Elevens

Thank you to Jennifer over at Under the Big Blue Sky, who gave me this Liebster Award sometime ago. I have to

1. Proudly display The Liebster badge!
2. Thank the person who nominated you.
3. Share eleven random things about yourself.
4. Nominate eleven blogs/bloggers worthy of the award (who also happen to have less than 200 followers).
5. Answer the eleven questions asked of you.
6. Pose eleven questions to your nominees

Eleven random things about me

1. I can wiggle my ears.
2. I can juggle. Only three balls, but that was enough to convince the kids I used to work with that I used to be in the circus.
3. I do not believe in God. I do believe in people.
4. My favourite flowers are sweet peas. I used to grow them all along our front side fence every year, but the shrubs there are so big now there isn't room. I still usually find a spot for them somewhere. Their scent is just divine, I wish I could bottle it. 
5. I dip tortilla chips into tomato soup, and ginger biscuits into orange juice.
6. I do not like politics or, as a rule, politicians. I believe very strongly that everyone should vote and I always do. However, I usually struggle to decide who for, as I have no faith in any politicians, their parties or their motives. I think the current government stinks, and the main alternative is no better. 
7. I haven't made a cake since the Young Philosopher's third birthday in 1994, and that was from a mix (although it was in the shape of an octopus, and very impressive looking, if I say so myself!) and I haven't made pastry since school. I can cook, I just never bake, so no pastry and no cakes. I always say I am going to start and never do. I don't even possess any of the equipment, with the exception of a rolling pin I was given last Christmas. Maybe this year is the year.
8. I hate being told what to do, even by myself. If I write a list of things to do, I immediately want to do something else. 
9. It took me 40 years to find the right man, and it makes me sad that we didn't meet twenty years earlier.
10. I am fascinated by tortoises, and would love to have a couple if we had grass instead of a  concrete yard.  
11. I hardly know my way anywhere and have absolutely no sense of direction. 

My answers to Jennifer's Eleven questions:

1. If you could visit any country which would it be? The Prof and I have a 'World Tour' list, of all the places we would like to go to - Ireland (family history), Italy (family history, Pompeii), Austria, France, Malta (I loved it there as a child and would like to revisit), the Isle of Wight - yes I know that isn't a country but it is such a lovely place. I have visited many times and harbour dreams of living there. And the USA of course - Amish country, New England in the Fall, New York and Jen's for Thanksgiving dinner (including succotash, which I still can't believe is a real thing). I'd also like to visit Marrakesh, Prague, oh, almost everywhere.....

2. Who was the one person who had the greatest impact on you growing up? My Auntie Doris, who died almost ten years ago. I miss her every day. 

3. What is your favorite meal? Curry.

4. Where to vacation:  By the ocean or in the mountains? Either! Both! Especially this year, when it looks like we won't be having a holiday at all.  

5. What is one of your favorite books? The Princess Bride. For many years I didn't even know there was a book before the film, but when I found out a few years ago, I had to read it and it didn't disappoint.

6. Who would you call a hero? I don't believe I have any.  Is that odd?

7. Cat or dog? Can I say neither? If I have to choose I will say dog, as we have our Star, but she is the Young Philosopher's, and whilst I will be very sad when she goes, I will never have another, too much work and too much of a tie. 

8. What is an occupation you would love to try? I'd love to work in a job where I was making a difference to people.

9. Favorite way to write:  notebooks or computer?  Hypothetically, I would write in a lovely cafe, with a steaming coffee in front of me, in a notebook. In reality, I write in my dressing gown, in the messy living room, on the laptop. 

10. Sound or noise you love?  Sound or noise you hate? I hate crowds, their noise and their presence. I hate the crowd sound of sports on television, it's the only noise I can't read through. Fortunately I got myself a man who isn't bothered about sport! I love birdsong and the sound of the key in the door when my menfolk arrive home. 

11. The song you listen to when you need a lift? I don't often listen to music and I miss it. Our CDs  are inconveniently located, at floor level or behind the TV cabinet and I mostly can't be bothered. We do listen in the car, to the CDs  that we both like, which range from Jethro Tull's Broadsword and the Beast, to Savage Garden, Fleetwood Mac, and Adele. I don't often get to hear new music, as we don't have the music channels and I rarely listen to the radio, so I am generally oblivious unless I come across something online. If I need a lift, or housework music, something upbeat. Mika, Lily Allen, Pet Shop Boys, Queen, something I can sing along with. 

I'm not nominating anyone in particular for this.  I know some people like these memes and some don't, but if anyone  wants to join in, here are my questions:

1. What is your favourite drink?  
2. Do you know the meaning of your name? 
3. You can invite any six people, living or dead, to your house for afternoon tea.  Who would you ask? 
4. What is your favourite chore? (and your least favourite)?
5. Do you have a favourite memory?
6. What is your first thought when you wake up in the morning? 
7. If you had me round for dinner, what would you cook?
8. What would  your perfect day look like?
9. Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
10. Do you collect anything?
11. If you could travel in time, where/when would you go?