Interviewed by Lee

Today I am being featured by my friend, Lee, on her blog, Embrace Life. For those who don't know Lee, she is a wonderful photographer (we collaborate weekly on Team Up Thursday's photography challenge), writer and memory keeper.

Lee is running a series of weekly Interviews, modeled after the Proust Interviews from Vanity Fair. I am honored to be a participant in her series, and my Interview questions and answers are below and at Lee's Blog.

What age did you start keeping a journal?
I recall writing in one while in Middle School and High School, but I was never consistent with writing. I transitioned to recording daily events in college, using a desk calendar. Not a journal of deep personal thoughts, but still a record of the daily rhythm of my life. This continued until I started my Project 365 Blog in 2009, and since then, my main repository of events and occasional thoughts are played out in one of my two blogs.

Who’s diary/journal (dead or alive) would you like to read?
That’s a hard one, because I’m a fairly private person and think most people are the same and wouldn’t want their innermost thoughts read by a complete stranger.

Who have you suspected of reading your diary?
I’m a pretty trusting person, so I don’t suspect anyone of reading my journal. That’s my hope, at least!

What is your idea of the perfect journal?
Certain aspects of the Perfect Journal for me have changed over time – I’ve gone from fancy bound books to writing in a spiral notebook, from pocket sized books to the standard 8.5”x11” book. But I am extremely picky about the paper – it has to be thick enough not to bleed through when using a fountain pen. And the paper must “feel good” as I am writing on it. The pen is as important as the journal – I prefer the micro-ball or fine fountain pens - smooth, dark ink.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse (in speech and/or writing)?
In writing – the conjunctions and, and but. In speech – “Do [fill-in-the-blank] Right Now, Please”, which gets repeated at least 5 times with threats of varying degrees before my kids actually move.

What quote most speaks to you?
I have a quote in the sidebar of my blog - “Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some,” by Robert Fulghum. I think it’s stayed on my blog all these years for a reason.

Who (or what) inspires you?
The beauty I see in front of me (it’s all around you – you just have to recognize it). Nature. Music. I am inspired by anyone who creates harmony and/or expresses beauty, regardless of the medium.

Who is your favourite fictional character?
Mulan (and Hermione Granger) – strong women who didn’t let their gender or circumstances get in the way.

Who are your favourite writers?
When I was little, I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder. I still love the Little House series (which was re-kindled when my daughter read the books). Nowadays, I like contemporary women writers. For example, I’ve read all the books Amy Tan, Jennifer Weiner and Katherine Center have written – so at least those three are included in my current favorites.

Which natural talent would you most like to be gifted with?
Empathy. And Patience.

What is your greatest creative talent?
In music, I have excellent pitch. I pick up music quickly – like that new song they are trying to teach in you in church – I get it after the second time I hear it. I like to think that In photography, I have a good eye, but most likely that has been developed over the years.

What is your greatest creative challenge?
Telling the story – whether that be through music or photography (or other medium). Translating what I see in my mind’s eye to the photograph. The human eye and the brain that processes vision is so complex and nearly impossible to mimic with a camera sensor. I don’t like post processing, but I do find it can be a creative outlet.

How I got to know Lee - I first met Lee through a scrapbooking bulletin board and I got to know her and her lovely family through her blog. We've had the opportunity to meet, back in 2009:


I'm so glad we've maintained our friendship over the years - Lee is an inspiration and a person worth getting to know.