These are the basics. I had a very happy childhood with two
brothers in suburban Los Angeles but now live on the central coast on a nice
little cul de sac surrounded by strawberry fields.
Married 40 years to my personal hero-fireman...my son and daughter
are the best thing I have ever done. Ever. And now I’m gramma to two darling little boys, my new favorite thing. I taught English
forever at the local Catholic school and now enjoy traveling with Hubs and
volunteering at the local horse rescue.
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| This isn't me at the horse rescue but at one of my favorite wineries! |
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| Hubs and me at Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, last fall. |
Now are some non basics I had fun thinking up. It was hard because
I truly am the most boring person on the planet.
1. My husband and I went to high school together but were not
sweethearts. In fact, he was Football Team Captain/Boyfriend of the Homecoming
Queen/Head Cheerleader. I was a dork.
2. When we re-met at a Christmas party right after college. I
picked "Deliverance" for our first date. He married me anyway. Sheesh.
3. I rarely wear lipstick but am pretty much addicted to lip balm.
4. I have a pathological terror of stepping on a down escalator
without somebody in front of me.
5. I love and subscribe to Vogue and possibly would have gone Into
fashion had I thought about it soon enough.
6. Hubs and I went to Disneyland for our honeymoon and now get
season passes for the fam.
7. Hubs is a survivor of testicular cancer. Ladies, make sure your
menfolk check themselves regularly! http://tinyurl.com/n4ualv3
8. My son is 6'6" and his two year old nephew wants him to
dress up as a giraffe for Halloween.
9. I'm still bestest friends with Tina...since we were five years
old!
10. I majored in Art in college. My favorite medium is oil
painting. My favorite genre is Abstract Expressionism.
Hence favorites Vasily Kandinsky https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=wassily+kandinsky+paintings
and Arshile Gorky. http://www.moca.org/museum/exhibitiondetail.php?&id=425
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| This is one of my paintings. Well, the only one on display at home. If you check out Kandinsky and Gorky, you might see their influence. |
11. I have a fantasy football team named Wild Thang.
12. I am obsessed with the movie Frozen. My grandsons and I all cuddle up with their
Olaf dolls and watch and do the singalong.
13. I love Fall best of all, but hope to get my little guys to
real snow this Christmas, what else? To build a snowman. With our niece living near Lake
Tahoe...it’s gonna happen.
14. Louisa May Alcott's
Jack and Jill is my go-to book when I need a hit of emotion. The chapter, A Sweet Memory--when the kids’ friend Ed
dies suddenly, takes my breath away with its simplicity and spare beauty.
15. Visiting her home, Orchard
House, in Concord MA was awesome!
That’s pretty much it...other than the third book in my Lawmen and Outlaws Trilogy just got released! Outlaw in Love! Although the first two books are sensual, this is a sweet romance because...outlaw Ahab Perkins fancies himself in love with a...wait for it. Nun. A nun with a a price on her head. What? Throw in an abandoned little girl and a kindly sheriff and, well, you’ll be head over heels just like not-Sister Teresa.
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In case you wanna find out, I’m giving away either a pdf or Kindle
copy today so PLEASE leave a comment.
Thanks for setting a spell with me today!
Ahab came to sit beside her, and Teresa suddenly realized
how she’d missed him at her side. Just these last few minutes. Her, a nun who
should have no such thoughts. Even it was all pretense. Besides, he was an
outlaw with a price on his head. Same as her. Whoever found him would find her,
too.
The thought brought on a sudden tear.
And a sudden fear. How much was her head worth these days?
His chest still plunged into itself once in a while like he
hadn’t yet recovered all the air he needed. Some of the breathlessness, she
reckoned, might be the remains of getting shot at this morning but likely he’d
lived through such antics before. Her own heart still danced macabre when she
thought about their circumstance just an hour ago.
“I’m thinking...” He started slow and didn’t look at her,
kept his eyes on the shrinking flickers of the fire. “Found a saddle in the
barn. Spade, too. Think I might take one of those horses--“ He pointed to the
corral. “--and head over to....” He paused for a long while. “Head over to
Nitro and bury him proper. Get the rest of my own gear. Reckon I could leave a
pearl or two at this place for purchase. Maybe some food, too. Saw a smoke
house.”
“You’d leave me here alone?” Teresa all but shrieked. Dread
drenched her. She might have lived in Arizona these past years, but she was
foremost a city girl. Her heart sank when the truth hit her. “Oh, I get it.
You’re leaving me behind. Like your gang leaves folks behind when they’re too
much trouble.”
His face turned that handsome purple she’d seen before. “Not
doing any such thing. Reckoned you could wait for me here and rest up some.
It’s been a hard trudge. Reckon you’re ankle’s a tad sore.” His voice turned so
low she could barely hear him. “I know how to treat a lady.
Oh Tanya, I can relate to you on so many things. I don't like escalators--up or down, especially if they are glass. Do you ever wonder why architects build things that scare most of us?
ReplyDeleteI adore the Orchard House. It looks likes a house that would be so cozy and warm. Lucky you, that you got to visit. As much as I have traveled to Mass., I have not yet visited Louisa May Alcott's house. My favorite of her books is Rose In Bloom. Cousin Charlie dies suddenly in a carriage accident. Goodness, seems like she kills off a beloved character in every book, doesn't it?
Congratulations on your new release, Tanya. I know you must be excited about it.
I've enjoyed reading this blog and learning more about you. I loved all your pictures. Your life is far from boring; it sounds steady and solid without the crazy drama. I wish you the very best and continued success in all you do.
Thanks so much for the kind, welcoming words, Sarah. Oh, there is some drama but just not blog worthy LOL. Pretty much happy and healthy, so all is good. I just loved Concord Massachusetts...I taught American Lit so it was a dream come true being there...Walden Pond, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery with Alcott and Thoreau's graves....oh, I loved every square for. And autumn leaves, too. Sigh. Thanks also for the good wishes on my release, my friend! Xo
ReplyDeletePs. Oh I loved Rose in Bloom, too, and Eight Cousins before,it.,even as a little,girl, I thought it weird,cousins marrying,,,but I was rootng for Bonny Charlie.
ReplyDeleteTrying again! I love the highlights of your life, so glad I have been a part of your journey! Love and miss you xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat's us with the horsie!
DeleteOh Bert, my best friend and sister! Cannot wait to get back to Oahu!!!! Thanks for the post!!!!
ReplyDeleteTanya--I think you live a fairytale life. At least you make it sound like one. Are you ever unhappy or angry? I bet not very much--a perpetually happy person.
ReplyDeleteIf I had those two little granddaughters, I'd be thrilled, too. (Oh, I love our grandsons--it's just that...they're not girls!)
Best of luck on your release--well, all of them.
Ah Tanya, what a sweet post. Loved the grandkids one... I'm addicted to them, too. Got two - a boy (almost 23 months old) and his brand new little sister (a little over 2 weeks old). Can't go a whole week without seeing them at least once. That's an addiction, right?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new release. I've read a few of your stories in those Anthologies Kathleen sent to me a while ago. I absolutely loved Open Hearts. Hope to read your longer stories soon.
Tanya, you are NOT boring! Your life sounds wonderful, the kind we'd all like to enjoy. I love your wedding photo. What a beautiful couple!
ReplyDeleteHi Liette, well, I gotta say thanks kindly. Kathleen is such a wonderful and supportive friend and fellow author. And what a beautiful first name you have...I sense a future heroine there. And congrats in the grandkids. I too can't spend too much time apart from them. Xo
ReplyDeleteHi Celia, thanks for the post, my friend. Aw, pthere's some warts but every family has 'em, right? Ain't always like The Waltons at the picnic table, if anybody remembers that old show,but The Lord has been generous, for sure. Xo
ReplyDeleteHi. Lyn, thanks for the post and kind words. I remember well that August day forty years ago....it was soooo not, and in those days, you stood in an endless reception line greeting people. Sheesh. And NOBODY dared wear a sleeveless or strapless dress. He's a great husband and we have many blessings,for sure.,
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, Tanya, and I cracked up at the Deliverence first date. Your grandsons are precious. You are a wonderful author. And God bless you for working for horse rescues. ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley, thanks for the kind words. And yes, I sat there during that movie, shuddering with mortification. Yowzers.,but it worked out anyway LOL. Xo
ReplyDeleteLiette and Sarah J....gonna give away TWO copies...either PDF or Kundle. Email me at tanya DOT hanson AT gmail DOT com. Hugs to all who commented!
ReplyDeleteI meant Kindle, duh.
ReplyDeleteI won! Wonderful. What a great surprise. Oh. BTW, I'm reading your story in the upcoming Halloween anthology and I love it so far. Time travel is one of my favorite genres.
ReplyDeleteI sure am happy to have won your book.