Julie M. Anderson's Blog

If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?

When I first signed up to take classes at Shenandoah University, I met with my advisor. His primary focus was (is?) American Literature. Specifically Willa Cahter.

He asked which famous American lady I would like to meet.

I, being a terrible history student at the time, was stumped. I still don’t have a great answer, not because I’m still a poor student, but because my history focus is aimed more at the pre-1700s.

Yes, I am a good European history student.

I would have liked to met Anne Boleyn. She had her standards and wasn’t going to be content as Henry’s side-chick.

There is so much that public school didn’t teach. And, clearly they are teaching less now.

What book are you reading right now?

That’s right, I’m a poly-reader

As a literature student, I had to be. No way to finish a degree in books and only read one book at a time. I never let the habit go.

I used to carry my current beau in my purse. But let’s face it, Robert Jordan novels are not small. And they would get more wear and tear than I liked.

So,

There is Lord of Chaos at my desk. As well as Space Systems. Next to the bed is Old Norse Mythology. I haven’t finished: I can’t do it, the list is lengthy.

The funny thing with the unfinished pile is that, most of them I can pick up and just keep going.

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

I cannot deny, I’m a Halloween gal. The month is cooler. The leaves are changing. The bugs are sleeping. We can sleep with the window open.

And…

Halloween

I do love spooky season.

I decorate the house. The extra lights come out. It’s my happy place

What was your favorite subject in school?

Until I took the class.

I was a huge fan of Merlin, and Arthur, and Camelot. And then I took the class devoted specifically to it in college.

I was a new student to Shenandoah University and had not yet taken any classed with Mrs Dr Jacobs.

I thought the class would be awesome! And it really did (and still does) have the potential to be truly epic.

Needless to say, this semester was not.

It had something that only she could provide: lack of passion.

If you loved something, this was not the place to go.

Mystery? Squashed. Mysticism? Kerboshed. Sam Neil? Not even invited.

I would do it differently.

What have you been working on?

I have been an avid Renaissance Faire attendee since my first visit in 1996. Aside from COVID years, I’ve gone to the Maryland Faire at least once a season. Naturally, my children have (for the most part) gotten on the bandwagon.

In 2024, my eldest’s girlfriend brought him to this thing called The Pennsic War. He came home raving about it. It was like Ren Fest, but better!

I was skeptical, and a little anxious, but I went for a partial week this past year. Yeah, it’s better.

I found my local barony. I have met some people. I’ve gone to an arts and sciences tag up and attended a birthday event with youngest son and my partner.

Longest segue ever… While at Pennsic, one of the fellows from the Barony of Stonemarch (gf’s aunt’s folks) commented that we must be renaissance faire goers. I asked how he knew.

It was the clothes.

In all my years of Revel Grove, I’ve never had anyone say that. It was always, where what you like and sometimes folks will ask for a picture with you.

So I’ve been researching and sewing. I’ve found something actually “period appropriate” to put together for the event coming up next Saturday.

Yes ,I’ll still be wearing my cloak and hood from my favorite leather shop, but I’ll be wearing my kirtle also. We’ll see how it goes.

What major historical events do you remember?

I was going to the gym with my sister and as we were walking past the huge tv, the second tower was being stuck. It was so surreal, I thought it was a movie. Nothing real happens like that, right?

We didn’t work out.

I remember standing on the desk at my taekwondo school, trying desperately to call my dad in Michigan later that night, just to talk to him. All of the phone lines were busy. Me and so many other people were just trying to connect.

The date still makes me anxious. I needed to drop my boyfriend off at the airport next to the Pentagon for a flight out. It was four years ago now. It was September eleventh. I didn’t want to go anywhere near Arlington. Still on that day.

I haven’t been back to New York to see the scar of where the Twin Towers stood.

I don’t just remember 9-11, I was alive when the tragedy struck.

If you’re interested, this is worth the read

List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.

That’s where your paycheck doesn’t matter, right? Because everyone in the Federation has access to everything they need. Food, shelter, health care. You’d think that by now we’d have that figured out. Clearly, not.

Back to the prompt.

Kindergarten teacher. Coloring, counting songs, nap time (do they still do that?). How is that a bad day, ever. Ok, the “I miss mommy/daddy” can be rough. I remember first days for all of my kiddos. Yes, it was rough, but we all got over it. Eventually.

Baby goat feeder. Have you played with baby goats? Cuteness overload. We used to take trips to the petting zoo and buy bottles to feed the babies. Like most species, babies are super adorbs. Once they grow up? Not so much. ie. Canadian Geese. Fu@kers

And number three: travel guide.

That’s not a bad idea. Hold please.

Googling how much they make.

Ok. Resume party. That can stay on the list. Mama’s got a mortgage.

Talking with new people about some of your favorite spots. Sounds like a good time! We had this super nice lady as our guide when we traveled to St Petersburg. Saw some gorgeous estates. Opulence to the 10s! It’s no wonder most of their people were poor. But the guide was kick-ass.

That took a dark turn, I apologize. But here is a puppy

How do you relax?

Before I started my career in IT, I was heavily involved in my taekwondo school and my yoga studio. Six days a week.

One thing that was reinforced at both locations was breath.

You focus on breath in yoga flows.

You yell or kihap when you kick and punch. One of the reasons is to quickly expel your breath. If you’ve ever had the wind knocked out of you unintentionally, you’ll know it’s not fun.

To this day, if I need a quick “calm me down”, I go back to focusing on breathing. Listen to it, feel it, focus on it. It’s a super quick meditation.

What do we do when we sit down first thing on the weekends? We sigh a breath of relief.

We can’t live without it.

Happy Friday, folks!

Be well. Be awesome!

What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?

Some folks don’t actually want to have conversations with people. They just want to talk. Not sure it’s thats a red flag or pet peeve.

What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life?

Almost a month ago, a new family member was added to our collective. We are now plus one puppy.

It’s been a few years since OV left us, and I was feeling that it was time.

I had forgotten what weeks of half-sleep was. My kids are all past that stage. Ryker still can’t make the whole night without some potty time.

Puppies, like children, thrive on routine.

We are out for our morning walk, even though there is no school, no bus stop, and no kids to fawn over him.

He loves his walks!