Syd’s Random 7 Meme

It seems that I have been tagged. In this game of tag, I am not quite sure of the rules, but I will do my best here.

The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

There was a 5th rule to present an image of martial discord from whatever period or situation you’d like but I am basically a pacifist, my degree in history is in intellectual history and I cannot even think of any images of martial discord to share — you will have to live without this.

Rule 1: link to my tagger: Wizards of Oz who, by the way owes me a much more complete introduction and probably a drink.

Rule 2: I need to tell you 7 things about myself — these are probably supposed to be things you would not know just by reading my About Syd page.

1. I have been collecting Madame Alexander dolls since I was 7. I have a gorgeous collection and they are both valuable and can be found in antique stores now.

2. I also have a collection of hymnals from several denominations including Catholic, Lutheran, Mormon and Quaker. This started when I friend and I were playing and singing hymns from a Baptist hymnal she had. I noted that the songs were mostly the same as the hymns in the hymnals at the Methodist church. My collection stands as a testimony that we have more in common than we frequently admit.

3. I am a mom of twins (ok, I know you can read that in the About Syd page, but it is very cool). I am not one of those people who always wanted to have twins, but my boys are more fun than I could have ever imagined.

4. I was able to travel to Europe for 2 weeks after graduation as part of a school program and I turned 18 there.

5. My morning has not really started until I have had my first few sips of coffee. My morning is complete once I have buried the totally nonsense stories on Digg.

6. I do not do as much of it as I would like, but I love gardening. I never feel more alive and connected to all things that are than when I am digging in the dirt and minding the growing things. I am currently experimenting with hanging tomato plants that grow upside down.

7. My favorite president is Thomas Jefferson. I enjoy reading his writings and strolling through his restored gardens (Yes, I have been there). My second favorite president is John Quincy Adams. He showed his love of his country with a true life time of service beginning at the age of 11 and not ending until he died on the floor of the House of Representatives where he served after his term as President. And he continued to bring petitions for anti-slavery to the floor even after the Gag Rule was in effect because he believe that this was his duty to allow the people the ability to petition.

Now for the tagging. I feel a little bit awkward about this. I don’t actually know that many people — in real life or virtually. I read several blogs, but I have never posted (not my thing).

Blogs I like to read (but not actually tagged):
Zen Habits
This is a great blog offering lots of ways to simplify life and enjoy the moment.

The Happiness Project
This is another great blog that focuses on what makes us happy and unhappy and how this is a choice and we have to actually decide to do the things that will make us happy.

Jumping Monkeys
The is Megan Morrone from Screen Savers (remember Megan’s download of the day?). She is also a mom of twins and brings humor and technology to this life.

God’s Poltics
This is the blog for the Sojouners and the author of God’s Politics: How the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It. An awesome book and a very interesting blog.

MOMocrats
This is a wonderful perspective on the current political drama unfolding. This is a group of bloggers and they do not always agree but they always bring something interesting to the discussion.

I will have to work on the tagging part. I really do not have people (bloggers or otherwise) to tag.