Next up in my exciting “women of the family” interviews is Anne Poulter, my wife’s step-mother. Anne is the first first-timer of the interviewees in this series. Lauren and I see Anne and Steve Poulter on a pretty regular basis as they live just a few miles from us, but I had never thought to ask Anne a series of thought-provoking questions before. Let’s see what she has to say!
1. Hello Anne! Since most of my blog readership probably doesn’t know who you are, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally a Canadian but I grew up in cheesehead land. I am a big Viking fan but I still have little Packer in my soul. I love to dig in the dirt in my garden, watch football and hockey, read fiction, and take lots of pictures (mostly nature stuff). Professionally I am a law librarian and have been working at William Mitchell College of Law for 27 years (my anniversary in Nov. 21st) I manage all of our resources (print and electronic) and have been project manager for our new website this year.
2. What do you do for a job? Is it really fun?
So, I just partially answered this one. Yes, it is fun. When the fun stops I will retire. I learn new things all the time. I work with a wonderful group of people who are all smart, funny and like-minded politically. The website design was a brand new endeavor for me and I really got into it.
3. How have your first two years of being a grandmother gone?
It lives up to all the hype. I raised two sons and didn’t get to know Kate and Lauren until they were close to being adults. Having a little girl around is really special. And of course, she is super cute.
4. Your house is marked by a nearby landmark: the giant ski jump. Would you ever consider going down that?
No way! The sheer terror would make me freeze on the first step up the ladder. I did a lot of downhill skiing in Northern Michigan and Colorado and that was enough excitement for me. Fear is not my idea of a good time.
5. You visited the Glanzer farm in South Dakota for a couple days last year. Can you imagine you and Steve living out in the sticks?
Imagine, yes. Actually do it, I don’t think so. I love the country, love gardening (my granny always wanted me to marry a farmer), and enjoy the quiet of getting away from the city. But, I would find it very lonely, especially in the winter. I am also a big chicken when it comes to driving on icy or snow-drifted roads. I’d probably just hibernate for 6 months – ugh!
6. How are you and Steve enjoying having Matt around the house? Do you think he’s going to find a good job soon?
Yes, I like Matt’s company – he’s a super person. But it is our job to help him “leave the nest” so that is our goal and I’m sure it is his too. Given the lousy market, even for engineers, it is taking longer than it should. I think something will click soon but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is spring before we pack up boxes and wave goodbye.
7. What is your biggest day-to-day concern you currently have?
I worry about my Mom and how she is adjusting to living in a memory care home. She has lost her husband, her friends, her house and her mind all in just a few months. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be her. She is settling in to her new surroundings now and is physically stronger. I wish I could think of ways for her to feel like she has purpose. But that is hard given her mental state.
8. I know you and Steve to be avid golfers. What is your best golf game or moment ever?
Hole in one? No it will never happen. But I do make some really long putts sometimes – that is fun! And I have played in some beautiful places. Seeing a fawn or a fox cross the course is wonderful….. seeing an alligator, not so much…. But those are special moments too.
9. What are your top 3 movies of all-time?
Ooo…. That is tough. Don Juan de Marco, River Runs Through It, On Golden Pond. I don’t tend to watch movies more than once but I would watch all of those again.
10. Thanks for participating Anne, any closing remarks?
Thank you for including me in your family women series of interviews. I think you would get a whole different set of answers from me if you asked next week…. But here I am in this moment in time.
Ryan Glanzer Blog 