Inspirational Interview- Deborah McCarthy

I remember the very first post that I read of Deborah's. It was this one.

Awakening.

After reading through her entire archive, I was not only throughly impressed with her writing ability, but her ability to make her readers feel as if they are a part of her memory; part of the story.

In addition to her amazing depictions of life, Deborah and Thomas are the proud owners of 

The Fairfield House, an absolutely stunning home that was built in the 1880's.Throughout the last year I have had the pleasure to get to know Deborah through weekly correspondence and feel quite happy to call her a friend. I strongly suggest that you pay her a visit over at The Fairfield House, and become her friend as well.

(P.S. I  love the picture below that she included of herself...)

1. How did you choose the name of your business and or blog?  

The blog is named after our home. The house was built in the 1880s and named prior to us purchasing it. I am still researching its history, including who named it and when. I have a writing business. It's named Inkling because the business is about putting my ideas, thoughts and notions down in ink.

2. What is your morning ritual? 

Usually, I wake early and drink a cup of freshly ground, French pressed coffee (cream, no sugar) before taking the 'boys' out for a mile walk around the property behind the house. (The boys are Buster, my 13 year old Cairn Terrorist and Scout, a two year old Rat Terrier.) 

3. What inspires you?

Inspiration can be found in anything that stirs the senses and touches the soul: child's contagious laughter, tears, an old person's eyes, gardens, the ocean, the forest, a city street, antiques, a baby, kindred spirits, music, love, pain, animals, white sheets on a clothes line ... the list is endless.

4. What is a little know fact about yourself?

 I am studying Law. 

5. What is the furthest destination that you have traveled to from the United States? 

British Columbia -- God's Country! Although, I have gone around the world via reading and writing. Imagination is a wonderful and the cheapest travel I know!

6. What was your intention in starting your blog?

 Obviously, to share the many wonders of me. (Yes, I am joking!) Blogging gives me a forum to write what I want to write about. It's an online journal of my journey with this house and all that goes on in and around it.

7. What is your favorite color? 

That would depend on what I am using it for -- clothes, walls, furniture, vehicle, flowers. If it's an artist's pallet of colors, I am always drawn to the palest of pale pinks and sea glass hues.

8. Greatest influence? 

This is a hard question because EVERYTHING influences us in one way or another. I would say, my (only) brother's death. I was three years old. He had just turned eleven. It was an early November morning. I was awake but still in bed. My sister was still asleep in her crib. I clearly remember him standing in my bedroom doorway smiling at me and waving goodbye before he headed off to school. I didn't want him to go. I somehow knew this moment mattered. I sensed it was the last time I would ever see him. It was. 

I learned at a very young age that change is the only constant and to trust what I 'know'.  

9. Earliest childhood memory?

 I was two years old. My father had two 13 inch beagles (for hunting), Lady and Duchess. They each had a litter of puppies days apart! I remember sitting among all 13 puppies and playing house. I named each one after a Nursery Rhyme -- Jack, Jill, Miss Muffet, etc.  I was the mother and Lady and Duchess were the babysitters. I would walk away for a few moments and come back and ask if my babies behaved. Whatever puppy the mother dog glanced at, I would scold: "You bad baby. I told you to be good."

10. Do you believe in love at first sight? 

Yes, and love at last sight and everything in between! I also believe in one and onlys, special someones and soul mates.

11. Everyday must have? 

Beyond hugs and kisses, to know that I did something that mattered.

12. Lucky number? 

Five. 

13. Hopes for your future in both business and your personal life? 

I hope to have a book published. I also hope to be done with 'round one' of the renovation process. (Don't tell Thomas, we will never be finished!) Depending what mood I am in I either want to inspire, motivate and give people reason to pause and reflect or make them laugh.

14. Run, walk or skip? 

Walk; you miss too much of life running and skipping.

15. If you could live your life again, knowing what you know at this very moment, what would you do differently? 

Focus on the gifts I've been blessed with and not be distracted by the things that don't matter at the 'end of the day.'  Remember what we all intuitively know as young children - we are all connected and how to give and receive love. Last but not least, never ever look at a carnival mirror during an urgent search for a rest room.