Friday, December 17, 2010

30 Random Things

I was tagged on Facebook for this. It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these. Since I still don’t know exactly how Facebook works, I said I would do this as a blog. So here it is. Since you’ve already done this, Gladys, (and indeed, you are the one who tagged me!) won’t SOMEONE else please return the favor and post something on your own blog, Facebook/Myspace page or email it to me?? Huh? Is that too much to ask for?? (picture a small teardrop and a quivering lip…)

  1. I love a steak and baked potato dinner. And I like that steak to be medium well.
  2. I have always loved coffee, from a very early age. I can remember being 3-4 years old and sneaking coffee from my parent’s or grandparent’s coffee cups when they weren’t looking.
  3. I could not care less what kind of car I drive. Cars don’t interest me in the slightest. I just want to go from point A to point B in comfort and safety. A good stereo is just bonus. Although I have to admit I think Metropolitans are adorable and would love to have a “toy car” as I call them.
  4. I was born with a deep and abiding love for cats. Love them ALL. If I didn’t have good common sense and a good sense of responsibility, I could see myself becoming one of those “crazy cat ladies”.
  5. I am starting to become uncomfortable with the changes that come with getting older. Right now it’s the wrinkled skin on my arms that catches me by surprise at times.
  6. I don’t care how much grey hair I have, I am never going to color my hair again.
  7. I love all colors, but am very partial to blue. However, I wouldn’t want everything to be blue. I need the other colors to show just how beautiful blue really is.
  8. I can’t sleep if I’m cold. In the summer, I might have trouble sleeping if it’s too warm, but having a fan on is all I need. If I don’t have a fan, I just take off my pj’s. But I CANNOT sleep if I’m cold.
  9. I fear and despise spiders. Don’t care for bugs in general. Spiders are just plain evil.
  10. I hate needles, but am not phobic about it. I donate blood on a regular basis, but can’t watch them stick the needle in.
  11. I hate pain and don’t deal well with it. I used to be very stoic, but over the years it’s just worn me down and I cry a lot more now.
  12. I am a Christian. I don’t force my faith on people, but will gladly give my testimony. I am not ashamed to say that I love my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
  13. I love nature. All of God’s handiwork is awesome. Trees, mountains, flowers, desert. Standing amidst the beauty of this world can move me to tears.
  14. My children hold my heart in their possession, and have since the day they were born. No one else on this earth has such complete power over me.
  15. I am a voracious reader of almost any genre. Sci-fi and Mystery are at the top of the list. Getting lost in a good book is my favorite means of escape.
  16. I have always felt “outside” of the rest of the world, from a very early age. I have always felt acutely self-aware and uniquely alone. I never felt that I had true peers, until I was an adult.
  17. I can’t sing worth a damn. And I love to sing. You’ve been warned….
  18. I love music. I especially love listening to the piano. I can play fairly well, but haven’t the discipline to be good. That takes practice. I hate practicing.
  19. I love, admire and respect my husband. He is my earthly Rock. He is my Touchstone. He truly is my “other half”. I am not complete without him. Sharing the same faith has gotten us through everything, and always will.
  20. I love the chaos of having Sarah and Lia visit. Seeing the toys strewn all over the place gives me much joy. Picking them all up again, notsomuch. But it’s all good.
  21. I have a younger brother who I love deeply. Also his wife and daughter. I love spending time with them. Visits are NEVER long enough!
  22. As bizarre as this state is, I LOVE California! I love its natural beauty. And as they say, “the land of fruits and nuts”.
  23. I was born in Missouri and am glad I don’t live there! I hate humidity and I would hate dealing with a lot of snow and cold.
  24. I am very nearsighted. I’ve worn glasses since I was 7.
  25. I’ve always wanted to be a wife and mother. Thus, I feel I have succeeded in my life.
  26. I used to be so phobically shy I could hardly speak to my own family members. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s that I was able to speak (although very uncomfortably) in social settings. Now you can’t shut me up.
  27. I love fried Spam.
  28. I am afraid of deep water. Anything over 4’ makes me uncomfortable. I will NOT go swimming in the ocean or a lake.
  29. I’m deeply afraid of heights, but I’m not afraid to fly.
  30. I wish I could speak German. It was my mother’s first language, and I regret that she didn’t pass it on.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

November Book Report

November Book Report

The four books I read last month were an interesting mix: biography, horror, comedy sci/fi and one downright depressing book.

“Scarlett O’Hara’s Younger Sister” by Evelyn Keyes told how the young dancer made her way into Hollywood. Her roll as the younger sister in Gone With the Wind wasn’t a big part, but it opened doors. The book was written in the 70’s when Ms. Keyes was well in her 50’s and was pretty frank. It was interesting to read about the Hollywood of the “golden age” and after with 2010 knowledge. Very well written.

“Son of Rosemary” by Ira Levin sucked me in right from the beginning. I had read Rosemary’s Baby a few years after the movie came out. I never saw the movie, but found the book pretty disturbing. I was curious enough to know “the rest of the story” however, to read the sequel. Once again, Levin is a great writer, and this book grabbed me from the start. I found the ending a bit disappointing. All I will say is: Don’t Trust Satan! He Lies!

“The Ice Storm” by Rick Moody was the downright depressing book. I never saw the movie, although I thought enough of the main actors to put it on my “like to see someday” list. I have now removed that movie from my list. The book takes place in New England in the 70’s with the adults being unhappy and having extramarital affairs and the kids being unhappy and experimenting with drugs and sex. No one really communicates from the heart and no one is happy at the end. Bah.

Who’s Afraid of Beowulf? by Tom Holt was a hoot and a half. I loved it and will keep it in my library. The other 3 books immediately went into the Salvation Army bag after I was finished with them.

This would make a great movie. Hildy is a young archeologist who discovers a buried Viking longship in the Scottish countryside and accidentally awakens King Hrolf Earthstar and his crew after their spell-induced sleep of 1200 years. Now she has to help them find and overthrow the evil Sorcerer King who has remained awake all those years and is intent on world domination through 20th century technology. Absolutely marvelous book.