friday 5: lifelong learning

---

1. Where and when did you learn to swim?

I took swimming lessons from a local lady when I was about four.

2. What was the first dish you learned to cook?

Probably mac and cheese. My mother was obsessed with it, so I learned it, then expanded on it. No basic mac and cheese for me.

3. From this list of American Scouting merit badges, which sound the most interesting and which the least interesting?

I have a list!!

• American Culture: I think we all should do this one.
• Astronomy: I’ve always been into the subject, so I think it would be fun to explore.
• Fingerprinting: I’m also into true crime, so this would be interesting.
• Game Design: I’m a low-key gamer, so this might be fun.
• Motorboating: I grew up on the river and in boats, so this is something I love.
• Music: Almost everyone in my family is musical. My grandmother was a music teacher, and everyone else played instruments or sang, or both. I play flute and piano, and I sing.
• Pottery: I did this for a short time, and I would love to get back into it.
• Reading: I mean, yes. My life revolves around reading and writing my own fiction. So definitely.
• Signs, Signals, and Codes. In a previous life, I was a cryptanalyst, and I love this subject so much.

4. What have you learned to do for someone else’s benefit?

Oh, my. All sorts of skills for employers, parenting things for my kids. Although maybe not directly for his benefit, I got into gaming because of my husband, and we often game together.

5. In your book titled The Areas of My Expertise, what are the first three chapters called?

• Chapter 1: The Aspiring Polyglot (linguist in a previous life)
• Chapter 2: From Brain to Page (writer and editor)
• Chapter 3: Songstress