A tip for local readers... and a meme

I know I have a few readers who live in this area, so I'd like to plug Colonial Nursery at Blue Springs. If you want to plant some shade trees this fall, this is the time to head pm out there: Trees are 25% off. Colonial's employees will bend over backward to help you select your trees, and they'll instruct you on planting and caring for your purchases. You can read more about our experience HERE.

And now, the meme, which I snagged from Mel, which she snagged from "Sunday Stealing".

My favorite age: My forties: I could walk as many miles as I wanted, without pain. My husband and I were enjoying the "empty nest". And I got my first three grandchildren then.

My best friend(s): I'm not one to form a lot of close friendships. My best friend is my husband, Cliff.

My celebrity crush: William Peterson; Anthony LaPaglia

My defining characteristic: I pretty much do whatever I please.

My most evil moment: I was about eight years old and, holding a kitten by the tale, I spun around fast and let go of him. I did this more than once. Even now, it makes me worry about myself.

My favorite food: Pizza

My grossest injury: I'm not sure what qualifies as gross. I had a nasty injury once that required stitches, and I took pictures of the doctor working on it and blogged about it.

My biggest hatred: I usually say it's cancer, but lately it's been politics.

My most illegal activity: Hmmm... I skipped an assembly once in high school. I know, boring. Keep in mind that I don't quite tell everything I know in my blog. I try to "keep it real", as Ree says; but I don't air all my dirty laundry.

My need for justice: My need for mercy is far greater than my need for justice.

My most knowledgeable field: I'm pretty much a jack of all trades and master of none. I know a lot about canning garden produce and raising calves.

My life’s goal: To stop being so self-centered and do something to change the world.

My mother’s influence: Let me count the ways. I owe my Bible knowledge and my values to my mom. She taught me to appreciate my family's history. The older I get, the more similarities I find between my mother and myself; that's not always a good thing, but that's life.

My nerdiest point: probably my love of folk music

My oldest memory: I recall spending a night with my brother's wife's relatives in Iowa and being put in a baby crib, and thinking I was not a baby. With the side rails put up, I didn't know how to get out to go to the bathroom and I wet the bed. I was SO humiliated. I must have been pretty young for all this to happen as it did.

My perfect date: To be taken to a concert performed by any of my favorite folk singers: Iris Dement, Kasey Chambers, John Prine, Loudon Wainwright III: of course, since it's a perfect date, the person who took me there wouldn't make snide remarks about these singers' performances.

My unanswered question: What is heaven like? I'm not really into streets of gold. I'm hoping there's a section for hillbillies, with lots of grass and trees and hills, and plenty of room to roam.

My random fact: I sat in the hot tub this morning while the sun come up and thanked God for about fifty things. And then sang "One Day At A Time".

My stupidest decision: Selling my first Gibson Dove guitar. Cliff and I have made some stupid joint decisions, but I'm not counting those.

My favorite television show: Cold Case

My style of underwear: None of your danged business

My favorite vegetable: butternut squash

My weakest trait: Dear Lord, I have so many. I think I'd have to say laziness. Or we could go back to the self-centered thing.

My X-men power: What's an X-man?

My strongest yearning: To have a purpose and fulfill it.

My moment of Zen: When I'm at my cabin with a campfire going. Or when I'm riding my horse around the countryside.