Hi, I'm Karen. My username comes from the main character, Karana, in Island of the Blue Dolphins. After my class read this novel in junior high they christened me "Karana" too. The "cs" comes from C.S. Lewis, whose books I was reading when I signed up for this account.[1] I suspect you have gathered that I like books.[2] I am mom to three rambunctious kids, a graduate of Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) and a huge fan of college football and Aggie basketball. I have spent most of my life in Texas, although I have also lived in Louisiana, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, and Massachusetts, as well as Italy and Canada. I am semi-fluent in French and I can be a good tourist in Italian.
My time here has become increasingly rarer. While I still believe in this project, and in particular the FAC process, real-world commitments and an unwillingness to deal with a ton of drama has led me to step back.
I actually like to research,[3] so if I'm not at FAC I'm probably working on my next article. I'm currently indulging an obsession with the history of Texas before it reached statehood (essentially covering the time period 1684–1845). I am slowly working my way through the list of Texas Revolution battles, although I occasionally wander into other articles for a change of pace.
In June 2008 I became an administrator on the English wikipedia. I use the tools sparingly, usually in the realm of speedy deletions. To review any administrator actions I have taken, please see this tool. If I've lost my way, please take my tools away. (my recall criteria)
On 14 July, 2007, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article CMA Music Festival, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On 16 July, 2007, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Andrew Davis Bruce, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On 2 September, 2007, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Nancy Warren, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On 27 May, 2008, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Lon Tinkle, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On 7 July, 2008, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Texian Army, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On 18 July, 2008, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Battle of Goliad, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
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On 5 August, 2008, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Convention of 1836, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On 29 August, 2008, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Frank W. Johnson, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On January 23, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Melissa Anelli, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On December 24, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Convention of 1833, which you created or substantially expanded. You are welcome to check how many hits your article got while on the front page (here's how, quick check ) and add it to DYKSTATS if it got over 5,000. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On January 15, 2010, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Irish Thoroughbred, which you created or substantially expanded. You are welcome to check how many hits your article got while on the front page (here's how, quick check ) and add it to DYKSTATS if it got over 5,000. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On February 3, 2010, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Parysatis II, which you created or substantially expanded. You are welcome to check how many hits your article got while on the front page (here's how, quick check ) and add it to DYKSTATS if it got over 5,000. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
On March 25, 2010, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Donner party, which you created or substantially expanded. You are welcome to check how many hits your article got while on the front page (here's how, quick check ) and add it to DYKSTATS if it got over 5,000. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.
^Apparently it is a major crime against nature for someone to have left childhood without reading The Chronicles of Narnia. My then-husband insisted I rectify that oversight as soon as possible, and then bought me a copy of the books so I would have no excuse.
^Like, in this case, means love, adore, revere, obsess over (take your pick). At last count there were over 1500 books in my house. This number causes movers to curse very creatively.