As you may have heard, we are doing a series here on Inspired by Life…and Fiction, called “10 Things You Might Not Know About Me.” Today is my turn. Here are 10 things you may not (yet) know about me:
- I live in St. Paul now, but I am originally from Chicago. Most of my relatives moved away decades ago, but at every family wedding, the Blues Brother’s song “Sweet Home, Chicago” still fills the dance floor.
2. I am 50% German and 50% Lithuanian.
3. As a girl, I wanted to be a mermaid, then a marine biologist, then a writer. Third dream is the charm.
4. I’m 5′ 10″ (or I was :)) and the shortest one in my family. I have a hard time finding shoes to fit my size 10.5 D/E feet.
with my “little” boys
5. I became a Christian my last year of college.
6. I love to dance. I used to teach ballroom dancing through community ed and
with my brothers (in the 80s)
recently took adult beginning tap dance with friends from church.
7. I have two brothers, which makes me the adaptable chameleon middle child.
8. I don’t feel at home in the mountains, in the desert, or near the ocean. My “natural habitat” is the woods. I love walking in the woods and on pine needles in particular.
9. Twenty-six years ago, I was invited by friends to a game night at a little yellow house, hosted by some guy I didn’t know. I married him a year later. We still live in that
with Beverly Lewis
yellow house (although he added on, so it’s not quite so little anymore).
10. I was employed as a fiction editor for about a dozen years. I had the awesome privilege of working with great authors like Beverly Lewis, Deanne Gist, Lisa Wingate, and others. I learned so much from them!
Now, what are some things we might not know about YOU?
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No one probably knows that 47 years ago I moved here from Canada. I don’t try to keep it a secret but I’ve been here so long that people just think I’ve always been here. I’m a naturalized Citizen of the United States. I first made my home in Kentucky and now have lived in Ohio for almost 34 years.
Hi Shirley. Where in Canada? My father-in-law was from Canada, too. Thanks for sharing.
I came from Ontario. I was East of Toronto.
I met my husband in the Air Force where I was the officer and he enlisted as I was an RN. He’s from Maine and I’m from Alabama. We’ve been married 37 years and I convinced him to move to Alabama 😀
Congrats on 37 years–and getting him to move!
So fun to learn these tidbits about you, Julie. I love the woods, too. They don’t exist in my part of Texas, but I still remember walking among the giant redwoods in northern California. So peaceful. I dream about retiring in a log cabin somewhere with wooded paths and a small waterfall close by. That would be heaven to me.
Thanks for the idea for this series, Karen! And yes, a waterfall would be a lovely addition to those wooded walks…
I got to meet Beverly Lewis a few weeks ago at a Lifeway store. I was embarrassed that only a handful of people showed up but it gave us the chance to visit with her and ask questions. Such a nice gracious lady. I even got to have my picture made with her!
My husband is 6-5 and I’m 5-4. Both our kids are tall so I’m the “runt” of the family.
Beverly is a class act. And as an author, you just never know what the turn-out will be. I’m sure she was glad you were there and happy to meet you!
So nice to learn a little more about you, your heart, and your little yellow house. 🙂
Something about me? I’ve been the middle, youngest, and oldest child. Yes, it’s true!
I was the youngest child, with two older brothers and an older sister. When I was ten years old, my little sister was born, and I became the middle child. By the time lil’ sis turned 5, my mother had died and my other siblings had moved out, so I became the ‘oldest’ child, helping to raise my sis for the next five years.
That’s a fascinating life story, Cheryl. Wonder how that affected your personality… Maybe you should write a novel??? 🙂
I wear the ‘middle child’ personality, being a peacemaker and mediator. 😉
I’m currently writing a novel, but strangely enough my main character is an only child. Ha! 🙂
I’m loving these posts!
No German blood in my family as far as I know. We are Scots, Irish, and English. However, my father somehow felt drawn to the German language and studied it in college, so did my sister, who majored in French (my language) and minored in German. Dad always sang Silent Night in German – Stille Nacht. My husband’s family is German on his father’s side, hence my last name now – Strohecker, translated flinger of hay or meaning farmer.
I think I would like to visit Lithuania. I remember reading stories about it in elementary school.
I am the shorted in my family at 5-4. My husband is 6-0, my son is 6-1, and my daughter is 5-11.
That’s very interesting, Betty. Do you have much opportunity to use your French? Sounds like you have a tall family as well!I would like to visit Lithuania someday, too. My grandfather was born there, but I’ve never been.
When I was 8 yrs old I wanted a pet bird so I decided to make “bird traps”. Imagine if you will, a bird sized hole in the ground with a piece of plywood propped up by a small stick attached to a string wrapped around a kernel of corn placed at the bottom of the hole. I made many, many traps in hopes of catching my new pet.
The only thing I ever caught was one very angry squirrel and grief from my Dad for planting corn in our lawn.
Oh, man, Mary. That is such a great story. What a spunky kid you were! I can just see it! Thanks for sharing.
I’m originally a Chicago girl, too. California has always been in my heart, perhaps because I love the ocean (Lake Michigan has it’s affect) and mountains (5 years in Colorado for college but no big body of water nearby). I’m the youngest/second child – not a good combination according to my sister. Loved being married to my great guy for 39+ years, but widowhood has claimed me for the last 12 years. I’ve always loved to write and I’m a contributing editor for my church’s women’s ministry website. Over three decades ago the LORD burnished a story in my heart. From time to time I discussed the unfolding of the story arc with my husband and he said, “I hope you write it.” Now I’m putting it on paper and learning a lot on this journey with the LORD. So, focus back on you. Where are you from in Chicago? (I’m a south side girl) When your first book was published I knew your name from the credits given by your authors so I was excited to read your story. I’ve never been disappointed. Your stories get better and better. I’ve read each one several times and now you mentor my writing through them. Thank you.
Hi Marilyn. My grandparents were from the South Side, too (Near Archer and Kedzie). Later we lived in Oak Park for a few years. Thanks for your kind words about my books. And all the best to you in your writing!
Loved this, Julie! Pretty amazing to be 5’10” and a “shorty!” My daughters are 5’9″ and 5’10” and I just found out yesterday that I’ve shrunk from 5’8″ to 5’7-1/2″. 🙁 Love that you still live in that yellow house!
Thanks, Deb. Yeah, I’m guessing I’ve shrunk, too. 🙁 No likee getting older!
I am a middle child #3 in a family with 4 kids.I have lived in Iowa or Nebraska all my life.I love walking ,flea markets and most of all reading.I am a paraeducator and enjoy working with the little ones.I can relate to having shrunk in height.I used to be 5’5 now I am 5’3.I also love dogs and have a Yorkie-Poo named Peanut who weighs 4lbs 6ozs she is 6 yrs old and loves to cuddle with Mom and Dad.I have just recently finished The InnKeeper of Ivy Hall.I really enjoyed the book and all the characters in it.Can’t wait to read the sequels and see what happens to Jane and the other characters.
Thanks so much, Diana.Glad you enjoyed the new book. Your Yorkie-Poo sounds adorable!
I was born in Yorktown, Indiana which is real close to Muncie, Indiana. I went to business college in Indianapolis, Indiana.I followed my husband around the world while he was in the Army and lived in Bangkok, Thailand, near Ft. Knox, Ky, and Ft. Carson, Colorado. We have 2 sons who are fairly tall like my husband who was 6’2″ when we married 43 years ago. I’m 5’1″. I have been singing over 49 years in Choirs and church leading type things with a few weddings thrown in. I’m advid reader and my boys think I can crochet anything. I now have 3 grandchildren. We now live in southern Indiana.
Wow, Nancy. You have lived in many places!Keep on singing!
I am from Ohio, my hubby is from Kentucky, and we met and married at a Bible College in NE Georgia. I love the woods and mountains! I would rather have a picnic in the woods by a stream, than eat at a 5 star restaurant. We have been married 34 years, been in the Ministry 28, and raised 2 wonderful adult kids. I am disabled now and in a wheelchair, or bed; but I have loved my years being the pastors wife of little rural churches in Indiana.
I love what you wrote, Sandra: “I would rather have a picnic in the woods by a stream, than eat at a 5 star restaurant.” Lovely! God bless you for your many years of service.
I’m 27 on my way to 110. 27 is the age I am on the inside. Not my original age. I love to crochet, like Nancy Luebke. I also love to do almost anything dealing with creating … sewing, mosaics, leather tooling, jewelry making,etc. I once worked on a Presidential campaign. Love traveling. Most of all I love to read!
Hi, Julie!
I have some German in me, along with Native American, English and who knows what else!
As a child, my family moved a LOT. Dad followed jobs. For a while, we worked as sharecroppers. All 4 of us kids worked, including my baby brother who was only about 4 at the time. It was hard work.
I have lived in over 60 different places, but strangely enough, my military husband broke all kinds of records for “homesteading” on Ft Bragg. He was in the JAG Corps of the 82nd, and they needed jumpers!
Until recently, the longest I’d lived anywhere was in Texas and North Carolina, so I nicknamed myself as a Texalina girl. Alabama (who would have EVER guessed we’d be here 13 years?!) recently became the place I’ve lived the longest.
I enjoyed your 10 things. I also, really enjoy your books.
God’s Blessings!
It’s fun to learn more about you, Julie. I thought I was mostly Polish and German. I did a DNA test with Ancestry and found out I am 20% Eastern European Jewish! You never know!
I have loved every one of your books!