The view outside my living room side window this afternoon shows just how sunshiny it is today. What it doesn't tell you is it's also 73° in November!. . . .
Only about half the trees have changed colors. They must be as confused as I am about the weather. I got out all my winter clothes last week and now I'm HOT in my long-sleeved top.
Last month I had a new commenter on this web journal which got me thinking how remiss I've been by not introducing you all to me (myself?) and to each other. So that is what I'm going to do today with a list of questions which I hope you will answer even if you are not a regular commenter. In fact, if you answer the questions you don't have to feel guilty any longer (if you were feeling guilty) about just looking. This will be all I need to know that my web journal is worthwhile beyond what it does for me as a creative outlet and a means to connect with like-minded people. At least I'm assuming we are like-minded in some ways, or else you wouldn't keep coming back, right?
Anyway, here are my questions (and my answers). All you need do is # your answers according to the question you are answering. You do not need to go into detail, as I have with some answers, and feel free to tell us anything else you care to reveal. . . .
- What is your name: Cathy
- What State/Country do you live in: Maryland, USA
- What is your marital status: Married, 46 years
- If you have children, please tell us something about them: We have 3 adult sons, two are married. One has a daughter (Olivia) They all live in Maryland.
- Do you work outside the home. If so, what do you do?: I was a stay-at-home Mom, full-time homemaker, who never went back to work as a secretary even after my children flew the coop. Since my husband has retired, I consider myself retired, too, since he has taken over many of the duties I used to do (freeing me to web journal all I want)
- What are your hobbies: Web Journaling, gardening, writing children's stories, learning to draw, preparing and hosting the Tasha Tudor/Take Joy Society get-togethers, babysitting Olivia, photography, scrapbooking, homemaking. One of my old hobbies was music (singing, piano, guitar, and most recently dulcimer) but that spark seems to have gone out....but I've at least passed it on to my second and third sons.
- Do you have a dream you're still hoping to fulfill: Yes! I'd love to illustrate my children's stories so I can self-publish them
If you were in my living room I'd ask you about your family of origin, all the places you've lived, and what your plans are for the future. You will notice I did not ask your age, although the number of years I've been married should give you a clue....but you might think me older than I actually am, so I will set you straight and tell you I only just started receiving Medicare this month! Feel free to tell us how old you are, if you want, but Grandma Moses, who lived to be 101, says her advice for living a long life is "Don't act your age"....so by forgetting how old you are you're more likely to not act it!
This is the view out the front window. As you can see I've brought my tender plants inside, but this Jasmine seems to want to be back outside. . . .
Take Joy!
Cathy, I too was so surprised at the warm temps of today! Tomorrow is supposed to a little warmer than today. I'll answer your questions, but you probably know the answers already.
ReplyDelete1. Martha Ellen
2. Virginia
3. Married, 48 years --I married at 18 and am now 66---
4. We have 2 children--our son lives in Richmond and our daughter lives in New Hampshire--our son has two sons and our daughter has one son who lives with us while attending college
5. I have always been a full time homemaker. God Bless all the mothers who work outside of the home.
6. I enjoy spending time with family, gardening, baking, sewing, traveling and sharing my joys on my blog. I love trying new crafts and used to do quite a bit of volunteering. My husband is retired as well, but really, do women really retire? My husband is a great guy who always pitches in when the need arises.
7. I don't have a specific goal other than seeing my grandchildren grow up to be productive,happy adults.♥
Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself, Martha Ellen. I agree with you--God bless all the mothers who work outside of the home--I don't know how they manage. I just wish families didn't need that second income, like so many do today because of the cost of housing. I wish they could find a way to live more simply, contentedly. I think sometimes they just don't realize they DO have options.
DeleteHi Cathy! It must be warm all over the country. Fall is very slow coming here.
ReplyDeleteSo here are my answers to your questionnaire.
1. Chris W
2. I live on 16 acres in the middle of nowhere in Knickerbocker, Tx
3. I was married for 25 years and when that ended, I moved to Texas. I met Jim a few years later. He was a friend of my Dad's and we have been happily together for almost 21 years.
4. I have one son who is married to the girl I would have picked out for him if I had been given the choice! I love my daughter-in-law! They have been married 11 years and have 2 children, Will is 7 and Ava is 4.
5. I am still working, although I get my very first SS check next month. I would say we are all about the same age!
I was a stay at home mom when my son was growing up and I loved it. I went to work when I moved to Texas and have worked for the same company for 23 years. I would like to work a few more years, but Jim's health is declining, so I don't know if that will be possible.
6. Horses were a large part of my life until I lost my equine partner of 26 years. It truly broke my heart when my little chestnut Arabian died at the age of 30. All of my longstanding friendships stem from my life with horses.
Now I garden, love herbs and essential oils. I make green cleaning products and soaps and body scrubs. I love crafts and scrapbooking. I love to read. I love my cats and really enjoy training dogs.
7. My dream is to retire and have more time to do the things I love. I am currently working with Molly, a Golden Retriever, we rescued to become a therapy dog. I would love to take her to nursing homes and shut ins. So far we have graduated and gotten our Canine Good Citizen certificate. We have one more advance test to take and then she goes into Therapy Training. She is a great dog and eager to please, so I think in another year she may be certified.
That is me pretty much! Although I forgot to mention Annabret, 18, my very first grandchild. She is the daughter of Jim's daughter. I am so blessed with a wonderful blended family. It was my bonus when I got Jim!
Thanks for asking about us and I am looking forward to hearing everyone else's story!
Chris
Thank you, Chris. I know some things about my long-time commenters, but am learning even more now. I love horses, too, even though I've only been on one twice. I think they are beautiful animals, especially when they are moving. I can imagine your grief in losing your equine friend. Twenty-six years is a very long time in the animal kingdom of "pets". I'd love to know why you chose Texas to move to? Was it because that is where your Dad lived? Did you grow up there? I've thought about getting Gabriel certified as a therapy dog. He loves people and people love him, and I was a volunteer visitor to a woman in a nursing home years ago. It sounds like you will be using your retirement years very profitably!
DeleteYes Cathy, my parents moved from Ohio to Texas in 1973, so when I needed my family, it was pick up and go to Texas. Texas and I have a love/hate relationship. I miss Ohio, I am a buckeye thru and thru!
DeleteMy son and his family are in Ohio and that makes it very hard for me. But I love people here too. My dad is gone, but my mom is 92 and going strong, and then there is Jim's family and Annabret. So I would be torn no matter where I lived. But I much prefer Ohio weather...even with the terrible winters they are having to this blasted heat and no rain! And it is very funny, because Jim was born and raised in Ohio, moved here when he was in the Air Force. He is a Texan. He loves it here.
Chris W
Chris, and Ohio and Texas are so far apart! This is the only problem I have with the United States. It is much too big for my sensibilities. So far, I've been fortunate that after spending my childhood moving about I've been able to settle here in Maryland since I married and my sons have been able to find employment here and have stayed nearby.
DeleteMy name is Linda and I am in my mid-50s. I've been married to Mike for 17 years. We gave 6 kids between us, all grown. We have 10 grandchildren between us as well. We live on the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. The weather here has been gorgeous but this morning a rain cloud is passing through. I am a registered nurse for 18 years. Before that I was a stay-at-home mom. Mike is retired and although I envy him, I know I am not quite ready for that. I love to read, bake, exercise, garden, crochet. I also enjoy those grandchildren! We have one cat. Our daughter lives on a small farm and has horses, chickens, turkeys, dogs and cats so we get our animal fix when we visit there. We can see Cedar Point Amusement Park from our backyard!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Linda! Nice to meet you! I realize I neglected to ask about people's pets. I have two--Poetry the Calico Cat and Gabriel the Little White Dog, but then if you've read my Web Journal for very long you know that. ☺︎ They have become my second family. Having lots of animals you can befriend while not having to take care of them sounds ideal to me! Although, my two have been pretty easy to look after as far as ,caring for pets goes. Thank you for introducing yourself and telling us a little about yourself and your family. Ten grandchildren must keep you plenty busy. Do they all live nearby? Being a nurse can be a very rewarding career. It is understandable that you are not eager to leave it behind. Like all things in life if we follow our heart it's not too hard to decide what's best for ourselves and our families.
DeleteI love the inspiring view from your window and the stained glass hanging in it. 1. Dotsie, 2. North Carolina, 3. married 44 years and I'm 66 (just saying that sounds shocking to me); 4. two grown sons who live near us--one is still single and the other is married and has three kids who are the joy of my life; 5. I always worked part time as a nurse except for 6 years when our kids were young, I'm retired now but still work part time for our NP as a writer and editor; 6. I love intentional time with my grands, cooking, crafting, reading, crocheting, photography, keeping in touch with friends--I am never bored.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dotsie! I knew most of these facts about you except for writing and editing for your NP (newspaper?) Do you write a regular column? You must do a post about that sometime. I look forward to intentional time with my granddaughter, that is to say, doing an actual activity. Right now, Olivia is like a ping pong ball--hard to keep up with as she changes from one activity to another.
DeleteWhat a delightful idea Cathy! I've been reading your blog for about a year now, and enjoy it so much. And thanks for posting your own questions and answers it was easy to copy and paste and substitute my own information. I'm looking forward to reading others posts too; like you I feel we must be a very special group:)
ReplyDeleteWhat is your name: Erin
What State/Country do you live in: Wisconsin, USA
What is your marital status: Single, 70 years
If you have children, please tell us something about them: I have no children but 3 nephews and one niece, 2 great nieces and 1 great nephew and one g. nephew on the way! What do you do?: I was a housekeeper, then a nurse, then a computer company front desk time manager, then a Sister in an Augustinian Community, which I left after 13 years and finally I am retired!
What are your hobbies: Hand crafts like crocheting and cross stitch, container gardening, Reading, especially the Bible, cat stories and cosy mysteries, Art and music so museums and symphonies when I can, scrap booking, and enjoying nature. I would love to have a big garden again, but since I live in a retirement complex with only a patio, I'm challenged to find shade loving plants or those that only need a bit of sun. (I face north)
Do you have a dream you're still hoping to fulfill: I'm about to fulfill a dream I've had since I retired three years ago: to adopt a kitty. I found a no kill shelter and am in the process of getting an older kitty who needs a new home. Learning everything about cats has been my "work" for the past two years, and I finally feel I'm as ready as I'll ever be!
Hello, Erin! Nice to have you here! It sounds like you've had an interesting and varied life so far and are about to embark on a new adventure: Cat Ownership (but truthfully, you will find it is the cat who owns you!) I've had 3 Calicos and 1 Tiger over the past 40 years. Poetry, my first long-hair Calico, has been my most vocal and most cuddly--a real personality. When I was a young child I had a Nun doll. I wasn't even of a religion that had Nuns, but I thought I'd like to be one when I grew up. If I had never married, I can see myself entering an Order.
DeleteOK, here goes:
ReplyDelete1. Name - Janet
2. I live in upstate New York, along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. The closest BIG city to us is Toronto, just across the Lake. I have a lovely apartment at a complex with a creek and small pond, and resident geese. I have a private entrance, laundry room/pantry, covered porch and tenants here are welcome to garden, plant flowers etc so that's great.
3. Marital status - single/never been married.
4. No kids, unless I get to cheat a little and count all the children I taught [first grade] or worked with in my job in admissions at a large university in our area.
5. I'm retired now and have been busy with many projects I promised myself I'd tackle once I retired. The best part about being retired is NOT having a schedule most of the time, and being able to plan activities knowing that if I don't get to A or B, for whatever reason, it's OK - nothing will be decimated. I'll just do it the next day, or whenever. The second best thing is not having to catch weather and traffic reports on a daily basis. The last time I actively looked for a weather report was just a few days ago, but because I was planning a long drive to admire the Fall landscape and was looking for a nice, not-rainy day.
6. My hobbies are reading [even cookbooks], watching old movies, rubber-stamping [though I haven't done much of that lately], listening to music, keeping up with my lists [I've been keeping lists of all kinds since high school and am working on getting them all onto my MacBook]. I don't like missing the "Antiques Roadshow" or "American Experience" or "Meet the Press". I collect baskets and pumpkins - though space for them is increasingly limited - and quotes [which is also one of my lists]. I'm also planning my dream house [have been since my late 20s]. In Detail. I've collected house plans and how-tos on virtually every aspect of home-building, including how to hire professionals. Plus paint chips, wallpaper samples, tiles, flooring samples, linen swatches. Appliance literature, roofing information, landscaping ideas, you name it. Of course my tastes and ideas have changed somewhat since I started my imaginary house, but when and if I ever hit the lottery, I will need only 2 things. An architect and a lot - and we're off!
Thanks for sharing, Janet. I agree with everything you said about retirement--especially making your own schedule--or not! Even though I did not work outside the home for longer than I did, I was tied to my kids' schedules--and my husband's. Now that he's retired we pretty much do what we want when we want to....although, the discount for seniors at our co-op means we shop on Wednesdays, and when we babysit it's when they need us, and then there's Poetry and Gabriel....we have to feed Poetry when SHE wants to be fed and let Gabriel out when he wants to go.....did I say we make our own schedule now? Oh well.
DeleteCathy, by the comments, I would say it is a shame we all don't live closer. It sounds like we would all be good friends!
ReplyDeleteChris W
I agree, Chris! ❤️
DeleteHi Cathy, I agree with the comment above. The similarities are amazing. Here's my take on your questions.
ReplyDelete1. My name is Pat
2. I live in California but I'll always be a Washington state girl at heart
3. I've been married 40 years
4. I have a grown son and grown daughter and two adorable grandchildren
5. I used to work as a secretary at a bank for over 25 years. But my passion is being a homemaker.
6. My hobbies are crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, watercolors, and baking. My oven was broken and I felt like a duck of of water!
7. My dreams to fulfill is to see my grandchildren grow up and enjoy their lives
I feel blessed to have the opportunity to meet such great friends via my blog and others. Wishing you a great weekend, Pat xx
Hello, Pat! Thank you for telling us more about you. I've enjoyed your comments here for sometime.
DeleteA wonderful, blustery day here in mid TN Cathy, always enjoy everything about your sharings and reading about everyone.
ReplyDeleteName- Vivian
State I live in- Tennessee, live in a valley on a large farm; we raise dexter and jersey cows, both for beef and dairy, we also raise rabbits for meat, chickens, ducks and geese. We garden extensively, canning and drying most of all our produce. We use solar, have 2 creeks and 3 springs for our water source. Summer we use butane for the summer kitchen, wood use for winter, heating and cooking inside. We have only lived in TN 8 yrs., making lots of changes from most modern ways, to more simple?, well, maybe not so simple, but we are definitely more content with less and doing, providing more for ourselves.
Married- 41 years to Charles
Children- we have 3 birth children, Seth 39, wife Jennifer have two children, Abigail-4 and Liam-2, Abel 37, wife Kristy have one child, AnnaBeth-4 and daughter Katie 34 has one child Aidan-13. 20 years ago the Lord led us into special needs adoptions of which we adopted 7, most needs are cp, down syndrome, fetal alcohol, all with retardation, and in wheel chairs, but one daughter is ambulatory. Kimi 27, Bethany 23, AddieMae 19, Isaiah 13, Jamie 13. We lost two in the last 10 years, Preston was 19 and Jonah was 9. The children are total care, of which we, Charles and I are their sole caregivers. Seth and Katie live just a stone's throw away and are very helpful in all. This journey has it challenges, both positive and negative, but we have learned so much about ourselves through these children. God is good and faithful.
I have always been a stay at home mom, Charles worked for International Paper Co. for 30 years as a machinist and is retired now.
Hobbies- almost too many to list, but as many have shared of theirs, mine are very similar. I do enjoy all things Tasha Tudor, Jane Austen, and Beatrix Potter. I make tinctures and enjoy much about herbs. I made some poke berry ink just recently and have found it works very well with my dip pens and does not fade. I have several flower beds, herb beds. I love history, and have found several BBC documentaries in the last several years that have given much insight and ideas to implement on our homestead. Tales from the Green Valley, with Ruth Goodman, Stuart Peachy, Peter Ginn and Alex is my very favorite, so much information.
I do not really know if I have any dreams to fulfill, I have traveled to many countries in my youth, my dad was Air Force for 20+ years. I desire to just be able to continue to live the life we have, be in health and strength to garden, milk my cows, as when I am at the barn, it is a therapy for me, I love being there in the some what solitude of the atmosphere, and only the noise of the animals, to be able to still milk in my 90's would be wonderful ")
With the farm and children, I do not have so much spare time to go places and I do not blog, fb, or such, but coming across Cathy's and others blogs and sharings, I enjoy them so much as they take me to places I know I shall never go, and I am blessed by this.
In Joy,
vivian
Hi Vivian. I'm glad to learn a little bit more about you. With your farm and special needs children it's a wonder you have any spare time at all. Those children are indeed blessed to have you care for them the way you do. I'm sorry for your loss of the two boys. Where did you live before TN?
DeletePutting wood in the Pioneer Maid wood stove we use for heating and making a check round of the children, so I popped in just for a moment, a spare one ") Thank you for your kind words Cathy of our two sons. Even though they are dearly missed, we can not think to want them back on this earth knowing they now have new, whole bodies that are not twisted, bent, and utterly helpless. And that we shall see them again, is always a comfort.
DeleteWe lived in southern Arkansas before moving to TN. Charles lived there his whole life of 58yrs at the time we moved and I about 39 yrs there and I was 53. We recommend moving and making such drastic changes when one is young, very young. ")
I enjoyed reading of everyone. Hope your week is a full one of good things.
Rounds done, now back to bed.
In Joy,
vivian
Vivian, I see you are busy even during the night! I know what you mean about moving when young. We've been in this house 34 years and I can't imagine having to move now. It weighs on my mind that our boys will have to "deal" with all our stuff when we pass on, so I keep telling myself one of these days I'm going to par these down to only things I "love" and then organize it all better. My grandmother lived to be 103 so I keep thinking I have plenty of time to do it, but we never know for sure, do we.
DeleteHello Cathy, it's nice to meet you. I saw you over at Martha Ellen's blog. I really like what you said on your side bar - you are a lover of all things lovely. Me and my daughters have a blog, and we mostly talk about lovely things as well. wow, you've been married 46 years! That's so special. My daughters want to write a children's book also someday. I hope your dream comes true for you too. I will answer the questions you have on here now.
ReplyDelete1. Sheri
2. sunny California
3. 35 years married
4. Three children - both my daughters blog with me. : )
5. No, I had part-time jobs here and there, but not working right now.
6. Photography, gardening, decorating.
7. I'd love to visit Greece someday, as I'm part Greek. Italy too. : )
This was fun. We would love it if you would visit us and follow, and I would certainly come back and follow you as well. It's nice to meet new friends. You have a lovely blog, and I love the view outside your window.
Have a sweet day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Welcome, Sheri! It's nice to meet you, too. That is so special that your daughters blog with you. I will have to check out your Blog. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you get to visit Greece one day. I've always thought the islands off the coast are so beautiful.
DeleteReplying quickly, must make time to come and read all the replies! Busy day today, so dashing in and out!
ReplyDelete1. What is your name: Deborah
2. What State/Country do you live in: Wales
3. What is your marital status: Divorced {deep sadness and regret}
4. If you have children, please tell us something about them: I was never blessed with children {again, deep sadness and regret}
5. Do you work outside the home. If so, what do you do?: No, I am currently a full time care giver for my lovely Mum. My last job outside the home was working for the National Trust
6. What are your hobbies: Sewing, Patchwork, Quilting, Photography, Writing, Reading, Music, Walking in the Welsh Countryside, Gardening, and many more things that I have a deep interest in. Jack of All Trades, Master of None!
7. Do you have a dream you're still hoping to fulfill: Absolutely! I long to support myself through selling my craft, even at my age it is never too late.
~~~Waving from Across the Big Water ~~~ Deb in {very} wild, wet, windy, wuthering, wonderful west Wales!
Hello, Deborah! I've described myself as a Jack of All Trades, Master of None, too. It can't be helped, though, when you have many and varied interests. We just can't devote the time to master any one thing! Now that I'm older, I'm glad I didn't narrow my interests. It's been a much more interesting life this way. Having said that, I think your photography is pretty amazing and something you've mastered! I like your art work, too, and you have a natural writing style (meaning, it's not contrived). I do hope you achieve your dream. Where there's a will there's a way!
DeleteJolly good fun! This is what I like about your blog, you involve your readers.
ReplyDelete1. I am Jeri
2. I live in a 118 year old house on 40 acres in East Tennessee with countless critters, gardens and my 2nd husband of 16 years
I have 2 grown sons, one is an ER doctor in NYC, the other son paints fancy cars, like those guys you see on reality TV.
3. I've been a professional artist for over 30 years. I've been writing and illustrating elaborate storybooks for 10 years, which have won many book awards. My husband retired early and we travel to 20 or more art and book events each year promoting and selling my work..
4. Hobbies. Garden, garden, garden! My farm animals are a hobby, because they are all pure pets and I dearly love each and every chicken, duck ,goat, etc, etc.I also love delicate needle work and am an avid antiques collector. History is a passion of mine, particularly that of Europe from the 1100's and onward. And as weird as it may seem, I am a tremendous World War I and II buff. I eat it up!
5.Dreams, Oh so many..but I dearly wish to continue my book series. I have all the stories written, but the illustrations take me many months per book...so I better live a very long life.
CHEERS!
Jeri, I have learned several new things about you! Your sons must be extremely talented, but in totally different occupations. Does your doctor son have any artistic ability or did it all go to your other son? We know much about your talents from your Web Journal but I did not realize you traveled that often for it. Who looks after your menagerie? And I am surprised that you have never been to Europe (didn't you tell us that one time?) with your avid interest in that part of the world. I hope you live a very long life, too. As long as your hand and eyes don't give out, you should accomplish your wish I should think.
DeleteIndeed Cathy, I have never been to Europe. I have the extreme urge to visit all of Britain and parts of France..so I better get to it soon. My doc son has no taste for art, but his wife is quite talented. As far as show travel, we have a busy busy show schedule, especially at this time of year, 7 weekends in a row all in a different state! I sometimes have a little gal that sees to my animals while we are gone for those weekends, but, for the most part, we rely on the capable paws of our 2 great Pyrenees dogs who are tremendous guardian and watch dogs.
DeleteHow wonderful to "meet" all the lovely ladies who frequent Cathy's home on the web - so many kindred spirits. Thank you, Cathy, for being such a gracious hostess.
ReplyDelete1, I'm Elaine
2, I'm a lifelong Maryland resident. My families all passed through immigration in the Port of Baltimore and settled, at least for a time, in this state. We live in a somewhat rural area and enjoy the view of our neighbors' horses and goats. At this time, we have only wildlife roaming the land!
3, 4 I've been married 43 years now and we have one daughter who makes her home in the Finger Lakes area of NY.
6, I've tried many handcrafts through the years and currently needlepoint, quilt, and do some paper crafting. I garden, read - mostly non-fiction, work on genealogy, enjoy cooking and baking and write - some memoir and a blog. I enjoy adventuring and capturing life with my camera. In the last several years I have become an avid fan of the bird cams available through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I've learned so much about the residents not only of my little yard, but of the amazing creatures in so many unique environments.
I 'met' Cathy through reading a comment she left for Susan Branch quite a while back. I so enjoy the creativity, inspiration and travelogues she posts here and on her other blogs.
Thank you, Elaine. I'm very glad you found me so I could find you! I learned something new about you today--that you are an avid fan of bird cams. That WOULD be a good way to learn more about the birds. I've said for years I'd like to identify birds by their songs as well as visually.
Delete