8 Random Things About Me

I've been tagged by Laurie at Learning Life Through Unschooling to tell 8 random things about me. I'm not really good at talking about myself individually but I gave it a shot. Here's the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

1. I play the mountain lap dulcimer. I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where Blue Grass and Folk Music were born. My brother made one by hand when he was in middle school and I loved to play it. My dear Hubby bought me a new one about 10 years ago from an old gentleman craftsman in the mountains. He was an artist! It has the most beautiful tones!! I think I need to get it out and practice some!!!

2. I’m a freak. I have hitchhiker thumbs. You know, the kind that bend way back like they are double-jointed. It’s hereditary. So are free ears where the earlobe hangs down in a little dip and attached ears where the lobe attaches to your face without the dip. My Mom has attached ears. My Dad has free ears. I have one of each. I enjoy weirding people out with my little thumb and ear freak show.

3. I am the Queen of Fluff. I know an insane amount of trivia. If anyone has a question particularly about movies or music, they come to me. They know I’m going to know the answer 95% of the time.

4. I make candles as a hobby. I make them for myself, friends and family. I had considered launching it into a home business until reading about the entrepreneur who lost everything when sued by a customer whose home burnt down after leaving her burning candle unattended……in the bathroom…….UNDER THE TOWELS!!! EEK!!!

5. I love to bird watch. I could sit all day and watch birds at the feeder. We just put our hummingbird feeder up on the back porch so we can see them from the dinner table. It makes for quite exciting dinner conversation.

6. I used to own a cow. Yeppers, a real cow. I grew up on a small farm. My Daddy and PaPaw had several cows that they would breed. We would keep one steer for our own beef and sell the rest at market. My brother loved to name the steer and then torment my friends by asking them how good “Ol’ Tom” or “One Horn” tasted. My brother and I each had a cow and we got sell our calves at market and keep the money (minus expenses). Pretty sweet deal. I was the only kid in Jr High School with a checking account! My cow was black and white. Her name was Blackie. Yes, it was a very original name.

7. I used to raise tobacco. We grew Big Burley tobacco as a cash crop. It was hard work. We would set the plants out in the spring (I’d get out of school to help) and cut it in the summer. Then it hung in the barn to dry until fall when we would strip the leaves and tie it into “hands” or bale it. I really enjoyed this last part. I have never smoked in my life but the sweet scent of tobacco always takes me home.

8. I love to sing. I grew up singing in church—youth and adult choirs, ensembles, solos, you name it. I stopped when I went to college. Last year, I joined a local choral group and sang in a Christmas concert. I had forgotten how much I loved to sing. I’m planning to do it again this year. I can’t wait!!!

Whew!! I'm exhausted!! Now I tag The Farmer's Wife at Running in Wellies and Mama Zen at The Zen of Motherhood if they be so inclined and anyone else who might want to play. Just leave me a comment and a link. :)