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The Seven Summary



Gaelikaa, whose thoughtful, reflective blog about her West meets East life always makes me stop and think, has tagged me to describe myself in seven words. Here goes:-

Tenacious. I will abso-berludy-lutely cling on to what’s important to me. Seven years ago my dear friend, Ann, got me into running. We joined Epsom Allsorts, a women’s group with formidable skills in talking and laughing whilst running. The club's highlight was the dreaded Hogsmill Ladies 5 Mile Race, which gave me my first taste of competitive running. As a novice runner I learned that by doing the work, hanging on in there and putting one foot in front of another you can achieve half marathons. It’s a lesson I apply to everyday life. Every novel starts with a single word.

Warthoggish. When my daughters were little they were very impressed by a nature programme about a mother warthog defending her young. ‘Ooh, that’s just like you, Mummy,’ they said. No one makes my babies cry and gets away with it as one or two horrid smelly boys have discovered along the way. Hurt my girls and you will find yourself cast out into deep space for all eternity.

Impatient. Doesn’t really go with tenacious, does it? But, I’m driven by a fear of time running out so anything that takes up too much of it drives me nuts. Trying to get my broadband fixed (you still haven’t conquered that dodgy junction box, have you BT?) nearly pushes me over the edge. I have huge admiration for crafty bloggers like Pipany, but I get very bad-tempered if I can’t make something quickly. No one comes near when I’m making curtains because the air is blue and one incident of pastry-making almost caused a fatality.

Inquisitive. I don’t mean nosy, I don’t give a flying fart about what the neighbours are up to, in fact I’d much prefer not to have any neighbours which is why Tom and I are trying to move somewhere even quieter than where we are now. What I mean is that I’m keenly interested in hearing the next piece of music that transports me, the next book I don’t want to put down, the next poem I can’t forget. I’m curious about what’s out there.

Brave. Are you allowed to say you’re brave? I am though, because I think anyone who goes to sea in a small boat is brave, especially when there’s seasickness to overcome as well. I do it because it’s important to Tom, so it’s important to me. I’m quite proud that we’ve sailed from Walton-on-the Naze to west Wales and across the Channel and back... even if my head was in a bucket most of the way.

Kind. Now I’m not saying I’m kind, but I try to be kind because what is the point if we don’t look after each other?

Fortunate. Like everyone, I’ve been through the wringer and seen some tough times, but so far as loved ones are concerned I’ve been very fortunate. You know who you are. Thank you.

I’m now passing this tag to Frances(sorry!), Little Brown Dog, Preseli Mags, Snailbeach Shepherdess, Mountainear, Milla and Edward.

The photo is me, at about seven, taunting my little sister, who is struggling to get her beloved car back. (Loving that chunky little leg, Kid).

Comments

Jude said…
Love it, as usual! Well done for explaining yourself in 7 words.. I couldn't, simple, thick!!That's it!Sailing across the outside of the Bay of Biscay prove it!!
mountainear said…
Thanks for the tag. Really. An interesting one.....I could almost borrow yours - but not the bit about being brave.

Enjoyed your 7.
Frances said…
Hello Chris,

Once again, you've written an excellent post. I do like the idea of the Seven Summary, and even thank you for the tag.

I hereby promise to take up the tag, even though it might take me some time to get round to posting. See what I can due to not have all the words synonymous with cranky!

xo
Liked this one and discovered I had somehow missed the one before! I love the word warthoggish and think you are entirely entitled to use of the word brave. As a fellow sufferer from seasickness and occasional sailor I wonder whether heroic might not be more appropriate. And I agree utterly about kind. I am not sure that being kind is not the most important thing of all.
Rustic Pumpkin said…
Very unusual, and well done! Yes, you can say brave, I think brave is different things to different folks. I am brave for I can now summon what is needed to remove a large house spider, to me that is very, very brave! Looking forward to reading the other Seven Summary responses.
Pondside said…
Seven words - good for you!
There are many sorts of bravery and I liked seeing the word in the meme. Also warthoggish - didn't know that about warthogs, but then we don't have them here. I'd probaby call it mother-bearish.
Helen Ginger said…
Wonderful post. And I love the words you chose. I also like the picture. Take away your squint and you still look a lot like you did as a child - at least to my eyes.

Helen
Straight From Hel
well thank you dear lady for the tag - I shall put my thinking cap on this very minute. As for your BRAVE for going to sea in a pig boat - no dear, the word you were looking for was 'MAD'!!!
Calico Kate said…
I love reading other peoples tags. I have been tagged but have forgotten to actually respond to it - oops!
Well done on whittling down/up to seven words. Several references to stories that I would love to learn moe about - nosey? me? yup isn't that why we read blogs?!
CKx
Chris Stovell said…
Jude, thanks and I bet you could. As for sailing the Bay of Biscay - respect! And some!

Mountainear, you are the woman who deals with - eeek - chicken mites! I think that's very brave!

Frances, I'm sure the cranky bit is not true at all! I look forwards to reading your seven when you're good and ready.

Elizabethm, ooh heroic ! I like it.. but sadly couldn't apply it to shivering, shaking and crying in the cockpit of a boat! I'm not trying to put you off sailing again, honest, you might be better with the seasickness now.

CH, dealing with spiders? Now that IS heroic! Well done you!

Pondside, I'm not sure we've got them here, except in this house! I see one when I look in the mirror.

Helen, you're very kind! Alas, I still squint at the sun so not much has changed. I probably can't get into that dress anymore... but my sister still has chunky little legs (only joking, Kid.).

SBS, mad, hmmm, good one! Look forward to seeing the results of wearing your thinking cap.

Kate, I'm not surprised that you haven't got round to responding to a tag with everything that's gone on in your life lately. I look forward to catching up when you do.
Maria said…
Lovely answers, Chris, I knew I'd get very worthwhile response from you. And I did. I shall enjoy reading the responses of the people you've tagged too.
Anonymous said…
Hey! I got that tag too!
Maggie Christie said…
Ah ha! Thanks for the tag. Interesting. I've never thought of you as a warthog before, but then I haven't seen you defending your litter!
Woozle1967 said…
Wow - loved this. Can very much relate to the sea sickness thing - I think that's why we live in the country and not by the sea!!xx
Fabulous answers - I'd love to do your horoscope sometime, because that meme says to me Sagittarius with a dollop of Capricorn and a healthy dash of Leo. Really admire your tenaciousness - putting one foot in front of the other is an excellent attitude to have. Unfortunately, there's always a little voice inside my head saying, yes - but how many times?

And very flattered to be tagged. My first thought, when hearing seven words were required were: "start with low expectations. Then lower them." There - that's seven.

Will do my best, though. xx
Blossomcottage said…
Oh how I related to the seasickness, I get seasick on the Victory and that has been in dry dock for over £150 years! I am told that if you stand under a tree it cures seasickness......I will leave you all with that thought!
I love this and what a wonderful way to describe yourself
Well Done xx
Love Blossom
Chris Stovell said…
Gaelikaa, thank you for asking me. You'll enjoy the others.

MelRox, I'll be visiting.

Mags, no, I try to keep my tusks hidden in public!

Woozle, hellooooo! Good to see you again. Glad I'm not the only one.

LBD, ooh, that is very spooky... I do have a touch of goat about me, you can see her in that photo - yes, my sister is a Capricorn! Now you'll be knocked down in the rush of bloggers wanting their horoscopes read! I look forwards to reading your meme.


Blossom! Hellooo! Good to see you, too. And that's a great tip!
Maria said…
Oh & Chris!!!! Can you pop over again for a minute???:):) I've got an...umm...award for you!!!
Jenny Beattie said…
I love your answers Chris.
pinkfairygran said…
You sound like a feisty, fun person to know...
Maria said…
Chris! Thank you for accepting the Honest Scrap Award and do not worry about the tag - you may put it on hold as it suits you or just forget it. Your 'Seven Summary' probably covers it all. I know I tagged you before, but when I was tagged for this award, I just couldn't think of a person I'd rather pass it on to more than you! You know, I was tagged by MelRoXx about two months back and I took the tag and didn't pass it on. Meanwhile, my confidence grew. Would you believe I've been tagged again? Tag fever seems to have hit the blogosphere! I'll wait for a couple of days and do it and hopefully that's the end of it for now. Don't worry, I'll not pass this one on in your direction. Tags are fun, they shake you up and make you think, but they do mess up your routine!
Maria said…
Chris! Thank you for accepting the Honest Scrap Award and do not worry about the tag - you may put it on hold as it suits you or just forget it. Your 'Seven Summary' probably covers it all. I know I tagged you before, but when I was tagged for this award, I just couldn't think of a person I'd rather pass it on to more than you! You know, I was tagged by MelRoXx about two months back and I took the tag and didn't pass it on. Meanwhile, my confidence grew. Would you believe I've been tagged again? Tag fever seems to have hit the blogosphere! I'll wait for a couple of days and do it and hopefully that's the end of it for now. Don't worry, I'll not pass this one on in your direction. Tags are fun, they shake you up and make you think, but they do mess up your routine!
Chris Stovell said…
Gaelikaa, thank you both for the award... and for letting me off the tag. You are most kind.

JJ. Hi,good to see you back after your travels.

Pfg, I'm a bit quieter in person, you'll be relieved to hear!
Fennie said…
Hi Chris - great but I would add that you must be selfless too as well as brave. Anyone who can face seasickness for someone else must be entirely selfless in the best possible way. Love warthoggish as well. (Though are warthogs maternal - over and above any other sort of hog?)
But it's a lovely picture.
Faith said…
Interesting to hear how someone else sees themself - and def brave about the boat!
Withy Brook said…
From one who once sat and shook and was completely unable to move from fear in the cockpit of a yacht in the middle of the Minch in the remains of a gale, when something went wrong - I think you are incredibly brave! And I happen to know that you are a lovely person who I would like to know better.
Have had a bit of a session on your blogs thismorning - you do write beautifully.
Withy Brook said…
P.S. How does one become a follower of your blogs?
Chris Stovell said…
Fennie, thank you - I think it's probably the tusks that added to the warthog comparison. As for maternal qualities of hogs... don't mother pigs have a tendency to squash their babies?

Faith, I see you as a very gentle soul. Are you doing a '7'? If not, I think you should.

Withy, Hello my dear! Yes it's a shame you're not a bit closer so we could have a good catch up. Our meet with Mags was a lovely day, wasn't it? Thank you for your kindness. Following - just hit the follow button on the blog tool bar menu thing.

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