marathon

This is one of the things on my list that is soon to be checked off - doing a marathon.  I've been training and raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to honor my friend Sheldon Hentschke who recently passed away from cancer.  The longest I've gone is 18 miles - no turning back now.

I'll be crossing the finish line of the City of Trees Marathon on October 10th. 

influences

Spent some time with the folks Saturday.  I understand the parts of me that they shaped (the odd parts, the strange worries), but I am soooooooo very different in most ways.  This got me thinking on who or what made me the person I've become - the person who would make this particular bulleted list:

• Childhood friends & their families had a huge part in why I turned out even remotely "normal."  Even seeing what other people ate for dinner was a big deal.  I didn't know people ate spaghetti on a regular basis until the 5th or 6th grade...and I love spaghetti.  I'd never had an artichoke until Devanie's mom served one at dinner.
• The family who hired me to be their nanny could be considered the biggest influence of my life.  I worked for them for five or so years - mostly during the summers.  Because of the  Browns, I listened to NPR, got involved in political discussions, found out some people didn't watch television every day, saw that art could be a part of one's daily routine, listened to plenty of jazz (they once won 200 jazz c.d.'s from NPR), and learned to bake some pretty tasty bread.  I saw that people could play as hard as they worked and that it was important to let people know you loved them.  Gretta was always available to me.  She was so much more than an employer.  She loved and valued me.  I was half her age (and a teenager!), but she never talked down to me.  From her, I learned how to treat people.  I learned to truly listen to the meaning behind the words that come from others.  From Charlie, I learned that the way I spoke to others would create an impression, so I'd better think carefully and not lean on slang too much.  Chris & Merry loved me unconditionally, protected my feelings, and brought me joy in a way only my own child has since. I hope they know how important they all were to me...how important they still are.
• The teachers I had - good and bad - had their say in who I became.  At an early age, their opinions mattered so much.  I worked so hard for their praise and endured some nasty comments about being the "teacher's pet."  Some teachers taught me to be tough; some taught me that not all authority figures could be trusted.  
• Books and magazines have heavily played their part in the making of GiGi.  Words and images...from a young age these have been important to me.  I've had dozens of subscriptions and buy books on a regular basis - fiction, non-fiction, picture books, poetry, plays - my husband just looks the other way and rolls his eyes.  I dream of solid walls of books instead of paint colors.



The old Faust sign










• Working at Faust, when it was still open in the mid-90s here in Boise, helped me develop my tastes in music and design.  Mark had an amazing ear and eye.  His store was so much more than "home decor" - it was about the entire home environment.  The music we played was extraordinary.  It pulled me into a whole different world, and I probably still have every c.d. we ever sold there.  I would go in early, just to sit on the gorgeous furniture and listen to music before opening the doors to the public.  Being there taught me that the simplest things could be elegant and beautiful. 

There are many other people, places, things, and events that have helped me develop.  Don't be surprised if they pop up once in a while...