Tamara over at Smiling for Grandma tagged me to answer a few questions for her in this little “getting to know you” project that’s going around and though it took me a little bit to get through them, I wanted to get them posted for her and you all. I’m being a party pooper and not tagging anyone else, but if you’d like to join in on the fun just leave a comment and I’ll send some questions (written up especially for you!) your way.

Thanks for the questions, Tamara! (Head over and check out her blog! She takes lovely photos and often blogs about one of my favorite things — grandparents.)

1. how long have you been blogging? during this time has your blogging focus changed?

Since I was a wee lass (over 10 years now). And yes, my focus has changed a lot! In the beginning I wrote about feelings and more personal things going on in my life, along with cryptic prose and poetry. Cut me some slack, please! I was a teenager

2. what was the the name of your first best friend…are you still friends?

My first best friend…probably Delisa, since we met in the church nursery. Yes, we are still friends. She was one of the bridesmaids in my wedding.

3. what is the best meal you have ever had.

It’s hard to pin down one single, best meal in my life. Some of my favorites are meals that come entirely from produce right here in Oklahoma. I love going to the farm market and making a meal solely from things grown within a 25 mile radius of my house.

4. do you have a pet? share a picture!

Clare — she’s our little Scottish Terrier / Poodle mix (mostly Scottie)

5. did you want to change your name when you were a child? if you did…to what? {i wanted to change mine to anita…my favorite babysitter.}

That’s funny, because my mom’s name is Anita, but she hates that and goes by “Nita”. I went through a Cordelia phase (ahem, Anne of Green Gables) and a time when I thought it would have been nice to have been named Amethyst. I may use that on a book character just to get it out of my system.

6. with regard to your creative passion…who do you admire?

Anna Gavalda, Willa Cather, Flannery O’Connor, L.M. Montgomery, Ayn Rand, and E.E. Cummings.

7. tell us about a memorable trip as a child.

We didn’t ever go very far away while I was still young, but the most memorable trip was when I was 8 years old and we traveled to Colorado with my extended family for a camping trip. For the past 30 years or so the entire paternal side of my family has loaded up and caravanned to Colorado during the summer. We only went that one time in 1993, but it was memorable for many reasons. I had never seen mountains like that before. It was the first time I camped out (in a trailer). We ate food that we cooked over the fire every night. I got to wander the woods with my brothers and cousins. Maybe someday I’ll write about it in more detail and find a few photos to share.

8. do you enjoy live music? if so, do you have a favorite concert?

I do enjoy live music and my preference is for concerts where I’m allowed to sit and enjoy the music, rather than become part of some swaying, drunken mob. Crowd participation is not my thing (it’s why I’ll never sit close during a performance of Cats). Because of this I would have to say that some of my favorite concerts have been Michael Bublé. He is so entertaining.

Between the time that I first started this post and when I finished it I attended a concert that may be one of my favorites. My husband and I saw Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, and Thompson Square. My favorite of all the acts was Darius Rucker. So nice to hear some Hootie & the Blowfish songs And hearing “Purple Rain” was a delight:

9. do you use butter, or a substitute, when you bake?

As a rule in life, not just baking, I only use real butter.

10. are you in a book club? if you are, do you actually read the book…or are you more attracted to the monthly wine and food gathering with girlfriends?

I’m not, but I’d love to be! I just hate being assigned a book to read that I wouldn’t choose on my own. I know, that’s not very open minded, but time is precious!

11. my grandma is no longer here but i think about her everyday, and this blog was created with her in mind. {that’s her and my grandpa up in the header.} i love talking about grandmas…and grandpas too. do you have a grandma or grandpa memory you would like to share?

Oh there are so many. One of my favorites — when I was about 4-years-old and my great-grandpa (Pappy) had grown too frail to do much for himself, I would sit on his lap and shave his face with an electric razor. I remember the buzzing and the way I would have to hold it steady with both hands because it was a little much for a 4-year-old’s hands to manage. I remember pressing the shielded blades up against his dark skin that was lined with age, soft, and warm. How his blue eyes shone with life.

Thank you so much for the chance to share, Tamara. I enjoyed it thoroughly! If anyone would like any questions for themselves, just leave a comment and ask. I’ll be happy to oblige.

Related posts:

1. 50 of My Favorite Films — 30-26
2. For Julie
3. Nightmarish