Interview

Isabelle has kindly offered to interview her readers. And has sent me these wonderful questions to answer.

If any of you would like me to send you my questions of you, leave a request below, and you can post them on your site.


1. You’re obviously very fond of animals. What do you think animals give to our lives?


The awareness that we are animals too. That we can never really understand another living creature, but must try anyway. To let go of grudges, and respond to the kindness offered at the moment. To trust, but to base that trust on actions. That cute, furry little beings can fight with tooth and claw when threatened. That justice must be extended everywhere. That it's a rough life all over, but we can give each other comfort, moments of bliss, care and love, even, especially, in the midst of suffering. I love petting them, feeling their bodies relax under my hands, how accepting they are of pleasure.


2. What country would you most like to visit (that you haven’t visited so far) if it could be done by waving a magic wand and being there at no expense or trouble? and why?

I've always wanted to be in Istanbul (which is to say, Turkey) from the first time I saw a painting of the Hagia Sophia. It is a place that seems to have the deepest cultural roots, age and history, but soaring domes above. But I am a poor traveler, and my citizenship and gender would make that part of the world less than ideal. Still.



3. What was happening in your life when you were 18?

I was working at my local public library, graduated high school, then went to a radio broadcast program. I saw a good number of movies. I drove a '76 Vega that broke down a lot. Didn't have any good friends. Wanted out of the house and out of Detroit and away as far as I could get, but had few resources.


4. Tell us about your favourite book as a child.

I had a picture book of Winnie the Pooh memorized by the age of three. That was the last favorite, due to my constant presence at the library. I rarely read any book more than once, seemed wasteful when there were all those other books to read. I wanted them all in my head. I'd take out the maximum three at a time, read them as fast as I could, then go get more. Weekends were the hardest, because I often ran out of books first. Completely omnivorous in my reading. I did get into the Lord of the Rings books for a few years, immersion and escape.



5. Describe yourself as car, a food and a flower.

I think I drive the car that expresses me, which wouldn't surprize the guys at Car Talk. A stick shift, no frills, silver honda fit, no bumper stickers. Quick, efficient, attractive only in a very practical way, a bit dirty... yeah, that's as far as I can take that.

Food? At this time of morning? All I can think of is what I just ate, which is maple cream of wheat, half and half with wheat germ, handful of chocolate chips in. Keeps my borderline irritable gut happy, but with chocolate. So, the grossly functional with a dash of silly.

Flower. Funny, I've always felt a fondness for dandelions. Most people hate them, or at least consider them weeds, but they are a lovely yellow, and very sturdy. And then they go all white and delicate and ethereal and blow away. Wouldn't want a whole field of them, but here and there. Wouldn't want too many like me around, either.