Ten Random Facts Meme

Ever one to enjoy a good list, (and humbly considering myself tagged by Karen and Alicia), here are my ten random facts:

1. I sang in a band during my freshman year of college. It was a short-lived venture, to the relief of my parents and the amelioration of my GPA. This in turn led to my learning fancy words like amelioration.

2. I once swam with a dolpin off the coast of Ireland. His name was Fungi. It was fun.

3. Growing up, I was a huge huge fan of this band. My friend and I knew every word to every song and would murmur together into the wee hours of the summer nights about how very cute the lead singer was. Years later, when I was writing for a local newspaper, I had a backstage pass at one of their concerts and had a chance to talk with said lead singer. He was a nice guy. (He’s originally from Illinois—how could he not be?)

4. I used to live in a castle in France. The owners of the castle were a marquis & a marquesse, otherwise known as my friend’s father and mother. Believe it or not, they led a pretty simple life. Myself, I was in heaven. I have never eaten so well nor read so many good novels.

5. This is not a “random” fact for those of you who received last year’s Christmas newsletter, but here it is anyway: my husband & I & Baby Camille attended the 55th Presidential Inauguration in 2005. Can I be honest here? It was really fun. Are you kidding? A stay-at-home mother-of-five getting wined & dined & going to dances in D.C.? You bet I had fun!

6. I have tremendous respect for my friends who can sew. I myself cannot sew to save my life. My mother was an amazing seamstress who once ordered me an extra-large bedspread from Sears and used it to make matching curtains, shams and pillow covers. I am convinced that were she to have had the patience to teach her annoying, chatterbox little girl how to sew, it would be cause for her canonization.

7. I have photographed some interesting people in my day. Here they are. (Only the middle photo is the photo that I actually took—I couldn’t find the other two for all my searching.) Can you identify them? You will either be proud of your success or embarassed by it.

8. My sister was a Carmelite nun for several years. Her time in the monastery was my introduction to the “silent retreat.” I would spend a couple of nights there on my own, assisting at Mass & listening to the sisters sing the Liturgy of the Hours. It was lovely. My sister would later discern that she did not have a vocation to the religious life. She is now happily married and is teaching art in several elementary schools.

9. When I asked a dear friend what he considered to be my particular fault he replied, “Your kitchen floor.” It’s true. On any given day my kitchen floor is in need of a very good sweeping and scrubbing. I tell myself that this will all change when I get the new linoleum, not that I’m delusional or anything.

My posting this friend’s picture is payback for his remark.

10. My reversion to the Catholic Church was triggered by the sound of trumpets. I was at the ordination of several priests with the aforementioned sister. When the trumpets sounded during the procession I thought, “It’s…heaven!” and then the tears began to flow. I sobbed throughout the entire Mass. “Well,” my sister remarked after the liturgy. “You certainly seemed moved.”

I have no picture to convey the stirrings of grace in my heart that took place at that time, but I can tell you: I remain every bit as sentimental to this day.

PS. Woops! Forgot to tag someone. How about anyone in my blogroll that hasn’t done this yet? Or anyone reading this that just plain wants to share? Like Karen E. said, let me know if you write one. These really are quite fun.