1. Growing up, were you close to your grandparents? Tell us one or two specific things you remember about them.

With one set more than the other. My dad’s parents lived about 40 minutes south of us in Miami and we saw them fairly frequently until they moved back to where they were from in southern Alabama. They were always kind when I was little but somewhat removed; they weren’t big on sharing personal feelings. Once they moved away, we saw them maybe 1-2 times a year and as I got older, they got weirder. They always picked on me for eating habits or hobbies. It was not the best relationship.

On my mom’s side, they lived about an hour north of us and we saw them often. I loved my grandparents because they were both characters in their own right. My grandma couldn’t miss her “stories” (soaps) and she’d yell at the characters. I loved her cooking and her kind nature. My grandpa liked to tool around in the garage, fixing old cars and bikes while listening to Big Band music. I enjoyed hanging out with him and learning stuff. He also used to listen to me make up crazy stories and he was always patient.

Not the best pic but here we are with my parents and grandparents back in ’06

2. What’s an item you were attached to as a child? What happened to it?

A mint green knit blanket that a friend of my mom’s made for me. I couldn’t sleep without it and I often put it around my head for “safety”. To be completely honest, I still did that until some time in college when I realized I just didn’t need it anymore. I know it’s still around somewhere but I have packed it away.

3. When you look out your window, do you see the forest or the trees (literally and figuratively)? Explain.

I’m going to say the trees because I do focus on individual things – details – and not the big picture most of the time. We always joke that Ash sees the big picture and can plan long term and I see the small things that make up the whole. This is why we work well together. And I DO see this out our back window because it’s literally all trees.

4. Do you like sour candies? Which of the ‘sour’ foods listed below would you say is your favorite?

Yes! I enjoy sour patch kids and other candies that pack a punch but then turn sweet.

grapefruit, Greek yogurt, tart cherries, lemons, limes, sauerkraut, buttermilk, or kumquats

Aside from sauerkraut, all those are excellent but I’d put the taste of lemon high up on the list.

Have you ever eaten a kumquat? What’s your favorite dish containing one of the sour foods on the list?

I think I tried one once but cannot remember the flavor. My fave dish is probably any kind of lemon pie or cake. Give it to me!

5. July 1st marked the mid point of 2017. In fifteen words or less, tell us how it’s going so far.

2017 has been above average; we’ve vacationed, seen shows, had fun. Some bad, overall good.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

So yesterday, I was ready to get myself to a chiropractor as quickly as humanly possible. I hurt my back mowing the lawn and then that headache from a month ago resurfaced. It’s clearly all connected; from the plantar fasciitis in my heel all the way to the top of my head, it’s all hurting on one side and I know that some kind of readjustment is what I need. I do have a rolling bar and it helped a lot. That and the tennis ball for my foot. So today I feel alright but waiting for the chiro I contacted to call me back. Maybe just a consultation will explain my issues and give me a way to move forward. Running season is quickly approaching!