- I live next door to my in-laws . . . and LOVE it! From built-in day care for the kids when they were smaller to easy family meals together, to shared grills and shared newspaper subscriptions, having my husband’s family move in next door a decade ago was an unexpected blessing.
- I once lost the diamond out of my wedding ring only to find it a week later (after searching everywhere at home and at work) when I pulled a tissue out of my bathroom tissue box. Somehow the stone had fallen into the box and when I pulled out a new tissue, I heard a tinkling sound and found the diamond on the counter. Never have I thanked God more for a runny nose!
My oldest child (my only daughter) graduated from high school this past spring on my 45th birthday. No, I didn’t feel old or anything (OK, maybe a little). I was too proud listening to her valedictorian speech. Smart and sassy, just the way I like my heroines.- I have a black thumb. Well, not literally. In respect to plants. I have a tendency to kill the majority of plants that have had the misfortune to come home with me. A few hearty ones have survived, like the aloe vera plant in the kitchen window that continues to survive despite my best efforts to do it in. And the roses on the side of the house have managed to pull through despite a run in with some sort of blight last year. I should post a sign on my back door that says, “If you contain chlorophyll, enter at your own risk.”
- My favorite animal is the hippopotamus. When I was in junior high, one of my friends and I decided we were going to have unique favorite animals. No cats or dogs for us. She selected the armadillo and I selected the hippo. When I was 16, I took a mission trip to Kenya, and was so excited to see my favorite animal in his natural habitat. I’ve been hooked ever since. This year for Christmas, my hubby got me a hippopotamus shirt and socks. Fun new outfit!
- I’ve ridden a mule in Bryce Canyon, swum with sea turtles in Maui, and when I was young and stupid, held a 13
pound boa constrictor around my neck. I recommend the first two but not the third. - I was a band nerd all through junior high and high school but switched to choir in college because of the boy I was dating. Ended up marrying that fella, and now we have our own harmonizing quintet on the church pew every Sunday. Love it! (Though, I’m raising band nerds at the same time. My daughter plays my old flute, my older son plays the French horn, and my youngest plays the trumpet.)
- I don’t drink coffee. Ever. I know, I know. It’s shameful. Coffee’s supposed to be the elixir of life, right? Especially for writers. But I never developed a taste for it. I prefer a simple cup of Lipton hot tea sweetened with honey. Mmmmm.
- Whenever I have free time (a very RARE commodity), I love to cross stitch. Here’s a set of simple cameo silhouettes I made for my editors a couple years ago for Christmas.
- Even though I write historical romance, I hated history classes in school. Math was more my style. Maybe it was because my teachers always seemed to be coaches that got stuck in the history classroom, or maybe it was because all the textbooks emphasized wars and politics. Boring. Yet I loved historical novels. Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, THAT was the history I fell in love with. So when you read one of my novels today, you won’t find a plot that centers around war or political intrigue or even key historical events. No, my books are focused on people and the lesser known, yet meaningful aspects of life in 19th century that shaped their lives and their loves.
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What are some little known facts about YOU?
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For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Karen, I have a black thumb too and have used that description of myself for decades. In fact, mine goes like this: “I’ve got a black thumb. I’ve even killed an air fern.” And, in case anyone doesn’t know, an air fern is made up of dead and dried colonies of hydrozoans and is related to corals.
Too funny, Robin! I’m glad I’m not the only one. My in-laws are avid gardeners, so it’s taken me a while to get past the feelings of inadequacy, but they love me despite my penchant for herbicide, so we’re all good. 🙂
I also love to cross stitch and historical fiction is my favorite, but I hated history class and memorizing dates. Ugh 😑 I’ve always drank tea instead of coffee until my daughter made me Blueberry coffee with creamer at Thanksgiving. I’m also a neat freak and love to garden, can, cook, and bake. Have a blessed day!
Lucy – We have so much in common! How fun. I used to be a neat freak, but three children and a writing career that keeps me from finding time to clean, has seriously mellowed me out on that front. I still can’t stand clutter, though. I have to have a tidy workspace or it’s hard to concentrate.
“A plant is not a gift, it’s an added responsibility!” or “My house. Where plants go to die.”
I, too, do not EVER drink coffee. I don’t even like to smell it! I also don’t really like chocolate so I may have some kind of disease! 😉
I met my husband at WalMart, once got locked in the lavatory of an Amtrak train going being NYC and Syracuse, and love the Spanish language.
I also really enjoyed this post!
I was feeling such a kinship with you Melissa until you mentioned chocolate. Gasp! You don’t like chocolate??? Something is seriously wrong, girlfriend. LOL. of course I think the same thing about my son who doesn’t like peanut butter. How can a kid with no allergies not like peanut butter? Just like your lack of love for chocolate – the world is filled with mysteries that might never be unraveled.
OK – You met your husband at Wal-Mart? That’s not one you hear every day. I’d love to hear the details. 🙂 And getting locked in a train’s bathroom? Talk about great stories. I’m sensing fodder for a great romantic comedy. 🙂
Something is definitely wrong with the peanut butter non-lover because that is one way I WILL eat chocolate – with peanut butter!!😬
If I could express myself like you do, I definitely could tell a story. While I was locked in the train’s bathroom entertaining my fellow passengers, my husband was waiting at the station in Syracuse with a locksmith because he locked his keys in the car!!!
Oh, that is too ironic! Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. Ha!
Karen, we already have much in common. In reading your list, I discovered one more similarity between us! I, too, am neighbors with my in-laws. Mine moved onto our street less than two years ago. I love it (most of the time) too. 😉
Ha! I didn’t realize that. One more similarity to add to our collection.
I, too, am a plant killa and coffee hater. Holding a snake??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Love to travel but HATE to fly (even though I do it A LOT!). Currently addicted to Hallmark movies. Do not own a Kindle, Nook or any other reading device and only recently (and reluctantly) said ‘farewell’ to my flip-phone. Pitiful, I know!
There’s nothing pitiful about the classics, Amy. Ha!
Hi Karen!
I met my husband while we were both working at Hardee’s. I also hated History class, but loved Math. I do like hot tea with honey, but I love my coffee. I enjoyed reading this article and I absolutely love ALL of your books. Each one literally makes me laugh out loud. I get some crazy looks not only from my husband, but from whoever is around me…especially when I’m reading in a public place. 😊😂
Love it, Karie! This world needs more laughter, so keep on keeping on. 🙂
A romance at Hardee’s? That sounds delicious. Ha!
At 45, I also have yet to acquire a taste for coffee. After blogging for a couple years, I’m not sure there are many little-known facts about me left! At least not any for public consumption. Here’s one: I can play a pipe organ. I haven’t for many years, but I used to play each Sunday throughout college and for a couple of years after.
Pipe organs are so majestic and glorious. I envy you your talent. When I look at all those stoppers and multiple keyboards and pedals, I can’t even imagine the coordination it would take to play one well. But whenever I tour old churches, one of the first things I look for is the organ. Some of them are simply works of art. Thanks for sharing, Carolyn!
Loved the post!
I also love historical fiction and shocked my husband on our honeymoon with my knowledge. He reads constitutional law and other boring things for fun and could not believe we were able to converse about the history of the old houses in England and Germany we were touring and the position of the owners in the government in their lifetime.
So many interesting tidbits surface in historical fiction!
That’s awesome, Jen! Always good to keep the hubby impressed with your historical knowledge. And it serves to prove that all those novels you read and very educational. 🙂
Loved reading your ten things. When my daughter and son in law were looking for a house I went with her to look at several. When she found one she liked she’d get her husband to look at it. He always found something wrong with each one. We realized later that he was holding out for the lady across the street from us to put her house up for sale. And she did and they bought it.
She kids around thinking about Everybody Loves Raymond where he moved in across the street from his parents. She says Everybody Loves Rachel! We do get to see our grandkids quite often, sometimes more than we’d like, ha. But we have kept our our granddaughter and now our grandson until they start school.
No coffee!! That is my drink of choice and the stronger the better. Tea? “More power to ya” as Brisco Darling would say on The Andy Griffith Show, one of my very favorites!
Great story, Gail. Having the family close is such a blessing. Boundaries can take a while to feel out, but as Wes’s parents start aging and have increasing health concerns, I’m glad we can be close to lend a hand when needed to repay all that grandkid watching they did. 🙂
In a lot of ways we are alike except having family next door. I too am not a coffee drinker – ever!!! I played the flute and passed it on to a daughter. I love to cross stitch and have some beautiful ones on my walls. I don’t do much any more. Old eyes make it hard to see. I love logic puzzles, especially the picture ones. I love studying the Word of God. I, too, hated history classes until I studied Church history. Then I understood the Bible better. Thanks for writing for those of us who are readers.
Nancy – we are two peas in a pod! I, too, love logic puzzles. And studying God’s Word. I’m so glad to learn those things about you!
I have some large stitch pieces hanging in almost every room of my house. 🙂 I have even more in storage waiting to be stitched. I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to them all, but I have great dreams. Ha!
Loved this post! I’m a plant killer too. Although I’ve actually had some luck at a couple of plants lately. It won’t bloom but it’s alive! I have learned to like “coffee”. Heavy on the flavored creamer and sugar please! We are very close in age too! Just a few months apart! I won’t say who’s older! 😜
Ha! Love it, Nancy. We can be birthday buddies. 🙂
Little know facts about me:
1) winter is my least favorite season. Here in Idaho, we are having WINTER and daily I dream of running away.
2) iced tea is my elixir of choice.
3) I was born the same day the first man walked on the moon.
4) I can trace my Mennonite heritage back to the 1500’s. (I grew up Mennonite, but now attend an Evangelical Methodist Church.)
5) my favorite animal is the giraffe.
This was fun reading! Thanks.
Cool, Melanie!
So sweet tea or unsweet tea? I drink my hot tea sweetened with honey but like my iced tea straight – no sugar.
The giraffe is such a beautiful creature. My daughter did a report on it one year in elementary school. Apparently they are super strong ,too. Graceful and strong – perfect qualities for a woman. Better than fat, muddy, and ferocious like my hippos. LOL.
I also never developed a taste for Coffee! Both my parents are avid coffee drinkers but I just never liked it! 😂🙈 I also seem to have a black thumb, I’ve only had one poor plant survive me, her name is Gloria 😂.. I also LOVE the Little House and Anne of Green Gables books!
Oh! And my favorite animal is Buffalo 😉
I love your original favorite animal. And so classically western. Perfect!
I don’t drink coffee either. I have tried it a few times and I just don’t like it. I love hot tea! I once saw an armadillo when we were visiting family in Florida. It is such a cute and unique animal.
I love reading Historical fiction books even though I did not like History in school. English was my favorite subject.
Thanks for sharing 10 things about you! 🙂
Hi, Steph. I’m always excited when I see a live armadillo in Texas because most often they hide themselves away so we only see them as road kill on the side of the road. So sad. Of course, when my friend selected the armadillo, we lived in California – not exactly known as armadillo country. But they are certainly unique. Kind of like an armored opossum. 🙂
1. In my early teens my sister and I trained Shetland ponies to halter and saddle. They were sold as well trained ponies. They were so sweet and eager to please.
2. I adopted ex racing greyhounds, what perfect family dogs. I called my first one the Butler.
3. I belonged to the orchid club, just to have 2 hours once a month in a room filled with beautiful flowers, refreshments, and none of my 6 children.
4. At 60 I went inner tubing down the Provo Canyon River for the first time.
5. I own two yellow kayaks, just for me, named Sues Canoe and Sues Canoe 2.
6. My spirit animal is the Great Blue Heron. Native Americans revere them for their patient waiting.
7. I stayed 34 for two decades. It has made getting older kind of pleasant.
8. Finally found what I wanted to be when I grew up, Grandma!
Love you list, Susan! Ponies, adopted dogs, and orchids. So unique and fun. And your canoes – love those names. Too funny. Keep on with the 34 and going strong. I’m a firm believer in the young mindset. As long as you still get those grandchildren. 😉
Karen,
Let’s see – never drank coffee, just couldn’t get past the taste. 😛 I like iced tea, unsweet, and now only decaf – but I have fallen in love with just about anything Raspberry, especially Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry.
I am an avid cross-stitcher and am working on a Christmas stocking for one of my granddaughters. I finished her twin sister’s stocking last month, but they have to wait to get them until I have finished both!
I have held a shark. It was when we were in Cancun. It was planned, and it was safe. 😀
I often boast of having a green thumb (unfortunately it’s gan-grene!) No plant comes in my house if it has a wish to live. However, I have a lovely flower garden outside – azalea bushes, hydrangea and day lilies. I think only because I
weed the garden once in the Spring – that’s it. Once a year.
A month before we got married, my husband moved in with my parents. He was in the Air Force (stationed there at Dyess) and needed to go ahead and move out of the barracks. They get along famously.
Oh, and he is probably the only guy I know who would invite two of his ex-girlfriends to his wedding – and they both came! (I had met them both already and knew they were coming!) But it’s still a shocker to most people. 😛
Always love learning new things about people.
The gan-green thumb! LOL. I’ll have to remember that, Cindy. And married to a Dyess man who survived living with your parents without you? He’s a keeper for sure!
I’ve cross-stitched Christmas stockings for our entire family. I look forward to the day when I have new stockings to stitch for a son- and daughters-in-law. 🙂 (Still several years away, but I’ve started plotting already.)
I loved reading this post, Karen. I didn’t know your in laws lived next door! That’s wonderful. Cherish those family members. Your children will remember that all of their lives. I didn’t like World History, but US History was okay. I love your historical fiction, and you know how much I loved reading every one of them to my precious mother, who passed away, October 4th, 3 days after finishing your last book. What fun times we had, reading about all your characters, and Texas life. Thank you, so much Karen. Your daddy would be so proud of you! And, so are we..
Thanks, Diane. You are such a precious friend.
Thank you for this post Karen,loved it! I forgot we had some things in common such as not drinking coffee and enjoying cross stitch (loved the cross stitched cameo silhouettes!). Also grew up loving historical novels,too! (I’m so glad you grew up to write historical novels,yourself! Thank you, Your stories have really touched my heart!) One of the little known facts about me is that along with being a big book lover is that I’m a movie and animation buff. Not only do I like Disney animation,but all kinds including foreign films .Especially the Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.(He did such movies as Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle) Love movies with beautiful artwork and a touching story.
How fun, Lynne! I don’t watch many foreign films, but I am a Disney fan born and bred. Ha! But I can certainly appreciate beautiful artwork in animation. I have little artistic talent when it comes to drawing, so when I see what others can do, I am in awe.
I was a band geek with Karen in HS. I have been 39.95 for a few years now. I met my husband at work, we are both accountants; although, I hated math in HS, especially Algebra! I have never had a cup of coffee and I don’t drink tea, hot or iced even though I live in Tx. I drink Dr Pepper most of the time! Enjoy your books, Karen! You are amazing! Teach those kids to do housework, my mom used to say she didn’t need a made because she had a dishwasher (my older sister), a vacuumer (my little sister), a duster (me) and a trash emptier (my brother) but we all did all the chores.
Go Band Nerds!!! I’m with you on putting the kids to work. They clean house more than I do these days, which is great since I need the writing time. I’ve learned that as long as I lower my standards, it all works out fine. Although, it’s a little more challenging now that my daughter is away at college. But the boys are getting things done.
I love this post, finding out things about you and others. I replied yesterday, but it apparently didn’t go through, so I’ll try again and apologize if it posts twice.
It was so good to find out the many things we have in common. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love to crosstitch and can’t stand coffee. How something that smells so good, tastes so bad, I’ll never understand. I am an avid tea drinker. Music has always been important in our lives. Both of my children were in high school band. My son made all-state band three years in a row. My daughter marched in the Macy’s parade. New York at Thanksgiving is marvelous!
I met my husband on a blind date when I was in college. He was a Marine officer stationed at Quantico nearby. Now it’s 51 years later… we celebrated in Cabo San Lucas in 2015, and I swam with the dolphins – amazing! When we were stationed on the island of Cyprus, I rode a donkey up a mountain to the beautiful 13th century Bellapais Abbey.
I can grow flowers, but no vegetables – they all die. Again, I so enjoyed this post.
Wonderful, Betty! We do have a lot in common. How incredible to see the Macy’s parade in person. I’ve only ever seen it on TV. My kids have marched in the parade at Disney world, but that’s not nearly as big a deal.
Congrats on your 51 years! That’s a marvelous accomplishment. And the Abbey on Cyprus sounds glorious! I love seeing all the history, especially the churches, in Europe and other parts of the world.
Thank you so much for re-posting. I would have been sad not learn all this great information about you!
I also have been to Bryce Canyon, had a boa around my neck, to the horror of my daughter, love to do cross-stitch, and my thumb isn’t green.
I volunteer in the church library and have for almost 40 years.
My goodness, Janet! We might be clones. Ha!
Thank you for all your volunteer hours in your church library. What a ministry!
Hi Karen! I have a black thumb too!! That is until I’ve moved to MD. It’s slowly getting better, due to the excessive amount of fretting I get over them after the first 5 died within weeks of coming home with me. Stubbornness paid off, and my peace lily is currently my fave!!
I love your cross-stitch! That pattern is fun! I’m not sure what little fact to share. O, I love musicals, but can’t hold a tune at all. (I’m tone deaf.)
Good for you sticking it out and keeping some of your plants alive. When I manage not to kill something, I get such a feeling of accomplishment. Geraniums are my favorite indoor plant. Several have survived my clutches for over a year. LOL.
I love musicals, too! And there’s a reason God instructed his children to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” 🙂
Hi, Karen!
I was holding a boa once when I opened the door still holding it. The person thought it was a stuffed animal, and almost fainted when it moved! (I was a young teen babysitting at the time.)
My favorite animal, though I don’t know why-maybe their sad history-is a buffalo. My daughter took me a few years ago to a wildlife sanctuary where I got to feed and pet one!! I cried sloppy tears of joy. I was shocked to learn they have very narrow and very, very rough tongues! It almost liked the skin off the palm of my hand!
Oh, an interesting tidbit about armadillos did you know they carry and transmit leprosy? Heard that from my pastor.
I love historical fiction, hence I love your books. I too despised history in school, and probably because the teacher was a coach.
I like coffee and tea, coffee hot, tea cold. I don’t like sugar in my tea, though it took me a few years to develop a taste for it. That’s how hubs prefers it, and it’s
easier to make one container than it is to make two.
I enjoy cross stitch but haven’t really done any in a while.
Lots of things in common with you!
Thanks for sharing with us.
God’s Blessings!