Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Hooray for Awards for Weirdness!

Many, many thanks to Linda O’Connell—very talented and oft-published writer, fellow WWWP, truly gracious and fun human being, editor of Not Your Mother’s Book…on Family, and blogger at Write from the Heart—for the honor of a blog award! It’s my understanding that I am supposed to tell you three weird things I do, so here they are:

1. I have an interest in perfumes and have been known to sniff out strangers—literally—and ask what fragrance they’re wearing. Most people are wonderful about it and often tell interesting little stories about how they discovered the scent themselves. One lovely older woman from the frozen food section of the grocery store couldn’t remember the name, so she took my name and number and later called to tell me. (“Hello? Uh…this is…uh…Gloria? From the grocery store?”). Turned out to be Clinique’s “Aromatics Elixir,” which is funny because, even though I love the “Happys,” I’ve long thought of Aromatics as smelling weird and chemically on me. On Gloria it smelled like a spa in the south of France after a rain.

2. I took tap, ballet and jazz for years, not because I was a good dancer (like my sister who used to dance until her feet bled), but because I love it. Still dance around the house every chance I get.

3. Since August of 2010, I’ve been taking a virtual trip around the United States via the internet, computer wallpaper and Google Earth. I am currently in my last continental state and only have Hawaii and Alaska left. I’ve learned some interesting things, such as the fact that Minnesota has a Spam Museum. I am extremely sad to report that the equally interesting-sounding Museum of Questionable Medical Devices, also located in Minnesota, has closed. At least according to my tour guide, Google. But please don’t change your Minnesota plans just because Wally World is closed! It looks like the Spam Museum is still going strong. Seriously, though, I’ve learned that every state in this amazing nation has its own beauty and history and interest. Will probably go to Canada next. Life is an adventure.

Please consider yourself chosen if you’d like to participate and pass this along!

If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right. ~Bob Basso

10 comments:

  1. Hi Tammy! Loved the story about Gloria, you made me laugh out loud. What did you like the most about Oregon in your tour?

    This was a fun post. I like to dance too, but never took any lessons so I don't really know how.

    Hope you are having a wonderful week!

    Kathy M.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathy, that's the best kind of dancing. I made a point of writing down my favorite thing about each state. Here's what I said about Oregon: Rocky with deep, navy blue, crystal clear lakes and calderas and lava flows. Looks like fresh air feels.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, when you get to virtual Alaska, check out the Mendenhall Glacier. I've been there in person. And I must say, it's real, and it's spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tammy--When I get a pleasant whiff from someone, I usually say something like, "You smell divine. What are you wearing?" Does that make me a weirdo, too?

    Don't listen to Val. You will have to fall onto the glacier to find out it's real. Don't do it.

    A virtual trip sounds cool, not weird, AND you write some lyrical lines about the places, too. I think there's an essay in there somewhere...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Virtual trips? What a nifty idea! I may have to try that. I always wanted to see the top of Mount Kilimanjaro!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

    ReplyDelete
  6. A guy on the cruise ship said he was in the elevator and a fella said, "OOh, someone in here smells delicious." He said he looked around and there was no one else in there, so he hit the emergency button. :)
    Virtual trips, now Tammy that sounds really fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sioux and Val, I could always send Elaine.

    Pat, it's not the same thing. But it's better than nothing!

    LOL, Linda. Even I've never done that with a man. Virtual trips aren't the same as your cruises, but I am learning a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  8. As a native Minnesotan and Minneapolis resident, I can report that while the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices has closed, the House of Balls is still open. :-) Seriously. Art from bowling balls.

    Keeping Minneapolis Weird,

    Pearl

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pearl, that is good news indeed. You reminded me that St. Louis has a Dental Health Theater (with some rather exciting performances centering around bicuspids, etc.) and the dog museum, which does not, thankfully, have anything that's stuffed. It's all just artwork about dogs (truth be told, I love that one).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your weirdo things aren't so weird. I'm still trying to think of some weirdo things to post... and I love the virtual travel thing - sounds like fun.

    ReplyDelete

Any return "messages" are appreciated!