I've done something similar several years ago on a different blog, but it feels about time to do something fun and random like this again. So here goes!
Rules:
Give 11 random facts
Answer 11 questions
Tag 11 bloggers
Give these bloggers 11 questions to answer
1. I like going barefoot in the balmy seasons, but my feet hurt, so I generally wear shoes. I hope that my sis and I can fine tune our shoe-making technique to create the perfect shoe for me, and let me open up my range of activities! (Did I mention I have the greatest youngest sis ever?!)
As it is, I moderate the foot trouble by staying off of them most of the time.
2. I know how to butcher out farm animals, and have done so. So I'm a lot more knowledgeable about what it takes to break a fictional bone, or snap a fictional neck than most writers are, and when books mess this aspect up, they lose major points in my estimation!
3. I can to small talk just fine, and have done so more times than I can count. But I really enjoy a conversation when both people can get deep into exploring some resonant theme, and I can learn something new, even if it's just the other person's perspective. That is time well spent!
4. I have too many WIPs to work on... (over 20) which should not surprise any one, so maybe that doesn't really count. In other news, my new resolution is to finish more of them, stat; so I'm looking forward to accomplishing that goal!
5. I am constantly dissatisfied with my art works, but I keep trying to improve anyway. My expectations are kind of unrealistic, but my favorite style of paintings are those that look more realistic than photos, so I'm always comparing myself to that, and falling dismally short!
6. That being said, several people have placed enough faith in my to have me do art for them, for gifts and illustrations, and this is emboldening me to no end! I'm actually starting to get really excited about my possibilities of hugely improving in this area to where I can create "blow you away gorgeous" cover art. Can't wait!
7. I do not like hot, spicy foods... too much garlic powder can ruin a dish! But I love vinegar-dill pickles, and sauerkraut, which some people can't seem to understand. I guess I've just got Germanic taste-buds, not South of the Border stuff!!!
8. I have had my age mistaken to be about ten years older than I was, ten years younger, and once a sales lady said "Your sister is so smart!"
I smiled, "Yes, she is." I said, "And actually, she's my mom."
I guess I just come across as ageless... no body gets it right! ;-)
9. I have a 5.5 lb chocolate poodle who makes me smile when I'm blue, and Belgian Tervuren farm dogs who are so amazing to train, they are a joy. I and my sis have trained them (to varying degrees) and it's so marvelous to watch your work blooming into impressively obedient dogs! It's one of the things that really make me smile, big time.
10. I've tried journaling or diary keeping, but there were too many interesting things going on to stop and write them down, it seemed. I did once keep more of a "log" when we first moved to Nebraska, and that is interesting to look back on from time to time. I kind of wish I did more of it, because they're be interesting too, but I don't take the time.
11. I love looking at my carvings, which are all so miniature many of them can sit on a penny. And I carved them with a Swiss Army knife, so that's kind of an accomplishment. (Mostly out of pine, but some other woods given by a woodworking friend.)
My collection of them is unfortunately rather small, since I gave most of them away to friends as I made them. And my carving days are kind of passed at this point. But the ones that I have make me smile on the rare occasions that I run across the little box of them when we're cleaning the room.
1. What’s the last sentence you wrote in a story?
“Hey!” the serving girl hurried forward with a wave.
“Hey, this girl needs help. I told her you could get her away from here… the
old lady wants to hold her for ransom.” (From Thaw: Winter Queen)
2. What was the last movie you watched?
We're in the middle of the Search for the Medallion... we got halfway through last night, then paused it and went to bed. Looks like we'll have company tonight, so we'll have to wait under tomorrow night to find out if they make it out of the waterfall pool!
3. Do you have a favorite quote?
4. Favorite food?
Not really, anything with potatoes and butter is a good start! But then pasta is sooo good too, and chocolate... chocolate counts as a food, right? Yes, I guess those would be my right-off-the-top-of-my-head top three favorite foods.
5. Have you ever seen a shooting star?
No, don't think so. I spent most of my childhood with poor eyesight, so seeing anything was kind of a trial for me. On the bright side, this made me rely heavily on the other senses when dealing with people, so I've got a highly developed "sense of intuition" when it comes to meeting new folks. basically, I think I just pick up on all the subtle clues most people miss 'cause they're too busy looking!
6. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three books, which would you bring?
The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1950's edition. Those things are treasure troves of seriously useful stuff, and that's what I'd want on my side in any adventurous type deal. Like Sherlock Holmes said, knowing where to look it up is half the battle of intelligence.
7. In real life, which appeals to you more: futuristic, modern, or old-fashioned?
If you mean Futuristic, as in sci-fi? No. If futuristic, as in beyond this mortal veil, when Good shall reign supreme? Yes! Absolutely, I can't wait!
8. In fiction, which appeals to you more: futuristic, modern, or old-fashioned? (Other worlds count.)
I like them all. Especially the futuristic ones, because there are fewer mistakes... at least that jump out at me. Knowing what I know, most historical authors mess up the time period or realism pretty badly somewhere or other, and it just ruins it for me. (One recommendation: Samuel Shellabarger books, are terrific historical fiction. Read them! Start with Captain from Castile... a heart pounding adventure novel that is really factual.)
9. What’s the strangest thing hanging on your wall in your room?
Hmm... depends on you definition. If peacock feather draped off the bookshelves are strange, that might be it. If a globe suspended from the ceiling by a copper wire holder family members fashioned by hand, then maybe that. Other then that it's just regular stuff... paintings/drawings I have done, shelves full of art supplies or books.
10. What’s your favorite bird?
My favorite bird might be the turkey, 'cause it's seriously good to eat. Or it might be the dove, 'cause those are so, so elegant and beautiful in every movement. There are a lot of flashy, colorful birds too, but once you go there you could be lost a long time! Oh! What about the Cock o' the Rock? Totally orange bird all over! Very pretty.
11. Robin Hood or King Arthur?
Robin Hood, hands down. I read the book as a teen, the real old fashioned book with the Olde English wording and it captured me in a way few books have. "Out upon thee, scurvy varlet! A murrain take ye!"
9 comments:
Fun answers! Now I know allll about you! ;)
Pasta! <3 (And chocolate, but that's a given...)
Also, that's so cool you have a peacock feather because I have one in my room as well! Gorgeous.
All the WIPs!! Yep, guilty... I need to start finishing too. Good luck on that! :)
Great answers!
I totally agree about pasta!
Where do I begin to comment? All the answers were so detailed and interesting...
Let's see...
I like the ending line of your story!
I totally sympathize about trying to write a diary/journal and not being able to do it. I've tried and it just isn't me. When life was boring I didn't feel like writing--when life was interesting I was too busy! Besides, made up stories are more fun to write. :)
Your poor feet! I had no idea. But it's cool to have sensitive feet, in a way--instead of having big insensitive feet like mine! :)
Peacock feathers are amazing...:)
I also get people confused about my age. But they don't typically think I'm younger than I am--they typically think Sarah and I are twins and the same age. Which makes her happy--since she's much older than I am--and makes me feel, well...like I already look middle aged. :D But I don't mind. Apparently, that means little kids think you could be the mom of one of their friends..and a mom look isn't bad, right? :)
I read the old Robin Hood book too. Nothing like that version. :)
Hey, Deborah! Actually, I'm a tad bit more complex then this list implies, but it does give you a good start! ;-) And I'll be looking forward to hearing yours!!! ;-)
Yes, those WIPs can really get to haunting you, especially 15 years later... ;-)
And of course, chocolate is a given. ;-) Pasta comes pretty close, too, right? ;-)
Hannah, believe me, it is totally NOT cool to have feet that pain you on a regular basis! It's like having a crippled horse... now foot no horse! Good thing I have a mind and fingers that work right, that way I an do computer stuff, and be a webmaster, and such. Also, I'm killer at answering phones. (Just in case you needed a secretary sometime or something... you know, just sayin'.)
But it makes putting up face a challenge. (I spent the morning working on that, and my back and feet will be telling me all about it in the morning, for sure! ;-) )
The mom look is really a great look. There's something really special about people with a mom-look. :-)
And yes for Robin Hood!!! I was once asked, which person in history inspires you? I ran through them in my head and came up with one answer. "Robin Hood!" :-)
So much fun, Elizabeth! All your facts were very interesting and detailed!
1. You make shoes??? I sympathize with the foot problems ... mine have a dull ache most of the time, but not nearly as bad as yours must be. :( I have high arches and it's hard to find shoes with good support.
2. If I ever write a book that involves that activity, I will be sure to consult you!! (It's quite useful to have a friend who knows those things. :))
5. Your artwork has its own special personality! Drawings/paintings that don't look like photos have a charm and a imaginative quality that realism lacks.
6. I can't wait to see any books that you illustrate!!!
8. I mostly get the younger age estimate. But the "mom-look" is a very look to have. It's reassuring to people. :)
9. Sweet dogs!
11. Can you show us a picture of your carvings? I love miniatures!
It's fun to answer the same questions in these types of tags. I got to answer these questions in my tag, too. You have great answers!
Fun answers!
And yes, a globe hanging from the ceiling is strange. ;)
Okay, Kelsey! Yes, I will have to put some of those type of pictures on! :-) Both of the carvings and the shoes... :-)
Shared sympathies on the feet problem, it can be such a pain. (Both literally and figuratively. ;-) )
And Sarah... what weird thing is hanging in your bedroom? ;-)
My walls are pretty bare. An orange ceramic butterfly my mom made is probably the most unique thing--so that's what I mentioned in my sunflower post. ;)
Well, Sarah, that definitely sounds unique! :-) I'll have to hop on over and check out your answers!!! :-)
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