10 little monkeys

A game of tag is circulating the blog world and I’ve just been snagged…by Kathryn, a playful little monkey who asked that I play along. I’m game!

That being said, I have a rule-breaking streak in me…I’m squirming here, itching to break free and add a few questions of my own. I’m not one who likes the confinement of narrow boxes. 

But – also being a bundle of contradictions, as most of us are – I’m generally amiable and play by the rules. Here are the questions I was asked and I’ll do my best to stop squirming.

1.  Describe yourself in seven words.

joyful….soft-hearted….adventurous….passionate….lover-of-life….positive….thankful.  Above all, I think…thankful!

2.  What keeps you up at night?

How much time do you have??? My short answer: a mind that frolics. It loves words, and from them it makes up all kinds of sentences that lead to all kinds of scenarios, some amusing, others quite boring and repetitious. My mind tries dancing while my body tries sleeping. They’ve been doing this for years.

3.  Whom would you like to be?

oh, only me. (not that I’d recommend that for anyone else, no, I wouldn’t!)

I was a bit of a late bloomer, and I’m still figuring it out, this blooming thing. But I’m getting closer. Not by leaps and bounds, but by hops and skips, and now that I’ve started down this path, I have no interest in turning back. And as poor a job as I’ve done at being me at times, I’d do an even worse job at trying to be someone else. For now, I’m content to keep skipping down my own path.

4.  What are you wearing now?

I’ll be right back.

I’m wearing the loveliest cashmere sweater, a hand-painted silk scarf, a curve-hugging skirt with a (just-barely-tasteful) slit up the side, tall tall boots,

(who am I kidding. I dress in clothes that feel good. Which is not to say frumpy, never frumpy! No sweatpants in this closet. But I’m cozy-comfily dressed. Really, who wants more information than that?)

5.  What scares you?

Losing the thing that keeps me up at night. I’ve gotten used to a mind that frolics.

6.  What are the best and worst things about blogging?

The best: words and images and the  J O Y  of weaving them together. And the completely unexpected best: the joy of friendships formed and forming! Of this, I had no idea.

The worst: pushing “publish” and then thinking, oh that was stupid. that was idiotic. why did you say that? what were you thinking? what will they think? why don’t you just quit this whole thing and go back to life as it was – it was good! That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. Self-doubt.

7.  What was the last website you looked at?

American Hunter Woman – hah! got you didn’t I?

8.  If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Self-doubt.

9.  Slankets, yes or no?

I must be so old! What the heck is a slanket? But I guess I’ll say no. I don’t like the sounds of that at all.

10. Tell us something about the person who tagged you.

Kathryn may just be a Renaissance woman. I’ve only been following her a short time, so it may be too early to tell, but all signs are – yes, Kathryn is a Renaissance woman. She knows farming, animal husbandry, is a poet, humorist, expressive in all manner of visual arts, cooking, music, life –  ridiculously Renaissance! And quite the joy! A recent post of hers (What, Were you born in a Barn?)  illustrates the point quite well.

Whom are you going to tag to join the quiz?

If I’ve double-tagged anyone I apologize. I’d suggest you play along only so long as it makes you smile to do so.

cityhippyfarmgirl whose site I only recently began following, and SO regret that, but am (head over heels) thoroughly enjoying it now!

Barbara (but I can’t call her anything but Smidge) over at just a smidgen – I wouldn’t miss a single post of hers. Many a day, she’s made sun stream through my windows. Everything about her blog (and her) is loveliness. If you don’t already know, you’ll see!

Ashley of Draw Near whose writing is tender-tender-hearted, exquisitely crafted, wise and funny. On family, home, life and its travails, pitfalls & joys, all within the context of living a mindful, spirit-filled life. (Full-disclosure insists that I proudly say, Ashley’s also my daughter.)

Chica Andaluza, transplanted from London,  now lives on a mountain in southern Spain, sharing a life with BigMan, chickens and dogs. “Chica” is delightful, creative (she also designs and sews some of her own clothes), and from the looks of things, a VERY good cook. Go say hola to Chica!

And here’s a blog only recently begun by Val over at 100 square meters. He’s documenting his development of a 100 square meter “allotment” on a hillside in Ireland, turning rocky weedy ground into a vegetable garden. And from there, into food for the table. Frankly, I’m just plain curious, and ready to follow his every muddy move. Not sure if he’ll find time to answer these questions or not, but no harm in asking.

For all of you who stayed to the end, thanks so much!

You deserve a prize, so I’ll make you something special tomorrow.

love,

spree