Phyllis Cunningham is Just...Cool!

My AC articles are published under Phyllis Cunningham at http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/73473/phyllis_cunningham.html I was born and raised in eastern Michigan. I moved to Texas when I was 17 years old and stayed there until I retired, 20 years ago. Now, I live and write in the Missouri Ozarks. I am the youngest of a huge family and known as the "Brat" by my siblings. I have two children of my own and two step-sons. Each of those children have two children, allowing me to grandmother eight grandbabies. I love being a grandmother, "Granny" to the kids. Had I known I would love it so much, I might have tried to find a way to jump straight to the position of Granny and skip the mom part.

DP: What type of personality type would you say you are?

Lol, I probably fit the personality type my siblings give me. I'm also known as anal and I think I'm very self-critical. I feel that I rarely live up to my own expectations.

DP: Please share with us a story about your favorite pet.

The first story I ever tried to write, was about my beloved Yorkie, Abby. I had raised and bred Schnauzers for years. After my last Schnauzer died several years ago, I swore I'd never do it again. When I got Abby, everyone loved her so much they begged me to change my mind. So I tried breeding her. She had one lone puppy that survived three days. She mourned the loss of that baby so much that it broke my heart. I suppose writing about it was my own way of mourning for her loss. I had her spayed, so she will never have to go through that again.

DP: What do you like to read?

I love stories about the lives of the writers. I suppose Erma Bombeck's work could be categorized as autobiographical. She was my all time favorite author. I really love a story brought with humor, like Nick Sparks' Three Weeks with my Brother. But, a poignant autobiography, like survivor stories, is also high on my list of favorite reads.

DP: What was/is your favorite subject in school?

English and History. They are still my favorite subjects, though school was a VERY long time ago.

DP: What's the worst day of your life thus far?

This is a very hard choice. The loss of my mother was very hard, but I think the loss of my brother was worse. I suppose we are raised with some sort of impression that we will someday lose our parents. But, we are ill-equipped to start losing our siblings. (Well said!-DP)

DP: What was the best day of your life thus far?

You really know how to ask the tough questions. I don't know that I could single out any given day. The births of my children, the day I married Steve, building our house with our own hands...

DP: What would you call the 'dream vacation?'

My dream vacation has to include tropical islands to explore; Hawaii is my top pick.

DP: If you could really truly get just ONE thing that you wish for; what would it be?

Security for my entire family.

DP: What is your earliest memory? Please describe.

I was four years old. We moved from what we called "the red house" to the house I grew up in, "the gray house". All of my brothers and sisters were allowed to ride in the back in the trailer with our belongings. I was forced to ride up front with my doll and my parents. So my earliest memory is one of jealousy.

DP: First word to pop into your mind please; what do you think of when I say: 'power?' Be honest.

We have had a very hard year here is the Ozarks; tons of storms that began with a severe ice storm in January of 2007 and we have continued being battered by floods, tornadoes, snow and more ice storms to date. Right now when I think of power I get a mix between electricity and weather.

DP: How long have you been writing?

I have only been writing for others for a little more than a year. I suppose in that vein of thought, I'm still trying to find my "nitch".

DP: If you could improve AC in any one way; what would it be?

I guess that would be to make it a little more easy to interact with other CPs. The only thing I can think of that I really dislike about AC, is how much trouble it is to delete messages from the mailbox.

DP: What made you choose AC?

My friend Debra Cornelius invited me.

(Yay! Debra Cornelius!!-DP)

I am so glad she did. I not only love submitting to AC, I really love the camaraderie here.

DP: Which genre do you prefer to work in?

I most enjoy humor, but I'm not sure if it is a strength for me in writing.

DP: Tell us some of your best AC titles please.

My absolute favorite is: "Monahans, Texas: The Armpit Capitol of the World.". That one hits a little close to home for you too perhaps.

Other than that my top three are probably, "Memories Are Made of This.", "Spring IntoWarm Weather With A Water Garden" , "Weather Predictors In My Trees. Birding is Fun Year Around"

DP: What do you want your Legacy to be?

I suppose I would hope that my friends and family would think I tried; I tried to be the best person I could be, I tried to explore my earth, I tried to follow my heart.

DP: Well you're certainly showing the signs of s0omeone who tries. Thank you.

My name is my AC name, Phyllis Cunningham.
My page link is http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/73473/phyllis_cunningham.html