If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?

I’ll go ahead and date myself and say Laura Croft, Tomb Raider. She was the coolest badass epitome of confidence ever in that movie. Or maybe Addicus from To Kill a Mockingbird. When I was young I wanted to be Heidi or Sarah from the Little Princess, or the girl in the Secrat Garden. I used to identify with every character in every book I read. My friend pointed that out once. She said I over-identified.

Today I had a little trouble answering this prompt because even though it sounds lovely to run around a mountain drinking goat milk and making friends with goat herders (Heidi), or visiting India (Sarah) or having the highest caliber of character (Addicus), or whatever, I guess I’m trying to just be me, better. Thats the boring answer. I have always dearly loved the exotic and having out-of-the-ordinary experiences, but maybe, for right now, I’m craving something else. I imagine that Laura, played by beautiful Angelina, living in a mansion practicing her acrobatics, shooting her bow and arrows, and being so cool, might be a bit tiresome. At least for me right now. I’m ready to rest from a lot of very fun, out of the ordinary experiences, at least for now.

What animals make the best/worst pets?

We were just the other day, saying how snakes make boring pets, but it probably depends on what you are looking for. They can be decorative. They might even make you more interesting to others. They, of course, won’t greet you affectionately or snuggle on the couch. Probably won’t learn any tricks or be obedient. I started thinking about other reptile or aquatic pets.

My granddaughter just had her pet goldfish die. That was a whole thing. She was completely devastated even though it didn’t live long enough for me to even meet it. I saw a few pics and well, goldfish…yet she had already fallen in love.

Then, I since I am in school classrooms this week, I thought about class pets. Years ago first grade had baby chicks hatch out of incubated eggs. Second grade always ordered butterfly eggs in special containers so the kids could see caterpillars make their chrysalis and then turn into butterflies. When the school year was ending, homes needed to be found for the growing baby chicks. Luckily butterflies were easy. They were just let go. Butterflies make great class pets.

Have you seen the movie Leo? It’s about two class pets who have some unusual hidden talents. Adam Sandler and Bill Burr are the voices of Leo the lizard and his friend Squirtle the turtle. Together they put a comic spin on coming-of-age in the elementary school grades. (kindergartners are hilarious, 5th graders have some issues they are grappling with as they head toward middle school). It’s a fun, warm, entertaining story about two unpredictably great pets.

You never know, butterflies and lizards and even maybe snakes might be the best pets. Less work, less hair. Okay, not nearly as entertaining or adorable as our comdeic dogs and cats, but to each its own.

We actually had a pet snake when I was growing up. It wouldn’t eat so we let it go. It was a small California King and we were living in California at the time. So nothing like letting a python go in Florida. I don’t think, anyway, but it was the seventies…

What job would you do for free?

Art. Staging. Design. When I started and even well into my career, I’ve found myself working for free. it’s a weird skill set. Art. Design. Part of it comes so naturally while the other part is purely literally years of practice. I might be like the guy who shows up at the campfire with a guitar. Plus I can’t help myself, it’s still, after all these years, fun.

When I get paid. When someone buys or commissions a painting or I get a fee from a realtor or real estate company, It still feels like Christmas. For that, I consider myself extremely fortunate. I love what I do. I love the variety. I love the challenge. I love when things turn out cool. I once watched a show about a wildlife photographer. He said when he picks up his pictures from the printer he always can’t wait to see them. He looks at them all the way home. He said if he ever lost that excitement he would know he was done. I feel that it’s a privilege to show up and really love doing what you do.

Today I will be reading my Beatrix book to a class of first graders. They are my very first group reading. I’m of course nervous, but at the same time super excited. I will be following Spring break and the eclipse which might be like following Taylor Swift and puppies, but it’s first grade, anything can happen.

I’ll let you know how it went…

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

Probably the winter ones. Skiiing. Idk

How would you improve your community?

Just reading over all the responses has been inspiring. You all have great ideas!

I have always enjoyed being part of community building events. They seem to put everyone is a good mood. Usually there is some art or design needed so I get to do something fun and interesting and within my skill set.

Next week I will be reading my book in classrooms and teaching kids ages five to eleven a simple breathing exercise. I hope there’s a little community building element in that. (It’s actually marketing research, so nothing altruistic at all)

I liked the blogs I read about being kind and paying it forward. These are things I can do every day and on my own. Improving our community can be simple or complicated. Offen, as was pointed out, it’s a lot of little things that add up to big differences. still the big ideas sounded really good.

(I do hope, one day, that teaching simple concious breathing techniques will improve the lives of kids and teachers and families and therefore communities. For now Im just grateful for the opportunities to try it out!) A huge thank you to my teacher friends!