One of my brothers reads my blog. Last week he told me that reading it is a strange experience for him, because my writing doesn't fit what he knows about me. Isn't that interesting? It really got me thinking. Most of my readers have never met me, and don't even know what I look like. Their only connection to me are the words that I write; these crazy, random thoughts that I share.
I bet that if you met me you would be very surprised that:
I bet that if you met me you would be very surprised that:
- I wear make-up everyday. I love lipstick and never leave the house without it.
- I don't own a cell phone.
- I'm neither fat nor thin.
- I'm short.
- I laugh a lot.
- I wear jeans and a t-shirt pretty much everyday. In the winter I add a cardigan to this uniform.
- I'm the kind of grown-up who actually goes in the pool with the kids.
- I'm also the kind of grown-up who says to the kids, "Come on let's go do something."
- I won't miss an episode of Hawaii 5-0 or Survivor.
- I like romance novels, mysteries, and thrillers.
- I like to go places: woods, beach, museums, zoos, concerts. I'm a member of The Museum of Science, Zoo New England, Mass Audubon, and The Museum of Fine Arts.
- I'm happy on my own; I don't need a lot of friends.
If we were to meet, what do you think would surprise me about you?
Most of this would surprise me. :-)
ReplyDelete- I'm surprised about the make-up. I envision you as a motherearth type, not going as far as bare feet and long hair, but certainly natural.
- everyone and their dog owns a cell phone. Even I own a cell phone (although admittedly it is my dd's handmedown.)
- I don't imagine you laughing a lot, I always think of you as being quiet and reflective.
- I can see you going into the pools because its clear you're a great mama, but I wouldn't have imagined you inciting adventure. More like inciting a nice firelit readaloud.
- I love Survivor so its good to know you're watching it too :-)
- I knew that about your favourite genres.
- I wouldnt have guessed you like going places, but I'm not surprised about the places you go.
None of this changes how much I like you! It just makes me wonder where I got my impression of you. From the gentleness of your writing, I think. Tone more than content. So although I don't know you like your brother does, and I'm actually coming from the opposite angle - only knowing you via your writing - this real-life info doesn't fit my impression of you. Fascinating! :-)
PS, it must be ... um, I don't know the right word ... to have your family reading your weblog. Mine never read my one.
I am a quiet and reflective person--you've imagined that right, but I laugh a lot, too.
DeleteThe thing is, I don't go into the pool because I want to make the kids happy, I do it for myself. I like to have fun. Sometimes that means reading (I read aloud all of the funny bits from the newspaper every morning), and sometimes that means packing a knapsack with lunch and binoculars and heading off to some wild place.
I don't own a cell phone, but all of my kids have one (and my husband), so if I need to, I can borrow one of theirs.
I'm so glad that you still like me :-)
I will like you always and forever. I hope you still like me after my bottle-feeding post!
DeleteI feel it doesn't matter about cell phones and laughter and those things, I have seen your heart and that is how I know you. And why I love you.
I will like you always and forever, too. I have seen your heart, and it's true and beautiful. It's why I love you <3
DeleteYou have to own a cell phone :) That is the one to surprise me. I wear makeup everyday and I laugh a lot.....maybe that is why I enjoy your blog!
ReplyDeleteI knew we were alike :-)
DeleteI don't own a cell phone, but all of my kids do--I've been known to borrow one of theirs if I'm going to be out for awhile.
It's fascinating how we develop a mental image of someone based solely on their words isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat would surprise you about me??
That I enjoy yoga
I'm outgoing in certain situations
I dream of living in Maine
Marianna, I *am* surprised that you'd like to live in Maine! I thought everyone who lived in Texas loved it. Do you think your Maine dream will ever become a reality?
DeleteWhat kind of yoga do you do?
I do love Texas, but I desperately miss the four seasons we experienced while living in Pennsylvania. My maternal grandmother is from Maine and I think my fascination started there. Since then it seems that every memoir I've read that really resonated with me was written by someone who lived at least part time in Maine or on Cape Cod so I think there must be something in the lifestyles afforded by these two locations that appeals to a deep place inside of me.
DeleteI can't really figure out what kind of yoga I do! :)) There are three different instructors and they are all VERY different. I take the classes through 24-hour Fitness so it isn't really "pure" yoga! Nonetheless, I still enjoy it very much.
My dad read my blog for a time and that was kind of nice--if I would want anyone in my family to read it, it would be him. Then others started reading it, happening upon it since I wrote about obscure places in our region. And you know me, I changed my username, claiming I'd abandoned the blog. My dad said he wanted to respect me and stop reading, which was a bit of a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteThose are surprising things about you. I must say that when we talked on the phone, you sounded just as I imagined you might sound. I thought of you as being taller, though. I am short, too. I used to be thin, but mothering has taken it's toll on me and put me in some strange netherworld of bustiness that, to me, is just too much for my petite frame.
I don't know about surprises for me. I, apparently, in my humble task of homemaking have the reputation of being quite intimidating to other women. I've always been the victim of bullies, but maybe it was their response to my awesomeness?
I am really enjoying your posts these days--the closer glimpses into who you are and how you invite us to share with you.
A few people who know me in real life read my blog. At first it weirded me out a little, but now I'm okay with it. In fact, it's kind of nice. I think since I've shared my blog and stories with my oldest brother that we've grown closer.
DeleteI'm glad that when we talked on the phone that my voice "matched" your impression of me :-) That makes me happy.
I know what you mean about mothering transforming your figure into something else. I'm bustier than I would like to be too.
I'm so glad to know that you like my new blogging direction. I'm trying to make this blog more conversational, more about words and connections than about pictures.
thank you susan for the kind words, it was so lovely to read them tonight. i do know what you mean about falling under a spell, the blog world can be truly overwhelming.
ReplyDeletei definetly get the 'wanties' when i travel around visting. but it stops as soon as it starts (i try) when i remember to give thanks for what i do have.
it is kind of funny to know people read your blog, sometimes i feel shy when my husband tells everyone about it. and i don't know the person when we meet, yet i know they've read it. it must be as strange for them too.
my friends and family say nice things once in a while, but usually don't say anything. i love photos and words, but i love that you are making a blog that is entirely you.
Thank you so much for visiting me today, and for your very thoughtful comment, Lori Ann. I actually came to my blog this morning with the intention of removing that "spell" portion of my last comment :-)
DeleteThe main reason I've decided not to include pictures on this blog is because I'm just not a good photographer :-) This blog is a bit of an experiment for me. There are lots of terrific blogs out there with gorgeous photography (I *love* your blog--both the words and the photos :-), but not many blogs with just words. I wonder why? Can I make a words-only-blog work?