Category: Share Your World

Share Your World – 2016 Week 36

If you were given a boat or yacht today, what would you name it? (You can always sell the yacht later)

Aren’t boats traditionally named after women—something like Mary Jane or Lucky Lady?

But I like to buck tradition. I’d name my boat No Regrets because that’s the attitude I’ve adopted after studying life stories and thinking about my own life for several years. Of course I’ve made mistakes, done some things I shouldn’t have done, and failed to do some things I should have done, but instead of regretting them I’ve chosen to embrace them as learning opportunities along my life journey. Instead of regretting parts of my life, I own them as part of my experience, and therefore part of me, who I am and who I’m still becoming.

Which of Snow White’s 7 dwarfs describes you best? (Doc, Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey) Plus what would the 8th dwarf’s name be?

Definitely Sleepy. And the 8th dwarf’s name would be Casually Dressed.

Name a song or two which are included on the soundtrack to your life?

1. All You Need is Love
2. Till There Was You

Complete this sentence: I like watching…

… sports, at least right now: the U.S. Open Tennis tournament and the Seattle Mariners making a frantic run for the second wild-card playoff spot. In fact, this afternoon I’ll be switching back and forth between tennis and baseball.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

This past week I’ve watched a lot of televised tennis and baseball, which I have enjoyed but which has also not left me much time for all the blogging I want to do. Next week I hope to get caught up on some of that blogging, but we have a couple of events scheduled that may get in the way. Thank goodness WordPress allows backdating.

I hope everyone will have a week filled with discoveries, laughs, and enjoyments!

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown

Share Your World – 2016 Week 34

What is your favorite comfort snack food?

My favorite comfort foods are not snacks, but a meal: a gooey grilled cheese sandwich with creamy tomato soup.

Is the paper money in your possession right now organized sequentially according to denomination and with the bills right side up and facing the same way?

Yup. I’m a Virgo—it’s what we do. Arranged from smallest denomination in front to largest in back, all bills right side (with the particular President’s face) up, as neatly flattened as possible.

If you were a mouse in your house in the evening, what would you see your family doing?

We’d probably try to chase it, but it would flatten itself and go through some tiny little space and we’d never be able to get at it. Then I wouldn’t worry about it until I saw it again.

Would you rather not be able to read or not be able to speak?

If I had to choose one, I’d definitely prefer not be able to speak. I assume that if I could still read, I’d probably be able to write down whatever I wanted to say. I’d get to spend my life passing notes. And not being able to speak would mean I wouldn’t ever have to engage in idle chit-chat in social situations.

But not to be able to read … Just shoot me.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last week was a low-key one for us, which means I loved it. Next week we are going on a group trip to Victoria, BC, Canada, and I’m looking forward to that.

I hope everybody has a great upcoming week!

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown

Share Your World – 2016 Week 33

Would you travel into outer space?

If the opportunity were offered to me right now, I’d probably decline because the technology is not yet perfected and I’d feel the undertaking would be too big a risk. However, if I lived at a time when traveling into space was commonplace, I’d definitely go if had a reason.

This hypothetical situation is really no different than the advent of traveling by airplane originally was. At first, people were afraid to go because of the novelty. But eventually airplanes became commonplace, and now most people don’t hesitate to board if a plane when they need to get somewhere in a short time.

Which country/city in the world (that you have never been to) would you most like to visit and why?

I’ve been to England, but I did not get to see the #1 place on my bucket list, Stonehenge. So that’s where I’d like to go.

However, if I have to choose a city or country I’ve never been to, I’d pick Paris. Someday I will get to see the Eiffel Tower and experience the romance of Paris in real life instead of just on the silver screen.

What could you do to breathe more deeply today?

Exercise. Even though my head knows the benefits of exercise, I still have trouble dragging my body along to actually do it. My husband and I have recently purchased electric bikes, so I need to get outside and learn how to ride it. However, we’ve been having a true heat wave here, and it’s just much too hot outside…

Complete this sentence: This creamy peanut butter sandwich could really use some …

Jam or jelly. My first choice would be orange marmalade, although grape jelly would work well, too.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

We’ve had record-breaking heat over the past week. I’m hoping for more seasonal temperatures this week so I can get outside and learn how to ride that electric bike.

I hope everyone has a good week.

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown

Thanks to Cee for the latest edition of her weekly challenge, SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 26.

What’s your most memorable (good or bad) airplane flight?

I don’t remember where I was flying to or exactly when, but I remember the first time I took off on a rainy day and had the glorious experience of breaking through the clouds into brilliant sunlight.

How many bones, if any, have you broken?

Fortunately, I’ve made it through my life so far without breaking any bones. (And I’m now knocking on wood and hoping I haven’t seriously jinxed myself.)

If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? (guest can be dead, alive, famous or someone you just know)

(1) my father, (2) my maternal grandmother, and (3) my paternal grandmother, all of whom died many years ago, long before I got to know them well and ask them about their own lives. Realizing way too late that we should have spent more time talking to the people in our lives before they died seems to be a nearly universal experience.

Make a Currently List: What are you reading, watching, listening to, eating, needing, wanting, and missing right now?

Reading:
I just finished Before the Fall by Noah Hawley. Up next: Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns.

Watching:
We recently finished streaming the first two seasons of Bloodline on Netflix. We’re watching two TNT summer series, Major Crimes and Rizzoli & Isles. This is the final season for R & I, so it’s kind of bittersweet. And we’ve begun watching the series Thirteen on BBC America, about a kidnapped woman who has just escaped after being held captive for 13 years. We’ve only watched the opening episode so far (#2 waits on the DVR), so I can’t judge how this one is going to be, except to say that the first episode left me anticipating the second.

Listening to:
I’m not much of a music listener usually, but I have just finished the unabridged audiobook of Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (pseudonym of J.K. Rowling). This is a good mystery series with a couple of well developed main characters. Up next: End of Watch, the final volume of Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes trilogy.

Eating:
Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmers market. We’re bringing Guinness brats and potato salad to our community cookout on Monday, July 4th.

Needing:
Lots more hours in the day. Doesn’t everyone?

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last week we attended a home game of the Tacoma Rainiers (Triple A farm team of the Seattle Mariners), which we always enjoy. We also had our monthly Lunch Bunch excursion yesterday, another activity we almost always enjoy. For next week I’m hoping to get more writing done. (I think I many say this just about every week.) And we’re looking forward to celebrating the July 4th birthday of the U.S. with an outdoor cookout and gathering on Monday.

Have a good week, everyone.

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 24

What is the most fun thing you did in school?

In elementary school, I thought everything was fun. Since going to school was an escape from an unhappy home life, I was always glad to be there and loved everything that happened there. In high school, chorus was my favorite extracurricular activity, although I still liked everything because I was just happy to be there.

What is your favorite type of dog? (can be anything from a specific breed, a stuffed animal or character in a movie)

Somebody else’s. I’ve never had a dog of my own. I’ve always been a cat person. I don’t really dislike dogs, and if you have one and allow me to, I’ll even pet it and scratch behind its ears. But then I’ll be glad to let you and your dog walk on. I just don’t want the responsibility of having to walk the dog two or three times a day and of having to board the dog when I want to travel.

You are invited to a party that will be attended by many fascinating people you never met. Would you attend this party if you were to go by yourself?

Almost certainly no. It’s not the being alone part that would prevent me. But I’m an introvert, and I don’t enjoy crowds. So unless you’re throwing a small party attended by people I already know and enjoy spending time with, I probably will gratefully decline the invitation.

Complete this sentence: Never In My Life Have I….

Been to Hawaii. However, that omission will be corrected within the next couple of years, I hope. In the meantime, I’ll continue to watch Hawaii Five-O, for the scenery more than the stories.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Happy Father’s Day:

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 23

What was one of your first moneymaking jobs (other than babysitting or newspaper delivery)?

I worked as an all-purpose clerk at the local drugstore. Back then the store had, in addition to the regular stuff you find in a Walgreen’s today, a soda fountain. In addition to helping customers and ringing up sales, I also made milk shakes, sundaes, coffee, and sandwiches. It was my first real job, and I loved it.

What is your favorite month of the year?

The current month. I don’t mean to be flippant, but I’m so content with my life right now that every day seems like the best day so far. I love the change of seasons, and each month holds its own special secrets.

What three things in nature do you find most beautiful?

(Click on any photo to see a larger version.)

List at least five of your favorite spices? (excluding salt and pepper)

I prefer pretty bland food. I don’t even use table pepper except on sliced tomatoes. So I’m not sure if I can come up with five, but I’ll try.

(1) garlic
(2) cinnamon
(3) nutmeg
(4) cloves
(5) vanilla

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful for almost everything, and I look forward to more of the same. (I would be especially grateful if the Mariners could start another winning streak.)

I hope everyone has a good week!

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 22

Every country in the world has lost men and women in some kind of Armed Forces. When does your country celebrate or morn their deaths? (Optional)

Memorial Day here in the U.S. is the traditional day for honoring men and women who gave their lives in service to their country We also celebrate Veterans’ Day in November in honor of all who have served. I think we also observe Armed Forces Day, but I’m not sure when that is.

What is your favorite holiday or holidays?

I don’t think I can pick just one. I like having holidays spread across the year, so that we celebrate different things in different seasons.

How do you celebrate that holiday?

We’re pretty traditional with our celebrations, although we’re more likely to celebrate at home than out with a group.

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 21

What is your favorite go to beverage? Water, coffee, tea, coke, soda (non-alcoholic)

I love coffee, so much that I have decaf to brew when I want to enjoy it late in the day. However, if I’m really thirsty, I require a cold drink. I have never liked water. Of course I’d drink water rather than die of dehydration, but if I have to drink water, I prefer bottled (or, at home, filtered) water that’s as cold as possible. My go-to beverage for thirst at home is Vitamin Water Zero, which I keep in the refrigerator almost all the time.

Can you change a car tire?

Theoretically, yes.

Practically, no.

I know the steps for changing a tire. I even know where all the stuff I’d need resides in the back of my car. However, I don’t have the strength to loosen the lug nuts after I get the car jacked up. In fact, I’m not sure I even have the strength to jack the car up in the first place. So, in practical terms, no, I could not accomplish the changing of a tire, although I could tell some stronger companion how to do it.

Isn’t that always the trouble with theoretical vs. practical considerations? Things that seem good in theory often don’t work out in practice.

Are you a listener or talker?

I’ve always been a pretty good listener. In fact, strange people seem to seek me out in places like airports to tell me their stories. Sometimes I don’t mind this, but as I get older I’m getting progressively less able to allow this to happen. All that listening now leaves me emotionally exhausted. I’ve taken to wearing headphones whenever I’m traveling. Even if I’m not listening to anything, I can pretend that I am.

Would you rather have no internet or no cell phone?

Isn’t it funny how things that didn’t even exist a few years ago quickly become necessities? I would not want to give up either the internet or my cell phone, but if forced to choose I’d hand over the phone. I could exist without a phone in my pocket (if I had to), but I NEED the internet. How else would I find out everything I need to know?

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Life is good. All I want is more of the same.

I hope everyone has a great week.

© 2016 by Mary Daniels Brown