Darling, dear Robin aka Poppy Mom invited interviewees, and I accepted. Hence, Robin gets all Katie Couric on me:

1. I was never 100% clear on what prompted your move from St. Louis to Charlottesville. Explain.

My husband is a computer programmer who was working on a government contracted project in O’Fallon, Ill. The project was cancelled and the jobs were going away. The company he works for wisely decided they wanted to keep him (genius with an overdeveloped work ethic that he is)and so sent him hither and yon for interviews within the industry. The best offer? The best place to live in the United States, an offer we couldn’t refuse. Plus, he had long wanted to live somewhere we had chosen — St. Louis was home because his parents and grandparents live there — we didn’t get to “pick” it.

Further, I’d been working in my chosen field since 1997. Mark was just spreading his wings and honestly, I felt that it was his turn to follow his career dreams. I was extremely fortunate to not have to sacrifice mine in the process.

2. You freelance write from home. How did that come about?

Actually, I have a full time work from home position with a public relations firm in St. Louis. I telecommute five full days a week (and sneak in work on the weekends when I’m really cranking.) I travel to the ‘Lou about nine times a year for valuable face time with clients and colleagues. The freelancing is extra. I started freelancing in 2002 with this piece for The Commonspace. After that, I was like a house afire and started freelancing all over the place. Eventually I ended up with the Shop Talk column (then blog) for www.stltoday.com and a few features about shopping for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Tearing off a piece of my heart, I gave these up when we moved. In Charlottesville I have written for Albemarle Family magazine but beyond that my freelance writing time is consumed with blogging and other local projects.

3. Have you done any more experiments with veganism?

Oh, dear, no. The boy and I still talk about it though. It has given us great appreciation for those who live with restricted diets. It was also something we did together; a rarity with teenagers. I find it much easier to go vegetarian for periods of time but generally, we’re sticking with our animal friends as ingredients of delicious meals. Except for Clover (too smelly).

4. Next time you’re in St. Louis, will you let me take you to lunch? If so, where?

That would be spectacular and I’ll go anywhere I can get a bit o’ provel on my salad.

5. What do you miss most about the Lou’?

My friends (sob). There are so many people I love in St. Louis and not enough time in my brief visits to see them all. Besides that, in order, the food, the architecture and the big city characteristics I took for granted when I lived there.

Now it’s someone else’s turn to play if they wish: Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” I will respond by asking you five questions in the comments here on this post so check back here. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

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