Wrangler Dani

(This was stolen from Katie at Cakes, Tea and Dreams because I needed a kick in the tush and a little inspiration this morning. I’d love to hear your answers, too!)

1. What is your favorite book?  Why?

I love Les Miserables because the story reminds me that it’s worth the hard choices to do the right thing, that heroes can win in the end, that evil is real and terrifying and good somehow still gets a chance. I love Jane Eyre because it’s the absolute perfect sappy love story – filled with detail and heart and tough choices and prickly personalities. I love A Tale of Two Cities because the French Revolution is fascinating to me, and so is the idea of self-sacrifice. I love poetry by Yeats because it takes me back to a windy afternoon in Galway, Ireland, the first time I read a poem and it didn’t just wash over me and sound beautiful, but it completely rearranged how I think.

2. What song brings you back most viscerally to a moment in your history?  Where does it take you?

Gets It Faster by Jimmy Eat World reminds me of bloody knuckles and a much-bludgeoned punching bag – taking my broken heart out with my fists. Jealous Kind by Jars of Clay reminds me of my junior year of college, definitely one of my darkest times, when I “gave away my heart to the rushing wind” but was desperately wishing for a jealous God to chase after me anyway. Feels Like Today by Rascal Flatts reminds me of the laugh-lines around Adam’s eyes crinkling up and my heart going pitter-patter as I realized that I might actually be falling for this charmer. Mud on the Tires by Brad Paisley reminds me of long summers at the ranch and changing irrigation line in the dusky evening light, tired but happy. The Finding Neverland soundtrack reminds me of writing my first creative nonfiction work – late at night on my little yellow couch – and getting straight As on it, realizing that maybe there was more to language than just stating the facts.

3. Who is your favorite character in fiction?

Jean Valjean for his honor and complexity, Jo March because I can relate to her in nearly every way, Black Beauty because he is one of the few animal characters ever written who is so authentic and honest, Bob Cratchit for his sincerity, Aslan for being not safe, but good, and Samwise Gamgee for being the most lovable and loyal side character ever written.

4. What is your favorite food?  What about foods you abhor?

I love grilled fish – anything other than salmon or tilapia. I love red wine, baked potatoes, McDonald’s french fries, slow-cooked tri-tip, fresh fruit smoothies, blueberry muffins, peach yogurt, corn on the cob, spinach salad, wild rice, BLTs, enchiladas, sourdough bread, anything with cheese on it, fresh green beans, key lime pie, chicken tikka masala, tortilla soup and ice cream sandwiches.

I despise blue cheese, rare meat, sour cream and brussels sprouts.

5. Are you a morning or a night person?

Morning – although I’m kind of just a beauty sleep person. Not getting enough sleep = cranky, no matter what time it is.

6. What is your default font when you write on your computer?

Whatever Pages chooses. I used to be picky, and now I write too dang much to care. Such is the nature of small business management… the little things slide right on by.

7. How many siblings do you have?  How many children do you have (as of now)?

One brother and sister-in-law, who lead a fantastical, adventurous and well-photographed life in Reno, and another sister-in-law in Texas who keeps the family in line, all of us jealous of her incredible cowboy boots and laughing at everything.

No kiddos yet, although one of these years I’m sure we’ll have a passel, as we hate small life changes. Go big or don’t have babies, we always say.

8. What season do you like best?

In Oregon, I love the fall, when the Aspens turn golden-yellow and the pasture-grass is long and tan. It’s the season for long horse-back rides down dry dirt roads, cutting firewood, soaking up sunshine and preparing for snow to come. In Texas, I love spring, when bluebells appear and green grass stretches for miles, the weather is a perfect 80 degrees and sitting outside seems like the best idea for every meal. Here, in SoCal, I love summer, the season of kayaking, hikes, camping, suntans, bare feet and long days. Everywhere I love Christmastime. 🙂

9. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A vet. Too bad I’m terrible at math and science… (apparently I thought it was enough to just like animals).

10. If you practice yoga (even sporadically), what is your favorite pose?

Warrior. I feel like a bad-ass every time.

11. When was the last time you cried?

Watching Knocked Up on TV last weekend. It’s a really sweet movie, ok?!