Sunday Stealing

January

Taken from League of Extraordinary Penpals 

1. What are your plans for January? 

I have no big plans. I need to do the annual guardianship report for the courts this week. I get installed as an elder in front of the (Zoom) congregation next Sunday. I am desultorily shopping for Sparky's birthday present.

2. What do you want to see happen in 2021? 

I would like to see Biden surprise me with being less of a centrist than he clearly is.

3. What would you give a 5 star rating? 

Medical professionals.

4. Do you have writing goals for 2021? 

Just this sort of thing. I'm de facto editor for Sparky's writing, so that, too.

5. How do you feel about memoirs? 

I think they are probably really therapeutic to write. Many don't need to be published, and fewer are useful for anyone else.

6. If you could join any musical group who would you choose? 

The Go-Gos. The Bangles. The Spice Girls. Basically, girl groups, preferably managed by women.

7. What are your favorite genres across all media? 

I like suspenseful reads and movies. Not gory, especially not movies, but well-written twisty stuff.

8. What candle scents are your favorite? 

"Clean" scents. I've got a STRONG vanilla one going right now.

9. How well can you mimic other accents or voices? 

I do it mostly unconsciously, and often.

10. What books are on your TBR list in 2021? 

I'm in a a Michael Connelly and Louise Penny phase right now, and I'm struggling to read anything very deep, so it's looking like a lot of pretty formulaic mysteries otherwise.

11. When do you decide it’s time to upgrade/buy something new? 

When whatever-it-is stops working right, or just gets very worn out, or holey.

12. Why is your favorite color your favorite color? 

Blue. Forever and always.

13. Who understands you the best? 

lol--no one
Maybe you-all?

14. Do you write letters? 

Not anymore. Occasional emails and lots of texts.

15. How do you keep going when times are hard?

Guilt over failing other people.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Art History

1. Do you look forward to the spring?

I live in the upper Midwest; the promise of spring is what keeps us all alive from Christmas Day on every winter. "Oh, I saw a bird today!" "Hey, we got two days of sun in a row!" "Are those tree limbs faintly green?"

2. Which area of the sciences do you enjoy the most?

I love physiology. Not so much biology, but the function of systems together. How things are built to work as a unit.

3. If you could own a classical statue in the form of any figure from myth, religion, or even modern fiction, who would you choose?

Athena. I would love to have a copy of the Athena that stood in the Acropolis when it was in its heyday. Of course, we don't know for sure what that statue looked like--I'd want a miniature of it, not full-size, for the record--despite the fake in Nashville. Why Athena? The goddess of wisdom and war.

4. Do you have a good relationship with your mother?

Probably the best I've ever had with her. I mean, we never argue anymore ... (sad face) ... she died 8 years ago.

5. What is your favorite mythological story?

Hmmm. Trying to do this without looking at anything to prompt me. I kind of love the story of Apollo driving the sun across the sky every day. And the story of Prometheus bringing fire to humans, and the punishment he suffered for it. Pretty brutal.

6. If you put on a big feast, what would you serve?

Chicken, burgers, brats, lots of salads, cake, pie. Basically summer cookout fare. However, my usual feast "style" is Thanksgiving-based, so turkey, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, bread, pie pie pie.

7. How do you have fun? (What is your favorite 'Earthly Delight'?)

Reading? Traveling for sure. Laughing for sure.

8. Do you often look for hidden messages and meanings?

Most of the time. Usually not in the moment, but later. However, I'm also very prone to reminding myself that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

9. Have you ever received an award or special position?

Yup.

10. If a revolution was about to happen in your country, would you be part of it?

Oh, this is the part that's timely! hee Well, let's put it this way: I visited the Soviet Union at the end of its life as a country. When the U.S. starts to feel like that, I'll be fighting. My dad fought in WW2, I have read extensively about the Holocaust, and when I see that happening here I'll be fighting. I'll let you decide if either of those (or both) scenarios have any application today.

11. Have you ever planned an act of revenge?

Oh, I've done a LOT of planning!! The question is whether I've ever carried any plans out, though, isn't it?
A former boss told me once that the best way to get through a fraught situation is to quietly plan the demise of the person causing trouble. This has stood me in good stead through many meetings since.

12. What is the most dramatic thing you have ever done?

I don't generally DO dramatic. Maybe throwing the bag of trash back at the people who flung it one night decades ago at the lakefront on July 4. All the boys in our group were like, "Sit DOWN, what are you DOING!?!" I've done some really shocking, scary things over the years, but I wouldn't call them dramatic per se.

13. Do you care about your weight?

I care, but it's clear that I don't care enough to deal with it responsibly.

14. Is your life moving too slowly or too fast?

It's really moving at a pretty reasonable speed right now. Parts could go faster. Parts could slow down some.

15. Do you prefer to stay in the shade?

Yes. I'm a pale-skinned, easily-burned person. And, metaphorically, yes.

16. If you could have any mural on your ceiling, what would it look like?

I wouldn't. These have always made me wonder about the people living in the house. Do you WANT people to be staring up while you're talking to them? Or do you expect people to be so bored that they need something to look at while they're visiting?

17. Do you enjoy the countryside?

heh ... Yeah, I do.

18. Are you a romantic?

Nope.

19. What is your favorite historic subject?

Early Church history, c. A.D. 30 to 200. I also like WW2 stuff, as mentioned above. And the Middle Ages. I just like history, can you tell?

20. Do you prefer landscape paintings?

Nope. I've always needed to have some people in the frame to interest me. I have memories of ENDLESS slide shows of landscapes/scenery as a child. "Didn't you take any pictures of PEOPLE, Dad???"

21. Are you interested in social issues?

Uh, yeah. You could probably say that. Those (few) of you on my Facebook feed are probably rolling your eyes and going, "Nonstop, man, nonstop."

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
I Feel the Earth Move
If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.

1) This song is from the album Tapestry, one of the all-time best-sellers (more than 25,000,000 copies sold worldwide). Is it in your collection?

Nope. I like Carole and her songs (this album and all the other songs she's written) just fine, but I'm about 10 years too young to 'get' why this was such a big freakin' deal. At least two of my sisters were into her stuff, though, so I got my time in with the songs.

2) It's about that glorious passion you feel when you first fall for someone. How many times have you been in love?

Oh, about a kajillion times. Kids kill me and I crush on them regularly. In grown-up love? Maybe 3-4 times.

3) San Francisco radio stations briefly removed "I Feel the Earth Move" from their playlists after the 1989 earthquake. Have you ever been in an earthquake and literally felt "the earth move under your feet?"

Yes. At least three times, all in Colorado. I've been fortunate that in the times I've been in California, the land has not been shaky. Anyway, once when I was a kid I have a vague memory of being in my parents' bedroom upstairs and looking out the front window and seeing the ground 'waving'; when we were planning my dad's funeral, sitting in the dining room of Mom's apartment, the building shook; and in the middle of the night while visiting my mom some years later, I swear there was an earthquake, though no one else felt it.

4) Carole King is the first and only woman to win the Gershwin Prize for songwriting from the Library of Congress. Here's your chance to brag a little -- tell us about an accolade you have received.

I can't even think of a time. I set high standards, and the last two reviews I've had I've found that my (new-last-year) boss does too. We haven't so much talked about living up to those standards as the areas where I have not done so. Which irritates a bit, yeah.

5) Carole wrote "You've Got a Friend," which was a mega hit for her good pal, James Taylor. King and Taylor have known one another for more than 40 years, but have never been romantically involved. Do you have any platonic friends of the opposite sex?

Yes, of course. Several guys at church, the guys at work might qualify too, to a point, friends from college....

6) Like more than 80% of the population, Carole is right handed. Are you right handed, left handed (10%) or that most rare of all, ambidextrous (less than 10%)?

I'm a full-fledged rightie. My left hand is only good for typing and holding large things.

7) One of Carole King's earliest hits was Little Eva's "The Loco-Motion." Little Eva was the teenager King hired to care for her young children. Tell us about a sitter who cared for you when you were little.

The thing is, I had lots of much older siblings so I'm not sure there was much outside-the-family babysitting needed, but apparently the teenaged girl across the street, my brother's age, did a few times. Ten years later, she was my flute teacher. She was a lovely woman, really pretty in the classic 70s way. Wonder why my brother never went for her? Hmmm....

8) Beautiful is the title of the Broadway play about Carole King's life. If we were producing your lifestory, what would you want us to call it?

I'm sorry that one's taken. hah I think "Grace" would be good, seeing as how my mom called me that whenever I tripped or did something else klutzy. So, quite often.

9) Carole wrote "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the Monkees' song about conspicuous consumption. When Crazy Sam looks at her crowded shelf of hair products (paraben-free conditioner, keratin-restoring conditioner, hair masque, hot oil conditioner …), she realizes she's guilty of it herself. Have you bought anything recently that you later decided was a waste of money?

Well, yes. Lots of food lately that could qualify for that (she says, wiping Dunkin Donuts crumbs off her face). Can't think of anything else lately, but I've had some clothes moments like this in the past; "what was I thinking?!"

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Come to My Window*
Melissa Etheridge is a breast cancer survivor and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please spread the word about early detection.

1) This song is about a woman passionate about love and willing to pursue it, no matter what "they say." Are you fearless when it comes to public opinion? Or do you worry about what "they" think of you?

Depends. If I'm pretty solid in my opinion and feel like I can back it up, I don't care. There are few areas where I don't care that I can't back it up, I'm still pretty firm. And there are some places where I am aware of some shame in having a certain opinion. Mostly, though, the older I get the less I care what "people say."

2) Melissa's father was a high school teacher. Tell us about a teacher who had an impact on you.

So many.... One of my profs in college thumped me on the head freshman year with the Home Truths of feminism. I was already pretty much a feminist without paying a lot of attention to it, but Dr. S (and the class I took with her second semester) made me realize how important it was to stand up for myself and other women, and to try to stop making stupid assumptions about how we interact with men.

3) Melissa won a Grammy for this song. If you won a major award, where would you display it?

It would depend on whether it was something for which I was actually proud. If it were a good thing, the aware would go on my mantle, of course. The chances of this happening are pretty slim. If not something I wanted or felt like I needed to show off, I'd probably do the Gibbs thing and shove it in a drawer.

4) Which TV game show do you think you'd do better on -- The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune?

Wheel . Of. Fortune . Hands down. I don't have the slightest interest in pricing things, but I'm aces at Hangman. But I wouldn't try out because the show annoys the living shit out of me.

5) Are you neat and organized?

Ha ha ha ha ha. Come look at my desk area here at home! And (currently) the counter next to the kitchen sink. And the window seat. So many projects, so much distraction....

6) When was the last time you went more than a day without washing your hair?

I do this at least once a week. There's no time on Wednesday mornings to wash, so I shower-cap it and fluff. It's actually good for most people's hair/scalp NOT to wash every day, anyway.

7) When you eat Chinese food, do you use chopsticks or a fork?

Fork. I've given up being elitist and hip. I can use chopsticks, but I feel like a snob when I do.

8) Are you a good cook?

I have a small collection of recipes I can rock pretty well.

9) We're having a party in your honor! Would you prefer a costume party, a bowling party or a pool party?

BOWLING!!

*This is one of my favorite songs off of one of my favorite CDs. I know pretty much the whole disc by heart!

Award Winner

How this "One Lovely Blog Award" works:

1. Add the "One Lovely Blog Award" image to your post
2. Share seven things about you
3. Pass the award on to seven nominees
4. Thank the person who nominated you and add a short blurb about them.
5. Inform the nominees by posting on their blogs

1. I'm serially addicted to crime dramas. Right now I'm watching L&O:Criminal Intent.
2. Dinner tonight consisted of two bagel rounds with cheese and the second half of yesterday's DQ S'mores blizzard. And water to drink.
3. I really should finish this Leonardo book that I've been reading for the last two months. The library would probably like it back. {snerk}
4. I'm a great-aunt again for the third* time. Three boys so far. Hoping the next one--next January--is a girl. [Technically, that is the fourth boy, but I don't want to dwell on that right now....]
5. I'm hopelessly geeky and nerdy and like to do what "normal" people think are boring things like compare data sets, keep track of statistics, and correct picky details. I'm totally doing the job I was made for!
6. I have no desire whatsoever to visit the Caribbean. I would LOVE to cruise the Mediterranean though!
7. It's July 31 and my feet are currently ice-cold.

I'm so very bad at these awards! I'll tag Amy, but the other six will just have to steal it from me. Be nice, and let me know if you do. Meanwhile, what can I say about Kwizgiver, who nominated me for this award, except that it's more than a little eerie how similar we are considering we never met in person. We really need to remedy that someday.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. What was your biggest accomplishment in school?

I suppose it could be graduating magna cum laude in undergrad. Or maybe marching in the Rose Parade. Or overcoming blind terror on the flight from Zurich to Moscow in 1985. Take your pick.

2. Have you ever won a ribbon for any event or competition, and if so, what was it for?

Yeah, I won some ribbons for something or other, but I only remember the ribbon, not what I got it for. I got honor cords in high school and college for graduation, if that counts.

3. Have you ever been awarded a trophy for anything, and if so, what was it for?

Nope, no trophies.

4. What award do you feel you'd be the last person to ever win?

There was never going to be a Miss America-type award in my life.

5. Do you think it's truly more important just to be nominated for an award, or more important to win one?

Depends on what kind of award. If you are nominated by people who know exactly what you've done, that you've worked hard to get things done, then yes a nomination just as good as a win. People's Choice-type stuff? Pah, it's a popularity contest.

6. A question from a decades-long grade school debate: Do you believe that everyone who participates in a competition should win something just for participating?

Not necessarily. If you are encouraging participation and/or coming together as a group, then sure. If you're encouraging winning, then no. One year, Sparky's Little League coach game away the game ball to one team-member after every game. He was very fair and honest, and yet I'm pretty sure every kid got at least one game ball...even the ones picking dandelions in left field (i.e. Sparky). He was very good at building team spirit and finding good things about each kid regardless of their overall talent, so the time that Sparky got the ball (for "improvement" of some kind), the team honestly cheered for him even though he was not on the level of most of the other kids. So inside of a structure of winning (games) being important, he created a place where people got rewarded on a different scale. THAT is what makes a good teacher/coach (he's a gym teacher in "real life").

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things Starting with G

1. Interestingly G is really the next letter in my occasional alphabetical posting for this meme (F was done last March), and this Sunday is the Grammys. So, there's that. I'm trying to listen to most of the nominees this week. Lots of good stuff, some (c)rap I can't stand.
2. My niece who lost her baby and nearly died 6 years ago is pregnant again. I'll be a Great-Aunt again in August, assuming all goes better this time. Since I already have two great-nephews, I'm hoping this one is a girl.
3. Ahhh! Girl! One of my former coworkers just had a baby this week, a sweet little girl.
4. Gibbs. I'm watching this past Thursday's NCIS, which means Mark Harmon, which means drool.
5. I can't believe how many people I know have been really sick this year. Whatever Germs are going around are nasty; once you get sick, they seem to hang around for a really long time. Vitamin C time has arrived!
6. My new boss seems to have the effect of having me Gabble insensibly whenever he's in the room. I feel like a freakin' idiot. ...sigh
7. The weather is Gray and wintry. So, I guess that's ok at some level. Just not a happy level.
8. Sparky informed us over his Christmas break that he's having some major difficulties with the whole God thing. He says he doesn't believe anymore. OK then. Welcome to college!
9. I have some kind of weird thing going on in my ear. It's kinda Gross-looking. Let's just leave it at that.
10. Genre headings. And other headings at work. Weirdly, just as I was typing this entry, one of the characters on the show used this word.
11. So, the Guy I live with (Beast)? He has a new CPAP machine. He has spent, quite literally, 17+ hours/day in bed, sleeping from Sunday through yesterday. Today he was up longer--11 hours--but pretty much collapsed by 6:30 and has now been in bed for 45 minutes
12. "Geeks With Computers." This was just said by that same character on NCIS. I guess I picked the right letter tonight.
13. Good Grief! This wasn't easy!

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Ain't No Other Man

1) Do you believe there's only one person (and there ain't no other) for you? Or do you think we can truly love several partners over the course of our lives?

I think the word "love" encompasses a lot of different relationships. So, yeah I think we can love more than one person in a lifetime. How boring life would be if we couldn't. However, I really do think that there are different kinds of commitments and promises, and if you promise to stick it out with one person forever, then you should do your best to honor that promise, unless there are damn good reasons for both parties.

2) Do you have this, or any other, Christina song on your iPod/mp3 player?

I don't actually use one, but if I did, I would have this song for sure. It's in my Pandora and my Spotify playlists.

3) Christina Aguilera won a Grammy for her performance of this song. What do you deserve an award for? And who would you thank in your acceptance speech?

I deserve an award for not screaming my lungs out at stupid behavior on a daily basis.

4) Christina Aguilera has her own brand of perfume. Do you have a fragrance or scent you regularly wear?

I use VS or really old Cindy Adams Gossip.

5) Do you have any allergies?

What am I not allergic to?? This has been another bad couple of days, and I have no idea what I got into that's making me so miserable.

6) There's an older lady who proclaims during a TV commercial, "I will give up beer, bread, wine or soda but I won't give up Life Alert!" No, we're not going to debate her diet. Instead the question is: What are some of the staples that are always on your grocery list?

Bagels, bread, pop, sliced cheese, greens (for the guinea pigs). Those are "every time I shop" purchases.

7) What's your favorite sitcom of all time?

Bewitched.

8) When it comes to your socks, do you prefer solids, stripes or prints?

I mostly own solids but rather oddly today I'm wearing stripes. I think it's the only pair of striped socks I own, too.

9) At what age do you consider a person "middle aged?" And when do they transition to "old?"

Age is a matter of mind, really, but I think by the time someone hits 40 they are almost certainly in the middle third of their life for sure. Old, as I told my dad when he turned it, is 70 (until I get there of course).

I have a bunch of these saved from Kwizgiver's blog from the last month-ish...here they all are, finally!!

7 deadly sins of reading...

GREED: What is your most expensive book? Most inexpensive book?

I can't even think what the most expensive book I own might be. I don't buy expensive books. Right now, it's probably one of Sparky's textbooks, though clearly those aren't technically mine. Still, his chem book was almost $400. Crazy much?? I have over a dozen Advanced Reading Copies of books I picked up in Dallas at the ALA conference in January. And lots of other books that have shown up free: as prizes, as gifts, etc.

WRATH: What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

It used to be Sara Paretsky--there was a time that finishing one of her books meant it would travel at speed across the room at a wall (I'm not prone to throwing books, but they made me ANGRY). I've mellowed. Or she has. Nowadays, if I get that irritated over a book, I'm just as likely to stop reading immediately.

GLUTTONY: What book have you deliciously devoured over and over with no shame whatsoever?

The Little House books. I really need to get them out again!

SLOTH: What book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

I suppose James Joyce fits here, though since I've no interested at all in reading anything by him, it's not laziness. Maybe reverse snobbery? Otherwise, there are a lot of books in the too-long-to-read category. Tolstoy? I'd love to get his books on CD to listen to, but none of the libraries around here owns them.

PRIDE: What books do you most talk about in order to sound like a very intellectual reader?

lol ... Tolstoy? Shakespeare? I don't actually talk about books to sound intellectual. I talk about books because it's my job, and I like to read.

LUST: What attributes do you find most attractive in male or female characters?

I like real people, male and female, who mess up and find ways to redeem themselves.

ENVY: What books would you most like to receive as a gift?

I would love to have a collections of books ABOUT the books I like. I have the Diana Gabaldon book, and it's kind of fun to go back to it to see what she was thinking while writing the early books in the series.

olympic meme

1. If every day tasks were Olympic events what would you get a gold medal in?

Overthinking.

2. As a child (or now even) did you excel at a particular sport and if so which one?

I was unaware of how unusual it was as a girl of parents of their generation to encourage me to be outside running around. I played tennis against the house endlessly, I ran, I jumped rope, I shot baskets and played volleyball. I didn't do any of the sports particularly well, but I did them a lot.

3. Michael Phelps (swimmer) or Michael Johnson (runner) – which sport appeals to you more?

I can't swim. I can run. I'd rather see the runners, and honestly I'm pretty tired of hearing about Michael Phelps.

4. How fast can you get out of bed and ready to go out the door if [you] miss the alarm and sleep in?

If I shower, probably 25 minutes at the absolutely most. If I don't need to shower, probably 15 at the most. You can probably shave off at least 5 minutes from either of those if I'm really clicking.

5. What fantasy sport would you like to see made into an Olympic event?

I think Fantasy Sports are dumb. I would, however, love to see lacrosse and polo come back. Or tug-of-war. lol

6. Claim to fame time – Have you ever met an Olympian and who was it?

Nope. I am not interested in meeting famous people simply because they are famous.

7. What event in past Olympics can you remember most vividly?

Well, gymnastics of course. And track-and-field (which is called "athletics" in England and has the virtue of being shorter, but confusing) events: Bruce Jenner jogging around in Montreal after he won, that sort of thing. I also have vague memories of the tragedy at Munich. And way too many white pianos in L.A.

8. Tuning in at home, not for me, or tickets clamped ready in sweaty palms?

Since I don't like crowds, I'm much more likely to stay home. However, I suppose I could be talked into attending some of the "weird" events: fencing, the boat stuff, etc.

9. Who do you think most deserves a gold medal (any walk of life not just Olympians)?

Anyone who is currently doing two people's jobs because of the economy. And, yes, Allison: TEACHERS!!! :-)

Technically this is a tag/award from Allison:

Here are the rules for the award:

• Each person must post 11 facts about themselves.
• Answer 11 questions the tagger has given you and give 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged.
• Choose 11 people and link them in your post. Tell them you’ve tagged them.
• Remember, no tag backs.

Here are my facts:

1. I'm the youngest of five kids in my generation. There are 20 years between me and my oldest sister, and 10 years between me and my nearest sibling. Those three siblings just mentioned are the only three of us still around.
2. I'm the oldest tallest woman in my family, except for Rosellen, I think.
3. I think really fast, and sometimes jump ahead of things way too fast when talking to people. It is off-putting. I try not to do it, but at some level I resent having to slow down.
4. I'm allergic to cats and corn. Those are the big problems, but there are other triggers: dogs, spring-pollinating grasses, mold, and dust mites. Those are the ones I know about. I'm sure other stuff gets involved too.
5. I collect salt-and-pepper sets, because my mom told me I did. When I was given "my" early collection about 12 years ago, it was still wrapped in newspaper published before I was born. Since then, I have ended up with twice as many sets, not to mention some salt dishes and spoons.
6. Even though my dad and my son have the same color hair, I do NOT have red hair. He's the only child OR grandchild to get the hair (my sister Ellen had reddish hair, but not like Dad's). Fortunately, Dad was able to meet Sparky a few times.
7. I've always been more comfortable with people a few years (or more) older or a few years (or more) younger than me, rather than my peers.
8. I used to be unable to talk to boys when I was between about 8 and 18.  I have no idea why it was such a big deal.
9. I have no patience for people who don't even TRY to be kind or sensitive to others. Nor do I appreciate those who are intent on remaining stuck in their original decisions; learn, change your mind, defend your choices, just don't be dumb and/or delusional.
10. I don't like to plan meals. Or much of anything else. Except trips. I like planning trips.
11. I don't do lists of things I want to do, nor do I do 5-Year Plans (see above). Having said that, I really want to go to South America (Macchu Picchu and Tierra del Fuego) and Africa (Luxor and South Africa, maybe Botswana?).

Allison's questions:
1. What is your favorite genre to read?

I read a lot of mysteries! That's the largest category of books in my GoodReads by far; next closest is ALL the nonfiction I've read in the past 25 years. But I just mostly like a good story, so I'll read just about anything.

2. How often do you read for pleasure?

At least daily, at least briefly.

3. Do you ever read books in your least favorite genre?

I try to read 'representative samples' of most fiction so I can at least say I've tried it. Nonfiction, though, no. I'm not reading ANY of the Obama-bashing shit. Course, I didn't really read the Bush-bashing shit either.

4. Do you snack when you read?

Ayup.

5. What do you do when you're in a reading slump?

I find something entirely different from what I've been reading. So that means if mysteries aren't working, I'll go find a biography, or a kids' book. Or a trashy magazine or two. ;-)

6. Are you easy to talk into doing something out of the ordinary?

I'm often the one suggesting something out of the ordinary!

7. Do you follow a daily routine?

I think it's hard to get through life without developing some routines. However, my work hours are different every day (I work 7-8 hours/day, ranging from 12-9 to 8-4 to 11-7. Beast has a terrible time keeping it straight. I love it. Usually.

8. Where do you keep your keys?

My house and car keys are usually in the car (when it's home) or in my work bag or on my desk at work. My work keys are hanging on 'their' hook (at home) or in my right pants pocket (at work).

9. What is your favorite song featuring a banjo?

Did you know that Steve Martin has a whole album of banjo music?? I like his stuff. And "Dueling Banjos" of course.

10. Do you drink bottled water?

If I'm out and about, I do. I don't always trust (or like the taste of) tap water.

11. How old is your blog?

My book blog began in 2004, so 8.5 years. Scary!

And I don't tag. So if anyone wants to answer these questions, have at it. Or go visit Curious as a Cat and do some of those questions.

Thank you, Allison!

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Our House

1. I read that Bud Weiser & Kathy moved into their new house! When was the last time you moved? Where to?

Dang, it didn't make the local rag here; this is why I hate the papers around here! lol I last moved house in 2003 into this here location. I hope never to have to move again; I love this house too much, and I have WAY too much cleaning and throwing-away-of-things to do before I can do that.

2. If they were making a Hall of Fame for the blogosphere, name a blogger or two who you think should make the list. Why?

I don't really believe in these sorts of things. I don't read any big name-brand blogs at all because I find them as boring as the newspapers. I have a few that I've read for years because I know and/or like the people who write them, and what they write about interests me. That doesn't mean they are the "best of the blogosphere" (shudder--that word!), but it means I like 'em a lot.

3. What are couple of funny things you remember your parents saying? (Like, “They're starving there in China, so finish what you've got.” - John Lennon) Do you say them to your kids?

"Keep looking. You'll find it in the last place you look." (I never heard that as obvious, just that things end up in the weirdest places when you don't keep them organized.) "Keep your shirt on!" (like I wouldn't??) "Eat your beans. They'll put hair on your chest." (Uh, thanks Dad, no.) "I'm not talking to hear my own voice!!" (Yeah, THAT one I use(d)!!)
Most of the time, I try NOT to use these sayings, except ironically, because I absolutely hear my parents' voices in my mouth when I say 'em.

4. What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

Being alive. At least four times over, that I'm aware of: being born at all (not going there, not here), surviving allergies (having had numerous major allergic reactions, I'm aware that a couple of them could have killed me had there been no appropriate medical intervention), surviving childbirth (women died in childbirth in situations like I was in, and so did their babies), abdominal surgery (any one of the problems that were addressed while the doctors were in there mucking about might have killed me by now).
And there are the almost-wrecks...the stupid decisions that worked out...etc.

5. What is it too late for?

More kids from this here bod.

6. What do you try to stay away from?

Stupid. I try like hell, but it keeps STALKING me, cracker-ass punk.

7. When you get into a disagreement or fight, how often are you the first to apologize?

Usually. Almost always. In fact, I have to make a point NOT to do so when it's not my fault that things blew up.

8. Tell us about a current issue that you’re unhappy with.

Oh, hell, where to start. I'm really annoyed with my boss, and I wish she'd just bloody well leave so we can hire someone who actually WORKS for a living and leaves the rest of us the fook alone to do our jobs the way we've always managed to do without being asked, daily (or more often), "Anything you need? Anything I can do for you? How are things going?" Just fuck . right . off . woman!

9. How often do you update your blog/site and why?

This one I update almost daily because of the memes. The daily one, I don't update more than once every couple of weeks because I don't have anything much to say about life that's not downright bitchy.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

1. Have you ever been in a situation with a lover wher[e] you did not know what tomorrow would bring?

Of course. At this point in our marriage, if we hadn't had a few of those, there would be something seriously wrong. And the not-knowing thing hasn't always been a bad-news situation either.

2. What worries you most today?

That I won't accomplish what needs doing. I'm likely to get distracted by "fun."

3. Could I tell if you were lying to me?

Depends on how good you are at picking up my tells. I think it's possible you wouldn't know; I'm an excellent liar ... not something I'm proud of, but there ya go.

4. What do you miss most about the 80s?

College. And music videos.

5. What's going on that you can't understand?

Most things in a geopolitical sense. Teenagers don't always make a lot of sense to me. Hell, I don't even make sense to me some days.

6. How would I know if you liked me?

I'd talk to you a lot and seek you out. It isn't rocket science.

7. If you ever won an award, what would you want it to be for?

Something I'd earned, not something I felt like was a sham. I'm not fussy otherwise.

8. What would we be surprised to know that you've done?

Heh. Maybe you'd be surprised to know what I haven't done?

9. What’s the most exotic mixed drink you remember trying? Did you enjoy it?

"Exotic"? Not sure. I had two vodka gimlets over the course of 3 hours on this recent trip, along with a lot of food, and ended up wrecked in the worst way.

Random Dozen

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Have you, or has someone close to you, ever won an award for anything? (I just came from my dad's ceremony wherein he was given a medal of honor by the French government for service in France in WWII....)

I've won awards--though certainly nothing like this--but not much since school which suits me just fine.

2. Who is the nearest relative to you who has served in the US Military?

My dad served in WWII. FIL was in the Army during our time in Korea, though he spent those years in Germany.

3. Share something that stirs the patriotic spirit in you.

Ain't nothing gonna beat singing The Star-Spangled Banner on a runway as we waited to board an Aeroflot flight to some godforsaken spot in Soviet Central Asia. Also, the flag-bearers at the beginning of a parade.

4. Where are you in the birth order in your family? Do you think your "placement" made a difference in your personality?

I'm fifth of 5, ten years behind my brother (nearest in age) and 20 years behind my oldest sister. There are just those three of us left now, too, weirdly enough. And yes, my birth order absolutely made a huge difference in who I am.

5. Name one trait you hope you carry that was evidenced in your parents or grandparents.

Stubborn pigheadedness. That plus The Nose are strong indicators.

6. If female, do you prefer wearing a skirt or pants? If male, shirt and tie or polo?

I have worn a skirt exactly ONCE in the past year, and that was at my mom's memorial service.

7. Approximately how many times do you wake during the night? What do you do to go back to sleep?

I don't wake up regularly in the night (anymore), but if I do wake up to the point of not getting back to sleep, I'll come downstairs and do a crossword till I crash.

8. Share a favorite movie quote.

I'm gonna be lazy and use my Fb status from yesterday morning:
‎"It's your turn, Heather."
"No, Heather, it's Heather's turn. Heather?"
"Sorry, Heather." --Heathers

9. What is your favorite Fall candle scent?

What kind of a society do we live in that needs special fake smells for the season that you can go outside and smell?? Sorry--I'm a little cranky (again) tonight. The candle scents I like are the same year-round.

10. What is one Fall activity you're looking forward to?

I love crunching through fallen leaves. Not too many have started to go here, but it looks like they will pretty soon, within a week or so.

11. Tell us about a pleasant surprise that happened to you recently.

Cake magically appeared on the counter at work yesterday afternoon just about the time I started getting nosh-y.

12. What was it like when you first met your in-laws-to-be?

They were great; I felt comfortable almost immediately, and that feeling never diminished.

Monday Mayhem

(Link in meme-roll)
The Awards

The Super Comments Award
If you could interview anyone in the world for your blog, who would you choose and why?

I wouldn't want to interview anyone. Don't really care about being a journalist, and definitely not on a blog anyway.

Can you remember your last dream? What was it?

The only part of any of last night's dreams involved my suitcase, the one I took overseas in college. Which was stolen from our apartment storage locker 23 years ago, something I only just now remembered.

Name 3 places you’d like to go on vacation too [sic].

Kenya, Australia, and Egypt. NOT on the same trip.

What scares you the most?

Something I'm way too superstitious to ever post.

What is your favorite book of all time?

These Happy Golden Years or maybe Alice in Wonderland .

What’s the funniest movie that you’ve seen?

"Heathers."

Where are your kids right now?

He's about 4 feet away, at the other end of the sofa on his own laptop.

What was the last thing you ate?

Fries.

Are you usually late, early or right on time?

Late. I used to pride myself on being on time or (better) early. That was years ago.

What is your favorite band or singer?

U2.

+ + + + + + +
The Creative Blogger Award
Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth – or – switch it around and tell six outrageous truths and one outrageous lie.

I have traveled to the following countries: Austria, China, Greece, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland, and Scotland. You pick which one or ones are not true.

+ + + + + + + The Versatile Blogger -
Share 7 things about yourself.

1. I'm the youngest of five children, with 20 years between my oldest sister and me.
2. There are 24 years between my son's age and my oldest niece's.
3. I'm allergic to dogs and cats, among several other things.
4. My son's hair is the same color as my dad's, which I never saw because Dad's was all gray before I was born. I think Sparky's hair is a little gift from God to brighten my days.
5. I used to be an overachiever, but I seem to have recovered from that disease.
6. My garden desperately needs weeding.
7. I do my own pedicures because I do a better job that the people who I've hired to do it in the past.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Sunday 7

[From this list n]ame the seven actors, actresses or directors you think should have won an Oscar but haven’t, yet.

1. Lauren Bacall (though she got an honorary one this year)--this woman is my role model to a greater or lesser degree, and to the extent that I have them
2. Peter O'Toole (though, didn't he get an honorary award in the last few years?)
3. Cary Grant (and I'm sure he got an honorary, quite some time ago)
4. James Mason
5. Albert Finney
6. Clint Eastwood (doesn't he have something for directing?)
7. Alfred Hitchcock

Curious as a Cat

(Link in blogroll)

1) In what movie is the most violent scene you've ever seen?

I tend not to watch these types of scenes. The most violent movie I've sat through willingly was probably "Platoon."

2) Of all the people you know, who would make the most successful TV evangelist?

NOT Amy!! Beast, sometimes: he's got the righteous anger thing going. Overall, I'll give it to Jon, who pisses me off regularly with his preaching (political, not religious).

3) Who is the person who most deserves to be rewarded for something?

Sparky. It's the end of the school year (nearly) and he's grown and matured a great deal.

4) When was the last time you cried and why?

Right now. I'm watching Little House (the Disney version), and they just got evicted from their homestead.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
Photo © Cat. 2007

I chose this photo several months ago, but it is oddly appropriate for the show I'm watching. Beast took this picture last summer at Monticello; yes it's blurry--it's not your eyes. I'm just really grateful to have a range and a microwave, especially this time of year...in the summer...yikes.

Purpose

Allison at ...Good As It Gets tagged me with this. I have to say, of the awards and chains that I've seen, this is the one that makes me smile the most, and seems the closest to something I take pride in. So....yeah, I'll cop to being a Blog With a Purpose. Upon receipt, I'm supposed to pass it on. I'm struggling a bit with this last bit. But here are the bits of the meme that are supposed to be passed along:

The rules for this Award are:

1. Nominate 5 blogs which haven’t had this award before
2. Each of the blogs must have a purpose
3. The nominated blogs must make a link back to this blog (I think that means the next people link to mine, Sweet Memes, and then those they nominate link back to theirs, etc.)
4. The logo from the award must be put on their blog and it must link back to this blog*

Fair enough so far.

1. I'll link to Fleur de Lisa. I'm not sure if her stated purpose is to bring smiles and joy in words and pictures to my life, but it does. Her photography is wonderful. So is she. Plus we have sons about the same age, and it's fun to see that our kids are perfectly normal.



2. The next blog I'm linking to is called Questioning Everything. The short version is that it is a paper journal from a couple of decades ago in mid-transcription. The problem is that I hardly think that the author is likely to veer off her purpose and pass the meme, but this IS the first blog I thought of when I got the meme in the first place.



3. Next, Cheesehead in Paradise has been in my blogroll for a couple of years, and continues to quietly remind me that God is normal, pastors are normal, and both God and pastors are funny as heck. I think Cheesehead's purpose is slightly less high-flown than that, but I personalize everything, so....



4. I can't go further with out mentioning Patrick's Place. His stated purpose is "fighting double standards and poor grammar" which makes me smile. He does memes, which I enjoy. He's smart and opinionated and verbal enough to defend his point of view. I may not always agree with him, but I appreciate a well-reasoned position.



5. OK, there are too many. I'm waving the white flag and cheating by using my last award for A.M.Y. at Get It All Down. If one can't give blog awards to friends, what the heck are they for, anyway?! Her purpose? Being my friend, and keeping me sane. Probably, again, not by design, but remember--it's ALL about me.

This is suprisingly hard. I have a lot of Purpose Filled People among my favorite reads. Honorable mentions go to: The ZenfoPro (for breaking down the library stereotype and writing a lot about sex and drinking), Library Tavern (for perserverence in the field and in politics--you go!), The Annoyed Librarian (for pissing people off, and in the process maybe making them think), If I Ran the Universe... (for keeping me sane all winter and making library funnier than you would believe), The Daily Coyote (simply for making my day every single day), and all the blogs in the blogroll posted here (for Excellence in Meming).

And this is why I abhor awards: I've left people out. My apologies; I hope you don't take it personally as I probably would. ;-)
_____________
* It appears that this is not where the meme started. It seems to be WAY older than that! It appears to have begun here, and I traced our strand back to Norway (?). Technically, we are also supposed to link back to the header:

See, proof that I'm either OCD, or a librarian...or possibly both.