What I Enjoy – Corky Holden
Corky Holden…
Retired. Former computer, printer and consumer market research analyst
What do you enjoy most about living in the North State?
The beauty and feeling of inner peace we see every day — Lassen Peak, Mt. Shasta, Lake Shasta, Whiskeytown Lake and so much more.
Family:
Widow since 2005; one daughter, one son, and two grandchildren
How long have you lived in the North State?
Since July 2004
What was your very first job?
At 16, I worked in medical records at Drummond Hospital in Ridgecrest. I grew up at China Lake Naval Weapons Center in the Mojave Desert. We lived on base with civilians, Navy and Marine personnel/families. We went to school on base and most of us started school together and graduated together.
On your down time, would you rather read a book or watch a movie?
I love to read and belong to a book club. Historical fiction is one of my favorite readings. A recent book we read was “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” which took place before World War I in Brooklyn. This summer when I was in New York City, my daughter and I walked across the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge.
What’s something you’ve done that still makes you proud?
Many years ago, I worked for a termite company. The owner was retiring, and he sold the company to three of us employees. It was a huge learning experience, exciting, challenging and very hard work. I was one of the first women in California to pass the state test to be a licensed fumigator.
What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever tried?
I tried durian, a large spiky fruit in Malaysia. It literally smells like dirty socks, and very hard to stomach. I did not like it!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self? Always treat others with kindness, respect and honesty. Always be a good friend to others.
What’s something on your bucket list that you hope to do within the next five years?
More traveling. Croatia is one of my favorite places (my grandfather was from Croatia). I want to charter a crewed yacht in Split, and invite family and special friends to cruise the Adriatic Sea coastline.
If you could become an expert at anything, what would it be?
Speaking Italian and Croatian.
If you could swap lives with a character from a book or movie, who would it be?
Annie Wilkins from the book “The Ride of Her Life.” It is the true story of a woman who is 63 years old, her horse and dog about their last-chance journey in 1954 across America from Maine to see the ocean in Los Angeles. Maps were not available back then and her route was very long. She did ride through Redding heading south.
What’s a small thing that always makes your day better?
Smiling, being happy and positive, playing pickleball and promoting educating women with Philanthropic Educational Organization fundraising.
