Rhonda at Pollyanna’s Path nominated me for a Liebster Award (liebster means “favorite” or “adored” in German). I’m flattergasted (Rhonda’s site is pretty adorable too, btw).
Rules: I’m required to Thank the nominator (gladly), answer the Questions (below), and Nominate others (belower).
The Questions
1. If you could be any animal on earth, what would it be and why?
Duh, an otter. Why? Well, they play constantly, they’re hyper-active, and they love to, ahem, make love. Also, otters are my wife’s favorite creatures. So, yeah.
2. If you had to write the soundtrack of your life, what would be the first three songs?
My own. I started writing songs when I was 13, so they’ve formed a soundtrack for my life. The first, “Sweet Marie,” had a melody stolen from an old minuet. The lyrics: “We never speak of Sweet Marie, we shan’t ever use that name. We never speak of Sweet Marie, she’s not as sweet as she used to be.” I was trying to prove I was clever. Still am.
Senior year in high school, my band had a “hit” entitled “Thursday Song.” The chorus captures my idealism: “Run and seize the day, chase the night away, everything’s all right, I feel happy…in the morning light.” Translation: I had recurring nightmares, but always woke up hopeful.
The song featured near the end of my new film Over-the-Rhine, “Impossible Love,” captures the longing that changed my life: “I need You to light up these dark, lonely halls, need to know You know my innermost walls, need You to live where I’ve wandered alone, need You to make my heart into Your home.” Still do.
3. If your death was imminent, what would you choose as your last meal?
“Dry crumbs in peace are better than a full meal with strife” (Proverbs 17:1). All I’d want is a heart free from strife and to be with the ones I love. That’s feast enough.
4. What movie that has not yet been made would you pay good money to see?
I’m a filmmaker, so my movies! One I’m dying to shoot is a comedy fantasy, Barthland, about a man whose body is “invaded” by a race of microscopic, and oddly sweet, aliens.
5. What was your favorite age to be and why?
The age I am now. Creaky body parts notwithstanding, I’m more who I should be than ever before. Of course, tomorrow will be even better.
6. What is the one book that has most inspired your writing and/or life?
The Bible. Nothing else comes close. But here are some runners up: Everything by C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, Underhill’s Mysticism, Merton’s Seven Story Mountain, Cry the Beloved Country, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Ellison’s Invisible Man, Flowers for Algernon, The Once and Future King, I Am Legend, The Time Machine, Lord of the Rings, Dune, Slaughterhouse Five, Watership Down. These have shaped my imagination and my humanity.
7. If you could live anywhere you please, without that pesky restraint called money, where would it be and why?
I’d have a writer’s cottage in Cornwall, walk-up flats in London and NYC, a cliffside bungalow in Big Sur, a lodge in the Canadian Rockies, and more, more… Don’t need a big house. Just lots of little ones in wonderful places!
My Nominees
Mitch Teemley 
I was delighted to see Flowers for Algernon in your list. It’s always been a favorite! In fact most of your list matches mine.
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Yes, it really captured my imagination as a teenager. I re-read it a few years ago and loved it all over again.
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Loving your answers Mitch! And thank you for the nomination!!!
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You are truly adorable 🙂
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Aww, thank you, Martina.
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Thanks for the nomination of my blog. I appreciate the kind thought!
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Happy to, Andrew!
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Congratulations on the award, Mitch!!
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Thank you, Erika!
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You are very welcome 😁
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Reblogged this on But I Smile Anyway… and commented:
Thank you so much to Mitch for thinking of me for the Adorable Leibster Award! I have accepted it before, so as a thanks for the mention, I’d like to reblog it, and direct my dear Peeps towards Mitch’s blog. If you haven’t been over there, please take a trip today!
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How gracious of you, Ritu!
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Not gracious… thankful and appreciative Mitch 😗
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Hi Mitch, thanks for the award. While I appreciate the sentiment, I have a no-award acceptance policy on my blog. Thanks for your understanding, and the support.
Damyanti
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No problem, Damyanti. Blessings.
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Thanks for your understanding, Mitch. hope to stay in touch with our blogs!
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Thank you, Mitch. I am honored, indeed. You are a terrific blogger! Your message is the heart of all that is important. I am reblogging this.
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Aww, bless you, Jennie.
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Well, you are the best. “The Power of Story”. That sums up you and your blog. I just have to figure out how to nominate others. The technology piece is not my strength…
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;>)
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Reblogged this on A Teacher's Reflections.
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Congrats! Love your answers. Love the list of book, ditto!
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Congrats Mitch. Just discovered your blog from Ritu. Glad to connect. Lorelle 🙂
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Thanks for the nomination Mitch! Wow, what an honor! I’ve really enjoyed your blog. You are a funny and insightful writer. Always good food for thought. Looking for more great stuff in the future. God bless you!
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Thank you, Richard. Blessings till it hurts!
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