Sunday Serenade: Amy from The Black Sheep Dances

Amy from The Black Sheep Dances holds a very special place in my blogger heart! She was the first blogger to reach out to me when I started, gave me my first award, and basically held my hand through my first few months of blogging.  No amount of thanks would be enough, but if you ever need a true blogger friend.....Amy's your girl! 

• What do you do when you're not blogging or reading? 

Octopus wrangling: I’m usually chasing a three year old boy or annoying his older brothers.

• Describe your favorite place to read and why you love it so much.    

 I read everywhere, on the run it seems.  My favorite place is outside on the deck in late afternoon. The baby is either asleep or playing and everything is settling down.  The cats come and look over my shoulder or try and fit on my lap with the book.  My Doberman, Halle, sleeps on my feet and snores.

• What is something we don't know about you and haven't been able to read in your "About Me" section? 

My DH and I have been married 22 years, and have a gap between oldest sons (20 and 17) and the baby (3).  We live out in the country and the yard work is never, ever done. 

• If you could invite 3 authors over to your home (ANY authors) for a luscious beverage and the most divine cheese and yummy chocolates, who would you invite?  

 I think Bill Bryson would be a kick, and since Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart both have books, I can count them. 
I could use a laugh!

• If your bookshelves caught on fire what 5 books would you save?Words without Borders translation anthology, 
  The Riders by Winton 
  Out Stealing Horses by Petterson 
  Adventures Among Ants, an amazing collection of ant science from UCLA 
  Rasskazy: New Russian Fiction.

• Name 3 songs on your playlist right now. Do you listen to music while you read?

Generally, no.  Life is noisy enough!  I really like “Funny the Way It Is” by Dave Matthews Band, “Life on Mars” by Bowie, and Green Day “21 Guns”

• Name a quality you admire in others and a quality you admire in yourself.   

I really appreciate when a person is honest, even if it’s not the easiest path. When a person resists putting on a fake persona and is instead real and honest about their flaws, I feel closer to them.  In myself, I think my ability to survive some really tough times and still manage to take care of my family and my outlook is my biggest strength.

• Name 3 things on your 'bucket list' (things to do or accomplish in your lifetime).

I want to see the Northern Lights for real, not on a picture.  I’d like to see a firefly in real life.  I’d like to spend a month, alone, in the Faroe Islands (non-whaling season please!) to read and watch the sea. I’d take New Zealand or Washington state (in a lighthouse) as alternate choices.

    Oh wow Amy you've never seen a firefly in real life? I forget that California does not have well, everything....I never even thought about fireflies! We take those for granted here in Georgia - those things are everywhere! I'll send you our next Mason jar full that we catch! except that won't work because overnight shipping just is not fast enough, hhmmmm, must think of something!

    Amy, thank you for the lovely interview! And in honor of you, your greatness, your willingness to help new bloggers, the hours you've dedicated to The Scandinavian Challenge...I hope Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong serenades you beautifully!