OK. Here goes.
Walking Tourist's Description of Walking Tourist:
Wow. This isn't so easy. I'm much more used to describing other people than describing myself!
Hmmm. Maybe I'll try interviewing myself!
WT, talk about some of your favorite activities.
Well. I like to walk, which is not much of a surprise, considering that my screen name is "Walking Tourist." I really like walking near water or on nature trails. I like to find a few wild raspberries and I like to spot interesting birds. I like the colors of the flowers and the shapes of the fluffy clouds. I like walking long distances on a clear day or even on a rainy day, now that I have a great set of rain gear that will keep me from getting soaking wet and crabby.
Tell me about your artistic activities.
I like to draw and paint. Well, I still prefer draw to paint, but I'm getting to like using the paintbrush now. My favorite media are graphite, colored pencil, and watercolor.
What sorts of subjects do you draw and paint and which ones do you like best?
I will draw and paint just about anything that I see, just because it's there. I really love drawing people's faces. I've learned that all faces are fascinating. The people who own those faces have stories to tell! I would want to hear those stories.
I also like drawing and painting buildings, especially those with unusually shaped doors or with big windows.
Do you have anything more to say about windows?
Oh yes. Windows. I love windows. I love to window shop when I'm walking. I like to see colorful displays inside stores. I like windowsills and windowboxes full of flowers. I remember having a painting teacher who did a demonstration painting of tomatoes ripening on a windowsill.
What crafts do you like to do?
I like to sew and crochet and paint on fabric and glass. Also I like embroidery. I recently made a tote bag with granny squares and a cotton lining with pockets.
I know that you can't wait. Talk about food.
Oh. yes. Food. I love it. I like fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh bread with real unsalted butter. There. I said it. Butter. Mmmm. I love melons. Any kinds of melons. They get me all happy with my mouth watering. I love to eat seafood! Oh boy! My mouth is watering like crazy just at the mere mention of seafood!
What else about food? Hmmm. Well. I'll try anything once. I've been known to say, "I can't identify this; therefore, I will eat it!" I'm glad that no one is trying to poison me. I'd be an easy target. I'd do a taste test and keel over! But... I digress!!
What kind of books do you like to read and who are some of your favorite authors?
My favorite authors are Gunter Grass, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Isabel Allende. I love magic realism. It is a fantastic style! Right now, however, I am reading a book called "The Dollmaker," by Harriett Arnow. It was written in the early 1950s and is set in Detroit during World War II. It's an interesting story about a woman who is from Kentucky who ends up in Detroit with her five children because her husband gets a job there. The story is very gritty and realistic. At times, it is almost too gritty and realistic for me. The first description of the housing project that the family moves to is so unpleasant that I had this sudden urge to race upstairs and take a shower!
Say something about the movies and music that you like.
Well. Everyone who knows me knows that I'm really squeamish and that I can't watch anything that is violent or gory. They usually have to tell me when it's safe for me to open my eyes again! I like beautiful movies, with great photography. Having a good musical background helps, too! Some of my favorite movies were "Microcosmos," "Winged Migration," "The Secret of the Roan Inish," "A Time for Drunken Horses"...
Oh music. I love medieval music and Celtic music and marimba bands. I like music to dance to and to sing and I like to play rhythm instruments and I like to dance (not awesomely, I'm afraid). I just don't like loud music and electrical music because of my annoyingly sensitive ears!!!
Friends. A lot or a few?
Yes. Depending on the situation. I really enjoying spending time with my friends. I like telling jokes and hearing jokes. I like hearing my friends tell me stories. It's fun to sing with them and go swimming and have adventures with them.
Do you think that you are unique and that no one understands you?
Well. I have to be a little mysterious. That way, I can keep on surprising people. But I don't really think that I am totally unique. I don't know that I'd want to be. I'd want to have things in common with other people. As for no one understanding me, well, I don't think that other people are that dense. I'd like to think that I have smart friends.
OK, what about being a peacemaker? Do you see yourself in that role?
I'd like to because I really don't like war or violence. I don't like conflict and negativity very much. But am I a good mediator? I don't know. I really don't like to be surrounded by that much negative energy.
But don't you protest war? And you've been in prison for protesting, right?
Well. Yes, that's true. I've done those things. Sometimes, I've done them impulsively. I'm happy that I was determined enough to do those things. It's not my favorite activity but I feel good about it, nevertheless.
Let's switch to careers. If you could pick any career, what would you choose?
Oh boy. So many ideas, so little money to go back to school! I would go for fashion design or archaeology or art history or horticulture or landscape design or architecture... All of those would be interesting!
Hmmm. What about animals? Do you like them and do they like you?
Yes, I get along with animals. When I was a kid, stray cats used to follow me to school. Now I work occasionally as a petsitter. I get along well with the cats and dogs. They are so much fun.
Is there anything that you'd like to add?
Yes. Someday I want to walk the Appalachian Trail.
That's it. I can't think of anything else.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.
You're welcome.
Walking Tourist, how would you describe yourself?