Well, talk about the perfect time to spread some warmth and let a little sunshine in as I am hunkered down in the midst of yet another New England snowstorm.  I am incredibly humbled and honored that both Vicki Vinton and Renee Dinnerstein nominated me for the Sunshine Award,  Thank you!  I love the idea  spreading some light and warmth amongst bloggers. I knew nothing about this award until now.

The Sunshine Award was started by Matt Renwick, an elementary principal in Wisconsin (@readbyexample). Here are the rules Matt lists in his post:  Acknowledge the nominating blogger. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
 Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you. List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love! Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. (You cannot nominate the blogger who nominated you.)

So here we go…

Eleven Random Facts

1.  When I was a sophomore in college I moved in with my boyfriend (my parents didn’t know who I was living with) in Boston where I sold waterless cookware door to door in Somerville, Mass.
2. My daughter had childhood leukemia, twice.  (She is now 20!)
3. I love lipstick.  My favorite, Purplicious, by Revlon.
4. I love music and wish I had the talent to become a singer/songwriter.
5. I drove an ice-cream truck in the beautiful city of Revere, Mass.
6.  I taught horseback riding lessons and witnessed the birth of my own horse born one cold night in March.  Her name was Maple Sugar, Mae.
7.  I have always been secretly thrilled that I got a son and a daughter on the first try!
8.  I hate Nancy Drew.
9.   I really enjoyed reading the Shades of Grey books and am looking forward to seeing what they do with the movie.  (For shame!)
10. I am a middle child in a world where we are becoming more and more rare.  (Average American household has 2.1 children) I think the world needs middle children.
11. “Jammies”  are my favorite time of the day.

Questions from Vicki.

What book would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?

Hmmm…it is hard to narrow this one down, but I think I might just have to pick The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, no, I would pick The Red Tent by Anita Shrive, no, I would pick my ipad and bring all of my books with me!  Is that cheating?.

Where do you write?

Everywhere.

What do you do to recharge?

Kundalini yoga.  I love it and am actually enrolled in a yearlong course to become a kundalini yoga teacher.  For me it is highly introspective, meditative and includes lots of chants, music, and sounds such as those from the gong.  The healing of sound is amazing.  I never leave a practice feeling unchanged in some small or large way.

What was your favorite book as a child and why did you love it?

Green Eggs and Ham By Dr. Suess because it is one of the only books I remember my parents reading to us.

If you could have dinner (or coffee or drinks) with anyone living or dead, who would it be and what would you want to ask him or her?

My Dad.  Having just died on September 23^rd I would ask him if he was at peace wherever or everywhere he is and what it is like.

Do you have a quote that you keep (in your mind, a notebook, a pocket, your desk, etc.) that captures something that seems important to you? If so, what is it?

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”  Albert Einstein.

Questions from Renee.

What books are you presently reading?

I am currently reading Creating Innovators by Tony Wegner.  It is one of the most hopeful books I have read in a while.  I am also reading The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnolly when I need some “beach reading” breaks!

Who was the most influential person in your life?

Today I would have to say my Dad.

Do you have a secret vice that you might be willing to share?

Wine, food and more wine.

What is your ideal vacation?

One where I can see new things with people I love filled with adventure, the unknown and new discoveries everywhere you go.

What inspired you to enter the field of education?

I was always going to be a teacher.  I used to “play school” for hours by myself in my bedroom.  I still even have all of the grade pages and notes I had on all of my imaginary students.  It is in my blood.

Is there a work of art of a piece of music that has left a strong impact on you?

I have to answer this question with a question, what hasn’t?  Truth be told, I am easily moved!  Quirky, but true.

 Okay, so now for the fun part.  Here are the blogs that I nominate for the Sunshine Award!!  

Jaclyn Karabinas at Soul Strikers

Deborah Brasket at Living on the Edge of the Wild 

Mica Angela Hendricks at the busy mockingbird

David Chura at Kids in the System

Christopher Lehman at Christopher Lehman

Christine Mcarneyy at an educator’s re-education

Tony Baldasaro at Tony Baldasaro

So now Jaclyn, Deborah, Mica, David, Christopher, Christine and Tony here are your 11 Questions.  Have fun.

1. What is your passion and how does it show up in your life?
2. What are your 3 favorite movies?
3. What are your 3 favorite books?
4. What are your 3 favorite songs or artists?
5. Describe your most interesting date.
6. If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be and why?
7. What is your favorite food and why?
8. What is your perfect day?
9. What book or books are you reading right now?
10. If you could have dinner (or coffee or drinks) with anyone living or dead, who would it be and what would you want to ask him or her?
11. What is your ideal vacation?

Well, that was fun.  Looking forward to reading what others have to say!