Meet the Blogger: Susan
Tweet
Susan and Calvin
Yes, I’ll admit it. I’m the crazy pet lady. The one with four cats and three dogs.
The one who is more likely to spend time teaching her cats to come when called than to teach her hair to stay in one place.
The one behind the camera snapping pictures of her dogs romping in the snow.
The one writing stories about her pets.
Most people know more about my dogs and cats than they do about me. Though there’s a lot of me that kind of seeps through the lines if you read enough.
Today, though, inspired by a one-off blog hop called Meet the Bloggers, I’m turning the lens and the metaphorical pen on myself–so you can get to know me.
The rules of the hop require I answer five questions, so here goes:
What one word would people who know you use to describe you?
Wordnerd: Yes, I’m a nerd, and darn proud of it. I am a sci fi fan–in books and movies. I can quote lines from Lord of the Rings (from the book or movies), Battlestar Galactica (the new series), Dr. Who (David Tennant fan here) and Dune (always thought I’d name a pet Chani, but haven’t yet.) I read XKCD comics (and usually understand them) and bought my daughter a T-shirt that says “Obey Gravity! It’s the law!” and my son a plush microbe of the plague (all from ThinkGeek.com). But my nerd specialty is words. I’m known as a walking dictionary and the go-to grammar girl. I can tell you my favorite words (defenestrate, avuncular and penultimate–mostly loved because they’re so specific) and get just a little giddy when I come across a word I don’t know and have to look it up; it’s like a treasure hunt.
What do you wish you were more skilled at?
Coding: My one failing as a nerd. This girl can’t code. I’ve tried learning, but I think it has something to do with my brain construction. I know what I want my website or cell phone app to do, but can’t make it happen by myself. It’s a good thing I have a bunch of friends who can help me out with this.
If each your pets could talk, what one word would THEY use to describe you?
Lilah: Safe As a young dog, Lilah was very skittish. I helped her learn how to be brave, and now she’s a well-adjusted and happy pup. If she ever feels just a little worried, though, she’ll come sit by me, where she knows she’s safe.
Jasper: Treat-giver Jasper lives for treats. He’ll do anything for a snack. He is easy to train because he is so food focused. That might be why he could stand to lose a few pounds.
Tucker: Ball-thrower As Jasper lives for treats, Tucker lives for The Ball. To be thrown. Now. Again. And again. He swears he could stop any time. Just one more, really.
Dawn: Lap Dawn wanders the house, looking for The Best Lap. I haven’t quite figured out her requirements, but when I sit at my desk, that’s one of the better laps.
Athena: Friend Athena craves attention and wants me to pick her up and scratch her chin. A little to the left. Yup, that’s it.
Calvin: Mom The only boy among the kitties, Calvin loves his mom. His favorite activity is to climb up my shoulder and become a living, purring fur collar.
Elsa Clair: Insider Elsa Clair is a busy cat, always planning her next move. She keeps an eye on me because she knows I have inside information on where the toys are, when food is coming and other important things.
What is one thing you’ve done that you’re most proud of?
Recently, I helped a cat find a home. Slick’s owner had passed away suddenly, and none of the human relatives could take him. Somehow, all the planets aligned, and I was able to help him land in a wonderful, loving home. I had always wondered how people who fostered animals could let them go, and now I know why. Because it feels so darn good to know they’re safe.
How are your pets most like you?
Lilah: I would love to think I’m as smart as Lilah. She has this rare combination of smart and sweet that I aspire to.
Jasper: He is everyone’s best friend. Even if you don’t have treats, he loves everyone. I’d like to be as non-judgemental as Jasper.
Tucker: A true terrier, Tucker lives for action. Because of that, nobody takes him seriously. But there’s a hidden side of Tucker that always knows when someone needs a little extra love–and he’s there. I try to be that kind of friend.
Dawn: An introvert in an extrovert’s world, Dawn needs her private space. I do, too.
Athena: A seeker of comfort, Athena is the first to find a new soft warm spot to curl up in. I have been known to curl up in front of a heating vent.
Calvin: He tries to be part of the “in” crowd and is very well-meaning, but Calvin is a bit of an odd duck. I never sat at the table with the popular kids, but Calvin and I know we have better things to do.
Elsa Clair: Elsa Clair is tiny and perhaps can be underestimated because of that. I’m not a very large person, but I do have very large dreams.
Related posts:
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
Great to meet another word nerd! One of the biggest compliments someone ever paid me was “You use a lot of big words.” lol. To them, it was just a statement, but i took it as a compliment, anyway!
Love that. And I don’t mind stopping to explain my words. It’s fun to share the joy of wordnerdom!
Always great to meet another nerd. Nerdy do! I too wish I could code better…but I just don’t get it right or it takes to long!
Maggie
I didn’t realize there were so many wordnerds who are code-challenged. Nice to meet you!
Hi Susan, nice to meet you! Love that I’ve stumbled across your blog due to this blog hop 🙂 I wish I could code too. I work in the online world, but I’m rubbish at the tech stuff. I’ve tried to teach myself but it never sticks. Can’t wait to read your blog more in the future x
That’s exactly what happens to me. It doesn’t stick. Some things I can remember forever (the litany against fear from the Dune sci fi series) but ask me to write HTML or better? I make friends with the tech guys.
Wordnerds unite! I get an immense pleasure from words and studying language, so I can totally relate.
So glad you joined us on the hop – I loved reading your answers to the questions!
Thanks! I wasn’t exactly sure if wordnerd was one word or two, but I used my writer’s prerogative and decided if it wasn’t one word, it should be. 😉
Hi..So nice to meet you. I think I would qualify as a sofa too. For both the dogs.
Nice to meet you too. It’s been fun getting to know so many bloggers. I don’t have enough time to visit everyone today, so I’ll just have to keep visiting over the next several days. And I think all my furpals think I’m a sofa. Best when I’m well-upholstered. 😉
Finding an animal a good home is a great accomplishment 🙂 I’m currently trying to help a friend rehome 3 cats (they were her family member’s but sadly he passed away last year). Not easy placing adult cats!
It was the most awesome thing. I’m still in touch with the folks involved, and the people from Slick’s new home send me pix now and again. He’s sweet, playful, happy and loved. Can’t think of a more meaningful thing I’ve done recently.
I love this post! How is it I’ve gone so long without discovering you or your blog? I don’t know.
I have big dreams too and I’d LIKE to be a wordnerd. I’m not, but I’d like to be.
Thank you. I don’t know how you’ve gone this long without discovering me and my fur family, but we’re all very happy you did. Welcome aboard! It can be a wild ride. 😉
I am so glad you joined the hop and introduced yourself! Always happy to meet a fellow wordnerd. 🙂 (And yes, I’m stealing that!) Someone once questioned my use of a word and told me “You should write like you talk”. I looked at him funny and said, “But that IS how I talk”. Oops?
I think the best part about blogging (and blogging software) is that you don’t have to know technology to do it. Can you imagine if the only people who could get their words out on the internet were programmers? It would make for a very limited conversation. I’m so grateful for everyone who is not a coder yet took up the call and faced their challenges to still make their voice heard. (This from a programmer. 😉
Anyway, so glad to meet you. And I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Happy to meet you! It’s always fun to find folks who have similar interests. And yes, if it weren’t for WordPress plugins and the gifted people who craft them, I’d…defenestrate. There! I got to use one of my faves.
Oh heavens. I wish I could wrap my head around code. Wouldn’t that be nice? I’m grateful that WordPress makes things so easy, and that my brother and Hunny understand the basics. *sigh*
You sound like a fun person to know! Nice to meet you. 🙂
Nice to meet you, too. It feel so good to know that there are others who struggle with coding. Thank goodness for the Google and the friendly people on the interwebs who answer questions.
Hi Susan, nice to meet you. I wish I could code too. I would love to be able to tweak my blog design myself. I haven’t taken the time to try and learn yet. It’s on my list though…behind learning Photoshop…which also hasn’t happened yet 🙂
Nice to meet you, too. Good gosh! I’m still working on Photoshop Elements. I was all proud of myself the other day when I photoshopped something out of one of my pix. It only took me two years to figure it out (and some help from some web designer friends.)
Love your answers! You definitely have a full house! I do my best to hack thru code – but it’s not pretty 🙂 Nice to meet you!!
Thanks for visiting. Nice to meet you, too. I keep thinking I have a full house…and then I add Just. One. More. I think I’m full up now. At least for a while. 😉
Nice to get to meet you 🙂 I totally agree with you about coding! I can code a little, but I definitely wish I was more skilled at it than I am! I think my brain just doesn’t get it when it comes to the more difficult things. *sigh*
Nice to meet you, too. All I can say is thank goodness for the Google and the interwebs to answer my questions.
You don’t sound crazy at all! You sound smart and well-balanced. I have a feeling you and Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes would hit it off for your love of words. She knows some pretty amazing words too. 🙂
I love words and reading and science. Not a sic-fi fan, but I do love some of the shows you mentioned. Had to laugh when I read that you have a Jasper. I do too, only his obsession is the same as Tuckers. 🙂
Nice to meet you!
Nice to meet you, too. Thanks for stopping by–and thanks for the kind words. (I popped on over to your site as well. Great photos. I never spend a day without my camera either.)
Nice to meet you too! I found you via the link in your comment on my post. You’ve got quite a menagerie! We barely have room for our three dogs, let alone ourselves!
My Mom was an English/Education major from the “old school”, so I cringe whenever I hear the way some people mutilate our language. Mom taught me too well. 🙂
I gave up trying to learn code. I’ll stick to writing my blog posts and let WordPress figure out the code. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to meet everyone, one blog at a time. I have a feeling it’s going to take a while.
I, too, am still trying to go through each post in the Meet the Blogger hop. It’s been so much fun to meet everyone, and I’ve found so many blogs (and people and dogs and cats) to follow!
I love to meet crazy pet ladies like myself! We once had four dogs and four cats. Now we are down to three dogs, two cats, and we just brought home a brand new puppy. Yup, crazy. LOL
Treat giver and ball thrower are my chief jobs too!
A puppy! OMG, there is something about puppy bellies that makes you just want to rub ’em. Am I right? How are the cats and the new pup getting along?
I kind of LOVE that you coined your own word as your “one word”. I’m pretty sure that is the definition of word nerd. Brilliant. I also love how you had very specific and different things for how each pet sees you. They’re all such individuals!
We are a family of wordnerds. We could start a dictionary just for the words we create–and a huge chunk of the dictionary would be devoted to words specific to our pets. (I actually wrote several posts about it a few years ago; maybe it’s time for me to revist?) And when I read the question on how my pets saw me, I felt the only way to do it was through their specific sets of eyes. I couldn’t have done it any other way because, as you say, they are all such individuals.