A post notification appeared in my inbox from a favourite blog – Reinvention is a Mutha! It always gives my heart a lift to see her there; she invariable adds to my life with her writing.

This was a “get to know you” post, but a unique one. In it, she shared seven things about herself that we may or may not have known. New insights. I was thrilled to learn that she’s also tattoo-mad – although she outstrips me in numbers. I’m going to have to up my game.

I probably should’ve held onto that bit of personal information; I could have used it for my own list.

The “seven things you may not know” is a chain post. I find those to be great fun. And an honour. I love being tagged. It’s nice to know there are people “out there” reading the things I write.

To be honest, my first reaction to the tag was “but what don’t they know?” This is probably because I tend to over-identify with my mental illnesses and recovery struggles. It’s a personal characteristic I hate, but it exists nonetheless. But I paused and took a breath and thought about. I reminded myself that there is more to me than my neuroses. I reminded myself that I’m actually a whole person.

So, with some further ado namely the rules, here are seven things that I probably haven’t shared in the writings I’ve done.

The Rules

1. Share seven facts about yourself that aren’t super-present in your blog;

2. Tag seven bloggers you adore; and

3. Shout out back to me so I can I read and get to know more about everyone too.

Seven Things About Me

1. I am extremely superstitious. It’s odd because I’m quite logical and I like things to be fact-based. It causes conflict with my spiritual beliefs because I try and make them rational and logical too. I like to think of my superstitious nature as simply being cautious. The old wives’ tales are probably fantasy, but why risk it? So, I toss salt over my shoulder if I spill. I avoid cracks on sidewalks. I don’t walk under ladders. I’m suspicious of the number 13 and Friday the 13^th. I don’t like the combination of “666”. And I would never open an umbrella indoors.

2. I try very hard not to kill bugs. I mean, I try hard not to kill anything, but I’m very careful with bugs. I catch and release spiders, flies, wasps, and the like. I use lemon oil to keep out the ants. I hang bags of water and pennies in the doors to keep out flies. I had a wasp nest in the grass in the backyard this year. I had to destroy it to stop them from stinging my 20-month-old grandson and I still feel guilty about doing so.

3. I’m kind of a grammar fiend. My mother was an English teacher so I’m predisposed. Plus, I like clarity and good grammar encourages it. Kids should all be watching Schoolhouse Rock. I loved theirgrammar lessons. I still sing Conjunction Junction in my head when deciding on whether or not to use one. And, I completely relate to Lynne Truss and her frustration with how language is used out in the world. Specifically, in advertising and branding. I think her idea of carrying a sharpie to make corrections on signs and slogans is a good one. Of course, I’m nervous about posting this now, worried about grammatical errors I’ve made.

4. I collect stuffed animals. I have a lot of them. Not reality show lots, but definitely more than thirty. I’m not entirely convinced they don’t have feelings, so I put them up in groups or pairs so they don’t get lonely. I also don’t touch stuffies when I’m in stores because if I do, I have to buy them. I worry they might feel rejected. Yes, I know they don’t really feel things but in my heart they kind of do, so I prefer to err on the side of caution.

5. I love the water. Being near it, listening to it, feeling it, swimming in it, being on it. Unfortunately, I’m also afraid of the water – at least, deep water. I’m afraid of what might be lurking below. In my head, it’s monsters. I know it’s unlikely, but the fear takes over when I’m swimming sometimes. That can be awkward. On the upside, I’ve met several very charming lifeguards.

6. I have a long-term relationship with romance novels. It vaguely embarrasses me. I feel like I should be reading something more “significant” or “elevated” but I love escapism. I like the stories and the characters, the romance and the happily-ever-afters. I have collections of favourite authors in my library but the e-reader has been my salvation. Now people can’t see what I’m reading and comment on it. It’s none of their business anyhow (someday I’ll believe that).

7. I don’t like bacon. Really. I don’t mind the smell, sometimes, but the taste – ick. It tastes like stringy fat.

Seven bloggers I adore

1. One day at a time…

2. Blog posts from the edge

3. Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha

4. followmetogetlost.wordpress.com

5. Out of My Mind

6. Midnight Harmony

7. kpm