100 Things

Although this seems like a very egotistical exercise, I love reading these. So. here's my offering.

1. I am a Libra.
2. I always see both (or twenty five) sides of everything.
3. My daughter is one of my closest friends.
4. My husband is another.
5. I am confident that my son will be, also, when he has grown more confident.
6. I love to do artistic things but don't consider myself to be particularly artistic.
7. Lots of other people think I am very creative.
8. I definitely compare myself to my artistic mother too much.
9. I started piano lessons in the third grade and gave a recital in college. I haven't played for three years, but still have a Mason Hamlin grand piano made of rosewood. I still want to be able to play (passably if not by memory) all 32 Beethoven Sonatas. I can play 6 or 7 well enough to enjoy it.
10. I enjoy singing church music, but don't care for church.
11. If I could choose to be an animal, I'd pick either a tiger or a polar bear. They are both very strong but playful. It doesn't hurt that they are at the top of their respective food chains.
12. I would like to travel more often and farther away.
13. I have been to Great Britain, Ireland and Mexico.
14. Before I go any other places, I would like to go to Denmark, the fjords, Germany, France, Canada, Australia and Japan.
15. There are plenty of places closer by that would be fascinating. i.e. Maine, Montreal, Vancouver, Wyoming, Wisconsin.
16. My son is studying to be a teacher.
17. No matter how proud you are of your children, they always manage to surprised you by having their own ideas.
18. I'm glad my children were not limited by my expectations.
19. I wish I knew my parents were proud of me. If you are proud of your children, tell them. Now.
20. I hate setting goals and deadlines for myself, but feel happier when I have them and meet them.
21. I like Beethoven and the Beatles better than Bono, although his social conscience is inspiring.
22. If I had known, I might have studied marketing or been a graphic designer rather than a librarian.
23. I had a great great Aunt who made her living as a professional whistler. She wasthe black sheep of that side of the family.
24. The most frightened I've ever been was when my whole family was on a 23 foot sailboat caught in a thunderstorm with 95 mph winds on a small lake. We "dropped the mast" along side the boat in order not to get struck by lightening. Sailing never was the same for me after that.
25. I am still embarrassed that I was too scared to take action regarding keeping the children safe.
26. The second most frightening thing was realizing that my husband had left and both my parents were dead. (I'm an only child.)
27. I still find warm chocolate chip cookies almost as good as a husband or parents.
28. Sometimes I think I'd like to live in an isolated cabin in the woods or by a lake or ocean. If I had good books to read and food to prepare, I think I'd be fine. I'd want a great view, though.
29. I loved field hockey in junior high because it was ok to hit people... even if only by "accident." I could have used more outlets for my aggression.
30. I hated softball.
31. A trait I lack is perserverence.
32. And self discipline -- (chocolate and pizza especially)
33. I enjoy talking to strangers.
34. I like public speaking.
35. I did a ropes course... but never got off the ground. It prompted me to loose weight and exercise... but... um...I got side tracked. I would recommend the process just the same.
36. My ability to listen and consider changing my mind is one of my best traits.
37. I am grateful for wonderful friends and colleagues.
38. I don't usually get much sleep. I don't notice until the next day.
39. I prefer to invent or create a new idea rather than perfect it or do it a second time.
40. I don't re-read novels, either.
41. While working as a legal secretary I got locked into a stairwell and climbed down 23 floors of stairs. My knees nearly buckled when I got to the bottom because an exit alarm sounded. I cannot imagine going down 100 floors in the trade towers.
42. I've fired a gun.
43. I was underage and didn't really know what I was doing.
44. I've watched "the grunion run" on the beach by moonlight.
45. I've yet to try ouzo or most sushi or jello shots.
46. I think sexual orientation is hard-wired.
47. I think most people have a wider "range" of sexual orientation than they give themselves credit for.
48. I think bigotry (or at least xenophobia) is, too.
49. If there were a God, I don't think he'd make both of those things true.
50. When people don't understand things they either think God did it, it's magic, or they were mistaken.
51. Sometimes things are just incomprehensible. At least up til that moment.
52. I've forgotten almost all of my college German. and French.
53. I believe that great passions keep one excited, healthy and interesting.
54. I could use a new passion.
55. My husband and I are at a comfortable stage. Passion, for us, is quite a lot of work.
56. Remember # 27 and my lack of persistence.....
57. I want to re-commence watercolor painting and sketching.
58. I want to cook more often. And cook healthy.
59. There is yoga in my future. I wish there were a traveling yoga instructor that I knew of.
60. Our cat is named puppy.
61. She climbs the bannisters.
62. She knows her name.
63. She is only my 4th cat.
64. I grew up with a poodle, who was as dear to me as a brother or sister.
65. I am amazed at what you can see, learn and discover through the internet.
66. I am in awe of the art and thinking and writing that people are doing quietly in their own little spaces.
67. I hope that fear-filled authorities don't mess with the ability to investigate on line just because sometimes you stumble on some site with naked people doing things that you don't see very often.
68. I wish I could make money reading books and knitting.
69. I wish more people knew that I am a good psychotherapist and that talking things through can make a huge difference.
70. I am beginning to realize that there isn't all that much time left to life and do everything that might be fun.
71. Just the same, I like lying in a hammock looking up at the sky through the trees.
72. And watching for the birds I can hear.
73. I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before my daughter's 27th birthday in 2005.
74. I am grateful to have doctors who inspire confidence.
75. I am also very grateful for many many loving friends who seem to think this means it's time to let me know I matter to them.
76. I have lots to do before I "check out."
77. I want to paint. WELL.
78. I want to submit book mss.
79. I want to continue on the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) regimen and get thin and fit and healthier than I was before BC.
80. As a last resort (if my mood is too LOW) I will allow myself some ice cream.
81. When it isn't a last resort, I'll be walking, weeding, talking to myself or the birds and being grateful that "This too shall pass."
82. I'm amazed I'm not totally freaking out!
83. Mostly I'm curious about chemo and plan to increase my wicked sense of humor.