Getting To Know Janice

One of the many things I enjoy about blogging is being able to visit interesting people from all over the world.  I think of it as armchair travel at it's finest.

Recently Yiota from Greece offered an opportunity for  her readers to get to know one another a bit better by way of interviewing one another.  I took her up on this offer and she soon sent me the name of my interview partner, Janice from England.  It was fun getting to know a bit more about Janice and I'm sure you will agree that she is a very interesting lady.

So, cozy up in your favorite armchair and let's get to know  Janice from jabblog.

1. What made you decide to start your blog?



The son of one of my husband’s friends was very seriously injured in Afghanistan at the beginning of 2009. I wrote a blog post to try and draw attention to ‘Help for Heroes’, a charity set up to help wounded military personnel returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The young man in question has made a good recovery and is getting married this year but still requires further operations.



2. When you have an hour all to yourself, what's your favorite way to fill it?


Since I stopped working full-time (I still find it hard to say ‘I retired’) I’m fortunate enough to be able to please myself pretty much what I do and when. My all-consuming pastime since February 2009 has been blogging.


3. Do you have a favorite season?


Each season in turn becomes my favourite but if I had to choose one to be the only season I could ever have I think it would have to be Spring. There’s such a freshness to it. The whole natural world seems to be waking up and taking notice and the colours are so bright and clean.


4. Do you like to travel and, if so, what has been your best trip so far?


If I could travel without crowds and delays I’d be inclined to do much more. I really enjoyed visiting my son and his family when they were living in New York City.


5. Will you be watching the upcoming Royal Wedding?


Probably, with the justification that it’s history in the making!


6. What do you consider your 2 best personality traits to be?


I had to ask my husband about this. He said that I’m a great listener (I would have said good) and a tactful corrector (I think that means I’m bossy!!).

7. Do you have hobbies?


I enjoy bird-watching, photography (though I’m not very good) reading, playing the piano (which I do badly) gardening, walking, blogging, cross-stitch, people-watching. I used to breed and show Burmese cats and have tried and abandoned dog showing.


8. How do you like to begin your day?


As quietly as possible! I like to have a cup of fruit/herb tea and watch the birds on the feeders. I am definitely not a morning person inasmuch as I like to come to full consciousness slowly and not have to talk to anyone. This was sometimes difficult when my children were growing up, but two of them are similar to me in this respect. The other two are larks like their father.

 9. Is there one person who has greatly influenced your life?


There have been people I have loved and admired and whom I miss but not one great influence. I suppose the examples my parents set have guided the way I try to live. Barry has opened my eyes to many things I would not otherwise have seen and appreciated.


10. Who are your favorite authors?


Margaret Atwood, Ann Tyler, Oscar Wilde are among my favourites. There are also children’s authors that I enjoy – Michael Morpurgo, Anne Fine, Dick King-Smith (who died recently) Roald Dahl (who also wrote for adults.


11. Do you have a favorite meal?


Steak with tomatoes, courgettes (zucchini) and chips (fries)



12. Do you have any "pet peeves?"


Too many, I’m sorry to say! I don’t like listening to television and radio presenters who keep saying ‘actually’ or ‘err’, and clichés irritate me. Naturally, I’m never guilty of any of those! I deplore the use of ‘of’ as a verb and although I know that incorrect spellings don’t necessarily impede understanding they always jump out at me.

Thank you, Janice for allowing me to interview you & thank you, Yiota for making this opportunity possible.