A Wedding and an Award

Last weekend we had a wonderful get-together with my family, to celebrate the wedding of my baby sister's youngest son.  All five Harding siblings and spouses were seated together at one table at the reception, and it was such a blast.  We had the best, most fun table at the party, that's for sure.

It's such a blessing that both my husband and I have brothers and sisters that truly like each other and love spending time together.  I think I can speak for us both when I say that our siblings are our best friends.

We are family!  I got all my sistas with me!

We were able to get a nice family photo taken after the ceremony.  Unfortunately, my dad was not able to make it to the wedding because he wasn't feeling well, so there's a space where Bigfoot should be.  (That's my dad's handle, in lieu of "Grandpa" or "Papa," in case you're new here.)  My poor dad ended up in the ER yesterday and had to have emergency surgery to remove another infected toe, which had caused him to become septic.  Bigfoot is down to three toes out of ten now.  (More on that at a later date.)  He'll be recovering in the hospital for about a week and could really use your prayers!  My younger sister's husband was also not there.  But otherwise, this is us:

Before I left for the weekend,  I was notified that I'd been nominated for a Liebster Award by my Aussie friend Erin at Seven Little Australians and Counting.   I love Erin!  She's a homeschooling mother of ten, an avid reader and writer.  I love how she writes, too, using terms that we Americans don't really hear too often anymore, like "fortnight" and "whilst."  I admire how she labours at home with a smile, savours life to the fullest, cooks flavourful healthy meal for her troops.  She's one of my favourites!  And the opportunity to make friends like Erin--someone I would never have had the opportunity to know otherwise--is one of the amazing and wonderful outcomes of becoming a blogger.  It's something I never imagined would happen when I started out almost four years ago, writing for a tiny handful of followers (who were also family members).  You really should click over to Seven Little Australians and Counting, if only to see the beautiful picture of Erin's family on her home page.

Okay now, on to the Liebster, which Erin aptly describes as "a high five in recognising and supporting the work of fellow bloggers."  I'm pretty psyched to nominate some people, I must say, because there are a number of blogging ladies I used to follow quite regularly, but whom I've been ignoring too much lately.  Not because I don't love their blogs, but because between traveling hither and yon for family events and working to finish my YA novel (coincidentally titled Erin's Ring), I just haven't been reading as many blogs as is my wont.  I haven't been blogging as much as I used to, either.  But I'm closing in on the final chapters, and then look out, people.  Daily blog posts will be comin' at ya.  Comments will be appearing in your comboxes, my friends.  Oh yes, that. will. happen.

Okay, before I nominate others and come up with some questions for them, here are my answers to Erin's questions:

1. How do you express yourself creatively?
Writing, painting, drawing, baking (and decorating cakes), sewing, crafting.
 
2. What is your favourite genre of books?
Once upon a time I was a college English major, and I fell madly in love with 19th-century English lit.  I've always loved good historical fiction, too, especially novels set in WWII.  I also love young adult books, the kind of classics that are assigned in junior high and high school, but are every bit as inspiring for adults--like To Kill a Mockingbird.  (When our oldest son graduated from Notre Dame in 2006, Harper Lee was an honored guest and paperback copies of her book were given to every graduating senior.  I was thrilled to see IRL the author of one of the most significant books of my girlhood days.)

3. What is a favourite childhood book?
I remember loving Stuart Little when I was really young.  And then in middle school, I adored Little Women.  But the book that made me want to become a writer was To Kill a Mockingbird, which I read when I was about 11.

4. If you had a whole day to 'yourself' what would you choose to do?
I am your quintessential introverted bookworm, so I would probably curl up with a good book.  And if I wasn't reading, I'd probably be writing.  Basically, I really like spending time with words.  (Now if this whole day of which you speak included my husband, this would be a totally different answer.)

5. Would you consider yourself an introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?
Introvert!  I've heard that if you're an introvert, you get energized by having quiet time to yourself, whereas an extrovert is energized by engaging in social activity.  I do enjoy social activities.  In fact, my husband and I are almost always the last ones to leave a party, and though I don't seek them out, I always have fun at them.  But if I have nothing but one party after another, it exhausts me and I crave a little "down time."  Coming up with small talk overwhelms me after a while--I'm not naturally good at it, like some people.  I think most people fall somewhere in the middle, but I know I lean much closer to the introvert side.

6. What is your preferred method of exercise?
"Turbo Jam" work-outs (with lots of punching and kicking--but I'm not a violent person, I swear!).  You can get them on CD's from Beach Body.  I also like to take 3-4 mile walks.

7. Share a quote that has 'spoken' to you.
From The Story of a Soul, these words by St. Therese of Lisieux: "God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint."

Today just happens to be St. Therese's feast day, too!

8. What is your favourite genre of movies?
I would say romantic comedies--but they so often disappoint me when they include the gratuitous scenes that all PG-13 movies seem to have in them.  Unnecessary sexual innuendo (and then some) really wrecks what would otherwise be a fun, enjoyable movie experience.  So I guess I'll say clean, inspiring sports movies like Rudy, Remember the Titans, and the new one that's out called When the Game Stands Tall.  (And as the mother of five boys, I have learned over the years to really go for a good action/adventure movie as well!)

9. Share one blog you 'must read' regularly?
That would be my daughter-in-law Regina's blog--because it's filled with pictures of our three granddaughters and keeps me up-to-date with the goings-on in our oldest son's family.  I would share a link with you, but it's not a public blog.

10. How many bloggers and whom have you met irl?
Fun question!  The answer is TWO.  First, I met Katrina of Cedars and Tiny Flowers.  My husband and I were traveling out to Notre Dame for a weekend about a year ago, and I got in touch with her ahead of time.  We met for a few minutes at the lake across the street from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, just before Mass.  She was expecting her second son, glowing with pregnancy, and had her older boy (the most adorable toddler) with her.  She was as sweet and beautiful IRL as she appears on her blog.  And then my husband and I were down in VA with our second-oldest son and his fiancée some months ago, and during Mass I recognized Rosie of A Blog for My Mom.  She was there with her oldest daughter, and this was before she announced that she was expecting child #5.  I felt like a blog-stalker/crazed fan when I went up and excitedly introduced myself to Rosie on the way out of the church.  Like Katrina, she was just as lovely and grace-filled in real life as you'd expect her to be after reading her blog.  Isn't it funny that I met both of these Catholic bloggers in or near a church, before or after Mass?  How apropos.

Okay, then--that's it for me.  Thanks again, Erin!

Now I'd like to nominate some gals whose blogs I really enjoy (but which I haven't been reading lately nearly as often as I'd like to).

Madeline of A Dash of Snark
Beth of A Mom's Life
Sarah Therese of Cherishing Everyday Beauty
Erica of Saint Affairs
Joy of Joy in the Morning
Tiffany of Life of a Catholic Librarian
Christina of Filling my Prayer Closet
Iris of The Starving Inspired
Nancy of The Breadbox Letters
Kate of Something Ivory

I would've nominated Erin, too, but she just went through this so I'll give her a rest.

Now here are my questions for you, ladies:

1. Do you have a favorite saint, and what drew you to him/her?
2. I think every Liebster questionnaire includes a question like this; but I'm crazy about books, so I just have to know: do you have a best-loved book that you've read multiple times?  (And will you probably read it again?)  Or do you always just read a book once and pass it on to others?
3. What is your family's Christmas Eve tradition?
4. When you dress up in heels, do you wear panty hose/tights, or do you go bare-legged?
5. How did you and your husband meet?  (And if you're not married, what's the most important quality you're looking for in a spouse?)
6. What's your go-to prayer in times of distress?
7. Where is the one place in the world you would visit if you could?
8. How many siblings do you have?
9. Are you a worrier?  (I'm worried you'll think that's a weird question.)
10. What, if any, sport do you enjoy watching the most?

I look forward to reading your answers!

String of Pearls Gets Liebstered (Again!)

On March 24, I was Liebstered by my friend Iris over at Country Girl's Daybook.  (I got Liebstered once before, about a year ago, and I blogged about it here.)  I've been procrastinating about answering Iris's Liebster Award questions and choosing some deserving blogs to nominate.  You see, here's the thing: when I read through Iris's list of questions and thought about naming my proudest moment, I was utterly paralyzed and thought I'd never be able to come up with a response; because how in the world can I pick just one?  I have five grown sons of whom I'm inordinately proud, for reasons too varied and numerous to count.  But I've finally decided it's time to respond to Iris's very generous invitation to share a little bit more about myself with you (as if you don't hear enough already!), so here we go--

First of all, here are the rules of the game:

Liebster Award Rules:

Acknowledge the blog that nominated you (done, Country Girl's Daybook)

Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger created.

List 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers that deserve some recognition.

Write 11 questions for them to answer.

Notify them they've been nominated.

 

Iris's questions:

1. Let's start with something simple.  If you only had three wishes, what would they be?  (Wishing for more wishes is not allowed.)

My first wish: to live to see all my boys happily married, with children--God willing.  (Or ordained priests, if that's the vocation to which the two who are still single are called--but I don' t think that's where they're headed.)  Secondly: to be the one to go first, because I don't want to outlive my husband.  And finally: to get to Heaven!

 

2.  What has been the proudest moment in your life so far?

Okay I was worried about answering this one (as I told you above); but I have it figured out. It's not one moment, however; so far it's three proudest moments that are tied, and eventually, it may be five.  I cannot conceive of feeling prouder than at those times when I've seen my five sons all dressed in tuxes, up on the altar of a Catholic Church, with one of them in the role of groom and the other four standing up for their brother as his groomsmen.  I have witnessed this proud moment in 2009 at son #1's wedding, in 2013 at son #3's wedding, and then again a mere two months later in 2014 at the wedding of son #4.  When I see my boys like that--those tall, strong, handsome, sweet boys, who are all my favorites (it's a five-way tie!)--my heart expands to the bursting point and feels as if it will be ripped from my chest.  I choke up.  My eyes fill with tears.  And I think about how blessed I am that God gave me the great honor of providing them with their very first home--that they grew inside me, which is such an astounding miracle.  And now they're standing there together, fine men, all grown-up and getting married...I feel like Tom Hanks in the movie "Castaway," when he finally gets a fire started and he beats his chest and shouts, "Look what I have done!", or something to that effect.  Of course, I know I certainly didn't do it by myself, but still...

Heart bursting here, looking at these five grown brothers who are each other's strongest supporters and best friends.  Proud mama here.

3. What is your absolute favorite meal?

I think I would have to say filet mignon, potatoes (mashed or baked), corn, and salad.  This has become our traditional Christmas dinner, because all the meat-and-potatoes men in our family love it.

4. What is your favorite color and why?
Blue, because no matter what shade it is it's always so pretty.  It's the color of the sky and the ocean.  It's Mary's color.

5. What is your guilty pleasure?
Sometimes, I sit down with a bag of those mini Reese's peanut butter cups and I unwrap and eat them one by one, always meaning to stop after a reasonable number.  But I end up eating almost the whole bag by myself.  My stomach has a limit when it comes to food items such as meats and vegetables and there is a point beyond which it will no longer stretch.  But it seems to have endless room for Reese's peanut butter cups--or peanut butter M&M's, or Dove milk chocolates, or Lindt chocolate truffles...actually, it has endless room for all kinds of chocolate goodies.  (Sorry if that answer grossed any of you out.  I know, I have a problem!)

6. Is there something you like to collect?  Certain kinds of trinkets?
Over the years, one of my favorite things to collect has been English transferware dishes, and I have a fairly extensive collection.  Most of the ones I own are reproductions of antique designs.  Although I have some that are red, green, and brown, the bulk of my collection is blue (because--well, see #4).  The great thing about these dishes is that you can find really inexpensive random pieces at T.J. Maxx (a diner plate might be $3.99, for instance), or you can often find transferware (both original old pieces and lovely reproductions) at consignment shops and second-hand shops.  It doesn't have to match--in fact, I have a number of different patterns, but they all go together nicely.  I sort of think that the fact that my dishes are mix-'n-match makes them more interesting.  And the fact that they aren't rare and expensive is a plus, too, because I use and enjoy them all the time.

7. When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?  Did it happen?
At five, I think my only dream was to one day be a mommy (and that one stayed with me until 1983, when I finally became one for the first time).  But I do remember when I was about 7 or 8 and we were asked at school to draw a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up.  And I drew myself as a librarian.  I remember what my drawing looked like, and I've tried to recreate it here for you.

I also remember the teacher very kindly and gently explaining to me that if I was going to be a "Mrs.," my last name was going to change; so she suggested that I erase that title and change it to "Miss," which I did. 

I did not become a librarian (although my oldest son married one).  But I loved books then, and I love them now, so this seems like it would have been a perfect career choice for me.

8. What's your go-to recipe for a weeknight?
Hmmm...it was mac and cheese back in the child-rearing years.  But now?  Well, it almost always involves chicken breasts.

9. Name one thing that makes you cringe...pet peeve, critter?
Frogs!  Ugh!  I cannot even imagine being able to touch one.  (So imagine how tough that was, as the mother of five little boys who were inveterate frog wranglers.)

10. What skill or hobby have you always wanted to learn?
I really wish I could play the piano or any kind of musical instrument.

11. What book should I be reading?
Finding Grace?  (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)  This is a hard one for me.  I like books, remember?  Lots and lots of books!  I just read The Book Thief and I thought it was brilliantly written and sort of life-changing.

Okay, my turn.  I nominate the following blogs:

1. Christina @ Filling My Prayer Closet
2. Tiffany @ Life of a Catholic Librarian
3. Madeline  @ A Dash of Snark
4. Maia @ From Little Hands
5. Annery @ Annery at Home
6. Joy @ Joy in the Morning
7. Gabriela @  Under Grace
8. Aileen @ Pure and Simple Glance (What better way to get your blog started, Aileen?!)
9. Nancy Shuman @ The Breadbox Letters, It's Only Write, The Cloistered Heart
10. Elizabeth @ Super Swell Times
11. Blair @ Blair's Blessings

All right, I was too late on #'s 10 and 11.  Kendra @ Catholic All Year got to them first!  If you want to read their Liebster answers to Kendra's questions, go here and here.

And now for my questions:

1. Do you have a favorite saint with whom you feel a special kinship? (Who is it, and why?)
2. Do you have a "bucket list"?  (And if so, what's the first item on the list?)
3. Where is your favorite place to swim: a heated pool, a freshwater lake, or the ocean?
4. What are three words that describe you?  (Sorry--I hate it when people ask me questions like that.)
5. Are you fluent in a second language?
6. Do you like to travel, or are you more of a homebody?
7. What's your all-time favorite book (if you can name just one; if not, how about your three favorites)?
8. Do you love to cook (or would you rather eat out and have someone else do it)?
9. If you could only have one dessert for the rest of your life (a horrible prospect, I know!), what would you choose?
10. Is there a particular work of Catholic art that is your favorite?  (Share the image with us, if you can.)
11. What inspired you to begin your blog?


Thanks again for the nomination, Iris.  I hope I wasn't too long-winded!



7QTF: Marketing Books, Reading Books, and Blogging about It All

Okay, I'm a day late and I don't even know how many dollars short.  But I decided to join the 7QTF party this week.  My husband is leaving for a 3-day trip today, so what better way to fill the lonely hours than by connecting with all of my blogging friends?

-1-

Speaking of blogging friends, one of my favorites--Iris, from Country Girl's Daybook, just nominated me for a liebster award.  I've been liebstered once before, and I think I've given my readers more information about myself than they'd ever want or need to hear; but Iris has come up with some interesting questions, so...I'm in.  Thank you, Iris, for thinking of me.  I plan to start tackling your questions early next week, and then I'll come up with some of my own and choose some other blogging friends to send them to.

-2-

I was very generously gifted a Classic Nativity Stones Cross a few weeks ago.  This gorgeous cross, layered in 18K gold and hanging from a gleaming 22" chain, contains a small stone that was extracted from the Cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem.  As in, the birthplace of Our Lord.  Truly.

The Nativity Stones Collection was even honored with a plaque in the Vatican in 2000, so you can be sure that the stones used in these stunning and beautifully crafted pieces of jewelry are authentic.  And right now, you can get one of these amazing crosses at a reduced price, because the people at Nativity Stones are offering a 15% Easter discount to readers of this blog.   Just use the coupon code FAITH15 when you place your order, and the discount will be applied.

-3-

The parents of my middle son's bride, Preciosa, are currently visiting Cuba (where Preciosa's father was born).  While there, they have been snapping photos of good-natured Cuban citizens "reading" my Catholic novel Finding Grace.

I could not have hired a more hard-working or enthusiastic marketing team, I'll tell you--that is, if I had the funds to hire one.  I just wish I could have given them a copy that was translated into Spanish. 

 

Speaking of the book, I recently gave away 7 copies on my blog, and the winners were announced on Monday.  I plan to do another giveaway this summer (because I think Finding Grace would be a good choice for inspirational summer reading for teens and young adults--and maybe even a good beach read for their moms, too).

 

-4-

Let me use this Take to apologize--for using this blog so often (lately, almost daily!) as a forum to talk about my book.  I really must give you guys (or all y'all, for any readers south of the Mason-Dixon line) a break from the constant promotion/marketing.  You might not believe this, but it's hard for me to keep bringing it up.  I'd much rather hide away in a corner and hope Finding Grace will just go out and sell itself.  Unfortunately for this dyed-in-the-wool introvert, it doesn't work that way.  But perhaps I need to try another tack: you know, legwork, actual face-to-face sales pitches, and the like, instead of the much safer route of writing emails that don't get answered and blog posts that very few people will ever even see! 

 

-5-

While we're talking about books (one of my favorite subjects), I am currently reading The Book Thief, and I think it's just amazing.  I saw the movie with my husband and then decided that I absolutely had to read the original prose version that had inspired the screen version (which is very powerful and touching).  Well, I'll tell you this: Markus Zusak's writing is so incredible and profound that it makes me re-read passages, simply to experience again the sheer enjoyment I get from his brilliant usage of the English language--to marvel over how he takes simple words and arranges them in such a way that they astound me.  He is brilliant, there is no other word for it.  A wordsmith like no other.

 

For instance, in one scene, Hans Junior, who has joined the Nazi party and is now a true believer, is fighting with Hans Senior, who has refused to get on board; the son says to his father, "You coward," and then leaves the house in anger.  Here's how Zusak describes what happens next: "Ignoring futility, Papa...rushed the gate and ran pleadingly after him.  Mama hurried to the window, ripped away the [Nazi] flag, and opened up.  She, Trudy, and Liesel all crowded together, watching a father catch up to his son and grab hold of him, begging him to stop.  They could hear nothing, but the manner in which Hans Junior shrugged loose was loud enough.  The sight of Papa watching him walk away roared at them from up the street."  A roaring that can't be heard; what a description.  Later, when Liesel goes to watch the Nazi book-burning celebration in her neighborhood, where an enormous pile of "dangerous" books is going to be turned into an epic bonfire, Zusak says, "Although something inside told her this was a crime--after all, her three books were the most precious items she owned--she was compelled to see the thing lit.  She couldn't help it.  I guess humans like to watch a little destruction.  Sand castles, houses of cards, that's where they begin.  Their great skill is their capacity to escalate."  Chills, right?

 

In the author interview in the back of the book, Zusak says that he thinks there can be a gem on every page of a book.  He explains, "It's what I love about writing--that words can be used in a way that's like a child playing in a sandpit, rearranging things, swapping them around."  And this guy can really swap them around like nobody's business.  In my opinion, there is at least one gem (something that deserves a re-read) on every page of The Book Thief--at least so far.  My friend Iris (see Take #1) was not a fan of the fact that Death is the narrator of this novel; but I think it works.  I'm not finished yet, so I won't say more.  Besides, I think this book may show up in a future What We're Reading Wednesday post over at Housewifespice (a blog you should be reading if you aren't already!), so I'll save any further thoughts for that.

 

-6-

#5 was way too long, so...

 

PASS.

 

(And now I'm plagiarizing writers I admire, because some of the humorous bloggers I know have said this in past 7QTF posts.)

 

-7-

Now I'm going to link you up to a wonderful blog called Footprints on My Heart.  Sarah Therese has a beautiful thing going on over there, wherein she invites blogging friends to write guest posts (published on Saturdays) about their favorite saints.  If you love to read about the lives of the saints, or if you're just interested in learning more about some of our Heavenly helpers, stop by and check out her "Our Friends, the Saints" series.

 

Thanks to Sarah Therese and all of my other talented and inspiring blogging friends out there, in all different corners of the Internet.  You provide me with inspiration, entertainment, enlightenment, and laughter on a daily basis.

 

Okay, readers, time to head on over to 7QTF at  Jen's (where there's always plenty of all that good stuff I just mentioned).

When It Rains, It Pours!

Okay, in yesterday's post I told you I'd been tagged/nominated by a blogger friend named Erica over at Boys, Books, and Balls for "Five Things" and a Liebster Award (I'm not really sure what that's all about, but it was fun coming up with answers to the questions she sent me).  I, in turn, was asked to tag/nominate five other bloggers, and one of my choices was Maggie over at Regency Catholic.  Well, Maggie turned around and tagged me back!  So I'm not really sure what the protocol is here, and whether or not you're allowed to participate in a round 2 of the process.  But I liked Maggie's 10 questions so much that I thought I'd answer them today, even though I just answered Erica's questions in yesterday's post.  (I hope I don't have to tag/nominated anyone new this time around, because I don't think I have enough blogging friends--ones who haven't been tagged/nominated already--to do that!)

As for the whole "Five Things" you might not know about me...hmmmm.  Let's see.  (Are you getting sick of me yet?)   1. I'm allergic to dust and bees and I take allergy shots.  2. I can't eat pineapple--it literally makes me gag.  3. I'm afraid of snakes and frogs (this was a real handicap for a mother who raised five boys).  4. My favorite part of Christmas when I was growing up was opening my stocking--which was the first thing I saw when I woke up because since we didn't have a fireplace, Santa left it at the end of my bed!  5. I often cry when I Confess my sins to the priest.

Here are Maggie's awesome questions.

1.  What's your favorite novel?  This is a tough one, because there are five or six that I absolutely love; but because it was the first book that inspired me to want to be a writer, I have to choose To Kill a Mockingbird.  (How thrilled I was when Harper Lee was given an honorary degree at my oldest son's Notre Dame graduation in 2006!)

 2. Do you sometimes catch yourself doing things that would fall under the category of O.C.D., and if so, what is your most frequent?  Yes!  My husband and I will be an hour into a car trip, and I'll suddenly feel convinced that I forgot to turn off my coffee maker.  I've actually called our neighbor and told him where to find our fake rock "hide-a-key" thingy so he could go in and double-check for me.  You'd think after a couple of incidents like this, I'd just go ahead and purchase a coffee maker with an automatic shut-off feature!  (I really have to do that.)  I recently found out that someone I know takes a cell phone photo of her curling iron whenever she leaves home, so she can look at the picture and know for sure that she didn't forget to turn it off.  (I may have to do that, too.)

3. If you could go back in time and be one person, who would it be and why?  I've often thought it would be awesome to be Dismas, the "good thief," because he heard from the very lips of Christ that he would be joining Him in Paradise that very day.  But I really don't think I'd want to be anyone else.  I wouldn't mind being me in high school again, back when I first started falling in love with my husband (at 15).  I also wouldn't mind going back to the days when I was a young mother and my sons were small--but not for long, because I'd miss the men they've become too much.

4. If you could go back in time and talk to one United States president, who would it be, why, and what would you say?  I would love to have a conversation with Ronald Reagan, who I believe was an exceptional leader and a man to be admired.  (Peggy Noonan's When Character Was King is a great book, if you'd like to learn more about him.)  I would tell him we sure do miss him now around these parts.

5. What goes on your tacos on taco night?  Love taco night!  I like soft shells best, and ground pork instead of ground beef, topped with taco sauce (medium), lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and sometimes sour cream.

6. Worst movie ever, and why?  I've suffered through some bad movies in my day, but the one that sticks out is "MacGruber," a comedy based on a series of extremely silly SNL skits (poking fun at the TV show "MacGiver") that made my family laugh out loud.  My husband and I went to the theater with our oldest son, his wife, and a couple of our younger sons to see the movie adaptation of those skits, starring Will Forte and Kristin Wiig.  It was so bad--so crude and vulgar and filled with embarrassing levels of inappropriateness--that we actually walked out not long after it started.  I give it two enthusiastic thumbs DOWN.  (Hey, I just realized that since I never saw the whole thing, I have no right to rate the quality of that movie...)

7. Type of person you are afraid to talk to.  Right now, I think it would be the talented and successful writers/authors/bloggers I've "met" on-line in the process of trying to market my novel Finding Grace.  I have had the most lovely e-mail, Facebook, and blogging "conversations" with a host of these writers who have been so incredibly kind to me, have offered to write reviews of my book, and have posted my title on their websites.  Some of them seem like friends, even though we've never met.  I fear that if I actually met them in person and tried to talk to them, they would discover that I'm not all that interesting!  I am so in awe of their work in the world of writing, I fear I would just spend my time with them wondering why in the world they would want to talk to little old me!

8. You are going out to dinner at a relatively nice restaurant, when you get dressed, what adds panache to your derring-do?  I don't do "panache" all that well.  But when I want to look more dressed up, I usually add a pearl necklace and earrings.

9. How many times a month does pizza night occur at your house?  When our boys lived at home, four or five.  (That was our go-to meatless Friday night dinner throughout the year.)  Now that my husband and I are empty-nesters, we might get it once a month.

10. What's your favorite devotion?  The Rosary.

Thanks, Maggie!

The Liebster and 5 Things

I was just tickled when my friend Erica over at Boys, Books, and Balls tagged me for "Five Things" and nominated me for a Liebster Award.  I'm not sure where "Five Things" originated, but the Liebster started out in Germany.  This blogging award carries with it no trophy or cash prize, but is a great way for bloggers to help their friends--friends whose blogs have less than 200 followers--possibly gain a few more readers.  I think it's a very sweet gesture to be nominated among those of us who plug away at our smaller, lesser-known blogs.  It makes you realize that even if you only touch one person, it's totally worth it.

Okay, I'm not the most interesting person in the world, so I'm not sure what five things I can tell you about myself that you'd really want to know.  Wait a minute, there we go.  I've got #1.

1. 

I feel like I'm more interesting on paper than I am in person.  (My husband would tell you differently, but he's incredibly biased.)  I'm a bit on the shy side and have a horror of suddenly finding myself at a table full of people where all the other conversation has stopped and everyone is looking at me while I tell some not-very-scintillating story.  One-on-one I do okay; but in a group, if I ever have the floor I find that my voice weakens, my throat gets dry, and I start staring at the tablecloth in order to avoid eye contact...A storyteller I am NOT--in person, anyway.  When I write, I think I sound a lot more interesting (or maybe not--but I hope so!).  So blogging is the greatest invention for me, because I can tell my stories uninterrupted, without having to see that inevitable moment when people's eyes start glazing over and they look for someone more interesting to talk to...Hey!  I'm still talking here!  Where do you think you're going?  (Ha ha.)

2.  

I think I always knew that I would give birth to only sons.  My high school sweetheart and I, after, 6 and 1/2 years of dating, got engaged over Christmas break our senior year in college.  And shortly afterward, my best college friend and I were talking about having kids--how many we hoped to have and stuff like that.  She asked me if I could have only all boys or all girls, which would I choose?   I immediately said, "I want both, of course," but she persisted, "But what if you had to choose?"  I thought it over for about a split second and blurted, "All boys."  She agreed.  And the funny thing is, I had five boys and she had four (but then her last child was a little girl).  I think God had already planted the seed in my head that my life would be filled with snakes and snails and puppy dog tails, and that was just fine by me.

3.

I started out my college career as a biology major.  Big mistake.  In high school, biology was my favorite out of all the sciences (not just because it was so interesting, but because math was the least involved).  I had a vague dream of working in a lab and doing terribly noble things like helping to find a cure for cancer.  But after losing a terrifying battle with chemistry and calculus as a freshman, I made the switch to English major and spent the rest of my years at Holy Cross doing the reading and writing I loved so much.  I don't think I would have survived college if I hadn't made the switch to something I was naturally good at and enjoyed.

4.

When my boys were growing up, I could not bear the idea of boarding an airplane and leaving them--and mind you, I am married to an airline pilot and can fly anywhere in the world I want to go, for free, as a stand-by passenger.  I had to do so once, when my four oldest were 7, 6, 4, and 3 (after writing tearful good-bye letters to my most-likely-to-be-left-motherless babies).  My grandmother had died and all four of my siblings were making the trip down to FL to offer my grandfather and my mom support.  I knew that if I said I wasn't coming, it would be unforgivable--after all, I was the only one who didn't even need to buy a ticket to get there.  I went, but I must admit something a little embarrassing: alcohol was involved.  On the way there, but even more so on the way back.  As we made our final descent into Boston, I kept trying to say Our Father's and Hail Mary's, and I kept losing my place and having to start over.  I had imbibed way too much liquid courage, to put it mildly; and the first thing my husband said (with a grin and a definite twinkle in his eye) when I met him and the boys at the gate was, "You've been drinking!"   And I was flabbergasted that it was even noticeable, so I said, "How can you tell?"  We laugh about that now, and it really is funny because I rarely drink, and when I do I might have one Mike's Hard Lemonade.  But on that trip, I was drinking Scotch on the rocks!

5.

From the time I was about 10 or 11, after I read To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time, I dreamed of one day writing a novel.  I was surprised when I learned that that one masterpiece was the only book Harper Lee ever wrote--which is sad, really, because she was obviously one of the most gifted writers ever; and from that point on, I knew that I wanted to try to write a novel--just one novel--in my lifetime.  My book is no To Kill a Mockingbird, but I am thrilled that I was able to accomplish that lifelong dream of mine.

Okay, I just looked over Erica's "Five Things," and I fear I've been too long-winded.  So I'll try to be brief when I answer the 10 Liebster questions she has for me.

1.  If you had to choose three books to read for the rest of your life, what would they be?  (Book series can count as one book.)

Pride & Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Graham Greene's The End of the Affair.  Also Wuthering Heights.  And Gone with the Wind.  Woopsie, I guess three is not enough!  (I just realized I should have included the Bible, and I feel terrible.  But the aforementioned books are ones I've re-read too many times to count, and even so, I never get tired of them.)

2. If you could have a conversation with one woman in the Bible which lady would you choose and why?
Hands down, Mary.  I'm currently reading The Song of Bernadette, and I'm so in awe that Mary repeatedly appeared to and spoke with that  humble 14-year-old girl.  Imagine having a conversation with Our Blessed Mother!  When I was little, I used to stare at statues of Mary in church and will them to come to life.  As an adult, my wise husband reminded me that such a great privilege is almost always accompanied by unimaginable suffering (and I'm sure God knows I'm much too weak to bear that kind of cross).

3. Were you a girly girl or a tomboy when you were growing up?

Can I say both?  Definitely more girly girl--I played house, loved dolls, and dreamed of being a mommy.  But I never painted my toenails or fingernails, I liked sports (both watching and participating), and I was especially close to my older brother.  So maybe there was a little tomboy in there, too.

4. If you could visit another time period which one would you choose?

Oooh, that's a toss-up.  I'm a real Jane Austen/19th-century English lit fan, so I think it would be fun to go back to that time period in England.  I also love to read WWII-era stories, so the other period I'd like to visit  would be the 1930's through the 50's in this country. 

5.  Is there a movie you're looking forward to seeing in the theater this year?  And if so, which one?

Not that I can think of.  (The new Les Mis has already come and gone, after all.)  But I am looking forward to the next season of PBS's "Downton Abbey"!!

6. Winter, spring, summer, or fall?  Favorite season of the year and why.

Fall, definitely.  I love everything about it: the crisp (but not yet freezing!) air; the colors of the leaves; football games; wearing coats (Yippee!  I don't like summer clothing and exposed skin--I love piling on the layers!); the anticipation of the holidays.  Fall is the best!

7.  Do you ever dream of taking a vacation alone or with a couple of close girlfriends?  If so, where would you go and what would you do?

No, I'd so much rather take a vacation with my husband.  We'd love to go to Rome together.  He's been there multiple times for his job, and it's his favorite destination; but I have yet to visit the Eternal City.  Someday...

8. Night owl, or morning person?

Can you be both?  My husband and I both like to stay up late, a habit we got into when our boys were still living under our roof.  (We liked to have a little "us" time after they'd gone to bed.)  But I also love the early morning hours, having my coffee and getting a jump on the day.  I've never been able to sleep in til noon, not even when I was a college kid.  Actually, I wish sleep wasn't such a necessity--I'd skip it altogether!

9. What is your favorite dessert?

Hardest question ever!  But if I had to choose only one dessert to have for the rest of my life, I think it would be a good, old-fashioned, homemade chocolate chip cookie.  Or soft-serve vanilla ice cream.  Or solid milk chocolate. Or wedding-style yellow cake with white frosting.  Sorry, I guess I'll go with the chocolate chip cookie.

10. How many states have you visited?

23: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, and Wisconsin.  We've passed through many other states during car trips, but I'm not sure that counts as "visiting."

That's WAY more than enough about me.  Now I'd like to tag these blogging friends for "Five Things" and nominate them for the Liebster:

Renee over at Morning Glory
Kate over at Something Ivory

Maggie over at Regency Catholic

Erin over at Seven Little Australians and Counting
Shannon over at The Sword and the Stein
Katrina Rose over at Cedars and Tiny Flowers

Mary over at Passionate Perseverance

Some of you may have been tagged/nominated already, or you may not be interested in participating.  But if you'd like to play along then:

1. Tell five things about yourself most people don't know.

2. Answer my questions (below).

3. Tag/nominate five (or more, if you wish) other bloggers who have 200 followers or less.

4. Ask them your new questions.

5. Have fun!

Here are my questions:

1. Would you rather read the book or see the movie?

2. Are you a coffee drinker?  And if you are, do you like a good old-fashioned cup of regular joe--or do you prefer fancier stuff, like lattes and cappuccinos and such?  (Don't be afraid to tell me if you prefer tea to coffee; I can take it.)
3. When your hair starts turning gray, do you plan to color it or just go au naturel?
4. Does the movie Dumb and Dumber make you laugh?  (This is a safe place; you can admit it here if it does.)  If not, what movie makes you LOL every time?
5. In your opinion, is sushi truly delicious or is it just something you're supposed to like because it's en vogue?
6. Are you fluent in any other language besides English?
7. Have you ever traveled overseas?  If so, where?  And if not, would you like to?
8. How long have you been a blogger (and what got you started)?
9. Regarding the most essential food of all, chocolate, which do you prefer: milk or dark?
10. Do you own a Kindle?  And if so, would you rather read an eBook or an actual book?  (I just realized I'm not even giving you the option of telling me you don't like to read books at all!)