Sunday, January 11, 2009

Willow's Five Questions

Last week Willow of Life at Willow Manor, was interviewed by Steph and then she invited any of her readers to participate if they so desired. I was one of the volunteers. Willow emailed me five questions. Here are my answers. If you would like to be interviewed by me please let me know in the comments section and I will email you your five questions.


I’ve called myself artist before, but I’ve never really thought of myself as one. Instead, I’ve thought of myself as a person with some artistic talent. I think there is a difference. As a person with artistic talent, I am proud of the fact that I’ve tried to improve on that talent.

2. How do you balance your career, personal creative time and attention to your children and grandchildren?

Balance…there is no balance in my life anymore. That is one of the perks that you can afford yourself when you live alone. Who does it hurt if you stay up to 3:00 am? Who is hurt if you don’t do the dishes for a week? Who cares if you never cook? Except me that is.

When it comes to work, being creative and giving attention to loved ones, it is also impossible to be balanced. My career always takes the hit. For me, my job is what I do to pay the bills. Being creative and nurturing my relationships with those I love are the two most important things in my life. If I have to choose between those two, people always win. Time with children is fleeting. Treat them well when they are young and you will always have friends. I not only love my children, I like them too. I admire them. They have grown into exceptional people. They are fun to be around. I hope my grandchildren will grow up with good memories of me. I love it that I’ve been dubbed the crafty grandma and the grandmother who tells stories to them. Grandchildren make you work hard though. Just when you’ve forgotten how to play, how to be messy or how to be silly, they come along. I’m blessed and I know it.

So in conclusion, I think I’ve always been unbalanced. I like myself this way.


3. Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?

I think maybe Martin Luther. I understand the doubt, the self-examination that an analytical mind can impose on one. I understand wrestling with God in the search for answers to unending questions. I understand the peace that comes with salvation through the free gift of God through Jesus Christ and the determination that these truths must be shared.

4. What is your greatest personal extravagance?

I don’t have many extravagances. I simply can’t afford many. If I could I would travel constantly. I’ve been lucky in my life to have seen a few of the sights on my list. There are many more as yet unseen, probably never to be seen, but a girl can still dream. In the meantime, I indulge myself with the occasional treat from Anthropologie and Barnes and Noble.

5. Besides your children and grandchildren, what is your most treasured possession?

This question has me stumped completely. I like my jewelry. I like my entertainment center. I like my teal crushed velvet jacket. I like my Fiestaware dishes. I wouldn’t want to do without my craft supplies and paints. But, if asked what I would grab if the house was on fire I would say, my purse, my jewelry, my photographs: my purse for practical reasons, my jewelry for vanity’s sake and my photographs for sentimental reasons.

If you would like to play along, here are the instructions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the

questions).

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview

someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask
them five questions.

14 comments:

  1. Steviewren - I think you sell yourself short, artistically. I see you as a true artist. Definitely.

    Kat

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  2. I loved this! Thank you so much, Stevie. I love the fact that you like your children and that they have grown up to be exceptional people. I admire Martin Luther for the same reasons.

    I added your blog link to my post. :)

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  3. Interview me! Loved the questions and the answers. Oh, you ARE an artist. You can say it ar-teest if you want to.

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  4. Yikes, a squirrel. I hope the problem is solved quickly! Interesting answers to interesting questions. You are an artist, no doubt about it. From just reading your blog, I know you have been blessed with a wonderful family.
    Have a wonderful Sunday evening.
    denise

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  5. Yes, you most definitely are an artist and I admire you in so many ways just getting to know you through blogging.

    I love what you said here..."Time with children is fleeting. Treat them well when they are young and you will always have friends. I not only love my children, I like them too. I admire them. They have grown into exceptional people. They are fun to be around. I hope my grandchildren will grow up with good memories of me."

    I'm trying to do that, too. I want to always be a part of their lives and their kids lives, too. I don't have any relationship at all with my parents (their choice) and it's so sad. I feel we both miss out on so much. You are a wonderful example to me Stevie..thank you. xxoo

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  6. i enjoyed reading this post and learning more about you. and, you ARE an artist!

    i'd like to play along so please interview me.

    Thanks!!

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  7. I recently stumbled upon your blog and I find it so inspiring. Your words and perspective are insightful and honest. I love it that you read to and with your grandchildren, and that you value time with family so much. Thanks for sharing a piece of yourself here!

    Please interview me!

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  8. "5. Besides your children and grandchildren, what is your most treasured possession?"

    What an excellent question Willow posted there for you! Wow.

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  9. Oh I loved your thoughtful answers and I always look forward to your perspective on things. It made me wonder if balance is even do-able for me. I love the way you seem to pour your energy into the things that matter most. I'm still working on that one. :)

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  10. Thank you everyone for your kind responses to my interview answers.

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  11. I agree. Your art is nice and interesting. That quiz sounds challenging, but revealing. Your answers gave a good insight of you, in a nice way. - Dave

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  12. The answers to questions are so revealing. Your answers tell us that you are a loving caring person. Your art exposes you as an artist. Nope, you can't get around it. You are an artist.

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  13. This is a wonderful post. Not that my opinion amounts to a hill of beans, but I like your answers. I admire Martin Luther also. He was a great man that understood the Grace Message of salvation thru Jesus Christ.
    And oh, my dear, you are definately an ar-teest! You have a true gift. Plus, you're just a really nice person. Your kids and grandkids are so lucky to have YOU! Blessings ~ ♥ ∞

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  14. Wow, what great questions! And such thoughtful answers too. I just want to say right here that I would love to see your teal crushed velvet jacket! Didn't want to forget, lol. I don't know why artists are so hard on themselves and never think they are good enough. But if the "masses" (that's us!) like it, you must be doing something right! i love your art, and it sounds like i'm not alone.

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I'm glad you stopped by and I look forward to your comments. As Dr. Fraser Crane would say, "Hello, I'm listening."