The 10 Questions about Me is a swap in the ESG group on Swap-Bot. Below are my answers to the questions.
Recent photo of myself with my name, city/country, and a brief bio.
Sophia, Olivia, and I with Santa.
December 2018
There I am - the second from the left. A rare photo of me since I don't like haven't my photo taken. Usually, I am the one behind the camera taking photos of others.
I live in Minnesota - and have for my entire life minus two years when I lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, and another two years in San Francisco, California.
As for a bio: I'm 52 years old, have been married for more than half my life (28 years in October 2018), and have two daughters who were adopted from China when they were 11 and 10 months old (Sophia and Olivia, respectively).
Sophia, Olivia, and me about eight or ten years ago.
I worked in the development/fundraising field from when I graduated from college to when I started my own non-profit in 1995. After doing that for about eight years, I transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom who homeschools both her daughters.
My interests are: education and life-long learning; photography; nature and wildlife; the arts (visual arts and music in particular); cooking and baking; embroidery; sewing; and quilting.
Now the questions...
What's the most interesting thing you've read lately?
I read somewhere that the trees you plant now should be ones that will survive 20 or 25+ years from now in a different climate. So, as we're seeing the temperatures gradually warm in Minnesota, for example, we need to think of trees that grow and thrive well in warmer climates.
There was a workshop or class about this topic that was promoted on Facebook. Unfortunately, I didn't write down the information; and I can't find the event now. Perhaps it has passed. Nonetheless, it was an interesting thought about being mindful about what you plant; and the importance of looking at the long-term.
What's a fact about you that's not included in your Swap-bot profile?
I was in a car accident on November 14, 2018. A guy wasn't paying attention as he drove up an exit ramp and rear-ended my car as I was waiting at the intersection. The thing was - it wasn't even my car either. It was a loaner vehicle.
Due to the accident, I have whiplash which has required a CT scan and MRI of my neck and brain; and many medical appointments with the doctor, spine specialist, and chiropractor. Next week, physical therapy sessions begin. I've been told by multiple medical professionals that it is a long journey to recovery.
Do you listen to any podcasts? Which ones? If not, what topics would interest you?
I do not listen to podcasts. However, if I did listen to them, I would be most interested in subjects about nature, art, and creativity. A couple that I found include:
Pulse of the Planet. The description says: "Each weekday, Pulse of the Planet provides its listeners with a two-minute sound portrait of Planet Earth, tracking the rhythms of nature, culture and science worldwide and blending interviews and extraordinary natural sounds."
Another that would interest me is Your Creative Push. The description says, "Your Creative Push is the daily podcast that pushes YOU to pursue your creative passion. Every week, Youngman Brown interviews artists, musicians, writers, photographers, graphic designers, and other inspirational creative individuals in an attempt to get them to inspire you to put aside your excuses and START DOING WORK.
"Each artist opens up to YOU, revealing the things that hold THEM back on a daily basis, and how they FIGHT THROUGH IT. They then give you one final push, in an attempt to motivate you to start doing work as soon as the episode is over. If you have a full-time job or full-time responsibilities and WISH that you had the COURAGE and MOTIVATION to FINALLY do that thing that has been on your mind, this podcast is for you!"
If you were in charge of the playlist right now, which five songs would you play next?
The only time I listen to music is when I'm in the car. Rarely do I listen to music at home. It seems like the current songs keep repeating themselves so often. So, I would want to listen to songs that are rarely - if ever - heard on the radio.
Let's go back in time, shall we?
Jesus Christ Superstar - 1970. My dad had this album and I remember him playing it turning up when the song with Judas, the girls, and angels came on. This was his favorite song. Today was the first time I saw the video (click on the link above), but the song is as vivid in my mind now as it was then. It brings back so many good memories of him and his love for music.
My Dad playing the organ in Pella, Iowa, when he, my Mom,
Sophia, Olivia, and I took a trip there in April 2009.
Under Pressure - 1982 - by Queen. I would listen to this song regularly when my parents were struggling with their own serious health issues towards the end of their lives (2009-2012 with my Dad; and until 2015 with my mom).
When I was driving by myself to visit them - whether in the hospital or nursing home - I would put this song on and the whole car would reverberate with the music. It was the needed mental escape I needed during a highly stressful and sad period of my life.
Body Talk - by the Wallets. This is a band I used to listen to in college. I watched them many times live at local bars and the evenings were always so much fun. People would be singing and dancing. You always would leave in such a good mood. The video is fun to watch. It was typical of the time period (1980s).
This Must Be the Place - by the Talking Heads. I hadn't heard this song until about a year or so ago on a show that Sophia and Olivia were watching. I liked the melody, but didn't know it was the Talking Heads (a band that I liked back in the 1980s).
You Can Call Me Al - by Paul Simon. This is just an upbeat song that I'd end the playlist on. It, like the others, is one from decades ago. In my mind, though, it seems like yesterday that I listened to these songs and performers. How quickly time goes by.
Oh...one more:
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - also by Paul Simon. This came from the
Graceland album. I listened to that cassette so many times (this is before music CDs were created). So many times I would listen to the songs and sing along to them as a I drove to work, back to college after visiting my parents, and going on driving trips. Lots of good memories when I hear these songs.
What's the best gift you've ever gotten?
I've thought about this questions for a while and nothing material comes to mind. The physical gifts I've received are thoughtful or useful.
What truly is the best gift I've received is time. Time with my family I grew up with: my parents, my sister, and my brother; and my family now.
A trip to Duluth's children museum in 2008.
The girls were dressed up in costumes and playing on the
equipment they had there for kids to explore.
The every-day experiences, meals we've shared, trips we've taken, talks we've had...all these are so much more valuable and meaningful than any possession I've been given.
My sister, my mom, Sophia, Olivia, and me celebrating
my mom's birthday on April 24, 2010.
What's your favorite part about living where you live right now?
There are many things that I love about living here. It is very peaceful and quiet; and on holidays people go out of town so it is even more quiet!
Nature surrounds us which I enjoy. The sunsets and sunrises are amazing; and the beauty of each one never gets old.
Sunset on November 2, 2011.
There is wildlife all over our farm or right by it. I've seen and/or heard a variety of birds, raptors, mink, deer, fox, pheasants, coyotes, turkeys, and bears.
Least favorite?
The cold weather! We've had a very mild winter so far. However, the weather - starting tomorrow - will be getting into the teens and single-digits during the day, and below zero at night. As long as it stays away from being below zero during the day and double-digits at night, I can tolerate it.
The girls throwing snow at each other in the backyard
on February 29, 2012.
What's something that people assume about you, that isn't true?
Some people think that I either grew up on a farm or have always lived in the country since we used to have chickens, sheep, and turkeys; and we have two horses now.
In reality, my dad grew up on farms in Illinois, but as a child I grew up in the inner city and suburb of Minneapolis. My parents sent us down on a plane to visit my grandparents (my dad's parents) when my sister and I were young; and then my dad, mom, and baby brother would drive down to Illinois from Minneapolis.
My sister and I would get to visit relatives' farms, pick peaches from my grandparents' peach tree, play outdoors, and ride on the tractor. That was the extent of my farm living.
Bailey and Hoss in the pasture.
When we moved to the farm here in 1995 and got livestock, everything was a learn-by-doing process. It was fun, exciting, and something new that I had never done before.
If you had to sum up 2018 in three words, which would they be?
Losses. Challenging. Resilience.
A couple photos from the fire on May 5, 2018, that burned the
hobby shed, playhouse, 15 trees, and 14 acres of farm land. Also burned
(but not completely destroyed): the animal barn, deck, and outdoor furniture.
Melted: siding and window on the back of the house; and car.
What event/trip/holiday are you most looking forward to?
Going as a family to Seattle (Washington) and multiple cities in Alaska for Sophia's graduation gift. We had originally wanted to go to China, but the political atmosphere is a bit tenuous right now; and there have been enough situations that make traveling there and back into the U.S. too unnerving.
The Space Needle in Seattle.
I went here on June 5, 2016, with my sister.
We want this trip to be fun, memorable, and exciting - not stressful. Hopefully, someday in the future, we will all be able to travel to China to show the girls where they were adopted from; and share stories about their adoptions and the process with them now that they are older.
