For the next few Fridays, I’ll be playing a “getting to know you better” game with five questions. Some of the questions at first seem very facetious, but upon further reflection, I think the answers to the questions can be very telling. So here goes…

What brings you the greatest joy?

Several things bring me great joy. I love watching my boys become young men as they make their way into adulthood. They are entertaining and precious all at the same time. Setting a goal and accomplishing it brings me great joy even if it is a small goal, like running three miles after rolling out of bed and not being quite awake yet. Helping others achieve their dream gives me great pleasure and joy. Being able to say the right thing at the right time to make a difference for someone is a very special skill that brings me great joy (but for these things I usually find out about years later)!

What is your greatest indulgence?
I’m thinking dark chocolate with red wine is an indulgence. I’m thinking that taking the time to exercise each day is a necessary indulgence. I’m thinking that taking time to watch my kids play sports is a “not to miss” indulgence. But, I think taking the time to just be is my current greatest indulgence.

What is your beauty secret?
Well, I’m not sure I have any true beauty secrets, they seem more like tried and true advice that is rarely followed. I guess I attribute my current beauty to changing my habits – more sleep, more exercise, more hydration, and better eating habits (almost no processed food or fake stuff). Although inner peace may be the winner as the beauty secret for how I look, feel and appear to the outside world now.

What is on your kitchen counter?
Hmm…on most days nothing is on my kitchen counter except the usual appliances (bread maker, toaster oven, and toaster, and food processor), but at the moment about half of my farm share produce is waiting to be eaten or cooked. And dishes waiting to be cleaned from cooking soups for this weekend are sitting there looking at me with a forlorn look.

Do you have a secret talent?
None of my talents are secret, at least the talents that come to mind at the moment. There is one silly talent that seems to get attention whenever it is revealed and that is tying a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue. Mostly guys seem to be interested in learning more about this talent. I guess one sort of hidden talent is that I can take in an enormous amount of information and summarize it in a few sentences getting to the essence of what is being conveyed.