sowden at Olivetti and with The Memphis Group, Milan. Miaxha, an elderly fisherman in Garraff, Spain. Memphis Arts Council, Artists in the Schools Program. Jon Sparks at the Commercial Appeal. The Mid-South Transplant Foundation. Clay Wilemon at Health Communications. The American Heart Association. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. SNAPforSeniors.com. Jay Perdue. International Paper. Verso Paper. SuperTree Seedlings and ArborGen.

My mantra:

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." — Aesop