Tag, You're It!

I've been tagged by my next door neighbor, Heidi Li. We've been neighbors since the old Taylor Marsh days, when we all knew Hillary was hands down the best choice for President. We still believe it.

So, I must now come up with 6 personal scraps of information that no one else knows about me and tag six more bloggers. I welcome the diversion in these days of All Obama, All the Time television. Thanks, neighbor!

1. I am the oldest of 4 sisters and have suffered unbearably for being the first born. I've had to blaze the trail for my younger sisters so they would be allowed go to pajama parties at Jack the Ripper's house, ride the school bus to "away" basketball games without being kidnapped and camp outdoors in tents without wild animals attacking them. My parents literally held me in a vice (well, maybe not literally) and wouldn't allow me to have any fun. As time went on, they eased up on my sisters, who quickly learned that being the rebel of the family only gets you grounded and overachieving in school doesn't mean they will cut you any slack. My sisters have grown up to be happy women, seemingly without a care in the world (sometimes I wonder if they actually vote), while I continue to gnash my teeth, vehemently stand up for what I believe is right and agonize over the plight of the downtrodden. While I won't compromise my principles for anyone or anything, my sisters are enjoying lattes, mall shopping and watching reality shows. I love them dearly and sometimes wish I could be a little more like them.

2. I prefer to shop at the Salvation Army or local Thrift Stores. I love antiques and buy and sell them to feed my addiction for the old, well worn, beautiful patina and the unique provenance each piece brings. I love all things old, including the new found silver streaks in my dark hair, (which I refuse to color), vintage clothing, Bakelite bangles and just about anything with a history.

3. I have two daughters who are as different as night and day and I love them both to pieces. My oldest is a talented musician, works in the Manhattan garment district, has an off the chart IQ, and knows how to enjoy life. She is beautiful, gracious, charming and loves to travel. My youngest lives in the country, surrounded by horses, dogs, cats, gardens and 3 children (who, of course, are the grandest grandchildren anyone could have). She is most comfortable in blue jeans and boots, has a hot temper, an old soul and don't ever, ever cross her.

4. I love creating things. I am a china painter, wood whittler, oil painter, pencil sketcher, love to hand sew pillows out of vintage fabric and am now dabbling in mosaics and re-teaching myself to knit. I have been a bartender, a waitress, was once Clerk/Treasurer of our Village, worked for an amazing ob/gyn surgeon, and presently work in a law firm. I've run for elected office twice, have been appointed to numerous boards and I'm now enjoying a slacker's life.

5. I have a summer place in the Southern Adirondacks that is truly a haven. The sounds of loons, the smell of the pines, a beautiful lake with a sandy beach, a swinging hammock, old canoe, woodpeckers, a flower garden, a pebbled path to my back yard - it is my sanctuary and I am truly blessed to be able to enjoy it every summer.

6. Just when I thought life in the USA couldn't get any worse, it did. This campaign season has been awful. I remember the last eight years and the countdown to Bush finally leaving office. I'm saddened to say that I don't feel one ounce better about Obama. I feel like a woman without a country. I've changed my political affiliation to independent and am watching all of my old democratic friends reveling in their belief that Obama will wave a wand and make everything right. I don't know whether to envy them or pity them, but I feel left out and hopping mad. Not only did the best candidate we will have in our lifetime get cheated out of the election, but I've come to realize that women's rights have suffered a horrible setback. Misogyny is alive and flourishing in America and, quite frankly, I don't think a hell of a lot of people give a damn.

I tag the following six blogs:
Song!; Green Consciousness; Soopermouse; Delilah Boyd; Anna Belle at Peacocks and Lilies; and Another Kind of Feminist You're it!