#TenThingsYouMayNotKnow about D. Wallace Peach

/ Marcia Meara

 

It’s time for another Ten Things post, folks, and today, I’m very happy to have D. Wallace Peach with us. Diana is one of my favorite fantasy writers, and a friend & supporter of authors everywhere, and just wait until you check out this list! 

Ten Things You May Not Know About Me
by D. Wallace Peach

  1. When I was a kid, my parents used to drop my younger brothers and me off in the Vermont woods with a topographical trail map. They’d pick us up four days later, twenty miles away. One time, raccoons got into our food, and all we had to eat for a day was one jar of jelly. We had no idea that this was, um, …unusual.
  2. I grew up with lots of animals, and I didn’t live on a farm. We had an average house in a normal neighborhood. At one time, we owned 8 dogs, 9 cats, 3 geese, 60 chickens, a parakeet, rabbit, 2 gerbils, and a slew of mice.
  3. When I was a teen, I watched the movie “Jaws” and was so freaked-out that I didn’t enter the ocean for 15 years. Woods and mountains, yes. Ocean, no way! Eventually, I decided to face my fears and become a scuba diver. I did two dives with sharks, getting close enough to touch them. Later, I became a master diver, deep diver, and rescue diver. I still love the sea and feel completely comfortable with its creatures.
  4. I was a theater major in college. When I graduated, I began auditioning for the stage. At age 23, I decided to marry and have a family, and I gave up my budding theater career.
  5. I was pregnant with my daughter for 10 months. Those were the days before doctors set limits on how long they’d let a pregnancy go. Finally, enough was enough, and they induced labor. She was completely over-cooked, and her dried-out skin peeled for a month!
  6. All through high school, I worked weekends at a diner, cooking breakfast. Then I’d go rock-climbing in the afternoons. The tallest cliff I scaled (twice) was High Exposure, 250 feet (76m) in the Shawangunk Mountains in New York.
  7. I completed high school in 3 years and college in 3 years.
  8. When I was in college in northern Vermont, I decided to snowshoe up to a cabin in the mountains. During a snowstorm. Alone. The snow was so deep that I lost the trail, and when it started getting dark, I considered making camp beneath a rock overhang. Fortunately, sanity kicked in with the cold, and I started down. I didn’t have a flashlight and hiked out by following my tracks with a candle cupped in my hands.
  9. A few of my books take place on tall ships. In order to make up for my lack of experience and bring some reality to the story, I booked a trip on a tall ship. I learned how to shoot a canon, and while the other passengers drank gallons of rum, I was a pure nerd, trailing after the crewmen with my notebook and asking endless questions.
  10. I’m not afraid of failure. I tend to jump into things without sufficient (or any) planning. For this reason, I do just about everything wrong the first time. But I learn a lot this way and usually am more successful the second (or third) time around. That failed snow-shoeing trip up the mountain? I made it to the cabin the next day.

Photo of another climber on “High Exposure.” See #6 Above)

Author D. Wallace Peach

A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

BOOKS BY D. WALLACE PEACH

D. Wallace Peach’s Amazon Author Page 

Reach Diana on Social Media Here:
Website/Blog
Website/Books
Twitter

361 thoughts on “#TenThingsYouMayNotKnow about D. Wallace Peach”

    • Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did, Priscilla. I thought it was pretty amazing, myself. I’m still mind-boggled about a few of these things. 😁 Thanks so much for stopping by this morning! 😀 ❤

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    • That was all before there was such thing as cell phones and internet, Priscilla. Ages ago. Yeah, that hiking alone in the winter was super dumb. I was very lucky that reason took over, and I made my way down without getting lost. I’m glad you enjoyed the 10 things. So much fun to pull together. 🙂

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    • You’re so funny, Harmony. I think about the little that I know about your life, and it seems amazing to me. Those were different times (before helicopter parents) and my dad was a true mountain man. It was a blast going back and thinking about the wilder things we did. I’m glad you enjoyed my 10 things. 🙂

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  9. Every one of those facts was truly impressive! Apart from the unusual upbringing, there’s so many examples of Diana’s indomitable spirit – she’d be more than an equal match for the strong characters in her books. I loved Unraveling the Veil and I have two more books by Diana on my Kindle. Time for me to bump them up the pile. Many thanks for this, Marcia. I love this series but I’m feeling a bit bland now! ♥♥

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    • Well a list like Diana’s would tend to make MOST of us feel bland, Trish, so not to worry about that. (Heck, I thought I’d had some exciting times canoeing past alligators and hiking in our tropical woods and swamps, but compared to Diana’s list, I feel like a slacker now! 😂 ) And I agree that her adventures have given her a super background for writing her wonderful books! So glad you enjoyed her post, and thank you so much for stopping by today to let us know! 🤗 ❤

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    • Ha ha ha. No, you’re not bland! Yeesh, Trish. I’m sure if you take some time to think back, you’d find some fun stories to share. There are a ton of exciting things that I haven’t done… like travel! I’m delighted to be here on Marcia’s site and glad you visited ❤

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  10. Holy moly, Diana! You are an adrenalin junky! Between all your adventures, being a theater major, all those animals as a kid, and everything else you shared, I need to pick my jaw up off the floor. You’ve certainly lived an interesting life. I loved learning more about you.
    Great share, Marcia!

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    • Thanks, Mae, and I agree on all of the above. I found this list to be absolutely astounding … and wonderful in so many ways. And now Diana has all sorts of adventures and experiences to pull from when writing her books–and it shows!

      Thanks so much for stopping by this morning, and for taking time to let us know. 🤗 ❤

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    • I had to go pretty deep, Mae, to come up with some things that bloggers don’t know. This is about it in terms of “believe it or not” stuff. Lol. It was a blast coming up with them, and a pleasure to be here at Marcia’s. Thanks for visiting!

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  11. Wow, Diana! I am amazed at all of your adventures, but your parents must have recognized this in you at an early age, thus the dropping you off in the woods for a four-day expedition. Plus, that gave them some quiet time without children. 🙂 Scuba diver, sailing on a tall ship. Wow! I got to visit a tall ship in the port of Galveston a few years back. It was the oldest still functional and still sailing ship in the world and I found it fascinating. But then I’ve always loved and been fascinated by pirate stories. Thank you, Marcia, for hosting Diana here today!

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    • My dad was Grizzly Adams, Jan. Lol. We grew up in the woods and all that outdoor activity felt normal. If parents did that kind of thing these days, they’d be arrested for endangerment! The tall ship experience was pretty tame except for me being a writing nerd. But I loved it. Thanks for dropping by Marcia’s. Happy Touring!

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    • It was a real treat to have you, Diana! And yes, you’ve definitely had some “atypical” adventures! And some that would scare the blinkin’ heck outta me. I don’t like heights, for starters. I love the North Carolina mountains, but I don’t go near the EDGE of any cliffs, much less climb them! And I also do NOT SWIM in any water that isn’t enclosed in turquoise concrete. While I love alligators just fine (more than sharks, for sure), I prefer being ON the water with some layers of wood or fiberglass between them and me. 😂

      But reading about YOU climbing cliffs and swimming with sharks is very entertaining. And utterly amazing to my mind. So glad you decided to take part in Ten Things! Thank you, my friend, and hope your day goes smoothly. (I know you’re busy.)

      Lastly, just know you are welcome back as a guest here any time! 🤗💖🤗

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      • I can’t do heights anymore, Marcia. I get too dizzy. But I would still swim with sharks if given the chance. With a few exceptions, they’re shy creatures who’d rather not hang around humans. We had to chum the water with fish guts in order to swim with them. 🙂 Thanks again for having me and for all your wonderful comments. 🙂

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        • Believe me, you don’t have to chum the waters to swim with them down here. I can’t remember the last time I was at the beach and didn’t spot sharks cruising in the shallow waters. And not all of them were nurse sharks, either. Now granted, they don’t always bite people and when they do, it’s often an accident, but we have some serious shark bites in these parts every year.

          I love being ON the water, but not IN it, and that includes our lakes and rivers, too. Seen too many things over the years. *shiver* It’s just not for me, at least not without my trusty canoe between me and whatever else might be around.

          That being said, we each have things we’re not comfortable with. I’m glad that you enjoy it so much, and if it gives you pleasure, I say go for it! 😀 I’ll just stick to playing with snakes. 😂😂😂

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          • I’ve heard that climate change is impacting the territories and migrations of marine animals (as well as birds, insects, and… viruses). I remember swimming with my cousins in FL as a kid and never seeing a shark. Trust me, I don’t want to end up as a meal!

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            • They aren’t always easy to spot. Lots of times, I’ve stood on the shore and watched them navigate in and around folks wading in waist deep water. Usually they’re chasing fish, but I still don’t want to be standing there. Folks in the water never seem to see them unless the fin breaks the surface. That, and the fact that I’ve had way too many issues with skin cancer, have kept me off the beaches for the last 30 years or so. But back in the day, I went often, and was amazed at the things I spotted.

              I once stood on the pier at Clearwater Beach and watched a very large hammerhead gliding around and through a whole bunch of guys on surfboards. They never saw him, but I held my breath until he finally turned and swam out past the end of the pier. I just can’t put the things I’ve seen out of my mind long enough to put a toe in the water. I’d feel a piece of seaweed brush my leg and die of a heart attack!
              😂😂😂

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              • Ha ha ha. I actually don’t swim on the surface, Marcia. The difference with being “under” the water is you see it all. You’re part of it. No lurking marine life around your knees. On the other hand, I think I might be a little leery about a hammerhead. And I get you on the skin cancer awareness. Long gone are the days of deep tans and blistering sunburns. Give me an umbrella any day.

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  14. What a fun 10 Things!! I’m so glad you share these with us, Marcia. I enjoy learning more about our book friends. 🙂 Diana, I love what you’ve shared about yourself. I’m a little jealous of your #1. I think that would be an incredible experience. I’m such a nature girl and a fan of the forest. I also think it’s great that you turned your fear of the water into something beautiful. Rescue divers are amazing human beings. So bravo to you. Oh, and your #9 made me giggle. I often call myself a nerd and can see me doing the same as you did on the ship. Thank you, ladies! Really enjoyed this post.

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    • So glad you enjoyed it, Mar. I love having guests share a #TenThings list with us every other week, and Diana’s list was especially wild and adventurous, for sure! Amazing stuff! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a moment to let us know your thoughts! (And don’t forget, you’re invited to take part too, if you’d like.) 😀 ❤

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    • Thanks so much for the lovely comment, Mar, and I’m glad some of the ten things resonated. There are a lot of things I haven’t done, obviously, but I took advantage of those I could… and the woods was always free entertainment! I could see myself doing a lot more diving if I didn’t live along the freezing murky coast of Oregon. Ha ha. Have a lovely day. 🙂

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  16. Oh my! I am entranced by your “Ten Things”, Diana! I’ve not charged into the wilderness alone, and I cannot imagine doing so, but when I’m fearful, I will push through it. Life is such an adventure, and you embody its magic. I’m in awe! Thank you, Marcia, for sharing this incredible writer and human being with all of us. 💗

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    • That’s great, Gwen, that you challenge yourself. Now that I’m older, I’m no longer immortal, which has made me a little less daring. The scuba decision, for me, was specifically about facing the fear of being eaten alive in the ocean, and it was such a gift when I discovered that amazing world beneath the waves. Thanks so much for dropping by! ❤

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    • It was hard coming up with things that my blog friends didn’t already know, Balroop. I’m glad I found some that were new to you. My adventures have changed since those younger days, and now travel rests at the top of my to-do list… and of course, exploring mountains. Thanks for stopping by at Marcia’s and have a wonderful day.

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    • I’ve had a lot of animals over the years, and when I was raising parrots, many, many birds. But nothing to even come close to Diana’s list. Oh, wait. We did have exactly 9 cats once, when we adopted two stray females who promptly gave birth. So there’s a tie, anyway. 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by, Sharon! 😀 ❤

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    • You may have guessed from the list, Sharon, that my parents were a little unconventional. They’re still crazy cat people. My mom would have adopted a grizzly bear if it wandered into the yard. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the ten things. Marcia is a wonderful host.

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  21. I’m completely fan-girling Diana right now! What a cool life she’s lived! I love her wandering spirit. Guess those younger years of trailing the forests paid off. Diana, I’m planning a trip to Vermont for November. I’ve never been, so any pointers you can give me about places to visit would be great! This was a great post, Marcia! Thanks for this series. 🙂

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    • Aww. Thanks, Yvette. There are a lot of things I haven’t done, like travel, and some of those will happen during retirement, I hope. Vermont is lovely. You’ll miss the autumn colors which happen in early October, but it’s still beautiful. I’d recommend staying off the major highways when you have the time, and rambling along the secondary roads through the small towns. Burlington is a cool city. If you go there, I’d recommend spending half a day on Church Street (if the weather’s nice). Have a wonderful trip!

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    • Fan-girling is a good way to describe it, Yvette. I kinda feel the same way. Or maybe I’m fan-grannying it??? Either way, she’s certainly had some coll and exciting experiences, hasn’t she? So glad you enjoyed the post, and thanks so much for stopping by today! 😀 ❤

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    • These days, parents wouldn’t get away with that, Debby. They’d probably be arrested! But my dad grew up that way, and for us, it was ordinary. We had lots of crazy adventures in the woods as kids. And yes, pregnant for two days shy of 10 months. I was huge. Yeesh. Thanks for the visit while you’re on vaca. Have a lovely time by the pool!

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    • I’m amazed at all she’s done, too, Debby. However, I did match Diana in one thing: I also was pregnant with my daughter for 10 months, and shockingly, went into labor so fast, they didn’t have time for anesthesia, so delivered a 10-1/2 pound baby au natural, at a time when “natural childbirth” was unheard of! Gleep. She was born in Tampa, but I’m pretty sure they heard me hollering all the way to Orlando! 😂

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        • It was a bit of a shock to me, Debby, especially when they wheeled me back and announced there was no time for pain medication! (I would have started smacking medical personnel, but she arrived too quickly!) I mentioned above she was the biggest baby in the nursery, but somehow left out the part about how she had a full head of black hair (which neither her father nor I had, gulp) and the smooth, pale skin of a baby much older. The first time I made it out to the hallway to look in the nursery window, there was a group of folks standing there pointing at her, wondering if someone had left her behind … for a month! 😂

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            • I’ve since learned that the “baby hair” doesn’t always relate to the child’s. And while neither birth was fun (when are they EVER?), the results were well worth it! Two beautiful, clever, and funny kids, and three grandchildren turning out that way, too. I couldn’t love them more, so yeah. Definitely worth it. 😊😊😊

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    • Wow, Staci, I thought 10-month pregnancies were unusual, but apparently not, since Marcia had the same thing happen to her. Thanks for stopping by and for the comment. I had a pretty adventurous youth, though things quieted down significantly when I met my cautious “why would I want to sleep on the ground” husband. LOL. Here’s to more adventures of a tamer nature.

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      • I think way back when, they weren’t too rare, though surely not typical. In my time, they seemed to believe that it was always better to let nature pick the birth date, and they were very reluctant to induce labor. Today, things are different, and probably much better for both mom and baby.

        And I think that’s the ONLY thing on your remarkable list I can claim as having happen to me, too. Your adventures are totally mind-boggling! 😀 ❤

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          • Well, given my two experiences, I think l’d take short and brutal over long-drawn out misery. I was in hard labor with my son for almost ten hours. I delivered Erin in about 45 minutes. Either way, I’m very glad this is not something I ever have to worry about again! Yay! 😂😂😂

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    • Ha ha ha. That’s so funny, Sue. How observant. I guess not. I feel like I’m always chasing my tail and that’s probably why. Lol. Plus I make miscalculations and mistakes constantly, which throws everything off. I’m glad you enjoyed the list. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    • I suspect Diana (like me) thinks “normal” is pretty boring, Sue. Though I haven’t done nearly as many wild and adventurous things as she has, I do look for the road less taken … or the river less canoed, anyway. But Diana rises to a whole ‘nuther level, doesn’t she?! 😁

      Glad you enjoyed her Ten Things list! Thanks so much for stopping by to let us know. 😀 ❤

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  28. Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – February 20th 2022 – #Interview Marcia Meara and D.Wallace Peach, #Interview Janice Spina and Sharon Marchisello, #Review Noelle Granger, #Anniversary Jane Risdon, #Family Robbie Cheadle, #Tuna New Vintage Kitchen

  29. HI Diana, what an interesting and unusual life you have led. I had a lot more freedom when I was a girl than my own children had. A side effect of overpopulation and living in a city, I think. My sister and I used to walk in the Knysna forest on our own, but we weren’t allowed off the path and had to be home by five. Both my sons were born at 38 weeks by Caesarean section. Thanks for hosting Diana with this interesting ten things, Marcia.

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    • It was my pleasure to have Diana here today, Robbie. She’s certainly led an adventuresome life and I’m glad you enjoyed her post. Yes things have changed in the world today, and most of us wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving our children in the woods with a map and picking them up four days later, twenty miles away. (I don’t think that’s something that was commonly done even back then, honestly.) But I’m guessing it made for some pretty resilient and self-sufficient kids, and Diana sure seems to have carried that … um … bravery (?) with her throughout her life. As for climbing a rock cliff, well that’s just beyond my comprehension at any age. (I’ll take the path to the top, thanks, and if there isn’t one, I just won’t go! 😂)

      Glad you enjoyed her post, and hope you’ll decide to do a Ten Things List one day, too! Thanks for stopping by and taking time to say hello. 😀 ❤

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    • My daughter didn’t have the same independence that I did either, Robbie. I think times have changed since then, and it just doesn’t feel as safe to leave kids on their own these days. It’s a sad commentary on our times. And I was a little surprised to hear that extra-long pregnancies weren’t that rare. Women deserved gold medals for every one of them. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Hugs.

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    • Thanks for stopping by, Liz. I imagine that we did overlap in Vermont. I wasn’t born there, but I vacationed in our cabin there and lived there on and off from 1960 until 2010 when I moved west. I think of it as home and would return in a heartbeat if the rest of my family hadn’t migrated to the west coast. Sigh. And I’m glad you learned a few new things! I had to dig deep for new material. Lol. Happy Sunday, my friend. 😀

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    • So glad you enjoyed it, Michael, and I love your comments! I’ve learned a lot from Diana and her books, so she’s MY superhero, anyway! 😁 And thanks so much for stopping by to let us know your thoughts, and for reblogging, too! It’s greatly appreciated! 😀 ❤

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    • You’re so funny, Michael. I loved your comment. My wild adventures all show up in my books now. Real adventures will be much tamer as I start traveling for the first time. Thanks for making me laugh. It’s been so much fun to visit here at Marcia’s. Have a wonderful week, my friend.

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  34. Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
    I’m over at Marcia Meara’s sharing Ten Things You May Not Know About me. After nearly a decade of blogging, I had to dig deep for this one. There are a lot of things I haven’t done yet, like travel, but maybe a couple of these will surprise you.

    If you have a minute, stop by for the quick read, and while you’re visiting, check out Marcia’s fun site and amazing books. Her Wake Robin series is utterly charming.

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    • Thanks so much for sharing, Diana! Hope some of your readers enjoy your Ten Things list as much as I did … which was a LOT!! 😀 And thanks for the kind intro to my blog and books, too. I really appreciate that! 😀 ❤

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        • Sounds like a Plan to me, Diana. Except you’ll have to bring your own coffee, or decide you like Earl Grey tea, as that’s pretty much it around these parts.

          Okay, I’m lying. Not about the coffee, which I don’t have on hand, but about Earl Grey being “it.” I have so many wonderful flavors of tea, you wouldn’t believe it. I even create my own custom blends over on the Adagio Teas website, and they’re named for characters in my books: Ruth’s Wild Blackberry, Gunnar’s Assam Blend, Willow’s Potpourri Garden, Mac’s Caramel Blend, and more, including several for Rabbit, like Rabbit’s Hazelnut Cocoa and Rabbit’s Strawberry Ice Cream! Note: Danishes will go great with any of them!
          😂😂😂

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            • Odd you should suggest that, because I’ve discovered that any tea with caramel in it tastes a lot like coffee. Therefore, a container of that one last a LONG time around here. Maybe I was saving it just for you! 😀

              You know, I have a springtime Meet the Author tea coming up on March 26, and one of the things I love is to bring along some of my custom blends so folks can choose between whatever one the museum is serving and some of mine. Not everyone is adventurous enough to try my blends, but many are, and often start ordering some for themselves later. I don’t make anything on that, btw. Adagio just lets their customers mix their own blends if they want, and they (or anyone else) can order the new mixes whenever they wish.

              I’ll choose four or five to take with me this time, including Sarah’s Favorite Earl Grey, and we’ll see which ones folks enjoy the most. It just adds another element of fun to an event I already love tremendously! I’m so lucky to have two venues who will set these up!

              Aaaaaah. Life is good … when you’re not stuck at home 24/7!!! 😊😊😊

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                • Wish you lived closer so you could come, too! And the folks at Enterprise Museum and DeBary Hall would LOVE to meet you, and would have you doing programs for them in no time! 😀 (Plus we could hang out and do lunch and chitchat about books!) Oh, yeah. I’m thinking you should seriously consider moving south. WAY south. 😄

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                • Things have calmed down so much here in Florida that folks are really getting out a lot more. I still wear my mask when I’m setting up for the talks, and don’t take it off until everyone is seated, and I’m in front of the room, ten feet away from the first row. So I feel pretty comfortable doing the talks. What I miss most is HUGGING my friends when they arrive!!! But one day …. and don’t think I’m not gonna make up for all these weeks without! I might even start hugging total strangers then! 😂

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                • I hope we’re seeing the end of the virus, finally. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I don’t mind wearing a mask when I’m grocery shopping and stuff like that, but I wouldn’t want to wear it while giving a talk. As it is, I feel like I need to shout through all that material. And I really miss hugging too!

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                • Oh, I couldn’t give a talk with the mask on. As soon as everyone is settled in their seats, I take it off. And if I were going to a store or any place crowded, I still wear one. But since my car died, I don’t have transportation, so I’m stuck at home until weekends. Mark still works full time and for some reason, thinks he shouldn’t be expected to hitch a ride to downtown Orlando! 😂

                  Anyway, they don’t let me out often, and I try to take reasonable precautions when they do. 😉

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    • Her list is absolutely amazing, isn’t it, Frank? I was truly astounded at some of the things she’s done. And here I was considering myself fairly adventurous for all my years of hiking, and camping, and canoeing with alligators. 😁 (Note: I do NOT swim the gators, nor do I swim with sharks, and even Diana’s experiences will not change my mind about that. But I smile and wave at them as I glide by. 😆)

      Thanks for stopping by today and taking a moment to comment. Hope you’ll drop in again to see what else is going on.

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      • Thank you for the warm welcome, Marcia. You are a model example of what host bloggers should do! A tip of the cap for your efforts … even though I’m shocked that you don’t swim with the gators. Diana & I connect sometime the past two months when she stopped by my place for whatever reason. Looking around, I also see some familiar faces. I’m not an author like many, but I invite you to stop by for a beach walk.

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        • Great to meet you, Frank, and I’m very happy you’ve gotten a favorable impression of things around here. I’d love to meet Diana face to face, and yep, we do know a lot of the same writers and bloggers. I always check out any new followers, just to be sure they aren’t going to be spammers or the like, and I will definitely go for a beach walk over on your blog when I can.

          Also, you don’t have to be a writer to be a guest poster over here. It’s best if you want to share something related to writing, reading, or blogging, but you don’t have to be an “official” author to visit us. So keep that in mind, if you’re at all interested in being a featured guest.

          And I’m sorry I shocked you about my “no swimming with gators or sharks” rule, but I’m a Florida native, and I’ve just seen too many things over my long life. I love being ON the water, but the only bodies of water I willingly swim in are those enclosed in turquoise concrete. 😁

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    • Thanks for the visit and comment, Frank. Marcia’s “ten things” posts are unique and fun, and I loved joining in. Something different from my usual focus on bookish things. Conquering the Jaws Effect was huge and it led to years of enjoyment of our beautiful seas. 🙂 Have a wonderful day, my friend.

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  37. Diana, you are quite the woman and person. I love how you face fears and dive in, especially with the scuba diving story. But, all of the other things you have embarked on are amazing. Thanks for sharing your story. You could have stopped at five and had a colorful enough past. Well done, Keith

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    • Aww. Thanks, Keith. Most of this felt so ordinary as I was growing up. My dad was an outdoorsman and we were just brought up that way. Now that I’m retired, the adventures will be a little more recognizable – some traveling, I hope. So glad you stopped by. Have a wonderful day. 🙂

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    • You’re very welcome, Chris, but it wasn’t too difficult to wheedle Diana. 😉 I just asked her to send me a list of ten things folks probably wouldn’t know about her, et voila! Such a list!! Utterly astounding stuff, indeed! And thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to comment! 😀

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    • I’m fairly fearless when it comes to nature and physical challenges, Chris. Sometimes too fearless – like that snowshoe hike that could have ended very badly. Humans are much more likely to give me pause, and I’m cautious around those creatures. Lol. Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful day, my friend.

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  40. Ten amazing, incredible things we (I) didn’t know. Wow! The snowshoe incident had me a little scared, I’m glad you made it back. I thought I was going to go crazy with a dog and three cats. Now I realize I wasn’t even close.

    Thanks Marcia for hosting and helping us learn more about Diana.

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    • So glad you enjoyed Diana’s post, Dan. It really was pretty remarkable (scary in places??) to read, wasn’t it? And thanks so much for stopping by to read and comment, too. These #TenThings lists are rapidly becoming everyone’s favorite series here on TWS, so I plan to run them every other Wednesday for a long time, yet. 😀

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    • The snowshoeing attempt was actually pretty dangerous, Dan, though I didn’t think that at the time. Only looking back do I cringe and realize how risky it was. And the pets! My parents are still crazy cat people. They’ve never met a cat they didn’t want to adopt. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by at Marcia’s and for the fun comment. 😀

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  42. I love learning more about fellow blogging friends. Thanks for hosting this exciting romp through Diana’s adventurous life. I amazed at all you’ve done Diana, especially being fearless. Unfortunately, I’ve become very cautious about life and trying new things.

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    • There are actually a few comments here from women who had the same thing, Jacqui, including Marcia. I thought it was rare too, but apparently not. I’m glad you missed that exciting experience. Lol. Thanks for dropping by, my friend. Have a great day.

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    • Yep, my daughter was a month overdue back when they didn’t believe in giving things a nudge. Now, they’d not likely let things drag on that far. And I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Jacqui. Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello! 😀

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  44. This is fascinating stuff. Who’d have thought this mild-mannered author lived a secret life of swashbuckling adventure? I read this with a silly grin plastered on my face, it was so exciting and revealing! I had no idea your life was filled to the brim (and overflowing) with so many unique experiences. Tall ships, sharks, scuba diving, rock climbing, acting, nature adventures in childhood…so cool! Thanks for sharing these tidbits with us, Diana. I really enjoyed this. And thank you, Marcia, for publishing this piece about a truly wonderful person. 🙂

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    • Thanks so much for swinging by Marcia’s, Mike. My dad was a real-live Grizzly Adams, and it just never occurred to us kids to be afraid of the natural world. I do think it fostered a can-do attitude and a bit of fearlessness when we were young. Not all adventures were successes, but few were total disasters. My life is so much tamer now, but I’m keeping my eye out for new experiences and the odd adventure. I want to make my remaining time count. I’m so glad you stopped by – always wonderful to visit with you. Hugs.

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    • Absolutely my pleasure, Mike. I was blown away by her list, too, and so happy to have her here. As for not believing it, well let’s just say I’ve read her books and she had to get those ideas from somewhere! I think I’ve figured out where at least some of them came from! 😁

      Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know you enjoyed the post! 😀

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  45. OMG Diana – you are such a trailblazer. I don’t know if my siblings and I would have made the four days in a forest. I am a certified scuba diver, but haven’t done a dive since I got certified. Truth told, I was pretty afraid the whole time. What an interesting life you lead! Thanks for sharing these things. And thanks to Marcia for hosting you! 🙂

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    • Thanks so much for visiting, Barb. I was raised by wolves, so the forest always felt like home. Lol. My husband had to learn to dive as a condition of marrying me. He was very nervous until we took a trip to the Bahamas where the water is calm, clear, and the reefs aren’t too deep. It was a great way to get acclimated. Northern murky cold-water diving just doesn’t cut it. And Marcia’s a fabulous host. She’s so kind and generous with her comments. Have a wonderful day and Happy Reading. 🙂

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    • You’re welcome, Barb. It was so much fun to have Diana here, sharing her remarkable #TenThings list. Mind-boggling stuff, isn’t it? Thanks so much for dropping in today and taking a moment to say hello! 😀

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    • I’m glad you mean that in a good way, Neil. Lol. It was fun digging around in the brain’s archives for some exciting stuff to share. This about exhausts it, and the rest is all boring. Thanks for stopping by at Marcia’s to visit. Have a great week. 🙂

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    • I agree with you on both counts, Neil. And regardless of what she says, I don’t think Diana could do “boring” if she was given a written script. 😁 Thanks for stopping by today and taking a moment to say hi. 😀

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  49. Love the bio. Perhaps consider posting this to your About Me portion of your site. I think we tend to sanitize our bios too much and thus they tend to lose the kind of interest that more spontaneity can bring. As a fellow diver and animal lover, I salute you! : )

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    • Hi Cathleen, that’s a great idea… at least to take parts of it and work those in. I had a lot of fun thinking back 40-50 years to those adventurous days. Things are much tamer now. I think I knew that you’re a diver, and I know you love the outdoors and being self-sufficient. We have a lot in common in that way. Thanks for visiting here at Marcia’s. I hope you’re doing well and writing up a storm. Hugs.

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