arcticmermaid

I hv returned from the world of back pain. It has been a rough 18 mos, but I finally had back surgery. We had to try everything else first: drugs, different drugs, physical therapy, pain management, and combinations of all of the above.

Apologies to everyone I left hanging. I'm making up my missed swaps and will be begging hosts to be understanding. Hope to see you swaps soon. Peg 3/15/10

I live in Fairbanks, Alaska, have 2 grown children, and 2 not-so-grown daschunds. I am lucky enough to have a son-in-law that I could not love more if he were mine. I have a large circle of long-time friends who continue to be a blessing to me everyday.

I enjoy traveling, especially to historic places. Beaches, too, have their own allure.

Reading is a passion that takes me places - both through time and space.

My all time favorite series is the Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis. Our hero is a private eye in ancient Rome. The books are hilarious and informative. A wonderful read - and re-read! I enjoy the mystery genre, especially the historical ones.

I must confess that JRR Tolkein has never rung my bell, despite years of almost constant lobbying by my college roommate. She tried to suck me in with THE HOBBIT but I continue to resist. Needless to say the RING trilogy is completely lost on me. We still remain friends despite this obvious failing on my part.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, THE ILIAD, THE ODESSEY - these are books I re-read periodically.

I enjoy a variety of non-fiction, too. One of my favorites is LONGITUDE by Dava Sobel. Again, my love of history raises its shaggy head. I recently read IN COLD BLOOD. I had put off reading it for years due to the subject matter. Imagine my surprise when I found it to be a beautiful book. Love all of Jane Austen.

A pet peeve is movies that butcher wonderful books. I know cinema is a different medium. Sometimes one does not translate well to the the other. I think TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is an exception. Love both the movie and the book. Enjoy the art of cinema. Like the Hitchcock films. THE USUAL SUSPECTS, SOME LIKE IT HOT - great! I still miss Marilyn Monroe. Have watched the A&E production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE dozens of times. Large chunks of the dialogue are plucked out directly from the book. Hard to see how you can do justice to Jane Austen in under 5 hours!!

I have a mermaid collection that has taken on a life of its own. I have pictures, ormnaments, mirrors, statues, mercats, mermen, merhorses - all things "mer".

Prefer tea (bags and loose) to coffee but drink coffee to wake up.

Don't care for sci-fi but love the art often associated with it.

Have waaaaay too much scrapbooking material - but love every scrap of it!

Crazy about my dogs.

I am a total NUT when it comes to decorating for Christmas. I usually have about 5 theme trees and then any thing else that comes to hand. Some of my themes: Uncle Sam, Mexico, underwater(on an upsidedown tree), single colored trees, peacocks, Mardi Gras, angels, Victorian, Toys, ice/frost, Santa Claus. In addition to ornaments, I use flowers, stuffed animals - anything that will go w/my theme. I'm always looking for new themes.