A Closer Look With…

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
I like to be outdoors; preferably out in nature. Walking the dogs, hiking, etc.

What was the last thing you read?
¾ of Moby Dick by Herman Melville. It’s my Everest. I’m on a quest to read the classics, but this one is tough. I’ve started it, and put it down many times.

What song always gets you out on the dance floor?
I don’t dance. Trust me. You wouldn’t want to see that. When I was in junior high, my friend Scott Taylor tried to teach me how to move my feet so that I could show my face at our 8th grade graduation dance. Those moves helped me suffer through prom, wedding receptions, etc.

Do you have a favorite holiday? Why or why not?
Though I consider myself a glass ‘half full’ person, when it comes to holidays, I only have a least favorite holiday. My least favorite holiday is Halloween. Is it even a holiday?

What was your favorite age growing up?
17. Old enough to hold down a part time gig, have a few bucks in my pocket, and a car; which represented freedom.

What was the last TV show you binge-watched?
I’m currently working my way through Halt and Catch Fire on Netflix. Full disclosure; it’s not for everyone.

Are you into podcasts?
Yes! I enjoy true crime podcasts. Crime Junkie is my all-time favorite.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bacon. Hmmm. Bacon. Sometimes I dream about bacon.

How old were you when you had your first celebrity crush, and who was it?
The year was 1976. I was 8. My first celebrity crush was Jaclyn Smith who played Kelly Garrett on the TV show Charlie’s Angels.

What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
A smile from Coleen or one of my daughters.

Ideally, how would you spend your birthday?
Camping with my friends and/or family. There’s nothing like sitting around the campfire with people you care about most, away from phones and other technology.

What’s the phone app you use most?
Instagram. I don’t post much, but I enjoy using it to keep up with my friends and family.

Have your ever disliked something and then changed your mind?
Sure. Most recently, I started listening to The Grateful Dead. I disliked their music my entire life. I’m finding that they are growing on me like moss.

Is there any product that you couldn’t live without?
My Bluetooth speaker. OK, I probably could live without it but I wouldn’t want to.

When you started your current job, what most surprised you?
Prior to working for Capitol Services, I have NEVER encountered a group of people all across the country that treat each other so kindly.

What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family?
When we’re not doing an outdoor activity, we like to have a game night at least once a week. Scrabble and Yahtzee are two family favorites.

What makes you feel at peace?
Being outdoors in nature, far away from other people and technology. Are you sensing a theme?

What are you most proud of in the last year?
I’m most proud of the tenacity that my daughters have shown to persevere during the pandemic.

Do you live by any piece of advice or motto?
It’s a simple concept, but when I was young, my father told me that life is about plodding. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and before you know, it you’ll reach the destination you seek.

If you see a puddle on the ground, do you walk around it or over it?
Over it. If you’ve got the right shoes or boots, go through it. That’s more fun.

Which fictional character do you relate to most?
Yukon Cornelius from the classic TV Special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He’s a fearless arctic explorer, which I aspire to be!

What’s your go-to midnight snack?
Once in a blue moon, I like to mix Smokehouse Almonds with Siete Cassava Nacho chips, and then finish it off with a small piece of dark chocolate. It’s the perfect mix of salty, spicy, and sweet.