The Syren Savvy Blog

Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom shares her story about a battle she’s been fighting for years with Babesiosis, a tick-born disease. Find out what she does to prevent tick bites, and how she has progressed through treatment to become disease free.

Babesiosis caused by babesia is a debilitating, misdiagnosed and common disease caused by ticks. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s only found in a few states and presents with a few thousand cases per year. That information couldn’t be any more wrong than if someone told you that drunk driving is limited to a few deaths per year and is seldom a problem. Read More

As I look back over the last 20 years of my life, I just shake my head in disbelief and smile.

As a mother (and grandmother now, too), I’ve come to realize that some people teach others by doing the right thing and modeling appropriate behavior at all times. I, on the other hand, have taught my best lessons by doing things the wrong way. My adult “kids” will cheerfully vouch for the impact my failures have had on their lives as they vow never to make the same mistakes I made … and that, right there, is a beautiful thing.

My journey as a shooting sportswoman unfolded the same way. Read More

Haley Faith contributed this guest post that focuses on how to strengthen your body for shotgun shooting. As a certified fitness coach and ardent shotgunner, Haley is well suited to give recommendations on how to become a stronger shooter. Please note, before you begin a fitness program, be sure to check with your doctor. ~The Editors  Read More

Syren USA recently added more strong, fabulous women to its impressive team of ambassadors. This month in Syren Savvy, you’ll meet three of the newest members of its ambassador program who share the benefits of shooting shotguns made for women. Find out more about them and why they chose Syren shotguns. Read More

Eye rolling. Grumbling. General looks of disgust. These are the typical responses I encounter as I ask students to step up into the box for a rabbit clay. I’ve said before, these presentations aren’t difficult, they’re just different. As we hop into spring, let’s celebrate the bunnies and take a closer look at how you can overcome your fears of rascally rabbits. Read More

As a sporting clays instructor, I’m frequently asked if I follow or know of certain titled, competitive shooters or hunting influencers. Every now and again, a name will resonate as someone I’ve heard of or follow. Most names are just another name, though, and I have to explain that I actually spend most of my time following and researching scientists, doctors and mental training experts.

Why? Well, because the human anatomy and how it works has far greater bearing on how a shooter will interact with a target. I often say this: “If you can’t see it, you can’t shoot it.” In a vision-based sport, a hunter or competitor’s ability to ascertain a target means everything. Other contributing factors to shooting success includes gun fit, stance and mount, along with an ability to correctly read a target and react accordingly.

This month we open up the biology of shooting and how your body, build and mental interactions with clays and feathers impacts your ability to connect with targets. Read More

If you attended last year’s Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, and couldn’t help but notice the presence of women hunters – in seminars, presentations, literature, ads and booth appearances. You are not alone. One of those women shotgun instructors, Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom, appeared in seminars and worked with women on hunting tips. She will be back at this year’s event along with other well-known upland bird hunters, and she’s giving us a peek at what we can expect to see. Read More

You step up in the shooter’s box, feeling pretty confident as you’ve been crushing it around the course. Then, you ask for a demo and your heart sinks. What in the … yeah, the trap setter started feeling frisky halfway through the course and stuck in a few oddities. Chandelles, rabbits, rabbues and other types of presentations aren’t difficult – they’re just different. This month we break down how to break these weird birds and bunnies and give you the tools for success behind the barrel. Read More

Have you found your way into the exciting and engaging world of clay games? Perhaps, you have had the chance to chase feathers at a preserve or even on wild birds? Did you have your own gun to use, or did you need to borrow one? The holiday season is the perfect time to put in your wish list and make sure you receive the most amazing gifts. Read More

Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom understands the additional stress that waterfowling places on hunters’ bodies. Often that means bigger loads and heavier shotguns. Syren designed the XLR5 Waterfowler to meet the demands of women hunters.  Read More

“Oh, my gosh,” I think to myself. “I have to get this poor woman to settle down. What in the world happened to her that she is on the verge of tears, almost ready to pass out?”

This is unfortunately a more common occurrence than you think. A new shooter gets in the box, excited to either try a new hobby sport or maybe prep for a corporate outing or even a hunt. The moment she picks the gun up, her muscles start quivering, her eyes become almost frantic and often, the color in her face will flush as she fights through impending tears. She had no idea the scars were so deep. It’s been years since she last pulled the trigger on a shotgun. Read More

September. Just saying it rouses excitement and anticipation for the opening of the hunt season. In Virginia, it welcomes opening day for dove and goose and adds teal later in the month. While it is still hot, regularly reaching the 80s, it’s easy enough to get an early start on the day or enjoy a long sit in the late afternoon.

September also means a reality check for many that may have slacked off a bit on honing their shooting skills and quickly realizing it is now time to head back to the fields and waters. There is still plenty of time to correct any bad habits and perfect your shooting prowess. Read More

In the final installment of our three-part Syren Savvy series, we catch up with former collegiate competitor and Syren Ambassador Abby Chambers. A proud alumnus of Emmanuel College’s shotgun team and a standout in the world of sporting clays, Abby reflects on her journey from her early days on the range to the peak of her college career – and now, life after graduation. With national titles, regional championships and years of competitive experience under her belt, Abby offers an honest and insightful look at the transition from student-athlete to young professional. For those wondering what comes after college competition, Abby’s story is one of growth, passion, and a lifelong connection to the shooting sports. Read More

In this installment of our Syren Savvy series, we sit down with Kennison Thomason, a collegiate shotgun sports athlete with a deep passion for competition and mentorship. From humble beginnings – from competing in high school to helping coach the next generation through the 4-H Shooting Sports program – Kennison shares her journey and insights for young women looking to follow in her footsteps. Read More

“What the heck?! I know I hit that bird, no question!” is a familiar complaint in the hunt field and on the clay course. Often, a shooter assumes she didn’t have the correct sight picture, and consequently, did something wrong. In reality, the sight picture was absolutely correct, but the shot load was incorrect for the quarry or clay presentation. This month, we geek out a bit on what it takes to drop our target, clay or feathered and how to stack the deck in our favor. Read More

In this three-part series, we explore the journey of three young women, from their humble beginnings in the early part of their shooting careers, to getting serious on the competition circuit and getting scouted, to picking the best school to fit their desired goals. These young women balance a heavy college curriculum with a rigorous team schedule and make the most of their time as collegiate athletes. Whether you are looking to follow a similar path and compete in college, or just curious to learn more about this world, follow along as we delve into the stories of these Syren athletes and their unique journeys. Read More

I’ve made the comment, “If you can’t see it, you can’t shoot it,” no less than a million times. The shooting sports revolve around your ability to SEE a target and put the sight picture together correctly. Now, there was an astonishing young lady that was legally blind and shooting for a high school team. She and the coach worked together on having her zero in on a sound played from behind the target to assist her in aiming. It worked! This scenario is on the other end of the spectrum though and brought to your attention to showcase just how incredible we are as a species. Read More

When a product has fabulous, strong women standing behind it, I want to know more about it. Syren shotguns are no exception – with an amazing team of ambassadors touting the benefits of a shotgun designed for women. Meet a few of the latest members to Syren USA’s ambassador program and learn more about them and why they choose to shoot Syren shotguns in the month’s Syren Savvy. Read More

Frigid temps find us cuddled up on the sofa or in some manner, tucked safely indoors. This time of year, it is a bit tough to get motivated to get outside and do anything – much less go shooting or hunting. As we moved through January, many of you no doubt wrote down resolutions. Some of those resolutions might have included giving back to the community or helping with a local charity. Why not combine that resolution with an incredible sport, shotgunning? Read More

The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities, and for competitive shooters, it marks the beginning of a new season filled with promise and potential. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or aiming for your breakout year, success in this sport isn’t just about skill – it’s about preparation, planning and having a clear roadmap for the months ahead and your competitive shooting success. Read More

By this time of year, the shorts and tank tops are tucked into the far reaches of our closets. Several of us have already enjoyed a snowy morning. December schedules heated up with holiday parties and get-togethers, but the temperatures across most of the country are quickly cooling. For some of us, these temps mean less time on the clay course; but, for those of us that brave the frigid temps, how can we get the most out of our performance – not only in our own shooting, but also with our ammunition and shotguns? Read More

Shotgun instructor and Syren pro-staff member Kate Ahnstrom lays out why we need to build up our bodies and shares her tips on strengthening your shotgun game. Read More

So, do you want to be a competition shotgun shooter, but can’t devote your entire life to the process? We talked to Syren pro-shooter Ashley Butcher, who travels the country, competes at the highest levels in the shotgun sports, yet manages a professional career and family life. We asked Ashley to give us tips for balancing professional careers and competition shooting schedules. Read More

I recently interviewed Maggie Kelch and her daughter, Jessica, both avid clay target shooters, hunters and all around outdoorsy ladies. Maggie and I shoot sporting clays on Ladies Night at Hill’n Dale Club in Montville, Ohio, and her daughter (a school teacher) joins our group from time to time. Both of these ladies are great shots and love their Syren L4S shotguns. Find out how things have changed for them along the way. Read More

If you’re like me, you wish away the summer, even cursing it for interrupting your hunt season and making you hang up your bird vest. The mid-Atlantic can be a bit brutal, though, especially in September when the season comes back. It also sees its fair share of hurricanes and flat-out ugly thunderstorms. The dove migration is highly susceptible to these strong storms, and you’ll often hear chatter about the birds getting “blown out.”

It doesn’t take but a week or two for the birds to become educated and even more evasive, giving them that oh-so-appropriate name, “Grey Ghosts.” So, with such fickle and punishing weather and temperamental targets, why do so few utilize the summer months to prepare? Read More

“Dead bird! Dead bird!” Ah, so satisfying hearing the ref call those words. Anne had to work to control her excitement as she inched her way around the skeet field. She was a little nervous about the second half of her day though when she would rotate to the trap field. Some of her squad-mates told her that she shouldn’t expect to fair as well in trap unless she had a dedicated trap gun. Read More

Sporting clays is a sport. It’s even part of the name! I’m hopefully not telling you something you didn’t already know; however, it could very well be something that you didn’t fully comprehend or recognize. Sports, in general, have a game plan. In clays, it’s just you in the box. There is no one to decipher the moves of the opponent other than you and your own training and experience. So, if there is no one else to affect our performance, why is performance anxiety a constant factor? This month, we look deep into the mental game of clay shooting and how we can develop a solid plan for success. Read More

A traditional native quail hunt with Syren’s Julia Field shotgun in Southern Georgia – what more could a girl ask for? Ironically, I love historical fiction and was reading a book about plantations in Georgia when I found out Fiocchi Ammunition invited me, on behalf of “Women’s Outdoor News,” to a media trip to Sinkola Plantation.  Read More

What happens when two Texas female powerhouses combine their love of shooting with their desire to give back to their community? This May, it’s the 2^nd Annual “Guns, Girls & Pearls” event, the brainchild of friends Betsy Price and Linda Halbouty, of Fort Worth. The event raises money for the United Way, and in particular the United Way of Tarrant County Women United fund. Read More

Feathers & Tweed is a one-day, limited engagement that brings together the best of the industry in a time-conscience and easy-to-engage format. This dynamic event was founded by Minnesota’s very own Laura Schara in collaboration with Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club. She wanted to showcase her tried-and true-favorites for the outdoors. Laura understands fully how busy our schedules can be and knows how difficult it can be to cut through all the “junk” to get to what really works on the course and in the field. So, she is proudly bringing you the 2^nd Annual Feathers & Tweed! Read More

While the title may sound like we’re talking about a musical group, the Honeybelles is a shotgun program for women in Florida. Dee Orr, SyrenUSA pro-staff member, serves as the administrator for the program. We caught up with Dee to find out where the program has gone since the WON (Women’s Outdoor News) last wrote about them in 2019. Read More

Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom walks you through ways to break old, bad shooting habits.

With the new year, we all eagerly welcome the chance to hit the “reset” button. This rebirth is a way to shake off the old and start anew. But, what if some of your old habits are the only thing you know, especially when it comes to shooting? How do you break that cycle of consistent inconsistency in your shooting? Are you sure you are employing every tool in your toolbox to create success? Read More

Maybe you’ve attended a Syren Demo Day, and fallen in love with how a shotgun designed to fit women actually does fit women (and therefore, feels great) and now you’ve decided to buy a shotgun. Or maybe you’ve heard about Syren shotguns from friends and family? Or maybe you’ve seen content and ads online and in topnotch magazines? What’s next and how can you get a Syren shotgun into your hands quickly? Read More

We interviewed Megan Watts, aka “the Waterfowl Queen,” back in 2021. We wanted to check with her to see if she could further enlighten us with waterfowl hunting tips for this year. We caught her at a time in her life when she’s super busy; besides getting out to hunt (which is her passion) and fulfilling duties as a pro-staffer for Syren, she’s also completing training for being a dental hygienist. Megan hunts with Syren’s XLR5 Waterfowler. Read More

When you head to a big shoot like NSCA Nationals, or even to a local shoot like your home clubs put on, people may wonder – especially if they see you carrying a loaded range bag – what’s in your range bag? We asked Syren’s pro-staff to reveal what they pack, and also, we asked Syren’s special Facebook group, Syren Owners Group, for advice, too. Read More

September ushers in the long-awaited hunt season! Ladies across the country are gleefully headed to cut crop fields for doves and geese. This month, we take an in-depth look at the shotgun every lady should have in her hands, while readily glancing up for gray ghosts or sky carp. Read More

They came, they saw, and they conquered. The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Championship hosted 3,131 athletes at its annual event in July. It took place at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. Syren USA was on hand in the showroom on Vendor’s Row, as well as being represented in the field. Read More

Finally! The plane has landed and is taxiing into the jetway. A well-deserved weekend getaway with your friends is imminent, just as soon as the gate agent opens the aircraft door. You’ve been planning this trip for months, excitedly taking advantage of being able to shoot a few rounds at a world-renowned sporting clays complex. You are on a trip with your shotgun, at last. Read More

Just like anywhere in the country, shooting sports is on the rise, and that is no different in the state of Montana. Along with the trending increase of women’s interest in the shotgun shooting sports came the introduction of a women’s trap shooting league, the Montana State Women’s Trap League (MSWTL). This is the story of how that organization came about, and where it’s going. Read More

Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom runs through tips for shotgun maintenance 101. This is a great how-to for newbies and a refresher for seasoned shotgunners. Take care of your shotgun and hopefully, it will perform well for you when you need it. ~BB Read More

Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom runs through the how’s and why’s of hosting a Syren Demo Day.

“Do NOT go out and buy a shotgun.” When I tell my students this, their mouths usually gape open a bit in total disbelief. The fact stands, 99% of the people that want a new shotgun, have no idea what they want to purchase. Unlike most of your Amazon purchases, there is no return policy on guns – or even ammo, for that matter. You own whatever you purchase until you can either convince your buddy that she wants it more than you do, or sell it through an online site or your local sporting goods store. None of those options will ever recoup the price you paid, because it is technically now a used a gun.

This is why I absolutely love hosting a Syren Demo Day. Twice a year, spring and fall, for a few hours at my home course, I will bring in Syren with a selection of inventory and some great swag so students, clients, even the general public may try before they buy. There is zero commitment to purchase, only encouragement to take advantage of the chance to shoot so many very fine shotguns in one event. Read More

Last fall, Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom, who is featured at The WON as a “Syren Savvy” columnist, invited us (photographer and me) over to a tournament – a national competition known as the Browning Tournament of Champions – for hunting dogs, hosted by the National Upland Classic Series (NUCS), sanctioned by the National Kennel Club. Read More

I had a conversation with a new and exciting artificial intelligence program called ChatGPT (short for Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) about upland hunting and shotgun sports. I wanted to see if I could stump it, find out how accurate it really was and see if its programming had any bias on these subjects. The results of my conversations were, well, quite shocking! Read More

The past year was tough. Both of my parents died within a few days of each in the summer of 2021. It fell upon me to write their obituaries. As a result, it became evident to me about the importance of living (as my little sister says) “between the dash.” You know, it’s the dash you see in obituaries located between a birthday and a death date – all the things that people accomplish and become during that space, their lives here on earth. As part of living between the dash, I decided that there is one skill I want to improve in the near future: sporting clays shooting. Fortunately, for me, I can do this feat in relative proximity to my home here in the Ozarks of Missouri, and even more fortunate, I purchased a wonderful shotgun – the Syren Julia Sporting. Read More

‘Tis the season for fabulous get-togethers, overindulgences in food and drink, and that age-old desperation of shopping for those we love. That perfect gift always seems to elude us. What’s worse, when asked by our beloved, “What would you like this year?”, our response is meager at best with, “Oh, I don’t know.” Yes, you do. You totally know what you want – it’s a shiny new Syren shotgun to call your own and to take to hunts, clay fields, and beyond. When it comes to deciding on what shotgun to add to the gun safe, there are a few poignant questions that should be answered to ensure that you purchase the shotgun that is right for you and for your needs. Read More

The hunt season doors have burst open across the country and in some locations, snow already is falling! This is the best time of year. Here in Virginia, the mountains are phasing their lush green canopies into a majestic landscape of golds, reds and oranges. The chilly, frosty mornings are a welcome respite from the searing heat of August and we are all leaping at any opportunity to get out in the upland hunt field. But are you ready? Read More

Shotgun instructor Kate Ahnstrom stresses the need to dress for success while in the field, which includes making sure your bird vest fits and that you can work with it while mounting a gun. She also offers great options for finding the perfect bird vest. Read More

Full chokes, skeet chokes, duck loads, target loads, slugs. This is a field that is extremely diverse and quite often difficult to navigate. A quick Google search will yield a plethora of information, but will also inundate a new shooter and often perplex even the most experienced one. I want to preface this entire article with my humble opinion – less is seriously more. I rarely stray from set up and enjoy great success over multiple disciplines and applications. Let’s take a look at what is a choke and what it means to “choke” your gun. Read More

It’s the American way: Bigger, better, faster, now. Actually, it’s the way most of the world thinks especially when it comes to shotshells. Just a short jaunt through the ammo aisle at your local sporting goods store is enough to make your shoulder hurt just at the sight of some of those shell boxes. Will those superfast, hot and heavy loads give you more X’s on your scorecard or more birds in your bag? Meh, maybe… but some time with a professional instructor and a little practice at the clay course will take your shooting much further than 1350fps. Read More

The easiest way to complete a job successfully is to be sure you use the right tool. There are literally thousands of different tools out there in the world, but you certainly don’t want to try and hammer in a nail with a pair of pliers. Although, in an act of desperation, I have at times done exactly this instead of just taking a moment to find the actual hammer. It can be done but it ain’t pretty or even particularly functional. The exact same thing can be said about guns and whether you need more than one shotgun. Read More

There is a simpler way to keep your schedule balanced and enjoy shedding some of the stress in our lives. It’s “leaditation.” Yes, you guessed it. Get out to the course and get that gun barrel moving. But with such hectic lives full of commitments, how is it remotely possible to find the time to enjoy pulling the trigger? Read More

You love shooting your shotgun, especially if it’s a fabulous Syren. You even set aside time every couple of weeks to go to your local clay course. You break clays, you miss clays, and you have a lot of fun, especially when the weather is gorgeous, and friends are going around the course with you. But your shooting isn’t improving. As a matter of fact, some days, you would swear it looked like you had never seen a clay target in your life, which begs the question, “Are You Building Skills or Pulling the Trigger?” Read More

If you’re looking for the right shotgun instructor, it’s important to ask the right questions. I visited Syren’s stellar Facebook group and asked these two questions: “If you’re a student, what types of questions have you asked or wished you had asked in the past?” and “If you’re an instructor, what do you think students should find out about their future instructors?” As usual, the answers amazed me and what these women had to say will benefit you in how to choose the right shotgun instructor. It might save you some money, too! Read More

Syren pro-staffer Emi Smith (pronounced Amy) had just arrived home to Montana, fresh off an Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) competition in Tucson, Arizona, and we caught up with her to chat about what she’s doing these days and also, about 4-H Shooting. Emi is passionate about two things, it appears: improving her own scores and helping others to learn how to shoot. Read More

We wondered. Where have Syren shotguns been in the wide world of shooting and hunting? So, we asked women in the Syren Owners Group on Facebook to tell us about their experiences. We heard from Tiffany Dawn right away, who traveled to South Africa with her Tempio Sporting last June for her first Safari. Read More

I met duck hunters Janice Gaudern and Judy Hall while in Arkansas last year, at Bust A Duck Guide Service in Gregory, Arkansas. The two women and Judy’s trusty companion, Gunnar, traveled to Arkansas from their home in Tampa, Forida. The first thing I noticed about the women is that they each carried a Syren XLR5 Waterfowler. Read More

If you hunt for upland birds, you know. Having a gun that fits enhances your ability to bag more birds. We checked with several Syren pro-staff and ambassadors to see why. Read More

Going from zero-to-one is sometimes the most daunting task when you want to start a new hobby – especially if you don’t know where to begin, or how to get the information you need. Some of us get lucky, and we know a friend or family member who already is involved with a sport that we can rely on to point us in the right direction or connect us to a local team or organization. For others, it’s not so easy. In order to help, we’ve shared experiences in hopes of setting a course for the next generation of shotgun sports champions. Plus, find out what happened during our recent trips to the 2021 SCTP Nationals and AIM/ATA Grand American Championships.
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Whenever I need sage advice from real-deal shooters, I tap into the wealth of knowledge available at the Syren Owners Group on Facebook. For this topic, “How to Keep Your Cool While Shooting in the Heat,” I asked Syren owners to give us some tips for shooting on a blazing hot range or field somewhere.

Here’s what they told me.

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On May 10, 2020, on the Syren Owners Group on Facebook, there was a post made from a helpful gun dealer attempting to tackle a question that he gets asked often: When purchasing a shotgun for competitive shooting, should you get a semi-auto or an over-and-under (O/U)? We believe his response was worth reposting, as many shooters often ask this question, and the insights expressed may just help with your purchasing decision.
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Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom has been busy this past year, teaching shotgun and guiding field hunts in central Virginia, at her business, Virginia Shooting Sports. With the trend of more people hunting, we wanted to check with Kate about transitioning from the shotgun sports to the hunting field and what that entails. Read More

We’re delighted to focus this post on Syren’s “Owners Group” on Facebook, set up especially for people who own Syren shotguns, with this purpose: “Post your photos, tell us your Syren stories and share your experiences and discussions with other Syren owners right here.”

I own a Syren Elos shotgun, and it’s been hunting in pheasant fields of Kansas and Nebraska, and out on skeet and trap ranges here in Missouri. It has not disappointed. I love the balance, and the overall design of this gun. It’s also beautiful.

I joined the Facebook group shortly after it launched, and again, no disappointments there. It’s a respectful place where people gather and do what outdoor lovers do – share their stories, ask questions about shotgunning and sometimes, rarely, ask how to correct a problem.
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Whereas it’s always been important to support charities, coming off the pandemic lockdown, it’s more crucial that society figures out ways to fund worthy organizations. We talked to Syren ProStaff member Ashley Butcher about how to host a charity shooting event. Hopefully, her advice will kickstart others to load up and head out to the shooting range to raise some cash for good causes.
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Meet Syren Brand Ambassador Megan Watts, aka the “Waterfowl Queen,” on Instagram. In this feature, we thought you’d like to hear about why she’s named herself the queen of the waterfowl hunters’ world. This was an interview conducted by Barbara Baird, the Publisher/Editor of Women’s Outdoor News (aka The WON). Read More

Syren’s pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom exemplifies a strong woman who knows where she’s going and knows where she’s been. From an exciting career in the airline business to becoming a well-reputed shooting instructor in one of Virginia’s finest shooting schools, Kate manages to get it done and appears to do so effortlessly. Add to that her interesting hobby of raising draft horses, hunting in New Zealand and fishing at Hatteras, all these choices in her life combine to make a jet-setting, yet grounded woman. We knew you’d like to learn more about Kate’s lifestyle. Read More