I've Been Tagged!

My computer was hit with a Trojan virus on Monday (even with anti-virus software), so I'm feeling a little bit behind on my blog. I am learning how hard it is to function without a computer. Yikes.

While I had something in mind for today's blog, I have put those thoughts on hold for now. For imagine my surprise when I discovered this morning that I had been tagged by sweet Lady Rose at A Queen In Her Castle! Oh, how I love, love, love her blog. I've never been tagged before, so this was a fun, thought-provoking exercise. And some of you lovelies out there get to be tagged by Yours Truly. I hope you will participate, but please don't feel any pressure. Really. Besides, chances are, I don't know where you live anyway!

Here are the questions Lady Rose asked in her tag, along with my answers...

1. If you could live in any place, where would it be? Why would you live there?

I'm a country girl and have always lived in the same place, not too far from the great North Coast. If I could snap my fingers and have a home somewhere else in the world, based upon my very narrow experiences, I would love to live on a high place which overlooks the ocean, but where the seasons still change at their appointed time. Anyone who has ever been to or lived by the ocean has to love the smell of the salt water in the air, the steady sound of the pounding surf, and the ability to take endless walks along the shore, where each morning dawns upon a fresh canvas of undisturbed sand. At least that's how I've always dreamed it would be for me.

2. Make a list of the five favorite activities that you like to do (I know this isn't a question).

These are my favorite things, but not in any order:

1. I love to sit by a fire and watch flames lick over the wood, red embers glowing, almost sparkling, while listening to all the creatures sing their beautiful songs.

2. I love to entertain and gather family and friends around a table filled with lovingly prepared food. There's something wonderful about sharing a meal with those you love, where conversations can linger for hours, and where the burdens of life seem to disappear, even if for a little while.

3. If considered an activity, I love to hold Mr. Wonderful's hand. Mr. Wonderful? Oh, Mr. Wonderful? Did you hear that?

4. I love to use the God-given gifts I have to serve others. Whether it's preparing a meal for someone in need (or someone that just needs an extra-helping of love), sitting and listening to the heart of a homeless woman, teaching a Bible class filled with eager learners, or teaching my own children as we gather for school at the kitchen table every morning, I truly enjoy serving others.

5. I enjoy reading, listening to music, and my new-found late-in-life hobby, quilting (which even now is crying out for me!)

3. What is your most challenging household chore? Briefly explain why it is challenging for you.

Dusting. I used to enjoy dusting. Mr. Wonderful knows that I blame him for not enjoying it any longer. I suppose I never learned how to dust "properly". After we were married and he showed me how to dust the correct way (at least how he was taught by his mother), I never enjoyed dusting again. Unfortunately, our house is filled with heavy wood work from top to bottom. And no, I don't care too much if it's dusty. My eyes have grown accustomed to filtering it out. When I see that I can write my name in dust, I start thinking about when I'll need to dust and whether or not we have company coming over any time soon. Just keepin' it real.

4. What was the happiest day of your life (and you can't say the day you got married or engaged. Choose another day.)?

The day my son, Caleb, was born. I remember holding him and singing my special song to him just moments after he was born. His eyes looked straight at me and I knew at that moment he knew I was his mama. His hands looked so big and open. I whispered in his ear, "Your hands will change the lives of many people." Caleb wasn't suppose to live. Everyone knew that. He was the first baby to have ever survived such circumstances. Word spread quickly the day he was born. All the doctors and nurses came to see this little baby whose life had been held in the very hands of God.

5. What annoys or irritates you the most (besides getting "tagged")?

People who whine. Enough said.

6. Where do you like to "hide" when you're having a rough day?

If the weather cooperates, I take my iPod all ready to go with my favorite music, a good book, and hide on the patio, in my favorite chair. When the weather doesn't cooperate, I've always dreamed of getting in my car and driving south until I find sunshine. I've never gone through with it, but I've always wanted to. Maybe someday. If I could muster-up the courage.

7. Write a six line poem of rhyming couplets. Now tell us, was this a hard or an easy task for you and why (You know I write poetry, so you had to know this was coming )?

Autumn Leaves

by

Yours Truly

The leaves are falling, falling down,
softly twirling, upon the ground.

Once their lives were shimmery green,
held in place by sweet sunshine seen.

Here today, crisp crimson, golden
stems let loose from limbs of olden.

Falling, falling, falling down,
softly twirling, upon the ground.

Oh, I can only imagine the shaking of the heads, or perhaps the giggles. Well to enlighten you, I had to look-up the definition for a rhyming couplet just to make sure I knew what I was doing. That ought to tell you something! I decided to look out the window and write about the first thing my eyes beheld. I wish I had learned how to properly read and recite poetry. I admire those whose hands and minds are gifted with such beautiful words.

8. What is your all-time favorite movie?

I think it might be a tie between Pride and Prejudice and Lord of the Rings (extended edition). These are two movies I never, ever tire of watching.

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Now it's your turn to be tagged. So, if you're up for some fun, here we go!

You've Been Tagged!

1. Dani at Invisible Realities (Dani's answers here)

2. Melanie at Complete In Thee (Melanie's answers here)

3. Beth at Musings and Meanderings of the North Country

4. Lorie at The Fruit of Her Hands

5. Denise at Got Chai?

6. Debbie at Along the Narrow Pathway

Oh, and Lady Rose, I'd love to hear what you have to say!

And here are my questions...

1. I have a painting in my home that immediately gets my heart to singing Sheep May Safely Graze. Is there a photo or a painting or even an object that makes you think of a song to sing? If not a song, is there a Bible verse that comes to mind?

2. If you could sit across a table with someone living today, who would it be and what one question would you ask them? Please, I beg you, no politicians.

3. We are studying the history of classical music at our home. If you could choose one piece of classical music, what selection would you choose, who is the composer, and why does this song have meaning to you?

4. What one thing in all of creation that you can see with your eyes, grips your heart and makes you stand in awe of His majesty? Why?

5. Is there any one thing you are fanatical about? How do you know (has somebody told you!)?

6. If you could choose a season, which one is your favorite and why? Describe what it looks like outside your window today.

7. What's your favorite "just got out of bed in the morning" drink and do you have a special place you go to enjoy it?

Happy Tagging!