I live with my spouse, Mary Rose, on Vashon Island, near Seattle with our dog, Bijii. Outside of daily forest walks with my all-terrain walker and Bijii, I am resolutely attached to my computer as a writer. The background I bring to blogging, however, is long, active and diverse. I have been given extraordinary opportunities for vocational training and practice! My PhD is in Clinical Psychology is additionally mixed with graduate work in theology, political science and environmental sciences. During a 20 year part-time span, my training was enriched by work with Medicine People in the Anishanabe and Dakota traditions. They granted me the privileges of being a pipe carrier and an officiant of Sweat Lodges. In addition to a 40 year part-time clinical practice, exercising a depth psychology (especially Jungjan) approach, I have also engaged in change agent work in the civil rights movement, and with universities, city governments, churches and corporations. Mary Rose and I, for 20 years founded and shepherded the Network For Business Innovation and Sustainability, an organization which helped companies develop sustainable business practices.

Mary is a Spiritual Guide and a community builder, having helped to settle Syrian immigrants on the island. In her work with Vashon Family Services, Mary is a supportive educator to a number of young families, a high proportion of them being Latino immigrants.

Our children tell more about Karl and Mary. They are dedicated parents and in vocations that mirror Mary and me while also going beyond us. Margaret Rose Irribarra Swanson is a Director of Youth Ministries; Marcy Ostrom, has designed, teaches and directs an extension program in sustainable agriculture; Philip Ostrom, works with farmers in Mexico and the southwestern United states to develop organic practices and market their produce; Aaron Ostrom, founded and directs an organization focused on promoting progressive politics; and Benjamin Ostrom is a Principal whose work emphases include teaching teachers to be effective with all students in the classroom and not just the gifted, and to be attentive to their families. From time to time you may hear from Mary Rose or 1 of these adult children as a guest blogger :-).