Ten things about me

Well, I got tagged by Tracy and the first thing about me is I don't know ten people who have blogs---even counting Tracy and her brothers and sister.

*Here's how you play....once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with ten random facts, habits, or goals about yourself. At the end, choose ten people to tag, listing their names and why you chose them; don't forget to leave a comment on their page letting them know "tag you're it". You cannot tag the original people/person back that tagged you first, but let them know when you have posted so they can read your blog.

So........here goes.

1. I've always wanted to visit Italy but never dreamed I'd one day live here. I love it, have friends here and can't wait to go home.

2. Someone once asked me (mmmmm.....Tracy) "Is it possible for someone to read too much?" I love to read. Love to be taken away by the magic of books, especially to places I would never be able to or be brave enough to go in real life, i.e. Janet Evonovich's bounty hunter, Madeline L'Engle's fantasy time travel, Dicken's or Jane Austin's era England.

3. I hate talking about myself but find myself doing it a lot. I feel self conscious talking about much else. I don't talk about other people (to them, of course) because I'm afraid I'd be intruding into personal things. I don't talk about facts because I don't really feel I know a lot about much. I never even talked about my kids much when they were little. Who would want to hear how wonderful, smart, beautiful and talented my kids were except their Grandmas.

4. Speaking of Grandmas......I have always felt that my kids were cheated in that department (my mother died young and Bob's mom didn't really like the grandma-thing) and that's why it's so hard for me to be gone when my own grandkids are young. Every child needs a grandma who will love them no matter what and want to spend time with them.

5. I love to be outside but don't get there very often. My favorite thing we've ever done has been to go hiking on the trails at Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Missouri, or exploring Schermerhorn Park in Galena, Kansas.

6. I love water (lakes, oceans, seas, even ponds) but am a little bit afraid of it, too. I'm never comfortable in a boat but love to ride in them. I love to swim but want to be able to touch the bottom of the pool. Such a dichotomy.

7. I am seen as calm and cool but whenever there is an emergency situation, I'm the first to panic. I'm a real wuss when it comes to blood, injuries, pain, etc.

8. I want to be thought of by others as very intelligent but I don't really think I am. I insisted for myself that I make top grades in college but had to get up at four in the morning to study and have tutors for certain science classes to get the grades I wanted.

9. I've always had five things I've wanted to do in my lifetime. I've been able to do most: travel to England, get a college degree, see a Broadway play (it was actually in St. Louis but it was the road show of the Broadway production). Actually, I can't think of the last things but three out of five would still be great even if I could remember.

10. I would love to write a book but I can't even write a letter. Kids, do you recall when I'd send money with a note that said. "Here's your money. I love you. Mom" ? Occasionally I get inspired to write an anecdote from my life but I'm definitely not a writer.

Now for my ten people. Can you believe I know people who not only do not have a blog but not even a computer? Sue, I want to tag you because I miss your sense of humor and being a part of your life. So consider yourself tagged. Lynette, because sometimes you let Ken do the talking for you. I want to know your opinions, hopes and dreams. Christine, because I love reading when you blog. You see things in a beautiful way. Leota, if you're still blogging, I need to reconnect. I miss being in touch with you. Eunice and Rhonda--you need to blog. You'd both be great in your own ways and this would be a great start. That's the end of my list. I'm looking forward to reading Michele's and Chasity's. If I know you. If you read my blog. If you are willing to bare your soul. :) Let me know and I'll tag you, too.