This is the Zodiac symbol for Gemini, which I have on my left shoulder blade. I got it for my sister Jean because we always told people we were twins. Neither of us is a Gemini, but Gemini is the symbol for twins, and it made sense to me when I was younger. I got this on my 18th birthday in Manhattan.
This is the word "strong" on my right wrist. My mother named me "Valerie" because it means "strong". I got it on my right hand because that's the hand I use to write. I got this on my 30th birthday at City Lights Tattoo in Goshen, New York, which is closed down now.
This is a heart made of two bass clefs on my left ankle. I got this for my ex-husband Mike because he plays bass. Since we're broken up, now it's for Matt Freeman. I got this when I was 30, at City Lights Tattoo in Goshen, New York.
This is a stylized rose and the word "worthy" on my right shoulder. I got this for my grandmother, whose name was Rose. She was sick most of my childhood, and on her deathbed several times. One of those times, she was given last rites by a priest. As part of the Catholic mass, before giving Communion, the priest says, "Lord I am not worthy to receive this, but only say the word and I shall be healed." My grandmother replied with, "Fuck you, I'm worthy." She recovered and later told me this story herself. My grandmother cursed out a priest. I got this when I was 31, at Golden Hammer Studios in Goshen, New York.