Questions, Questions... (3)

"Time waits for no man," it is said.  Time definitely has not waited for me.  I still have places I want to write about that I visited back in May.  Most recently, however, I went on a trip to St. Louis with my sisters and father.  I will be posting about those eight days, next.

 But while I compose those posts, I'd like to take a moment to thank Laura from Gazing Wonders for nominating me for the Sisterhood of the World Blogging Award back in June.  Laura asked a few questions, which I have answered below.   

Since I have done so many award posts, it is beginning to become difficult to find answers my readers have not heard before.  Consequently, this may be the last award post you will see for a while.  Many thanks to all those who have tagged me!  It has been very fun.

1. Name 3 of your all time favorite books.

The Bible is number one; it's the book I base my life on.  The Law by Frederic Bastiat is number two; it's a concise presentation of some of the foundations of my political views. The third would be a toss up. A couple I like are The Road to Serfdom by Hayek and The Holy War by John Bunyan, but neither would receive a clear third.

Reading my Bible at a Best Western in Sikeston, Missouri five years ago.

2. Do you have any hobbies? If you have more than one which is your favorite?

Choosing a favorite would be difficult, if not impossible.

3.  How would you like to see yourself in the next 5 years?

What changes in 5 years?  Let's take a look back at 2010. 

 What was I doing?

• Singing "For the Beauty of the Earth" & "My Morning Song" with my wonderful voice teacher, Miss Holly.  I still love to sing, to thank the Lord every morning for His blessings, and to read His word. "Oh Lord of life, thy quick'ning voice awakes my morning song.  With joyful heart I do rejoice, that I to Thee belong."
• Playing tournament chess. 
• Playing the guitar.  
• Touring interesting places. (2nd row far left, the Iowa Capitol; 2nd row far right, a Pony Express museum)
• Loving our dog Ginger. 
• Working with & spending time with family. I'm pictured processing sugar beets with my mom and grandma.   I've spent a lot of time in the garden with my family!
•  Enjoying the outdoors.  Lately we've been canoeing instead of swimming/wading in farm streams.
• Traveling. (3rd row, center--the Carrie Nation house in Kansas.)
•  Playing chess online. 

I also was studying a lot.  After five years I've changed some ("grown up" and hopefully am a little wiser), but I'm still the same person, and I still love doing most of the same things.  I bet the same will be true five years from now.

4.  Something new you would love to learn over the next few months? 

How to increase my USCF chess rating to 1800.

5.  Do you like or find yourself interested in old-fashioned living?

No.  I enjoy reading history and studying genealogy, but my great great great great grandparents endured the log cabin experience so I wouldn't have to.

6.  Name a few things you would like to do before this year ends.

I'd like to participate in the Iowa Open chess tournament and eradicate a few more of the weeds from my flower garden.

7.  5 countries you would love to visit someday.

Thailand, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and either Spain or Peru.

8.  The last song you heard was ...

Fistful of Dollars soundtrack, but not by choice.  I overheard it.

9.  Name two animals that you would never wish to encounter.
1. The Black Mamba.  2. Army ants.

10.  If you had the opportunity to visit a very remote place/area to help or minister others where would it be?

As I've mentioned before, my favorite female character in the Bible is the judge Deborah.  If God would give me the power He gave to Deborah to defeat the army of Sisera, and the power He gave to Elijah to call fire down from heaven, I would enjoy that kind of ministry: a ministry bringing the wicked to justice and delivering the oppressed.  Otherwise I'd probably not like to stay in any remote place for more than a week or so.

Consider yourself nominated to answer the same questions if you wish.

Thanks Laura!