Friday, February 20, 2009

Some Interesting and Not So Interesting Facts

I've been putting it off, but am finally getting to my tagee duties in listing interesting (or not so interesting) facts about myself.  Where to begin?  Well ...

1.  Many years ago I came close to getting hit by a train.  When I realized I was probably going to get hit, I froze and felt my mind go blank.  A man came up from behind me and gently pushed me along, out of danger.  He never said a word to me and I never said anything to him.  The whole experience seemed so surreal.  Two weeks later someone did get hit by a train in the same place.  I felt he was my guardian angel.  Hence, ...

2.  I have a large angel collection.  I started this collection many years ago and have received angels as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, etc., from everyone who knows me well.  I probably have about three hundred angels.  I mostly display them at Christmas when I unwrap them and put them all out on the side table in the dining room.  There is an at least one angel in every room in my house.

3.  The farthest I have ever been from home is Italy.  My son went to Rome to study for a summer semester once, so I went with my daughter to meet him.  The second time was with my husband (I had to show it to him) for one of our major anniversaries.  I'd like to go again and stay for a month.

4.  The bravest thing I ever did was go para-sailing in Mexico - a long time ago.  I can't believe now that I ever did it.  That's were they strap you into a type of parachute that's attached by rope to a motor boat.  When they boat takes off, you go sailing up in the air, about ten stories up.  

5.  My last fact may not seem interesting but I just made a funny observation.  I looked around my house one evening and realized how many stained glass lamps we have (ten).  It was my passion for stained glass lamps that spurred us to buy all these lamps within the last few years.  Maybe it has something to do with my latest interest in translucent color.

17 comments:

Jala Pfaff said...

How come people are (almost) getting hit by trains there?! Where do you live that this is happening?! I almost got hit by a bus in Mexico once...

Do you know the song "Too many angels" by Jackson Browne?

Marian Fortunati said...

I love your interesting facts!!!

If you ever do decide to go back to Italy and want to visit Venice.. let me know and I'll hook you up with my brother-in-law who can tell you all the "good" non-tourist places to go eat, etc.

I'm glad that angel saved you from the train.... You still had too many things to do and paintings to share!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Jala, I live about thirty miles west of Chicago. I think people get hit because when one train passes, they step onto the tracks and don't realize another is coming from the other direction. I'll have to look up the Jackson Browne song. I like to collect angel music too. Thanks for letting me know!

Hi Marian, I would love to visit Venice next time around. I'll remember to let you know if the opportunity comes up again. ( Sigh) Thanks so much.

Karen said...

They are interesting! It's like we get to know you just a little bit better. So thanks for posting them (I think I still officially have one more to write...)
That is frightening about the train. I can see why you describe it as a surreal experience.
I cannot imagine para-sailing! I don't think I could ever do that!

FCP said...

Hi Janelle,
I enjoyed reading about you.
Since I was tagged recently (http://faye-christian-phillips.blogspot.com/2008/11/tagged.html) and I'm way too boring to come up with anything more, I will pass this time,
happy painting,
Faye

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Karen, I can't believe I did the para-sailing thing now because actually I've developed a fear of heights! Guess I was young and foolish. Looking forward to another one of your facts - they've been so interesting! And your stills are amazing!

Hi Faye, That's okay. I didn't realize you were already tagged. I'll be back to read your poetic blog with the beautiful artwork.

Kim VanDerHoek said...

Thank goodness for your guardian angel because otherwise I would have missed seeing your beautiful paintings!

Your list is one of the most compelling I've read on a blog. Thanks for sharing such a personal experience.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

I found your blog via Karen's and then was intrigued by the posting of a picture of a stained glass lamp.

Interesting facts and I enjoy the part about collecting angels.

Your work is beautiful and I love your comments about what you find interesting about glass.

Nice to find your blog.

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Kim, Thanks so much for your kind comments and for visiting. Love that koi!

Hi Kathleen, Thanks for stopping by. I've always been intrigued by different kind of glass, which is why as soon as I'm done, I'm going to visit your blog!

neetzy said...

Wow,
I'm so glad that "angel" pushed you away from the train! I have a small collection of angels too. My daughter started buying them for me when she was very little. Some are classic dollar store quality but I love them all.
I also love stained glass. I recently bought a window. Sometimes I try to emulate the look of stained glass through my tree paintings. Check out some of my older paintings like Autumn Interlude when you get a chance.

Silver said...

Cherubs(?) or angels are always my favourites for decorations.. maybe also because i like to be reminded that there are a lot of good out there and God is always watching over us.

Your paintings are beautiful too.

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Neetzy, I checked out Autumn Interlude. Wow! It really does look like stained glass! Beautiful. I find that even the "dollar store variety" angels are comforting too. It's so sweet that your daughter bought them for you.

Hi Silver, I like to be reminded of all the good in life too. Good point. I checked out your blog and stayed much longer than I intended to. Very beautiful and poignant. I'll definitely be checking in from now on!

Linda S. Socha said...

Hello
I am new to your blog and relly enjoyed the visit. Love the lamp, and the paintings are wonderful!

I see I have a friend here...Silver...and I am thinking about the 6 degrees of seperation statement...
Linda
Psyche Connections

Bill Brauker said...

Loved your angel story. Oh, and your paintings are terrific?

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Linda, Thanks so much for stopping by and your comments. Much appreciated!

Hi Bill, Glad you enjoyed the angel story. It was life-changing for me. Thanks so much!

Celeste Bergin said...

that was really interesting to read! You did your tagged duties well..and I am glad you went parasailing~!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Celeste, Thanks so much. The thought of para-sailing scares me now. Yikes!