I Belong to Them

Sunday Stealing

Hey Nineteen! That's 'Retha Franklin. She don't remember the Queen of Soul.  - Steely Dan

1)Where would you retire to?

A. If spit were wishes and I could have anything I wanted, I would have three homes. One where I am now for spring and fall, one in Vermont for summer, and another in Savannah, Georgia, for winter. As it is, I expect to be right here in ol' Virginny until the worms eat me.
 2)What are your best physical features?

A. I have good skin, or used to - I'm starting to get moles and barnacles as I age.

3)What are your best characteristics?

A. I am loyal and smart. I have the ability to see right into the heart of a problem and find a solution (so long as the problem doesn't involve myself - that's too close for solutions, apparently).

4)What kind of books do you like to read?

A. Literary fiction, fantasy, mysteries, chick lit, young adult fantasy and other good stories, gothic romances and nonfiction health books, as far as genres go. Some of my favorite authors are Janet Smiley, Nora Roberts, Phyllis Whitney (old school there), Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, Anita Shreve, Tamara Pierce - oh, heck, there are just too many to name.

5)What are you reading now?

A. At the moment I am reading Healing Pelvic Pain by Amy Stein.

6)Where would you want to retire to?

A. Didn't we already answer this question?

7)What is your favorite time of the day?

A. I like the hours between 10 and 2. Dr. Pepper time.

8)Where did you grow up?

A. I grew up about six miles from where I live now, on a farm.

9)How far away from your birthplace do you live now?

A. Not very far.

10)Are you a morning person or a night owl?

A. I'm a middle-of-the-day person.

11)What inspires you?

A. Good stories, pretty pictures, friends, interesting conversations, Mother Nature.

12)Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows?

A. Well, I tried but without looking at myself in the mirror, which I can't do with my eyes closed, I am not certain. It feels like the eyebrows go up but I can't swear to it.

13)Do you have pets?

A. I have a herd of cattle, lots of deer that think I belong to them, and a couple of rabbits that believe my flowers and garden to be their personal domain. Also a few turkeys believe that I am here for their amusement, and the other day I found a few vultures roosting on my roof. The latter creeped me out.

14)How many rings before you answer the phone?

A. I have to get it before it rings four times or the voice mail kicks in.

15)What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life?

A. Babysitter, file clerk, secretary, legal secretary, news reporter, news stringer, freelance writer, bookkeeper, computer repair person, webmaster, blogger, poet, nonfiction writer, photographer, professional student, teacher, house cleaner, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, granddaughter.

16)Any new and exciting things that you would like to share?

A. Not really. I can give you a health update - I'm in pain, now trying specialized physical therapy at a place with nice people but parking from hell, and still don't have a diagnosis as to what is wrong with me. I think the 60+ ulcers I had in my tummy have mostly healed, and the nausea is all but gone, which helps a lot. I have little stamina or energy and most activities make my abdomen hurt. Things that used to take me minutes to do can now take an hour. There is improvement but it is slow.

17)What is most important in life?

A. At this point I would say your health. I wish I'd realized that about 30 years ago.

18)Did you dream last night?

A. Yes, very vividly. And in color.

19)Do you remember your dreams?

A. I do. Last night I dreamed I was trapped in molasses and my husband was trying to pull me out. It hurt, and there was a lot of screaming involved.