mortaine

As of December 20, I have rated for all the swaps I have received so far. My next mail delivery is scheduled for December 26.

I am a 30-something technical writer and book author.

I live in a 40' long motorhome and travel around the country.

I have a mail forwarding address to simplify things, but that means it might take up to two extra weeks for me to receive any swaps, and if you're considering sending me "extras," please make them compact to save on postage (mine as well as yours). Feel free to PM me if it's been 3 weeks since you mailed a swap to me and it hasn't been confirmed (1 week to get to my mailbox, and 2 weeks to get from my mailbox to me, wherever I am).

It also means that, although my mailing address is in South Dakota, I could be mailing out to you from anywhere.

I am ALLERGIC to feathers and cigarette smoke; the feather allergy is minor and avoidable. The smoke allergy is not.

If you smoke even moderately (more than 1 cigarette a day) and you get me for a swap partner, please carefully consider how to create/package your swap item to limit the amount of smoke smell gets on it (ex: don't smoke while crafting/packaging, wash your hands or the swap item, etc.) If there is just no possible way to send me something without smoke on it, please contact the swap host; perhaps you can trade with someone in the swap, or you can angel someone else, and let me know. The allergy is not life-threatening, and won't land me in the hospital, but leaves me sick and coughing for a day or so. Also, since my mail is packaged together and sent weekly, the scent can permeate to other items I receive in the mail. I will not rate you poorly for respecting this allergy and angeling someone else, provided we've communicated about it beforehand.

I play a few musical instruments (mountain dulcimer, tinwhistle, bass clarinet). I love to listen to music, and am an omnivorous listener-- there are few musical genres I can't enjoy, though there are many individual songs that I don't enjoy.

I love to read and write. I used to read more science fiction and fantasy, but now my interests are very broad. There are a number of authors I can't stand, and a few that I adore. I don't have a favorite author anymore, but I have been getting more into murder mysteries lately. I am also an absolute addict of Regency romance novels, and have started writing one of my own.

I write omnivorously as well-- fantasy novels, mystery novels, suspense, romance, mainstream, screenplays, short stories.... but the only things I've sold are technical manuals, computer books (my latest was Videoblogging for Dummies), and tech articles. Still, I make a decent living at the tech stuff, and eventually I'll have time and money to focus on the fun stuff. Update: I've sold one short story!!!!

I know five languages; three of them are English. The other two are French (near-fluent) and Spanish (almost competent).

I do many crafts. I am particularly into knitting and spinning these days, though I also sketch (nature subjects usually), crochet, card-weave, sew, do beadwork (jewelry, stitch markers), tat lace, make marble magnets, cross-stitch, take photos, and scrapbook. I do calligraphy as well.

I don't really have a favorite color, but I look good in pinks, maroons, reds, and similar warm/earth tones. My home is decorated in dark green and earth tones. As a result, I often have a hankering to see something bright and blue! To be honest, though, if a color combination looks good together, I enjoy it.

None at the moment on s-b.

• Animals (all of them except Jerusalem crickets and earwigs)
• Fairies and dragons
• Small stuffed animals
• Chocolate (in moderation)
• Organic foods
• Coffee (regular, caffeinated)
• Tea and herbal tea (any flavor, loose or bagged; we love it all!)
• Peppermint and Spearmint
• Hand-made things.
• Socks. Oh, lordy, I love socks.
• And Hats. Hats + Me = Sexay.
• Flowers. My favorite flowers are lilies. I have a brown thumb, so I have to like other people's flowers.
• The ocean (I SCUBA dive)
• The desert
• The sky (day or night)
• Rivers and lakes-- actually, I like water a lot.
• Yarn. Especially wool yarn. But yeah. Yarn makes me happy.
• Super heroes. Of all kinds, but in particular, the ones who are also quite human.
• Maps. I have an odd fascination with maps. I like maps a lot. I have no sense of direction, so I spend a lot of time with maps. My college science courses were in geography.
• Pirates (of course).
• Nuns. That's an odd one, but it makes more sense when you know I majored in medieval literature in college (that's where my other 2 languages come from).
• Medieval and Renaissance anything.
• Cats. I have a cat, and I love him to pieces (usually mine).
• Books. I love to read. I'm voracious.
• Videoblogging.... I wrote the book on it. I like seeing other people's videos, too.
• Jam. Another oddity: One of my dreams in traveling the US is to collect (and eat) many different locally-made jams and jellies. I don't have room or equipment to make my own, so must get others' jams instead.
• Hawaii. I've never been, and I want to go.
• Other countries, particularly Western Europe, though I have gotten over my japanophobia.
• Funny people, particularly that biting sense of humor in which it is ok to cuss.

I dislike coconut, raspberries, spicy foods, and cheesecake. I don't eat anything made with high fructose corn syrup, which sadly eliminates most food/candy items. I'm also rather permanently on Weight Watchers, so use extreme moderation when sending candy or other caloric treats.

I don't like plain acrylic yarn; I prefer wool for myself (I give acrylic stuff to my cat, who loves it). Fun fur and novelty acrylics are OK.

I can't wear earrings. Wish I could, but they make my ears itch.

Nearly everything in my tiny home needs to be dual-purpose. But your swap won't go unappreciated! If I receive a swap item that doesn't somehow fit into my little apartment on wheels, I will re-gift it to someone who I think will enjoy it.

I dislike drahmah.

I am an atheist. While I am not openly hostile to religious images/symbols/mythos (including angels), if you send me something religious, it means you didn't read my profile or didn't bother customizing your swap to the recipient. For me, it's a bit like receiving something you're allergic to in the mail-- it's just not a very thoughtful gift.

See above for allergens.

I am not emo.

Spelling counts.