I didn’t think anyone would ever tag me for a meme, but my Red Dirt Sister, Brenda, proved me wrong. Here are ten random things about me that you don’t already know:
1. After college, I dyed my hair the lightest shade of blonde by using 40 volume peroxide. I wanted to be glamorous, and I thought this was the way. People told me I looked like Madonna. Looking back at the photos, all I can say is that they weren’t telling the truth. I looked tired and old, and I was only twenty-six.
2. I met HH when I was fifteen, and he was twenty-four. I was his sister’s best friend, and he barely noticed me, but I noticed him. I thought he was the handsomest and kindest person I ever met. Years, later, when I was twenty-seven, we re-met, and the rest is history. I guess he liked that blonde hair.
3. Ever since I was nineteen, I dreamed of living in a log cabin on a lake. When HH and I married, I got that very dream. We live on 7.5 acres, and my back door faces my garden and the spring-fed lake behind it. God knew my dream, and this was how He answered me.
4. Before I moved out to the country twenty years ago, I had never been on a farm or even an acreage larger than one acre. I thought I was moving to Country Home or Country Living not realizing that those magazines are not produced in the countryside. They are citified fantasies. I actually live in Dogpatch or Deliverance. Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell.
5. I am a pinball wizard. My best friend, Aimee, reminded me of that one. HH bought us a wonderful pinball machine. When I’m not ferrying kids to activities, gardening or computing, I’m playing pinball. I pace myself because I don’t want to beat the machine just yet.
6. I grew up in a pool hall, which explains my pinball expertise. I also play a mean game of pool and held a cue stick once I could reach the table. Pool sharks, card sharks, con men, hired hit men and even one rapist were people I saw everyday. I kid you not. Thank God, the rapist never bothered me. We only found out his aberration when we saw him on the front page of The Oklahoman one day. He was quite famous, and his reign of terror lasted for over two years stretching from Dallas to Oklahoma City. Thinking about it still gives me the chills.
7. I love being a mother. I waited until I was 30 to have children. I wished I’d started sooner. I would have had more.
8. My mother says a I’m a great writer. Oh, and a wonderful gardener. Thanks Mom.
9. My eyes crossed as a child. I had three surgeries at four, eleven and twelve to correct the problem. I did years of eye therapy. Now, they only cross when I’m too tired, but I don’t have any depth perception. That makes driving an adventure. On each car, I memorize where the bumper is so I can back out of parking spaces. So, Mary Ann are you still brave enough to ride with me at the Spring Fling?
10. When I turned 40, I changed and became a lot less stiff, emotionally. My body is stiff. My soul is flexible. I gained a sense of humor and quit worrying about what others thought about me.
Enough about me. I want to know more about:
Martha at All the Dirt About Gardening because she has become such a good gardening friend, and she grows things in the same climate I do.
Kathryn at Plant Whatever Brings You Joy because she writes such blessed words, and I feel like we are sisters of the heart.
Flower Garden Girl because she provides such interesting information on her site; and
Frances at Fair Garden because I really enjoy her whimsical posts.
Tag, girls, you’re it.
Okey dokey. Having carefully considered this invitation and even researched (at long last) the nature and origin of the term MEME, I am going to (somewhat sadly) decline. It looks fun, and this is actually one of my favorite posts on Red Dirt Ramblings. Thank you for thinking of me. And have a GREAT time in Texas! Kathryn xox
It’s such fun to read about you. You’re brave to tell all about yourself. Is it because the blog adds a little anonymity? You sound like a neat person to know. I would love to be your neighbor, especially with that lake property 🙂
Jane Marie, thanks. I’m not really brave. I’m just painfully honest whether it’s on the blog or in person. It’s a blessing and a curse.~~Dee
Very honest and forthright tiidbits about yourself. It’s always wonderful when one gets to live out a dream. Sounds like you have a great life there in rural OK.
I lived on a lakefront for 10 years and loved it. It was my dream too. If my hubby hadn’t wanted a larger place to have a shop and boat storage, we would still be there. I still miss it every day. What’s sad is that this property is too large for us to care for and since my husband’s medical issues earlier this year, he’s had to sell his boat. Too bad the housing market is in the tank–we’d sell this place and move back. Or a least I would.
Aiyana, I’m generally honest. Why not? I wish you didn’t have to leave your lake front property, and I’m sorry about your husband’s health. I hope he gets better, and you can go boating again.~~Dee
Interesting 🙂
Thanks, Marie.~~Dee
ruh-roh! U drivin? Ah, heck, yes, I am good with that. We’ll be in Texas where you can take your half out of the middle or drive on the shoulder. Anything will work. Right after we stop by one of those drive in cocktail stores. To calm my nerves. Just for medicinal purposes (as my grandmother used to say). Can’t wait to see you next week!
Can I play this meme?
MA, I am on the floor laughing. Of course, please play the meme. Please do. I am so excited about this Friday.~~Dee
I enjoyed this post and learning a little more about you.
How blessed you are to be living your dream.
Robin, thanks for coming by. I love your bird blog too. I am so blessed, and there have been times in my life when I didn’t feel so.~~Dee
You are very interesting and have a blessed life.
Thank you, Lisa, you are too.~~Dee
. . . . I wan’t a lake like that! . . . .
Esther Montgomery
ESTHER IN THE GARDEN
Esther, it’s really more of a glorified spring fed pond.~~Dee
I think you sound normal. I’m not easily shocked or turned off by the odd behaviour of people. I liked what you had to show and tell. I”ve been tagged twice, but I’m such a camera hog that I’ll do it again. Be looking for it. I might something odd.
Oooh, I can’t wait. Thanks for playing.~~Dee
Well, Dee, I would happily respond to being tagged (memmed?) if you would give me some guidelines for the game – Is it to tell you ten things about myself? Anything at all? Do I write mine on my blog or yours? Martha in Muskogee
Hi Martha, on this one, you just share ten random things about yourself. I’ll be excited to see what you share.~~Dee
Honey-bunny, I do not remember you dying your hair platinum. But then sometimes I do not remember yesterday. I can tell everyone that you graduated with a journalism degree, and yes, you are a great writer. Think how long we have known each other! You are also a great mom.
CurtissAnn
CA, I can’t believe you don’t remember. I thought I was so stylish. You and I have been friends since college, and I graduated in 1985. That’s over twenty years. Aren’t we lucky?~~Dee
I too agree with your mother. You are a wonderful, engaging writer, girl! I’m glad I tagged you so I’d learn all this stuff. Would you believe I’ve never played pool? I’ve never bowled or played cards either. Aren’t I weird? Everyone thinks so. And I don’t know why these things are true. Anyway, got off the beaten track. I’m going to go visit several of the ones you tagged now. Haven’t had the pleasure of meeting a couple. Here’s to red dirt in the blood!
Brenda
Brenda, we’ve got to get you out more, although I don’t any woman who’s play a lot of pool, except my sister and me. I hope you enjoy the other websites. Thanks for tagging me. It was fun.~~Dee
Nice to know a bit more about you! I too have a cross eye. Never had the surgeries though. I have 20/20 vision and don’t care a whole lot about it. I can go without them and they cross when I either “let” it or when I’m tired. I’m just mostly too lazy to put the effort into keeping it from crossing so I wear my glasses most of the time.
I wish I lived on a lake! Maybe someday….
Cindy, we seem to have a lot in common. I have 20/30 vision, and I sometimes wear glasses when I’m really tired. I need to get new ones. Maybe you will get to live on one someday. Mine is really a glorified spring fed pond.~~Dee
I kind of wish we had time to visit a pool hall while you’re in Austin, Dee, just to see you play.
Wouldn’t that be fun? You’ll just have to come to Oklahoma sometime, and we’ll play to our hearts’ content.~~Dee
Love your photo of the violas.
Oh bliss, a log cabin with property on a lake! That would be my dream home. My husband and I met as counselors at a very rustic summer camp and we loved it there so much.
Amy, I bet you have a fun story about meeting your husband. Maybe, I’ll read it on your site sometime. Thanks about the photo. I laid on my side on the deck to take it.~~Dee
Love it! I always enjoy these glimpses into people’s lives. It’s especially great now that I know we’ll meet face-to-face at Spring Fling!
Robin at Bumblebee
Oh Robin, that’s right, you’re coming too! I’m so glad. Yours was one of the first blogs I ever read.~~Dee
I love your description of your community as “Dogpatch” meets “Deliverance.” LOL! (Is the only culture around in a yogurt container?) You have been blessed to be living your dream.
Anon, yes I think that’s the only place. Even those who think they have it, often don’t.~~Dee
Those were some pretty interesting and somewhat scary things about yourself. Thanks for thinking of me, and when I am able to find the time, will respond.
Frances, I’m glad you didn’t mind me tagging you. I can’t wait to learn stuff about you too. Mine WAS a little scary.~~Dee
Oh, my! Well, thank you, my dear. So my next post is about me?? Hmmm. Do I have a deadline?? 🙂 Kathryn xox
No, dear, you don’t; just whenever.~~Dee
hello Dee,
This was a fascinating read and I agree with your mother, you do write well….Regarding the pinball machine, do you have a Gottlieb or is that before your time! That’s what was in the donut shop just off campus when I was in college!
See you in Austin.
Gail
clayandlimestone
Hi Gail, well, you know mothers. We always think the best of our children. 🙂 ~~Dee
It’s nice to know a little more about you. 🙂
Thanks, Nancy.~~Dee