My Seven Things thingy
One of my favorite things about blogging is meeting other bloggers. Every day I’m reminded that there are still truly kind people out there, and that — no matter what life may throw at us — none of us is truly alone.
Two of those truly kind people are Trisha and Carolyn, authors of the splendid SimplyOm blog, who recently nominated HeatherBlog for the “Seven Things About Me” award.
Like all privileges, it’s accompanied by a small side dish of responsibility: To accept the award, you must thank your nominators, list seven things about yourself, and pay it forward by nominating others. So … first things first. A huge THANK YOU for your kind nomination, Trisha and Carolyn!
Alright, then … on to part two: Seven Things You Always Wanted To Know About Me (But Were Too Polite To Ask).
1. I used to work as a stable-hand. On my very first day a mare peed on me — both literally and liberally. But in spite of instantly earning the nickname “Pee Wee,” I went back the next day, and for three years after that. It was worth it for the privilege of free horseback riding.
2. I’ve been attacked by at least 12 species. My favorites include a red squirrel, a couple of gray squirrels, a Canada goose, an albino corn snake, a silver-haired bat, an orphaned raccoon, and one very cranky great blue heron. It’s been years since I let my wildlife rehabilitation license lapse, but I’m probably still immune to rabies. (And babies, for that matter.)
3. I hoard things. And I’m not ashamed. Thanks to my hoarding instinct, I once avoided bra-shopping for almost 10 years. I also have about 100 of my favorite mechanical pencils stashed somewhere, as well as duplicates of my favorite clothing items. Just in case.
4. I’m missing a little piece of my tongue. Remember that scene in A Christmas Story, where the kid licks the frozen lamppost and his tongue sticks to it? That really can happen, no matter how convincingly your friends might tell you otherwise. I lost a few taste buds, but at least the garden trowel thawed pretty quickly once I got indoors.
5. I have six lives left. I’ve survived falling three stories (age 5), being hit by a truck (age 28), and being drop-kicked by a horse (age 36 or 37 … I forget). That’s how I developed my personal motto, “Don’t worry, it’ll grow back.”
6. I was bullied as a kid. I think my inherent dorkiness and general docility made me an irresistible target. It hurt. But it taught me some valuable lessons as well. Of these, the most important was that how others treat me is not a reflection of who I am; it’s a reflection of who they are.
7. My first published piece was an obituary. (Thankfully, not my own. Ha.) I was working as a lowly news assistant when the metro editor found herself short one writer. She took a chance on me, coached me, and eventually became one of my very dearest friends. Thank you, Pam … for everything.
Which brings me to part three of the “Seven Things About Me” award.
I realize that the rules require my nominees to write their own “seven things” list. But because I don’t always follow the rules — and because my friends are busy people — I hereby waive the last requirement. What really matters is that my blogger friends know that I appreciate them. So here goes:
First, I nominate my friend Pam. Her blog “This is Most Certainly True” is mostly about her family and its history, but you don’t have to be named Sprick to enjoy her warmth and her wit.
My second nomination goes to Ian’s “Letters from Home” blog. A Canada native, Ian now lives in Hamburg, Germany. I love his wry observations about everything from berries to vandalism to ice-skating.
If you want to feast both your ears and your eyes, check out SoundLandscapes. His recordings are wonderful — and much of his work is from Paris, which I consider a huge plus. (Grin.)
Finally, a tip of the hat to a fellow blogger who has become a true and very dear friend. To read DancingBeastie is to love her. Enough said.
Enjoy … and thanks again to the kind gals at SimplyOm. Namaste!
Filed under: Attempted humor, Friends and family, On being creative, Writing | 11 Comments
Tags: blogging, Seven Things About Me, writing
Some pretty intresting lives you lived… Being hit by a truck? Falling three stories? But honestly, it doesn’t matter, it’ll grow back.
I see you’re adopting my favorite motto as well, Edward!
Each of my near-death experiences is a story all its own — coming soon to a blog near you! Et toi? Il y a beaucoup de temps que je ne vois pas un blog post chez 8able. Shall I add you to my nominations and encourage you to write seven things about yourself?
I’m working on a new project that integrates photography, filming and blogging (all of which I like). I can’t wait for the near-death experience post!
Tell me more about your new project, Edward! Will it be online? If so, I would love to link to it. But promise me you won’t be *too* eager for the near-death experience post … I don’t think death is all it’s cracked up to be.
Wow, what an interesting post and how flattered I am to be one of your nominees. I shall have to get my thinking cap on now and start contemplating my ‘Seven Things thingy’. Thank you!
You’re very welcome! You deserve every last bit of recognition that comes your way … your blog is admirable. I will look forward to seeing what seven things your contemplation yields. Bonne journée!
Aw, you’re so kind, Heather! My blog is really just a family scrapbook that the world is welcome to Google! But I appreciate it. I can’t nominate 7 blogs, because I only read two regularly — yours and Laurie Hertzel’s, by far the best blogs I know. Can’t wait to read about what you find in Europe in your upcoming travels! XO, Pam
Aw, and you are SO sweet, Pam. I am very honored to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Laurie — and even more honored to have you as a reader. I’ll will try to make my Europe posts worth your time. And I will especially look forward to seeing you when I return. XO!
Oops, now I’m realizing I don’t have to list 7 blogs, but rather 7 things about myself. That is downright scary! I will think it over, tho…
I loved yours, tho, and am honored to have assigned you anything at all to write, given your writing gifts, which far exceed mine. I’m proud to have been an encourager, tho! 
No need to be scared! I absolve you of all responsibility to comply with the terms of the award. (Though I would very much like to read 7 things about you …)
As for my “writing gifts” … I think you give me too much credit — and not enough to yourself. You are a wonderful writer, Pam, and a far greater poet than I will *ever* be.
I’m delighted that you have received another blog award. Anything to encourage more of wonderful HeatherBlog is good! And your 7 things made very entertaining reading, if slightly gruesome: accidents, missing pieces, pee and being attacked by a cranky heron…! You’re the only person I know who could possibly think of a ‘favourite species who have attacked me’ list.
Then, right at the end, I see Dancing Beastie mentioned. Eek! Thank you so much, Heather, not least because I (rather guiltily) never did get round to doing anything about previous nominations. You’ve inspired me with this one, though, and I need ideas to get me writing again. Thank you: I’ll get thinking.