Ten things and upcoming interview

So the kind and comment-magnet Carrie Butler gifted me with two pieces of bling awards last week. I stuck them to the right of what you're reading because both of them are sooo pretty...and they're like badges of belonging to the blogger community. I have to pass them on to other worthy sites and share a few of my personality quirks for your visual pleasure. Which I am happy to do!! :)

1. When I was in high school, I rode in a cattle car through what was then Yugoslavia. I remember riding through the country side with my legs danging out the train's sliding door and smelling of cow poo. It was awesome.
2. I love Dots. Or any kind of candy that's squishy and tastes like fake fruit.
3. In college, I volunteered at an Israeli kibbutz. It was also awesome.
4. I read ALL THE TIME. Seriously. At least four books a week.
5. All first daughters are named Mary in my family. I'm the ninth; my daughter is the tenth. The first was the daughter of a Revolutionary War soldier. Our names are inscribed on a silver porringer that will be passed on to my daughter when she has her daughter.
6. This one isn't about me technically but it's too cool not to share: One of those Marys lived next door to Emily Dickinson. They wrote letters back-and-forth that are in her Amherst museum.
7. I met my husband at summer camp. We've been married almost 19 years.
8. I'm jealous of women who can sew. Or do any kind of craft.
9. I compare every place I've ever lived to Nova Scotia.
10. I've visited all 50 states.

Whew!

And now *drumroll* to pass on the lovely awards:

Lisa Regan: because she was my first blog interview and is a gracious, generous person with much to say.

Suzanne Lazear who posts the greatest video clips and upcoming covers.

Sarah Pearson for her amazingly creative posts and her musical obsessions.

Tracy Jorgenson for her video talent and wondrous artwork.

Rebecca Hamilton who offers periodic free editing and lavish encouragement to newbies.

Please join me later this week for an interview with Elisa Ludwig, a debut author and one of the co-founders of the exciting Sleuths, Spies and Alibis blog aimed at YA/MG mystery writers and readers. An agent tweet turned me on to the site and I am SO excited to see where Ludwig and Co. take things.

See you Friday!