My family

Family Stories Vlog

18 Dec 2016

 1. Which is worse? Being gossiped about or being lied to?

I guess being lied about.  I know so few people that even if an untrue rumor is going around about me, I'm likely not to know about it -- or to care.

2. What is your favorite "Starbucks" drink? Or if you have better taste, Dunkin’Donuts?

How about none of the above.  I never go to either, though I will occasionally (VERY rarely) have one of the frou frou drinks at Peet's.

3. Name an embarrassing moment (Make it good).

Well there was that time when a very proper British gentleman from our babysitting coop was sitting for us while we went to a party.  I was wearing a very fancy sequined coulotte outfit that had been my mothers.  I enjoyed champagne just a bit too much and when we got home, I desperately needed a bathroom, but when I started weaving up the stairs, my foot caught on the leg of the coulotte, I fell on my face on the stairs and peed all over myself.  Last time I got drunk at a party!  I was embarrassed for a long time until I found out the guy himself had secrets, when he and his wife invited some friends of ours to go "swinging" with them, (they said no).

4. Is it hard for you to ask some to forgive you when you have wronged them?

Not at all.  It might not work, of course....

4. Who do you wish you could meet?

Koko, the sign language gorilla.

5. Best food comes from which country?

I might have to say this one, because we are such a melting pot that we have gourmet food from all over the world, where other countries don't.  Hard to a find a good taco in Japan, I suspect, or nice chow mein in Barcelona.

6. Do you like small talk, or deep conversations?

Definitely deep conversations.

7. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

My year, I suspect, is going to be centered, as 2016 was, on my mother.  I'm not sure she is able to be "encouraged," but I try so hard to make her life enjoyable, when all she can talk about is how old she is.

8. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

I don't know.  Many of you guys know me pretty well after all these years...what advice would you give me?

9. How often do you get real sick?

It's been so long since I've been really sick, I can't even remember when the last time was.  Sometimes I think a nice brief bout of the flu wouldn't be so bad because I would have an excuse for doing nothing (other than just laziness)

10. Are you a person who has a whole lot of acquaintances, or just a few very close friends?

I have many acquaintances and one or two very close friends

11. If you could cure a disease, or heal a sickness, which one would you choose?

I would cure dementia.

12. What was your favorite book of 2016?

Harlan Coben's "Home," just because it was a return of my favorite character, Myron Bolitar, after many years when I thought he would never be back.  "Elephant Memories: 13 years in the life of an Elephant Family" by Cynthia Moss was also wonderful, for someone who loves elephants.

13. What was one of your biggest accomplishments in 2016?

I can't think of any big accomplishment, but I'm rather proud of writing for the Sacramento News and Review each week.

14. If you could be guaranteed a spot on the reality show "Survivor", would you go?

Not if you paid me.  For one thing I'd never make it past the first day, but also the oldest person they have had on Survivor is probably young enough to be my child.  I'd give my slot to son Ned, who is a huge fan of the show.

15. Which is worse? Shopping for Jeans or a bathing suit?

Both are nightmares, but jeans cover up more stuff, if you can find a pair that fit.  I have not been successful and no longer try

16. How old was your oldest living relative (still living or in the past)? [editor's note: I haven't got a clue as to what this question means either. That's why it's perfect...]

At 97, my mother is not only the oldest relative I know, but the oldest relative I can think of who has already passed.