So…

1. My dad was a pilot in the RCAF and we moved to France when I was little. We used to play in a concrete bunker, but not for long. The girls wanted to play house, and the boys peed in the corner.
2. I repeated grade 1 and didn’t read until grade 3. I got through school by talking and listening. Probably more talking than listening. I started reading for pleasure as an adult, and I started with all the great children’s literature I had missed. Mistress Masham’s Repose was a turning point.
3. I was an officer in the Reserve Navy. I still can’t believe I had command of a vessel (65′ WWII diving tender). We trained Sea Cadets and dragged pilots around to simulate a parachute ditching over open water.
4. The worst thing that ever happened to me was that our second child died at birth. It was 14 years ago. It is also the thing that has taught me the most.
5. In 2004-05 my son, daughter, husband and I sailed around the world on a 188′ tall ship called Concordia. Chris and I were on-board directors for Class Afloat. Forty-eight high school students, five teachers, and a professional crew. A challenging year (I was often sea-sick), but rewarding too. We met amazing people, saw amazing things, have amazing memories. Wish I was a blogger then.
6. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 11 years. Most of the time my joints are fine, but other times notsomuch. My knees often look like footballs.
7. I am a quilter in exile. I have a fabulous Bernina sewing machine that I saved for two years to buy, and a fabric stash that calls to me. An unfinished quilt hanging on the design wall in my sewing room tries to attract my attention. Wait til I finish this master’s thing. Then we’ll be swimming in quilts.

Tagging:  Neil Varner, Bernadette Rego, Cindy Martin, Sue Hellman, Errin Gregory

Please link back so I can read your 7 things…

I am re-tagging Claire Thompson because I want to know more about you, Claire!

Image: You don’t look quite right by Gunnlaugur Þ. Briem

Folks (like me) make sweeping resolutions about the things they will change in their lives. I will lose 10 lbs! we say. I will be more organized! We want to be better than we are, so it’s a hopeful act. Well, despite good intentions most of my resolutions don’t last much past February.

This year, though, I think I have a resolution that I can keep. Because I know I can. It used to be a habit. This year I am going to be on time, meaning before time. I am never atrociously late for work events, I just arrive as things are starting, as the meeting is called to order. I get in few minutes after a hair appointment should begin. Worst of all, I tell my family I will be home at 5:00 and I don’t come in the door until closer to 6:00.

My mother is always early. Because she doesn’t drive, she depends on others to give her lifts, and she never wants to keep people waiting. I have an imprinted memory of her leaning out the back door, looking down the driveway, ready to jump out and trot off with someone.  For her, being late is discourteous because you are really saying your time is more valuable than another’s. A neighbour’s saying, “on time is late” really says the same thing. Arriving before “on time” gives you time to meet, greet, and honour the people you are spending time with. I need to re-remember that.

I know this, but have forgotten it. I have dropped the habit of punctuality that was part of my bones for my early years. So time for a change. I am going to show those I know (family, colleagues, and the businesses I frequent) that I value them enough to be on time.

Image: In Search of Lost Time by Bogenfreund