Five Things

A while back, my pal Monette had a ‘Five Things’ meme on her journal. The idea was that commenters could ask for a list of five things that she associates with them, and then they’d go off and elaborate on the topics on their own blogs. I got my list, and since it’s her birthday today (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!), it’s only right that I get straight to answering them.

1. Scotland — Isn’t it crazy how relatively short periods in our lives can influence us? I studied outside Edinburgh for only a semester, but it was such a pivotal time in my life. I learned to explore the world around me while I was there, and Scotland is probably one of the most amazing places to explore! The photo above is from the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of the country. I spent an incredible long weekend there in the company of friends. Scotland (and, specifically, Edinburgh) is so special and important to me; I think part of my brain will always be waiting to go ‘back home’ to there.
2. Gardens — Yes, I have some of these! In fact, just the other day I looked at a gardening magazine, and I’ve been shaking my fist at the frozen ground ever since. I have a hard time applying my full attention to tasks, but gardening is something that can occupy my brain 100%. I spend hours digging up sod and moving it, or on my hands and knees, planting perennials, and the activity at hand is all that’s on my mind. I also can’t get over the magical nature of vegetable gardening. How does a seed know?
3. Home Ownership — I feel like I should say something topical about this, what with all the economic crises and homes going into foreclosure. But I’m still paying my mortgage every month, so that isn’t really the story of MY home ownership.
I am very glad to have a place to call my own, though. I found it difficult to pick up and move so often in the years between leaving for college and the day I closed on this house. Even if you feel comfortable in a space, having that thought of impermanence hanging over your head can stop you really settling in. Well, it did for me, anyway. There was always that thought: ‘When I get a house, I can x, y, z.’ Now I can just do those things. I still daydream about the future and about someday having more land and living out in the country, but it’s a different kind of daydreaming. It doesn’t keep me from making a home for myself right NOW.
4. Cats — Well, that’s just crazy! Who would associate me with cats? Okay, I suppose it does have a certain validity. I’ve mentioned several times before about how I always thought I liked cats and dogs equally, but that it’s become clear recently that I’m really a ‘cat person’.
I guess I just find cats more rewarding (and less smelly and softer and more polite, in general). I’m always excited to go to another home that has a cat; you really feel as though you’ve achieved something if the cat ‘takes’ to you. (Although not with my cats; they’re shameless attention-seekers.) Cats have standards, and I can appreciate that.
5. Books — I LOVE a beautiful, well designed book. I don’t think I’ll ever willingly switch over to ebooks on a personal-use level, because that’s just not what book-reading is about. I’m happy to seek convenience and technology when it comes to other things (music, particularly, although I do also have a decent vinyl collection), but if I want to read a book, I read a book. I read a hell of a lot on the computer, but that falls into a different category.
I always feel as though I’m under-read (learning to feel that way is part of getting an English degree), but I think that’s partly due to having read a lot of non-fiction in my adult years. And partly because I don’t get the appeal of the (English, mostly) ‘classics’. I mean, I understand that other people like them, so you don’t have to try to explain it to me; I just don’t go in for all that.
Also, I publish some books. That’s not a bad gig.
Done!