Shannon here: Jenny McLeod Carlisle shares a fun interview. Today, she interviews herself as a newlywed. Tomorrow, her answers will come from 2020. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Sept 1st – 4th to enter the drawing for a copy of her nonfiction title, Turn, Turn, Turn. Deadline: Sept 12th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jenny:
We were just a couple of kids in love. We married young, but evidently it was a perfect match, because that was way back in 1975, and we
are still together. Today, let’s get inside the heads of these sweet small-town kids. The picture was taken on our first date, but the questions are aimed at the newlyweds, in their first rented home decorated in beautiful Seventies style.
- Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
We spent our honeymoon in Texas. We had started out to go to the Ozarks, to camp. But, because I had forgotten my purse, and it was in the opposite direction from the church, we decided to head toward Texarkana instead. We went to Six Flags over Texas for a few days, but the most romantic part of the week was when we camped at the little lake near my husband’s cousin’s house. Just the two of us in our own little tent with crickets chirping and bullfrogs croaking nearby. We were so happy to be starting our life together!
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic restaurant?
One of our favorites is a Mexican restaurant, Casa Bonita in Little Rock. Maybe not so very romantic, but it certainly is fun. There is a room that looks like a grand ballroom, one that looks like a jail, and my favorite spot reminds me of sitting outside in a plaza under the stars, next to a bubbling fountain. My husband is not fond of the strolling mariachi singers, but I think they just add to the ambience!
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
I love “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain and Tennille. It’s not really his style, since he’s a rock and roll kind of guy, but he likes it because I like it.
- What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
It’s not something he bought, it’s something he made. He designed and built a stair-step style shelving unit. Stained dark brown, it holds our stereo, radio and speakers. It looks great on the shag carpet, and coordinates well with the avocado green appliances.
- What’s the most romantic present you ever bought your spouse?
I asked him this question, and he said that when I worked for Levi’s, I bought him two leisure suits- one light blue, and one rust-colored. He was right in style!
- What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
When we ride in his car, he wants me to sit as close to him as possible. Back when we were dating, he had a pillow that sat on the console between the seats, and he would always reach over to pull me closer before he started the engine. There’s no pillow in the car we drive now, but he still wants me close. Fine with me. There’s no place I’d rather be.
About Jenny: Jenny McLeod Carlisle has been writing stories since she learned to hold a pencil. Growing up in a single parent home with her little sister, she filled the empty spot in her heart by writing letters to her Daddy. Her writing voice developed naturally, and if you had asked that little girl about her future plans, she would have said she wanted to write books. She studied English and journalism, but married before finishing college and helped her husband raise their three kids by working as a career State of Arkansas employee. Now that they are grown, she continues to learn the craft, and exercises her storytelling skills by writing a monthly column for Ouachita Life magazine, a free publication that reaches thousands in the southwest quadrant of Arkansas.
Recently, her website has allowed more opportunities to reach out to her community of readers. She has served in several different offices of her favorite support group, American Christian Fiction Writers – Arkansas Chapter. She also enjoys hosting meetings for Heartfelt Friends, a ministry based on the Second Chapter of Titus that allows older Christian women to become mentors to young wives and mothers. She and her favorite travel buddy, her husband of 44 years love to take day trips, and longer journeys when possible. With Eight grand-children in three states, there are plenty of opportunities for fun!
About the book – Turn, Turn, Turn:
Turn, Turn, Turn is Jenny’s first book. A compilation of many of her past general interest columns, it contains short articles drawn from her joyful life. Part social commentary, part nostalgic look back, it offers quick moments of smiles, with a few tears mixed in to make them real. Her fans say it reminds them of sitting in their grandmother’s lap listening to her stories. She hopes it provides comfort and encouragement while inspiring readers to tell their own stories.
Cant wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Get your copy now! Turn, Turn, Turn – Amazon
Question for the readers: When did you make a decision that made you really feel grown up for the first time?
Come back Sept 4th for part two with Jenny!
When I got my first job besides babysitting working in a clothing factory right after high school
Shelia,
Didn”t that make you feel grown up to actually get a paycheck, rather than some cash from the parents of “your” kids?
I guess it would be when I finished school and moved out to go to college at 17 🙂