Congratulations, Cynthia!  You will soon be the owner of Apples & Oranges!  I would love to hear your opinion of it, too — I found it a little difficult to review a memoir.  I was a little uncomfortable “evaluating” another’s experience — especially such a painful one.  So, Cynthia, be sure to share your thoughts whenever you finish it!

This morning, I was tagged by Heather at Book Addiction for the Six Random Things About Me meme.  Thanks, Heather!

Six Random Things About Me…

1. I am fortunate to have parents who love to travel, so I have been to all 50 states as well as a bunch of other countries as well (England, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Switzerland, China, Egypt, Israel, Africa, Denmark, Iceland, and more…).  I truly loved visiting the world and believe that a love of travel and a love for reading are very compatible since both allow you to lose yourself in another perspective.  Interestingly, my wanderlust now seems to have been satisfied and while I still enjoy seeing new places, I am very content to stay home (and write about what book suits each state)!
2. I was a high school English teacher for 15 years — and loved interacting with adolescents.  I have a particularly affinity for that age group — their quirks, mood swings, ever-changing passions.  However, my introverted nature just got plum tired after being on stage all day.  So, I’m hoping to break into the world of “distance learning” and find a “virtual classroom.”  I would love to continue to teach, but hopefully from the comfort of my own home.
3. Because I just can’t read enough, I’ve started volunteering with the Minnesota Center for the Blind — reading textbooks and novels aloud.  And I love it — a way to help people without actually interacting with them   Every Wednesday I spend 3 hours in a tiny, window-less room reading about economics, psychology, communications, the Bible, etc…  the text changes every week!
4. I spend my mornings riding my half-Arab Mariah.  I can’t remember a time before I realized the “outside of a horse was good for the inside of a (wo)man” (I think Churchill said that?).  My mare has a sweet, affectionate nature and a need for speed that suits me perfectly, and I am grateful that working from home allows me to spend my favorite time of day with her.
5. I met my husband on eharmony!  So, yes, much of my life has been shaped by the internet! 
6. I have a fifteen year old pit bull/border collie mix named Juno who is still going strong.  She has been a loyal companion since I found her at the pound and can’t imagine my life without her…

 So, there’s a little bit about me…

What about you?  I’m tagging:  My Own Little Reading Room,  Posey Sessions, Booking Mama , 50 Book Challenge,  Sycorax Pine, and my cousin Brian!

Here are the rules:

• Link to the person that tagged you
• Post the rules somewhere in your meme
• Write the six random things
• Tag six people in your post
• Let the tagees know they’ve been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog
• Let the tagger know your entry is posted

Well, we’re off to the cabin for the weekend so I’ll be off-line until Sunday…  I’m hoping to finish The Secret History (so far, so good — deliciously creepy…).  Thanks for reading!!

Welcome back!