Just Ask Susan?

You won't believe this hub world, but I have wormed my way into the life of yet another HubPages writer! Little did Susan know, that one morning while she was probably popping around the kitchen in Canada, making raisin bread, listening Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Joan Jett or Lynard Skynard - occasionally singing her loudest, I was sitting in my Midwest kitchen, sipping Espresso, just wondering how I was going to get to interview this writer. I am the inquisitive type. Really.

Susan writes about food and it's widely unknown uses, like salt, pepper or garlic. It is amazing what we don't realize about food products that we use everyday, or its packaging. That's one of Susan's pet peeves, over-packaging. Also, another thing I am in total agreement about. Now everytime I find myself struggling to open something....Just Ask Susan pops into my head!

Susan's articles are about everything! She writes about anything from hanging drywall to poetry. She writes about how to make things better. Like how to properly merge in traffic or about how the ladies in Canada will not be called sluts! Now, who hasn't been enraged by those things from time to time? Another thing you can probably count on, is that you won't go away from one of her articles without learning or laughing. Not only is she beautiful and multi-talented, she is tough as nails and is a 20 year cancer survivor. I contacted her by email and with a little prodding I talked her into one of my interviews! Lucky you, so without further adieu lets....

Just Ask Susan!

Hi Susan! I am so excited to interview you and I know everyone would like to see what it is like to step into your life for a minute - who is behind that profile picture? You live in Canada where areas are divided into provinces, right?

Yes. In Canada the country is divided up into ten provinces and three terriotories. I live in Ontario, which is the largest province by population and the second largest in area.

Can you tell us a little bit about who lives with you?

I live with my husband of almost 24 years, 2 of 3 sons and 2 Newfoundland dogs. I have twin boys, one lives at home and the other lives with his girlfriend in Toronto. The youngest and third born is still in school and my second born twin works with his dad so having them all at home is convenient for everyone. But yes, (laughs) I do look forward to having all three boys out and living on their own.

Where were you born?

Montreal, Quebec in 1957.

I know you have lived in the United States and Canada. What is the major difference you noticed between them?

People are people, now matter where you go. I really didn't find the United States to be very different from Canada except maybe that our milk comes in bags and our beer is a tad bit stronger.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

I am not really sure where in the world I would rather live because I haven't found that place yet. If I had my druthers and the finances to do so, I would love to travel, spending six months here or there. I would go to so many different towns, cities - countries!

What was your first job?

Aside from babysitting, my first actual job was working at Taco Time across from Alki Beach in West Seattle. I worked there for about four or five months.

What other jobs have you done in your life?

I have had many jobs. I have worked as a secretary, bartender/waitress, various jobs at a dog kennel and Farmers Life Insurance Company on Mercer Island in Washington. I sold Tupperware and Childs Play Educational Books through home parties.

What is the worst job you have ever had?

I was a telemarketer. I sold pizza and frozen food items. I really sucked at that job!

Which were your favorites?

I would have to say working at the Academy of Learning because I got to teach the students how to use various Microsoft programs. It was wonderful when the student would get that look on their face like, "Ah! Ok, now I get it!"

The second would be working at the dog kennel. I love dogs and got to interact with them. I learned how to groom various breeds and how to tattoo a dog. I helped with the new litters of puppies and did some dog training. I loved working with dogs that the kennel rescued. It was quite rewarding when these particular dogs would start to trust and get excited when they saw me.

Why did you begin writing? Was there anyone special who encouraged you to write?

I have always loved to write. I took a few classes in high school that were pretty amazing. One was an entire semester devoted to Edgar Allen Poe. For the final exam we had to write a short story using his style of writing. I aced it and was quite proud of myself.

Christy, my sister-in-law, read some of the stuff I had written over the years. She encouraged me to submit a true, short story related to real estate. I wrote about a bat that had gotten into our home and I sent it off just so I could say that I did it. I was shocked when I got a reply back saying that they would be sending me a check for $100.00! Since then, I started writing more and more and I really do enjoy it. I have a blog but I am such a hubaholic it doesn't get as much attention as it should.

I noticed recently that you are now HubPages Elite! How exciting - is that a promotion or have you been playing footnotesies with someone over there on the HubPages Team?

HupPage Elite is something that I volunteered to do. I saw an advertisement in one of the HubPages Weekly emails and I responded, silly!

Many of your hub articles are focused on food or cooking. It seems like you really enjoy cooking, do you? Who taught you how to cook?

Yes! Cooking is one of my passions. I started cooking when I was about ten. Both of my parents worked so it was one of my chores to make salads or get the vegetables ready before my stepmother got home from work. By the time I was thirteen or fourteen I was cooking the entire meal. I didn't really start to enjoy cooking until I moved out on my own at eighteen. I suppose my stepmother taught me a little but for the most part I learned to cook by reading cookbooks and through trial and error.

You also write about art a lot - do you paint?

(Susan laughs, "do I?" she asked.)

Yes! I notice lots of writers seem to always have either a passion for music or art - you seem to love it all!

I paint walls, if that counts. I love to refinish furniture. I like taking an old dresser or table, sanding it down and repairing and staining the piece. I also do stained glass but I haven't made anything in quite a while. I seem to be doing a lot of writing lately.

Who are your favorite musicians?

There are so many......Jimmy Buffet, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Sheryl Crow, The Rolling Stones, CSNY, Lynard Skynard, Fleetwood Mac, Charlie Daniels, AC/DC, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, The Grateful Dead, Heart, Joan Jett, The Proclaimers, Dave Brubeck, the list could go on and on forever. I also enjoy listening to a good fiddle player such as Natalie McMaster.

So you listen to a wide variety of music is there anything you don't like?

I like rock, country, country rock, rock, jazz, blues, Celtic, Folk and just about anything except Rap. I'm not very fond of Rap and I need to be in the mood to listen to classical but I love to listen to anyone playing the piano.

What was your most memorable concert?

Seeing Bruce Springsteen at the Air Canada Center which is now called The Rogers Center in Toronto when he toured for The Rising album.

Do you play any musical instruments?

When I was fourteen, my cousin gave me his old guitar. I learned to play a few songs that were simple, Blowin' in the Wind, House of the Rising Sun, Leaving on a Jet Plane and a few Cat Stevens songs. I taught myself a few chords with books but I was never really musically inclined. I gave it up after about eight years.

Does anyone else in your family play an instrument?

Two of my sons play guitar and the other plays bass. They are all quite good.

You have been writing an excellent series, New in Town. I find it really entertaining and it has kept me guessing. Do you ever plan to write a book?

New in Town has been really fun to write. Other than the Edgar Allen Poe story from high school, this is the first time I have ever tried my hand at fiction. I am not sure I have what it takes to write an entire book but I would love to try.

You are a great writer! Do you have a process?

I don't really know that I follow any certain process. I get an idea and then I just go with it. I sit down, open word and start typing.

What are your plans for the future?

To become rich and famous, of course!



"Stop the wars and fighting! Can we just learn to get along?" Just Ask Susan