My daughters and my dear friend Jill have been doing this, and I've had such a fine time checking back to see what people have said, I have finally been persuaded that it's a good idea for me to do it, too.
Here are the rules.
1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I shared. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is most memorable. If you don't have a blog and don't know how to sign in, please comment as anonymous.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your own blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's a lot of fun to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I promise to write one about you... either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you back!
and . . .
3. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all.
Ooh, first to post! That never happens to me.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the first memory of you that pops into my mind comes from back when we all lived in West Jordan, and you were walking regularly with my mom. You guys had for some reason come back to our house, where I was pretending to be able to paint with my watercolors (I always wanted to be good at it, but never really got there). You sat down at the table, and just started swirling the brush in the paint, then on my tablet, occasionally changing colors, making it look like you were just doodling with no purpose, when all of a sudden there was a beautiful unicorn on my page. How on earth you did it was beyond me, but I still have it, and I treasure it. You are such a wonderful artist, both with materials, and with words.
Okay, I've got some good ones, me and you going to see the Nutcracker when I was about 8 which was exciting as it was my first ballet and I do believe I got to stay up late. Then all the memories of childhood, painting pictures with paint and noodles, getting us treats at that one gas station when we went up to the U. Being the poetry mom for my 7th grade class, (how cool!) and all the times I got to come shopping with you late at night and entertained you with my aisle dancing. I love you mom.
ReplyDeleteYou can paint unicorns? Very cool. You have many hidden talents.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how most of my memories are from AWP conferences.
This is one of my fave: We'd been walking with a bunch of folks--F., M., Dr. Write, Egg--we were coming back or going to our delicious dinner far, far away in Atlanta and we'd stopped to break at a wine bar. The place was totally white and we all lined up at the bar and ordered a variety of glasses. You and I sat near each other (I think Egg was betwixt us) and you made me laugh a hundred times.
Like Nik, most of my memories are from AWP. I too loved that Atlanta dinner. There are so many great memories from AWP, but one was when I came back to the room (so late! bad girl!) and you were still up watching TV. I think that was in Atlanta. And watching movies and eating MnMs in our room in NYC. Or that amazing dinner at Union Square Cafe.
ReplyDeleteBack home: running into you and the Historian at Oasis and having dinner. Seeing you at the Farmer's Market.
Most importantly: going to see "Sex and The City" !!
Listening to the goofy, usually unplayed ending of "Barbara Ann" and laughing until we cried, in your driveway a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteNik--most of my memories of you are AWP ones as well--mainly, I think, because I got to know you almost exclusively through your blog, so AWP has been the chance I've had to see you in full-on, live action. So, little glimmers of you: my favorite was when we cajoled/pressed/blackmailed you into coming out to dinner with us (how could we not? we needed to dine in your presence!), and you were doing a nonstop commentary on the impossibility of driving in NYC when our driver did a very neat maneuver and you said, without a pause, "Well done, sir," and then went on. Too, too funny, and a capsule NY minute, I would say.
ReplyDeleteoldbruin--what about driving around in the black dog? and how you gave me a copy of *The Rocky Horror Picture Show* soundtrack to take to BYU with me? because you knew I'd need it, and I really, really did. Also, I believe we went to some pretty epic concerts together, and on the Sabbath of our Lord.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite memories of you are the stories you tell about the events in your life--sometimes big-deal events, but mostly small details of everyday life events. For example, I love the story of a teenaged Lisa in DC, who was lectured by the cafeteria lady at the Smithsonian(?) for examining a piece of pie before placing it on her tray--"Now you listen here, Missie, don't you go sniffin' that pie and thinkin' you gonna put it back!"
ReplyDeleteOr the stories about your kids--Walker and his skritchers is one I will never forget.
And the way you can rhapsodize about a creative event that you've either a) enjoyed attending or b) physically participated in. It is your ability to relive and savor the creativity and details of the event until you've effectively wrung out every little bit, every amazing, touching, funny moment of the event. (And know that wrung out by you is truly a good filling thing for me.)
Okay. The first memory that pops into my mind is somehow visiting your house on the west side. Inhabited by a huge Great Dane and lots of little children. Of course you were one of the people I most admired in my graduate classes at the university. A poet. Someone who always managed to pull out that amazing paper the night before (when I had been struggling for days if not weeks). And the Mormon thing we shared. I just loved encountering you there in graduate school. Made it all so much more meaningful and close to life. I still find you impressive and way likable. And you live on my list of top people.
ReplyDeleteWell, this isn't a FIRST memory of you (although I do remember the first time I saw you--you were standing in a line to see a foreign film at BYU), but it's a favorite one. I went to see you in the hospital right after you had Isaac. Wow, were you ever in love with that baby. You were in love with all of your babies. I've always loved that about you.
ReplyDeleteToo many memories to pick one. So I will use one word answers. Felicity. Cheesy potatoes late at night. Crazy earrings. Singing songs me songs at night that I can sing to my baby now. Going to breakfast. Shopping. D.C. Entertaining. Late night talks from Virginia. Spending almost everyday together after I had Deacon is definately my favorite. I know they were not one word answers, so sue me.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... how about when you and Isaac came to Sam's farewell and you, me, my dad and Isaac sang that beautiful song in church. It was so wonderful to sing with such talented musicians and it really brought the spirit into the meeting. It also meant the world to my family that you and Isaac came.
ReplyDeleteThe first time we met you had bright colored shoes on and the best eye glasses I'd ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI've loved your style ever since that day!
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