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2011 Twenty Questions Interviews : Peggy Titt

20 Questions Interview
with Peggy Titt

Retired Behavior Management and Special Education Teacher

 

Peggy Titt1. What's your name?

Peggy Titt.

2. Where are you from?

Columbus TX.

3. Who are you today?

Today, although I'm retired, I find myself — by choice — most often in the role of caretaker. My mother is 81, lives an hour and a half from me, and is still creating and crafting and sewing. She loves for me to visit her so we can "play", frequently into the wee hours of the morning. My visits stimulate her and make her happy.

I also spend a lot of time visiting my three daughters and babysitting their children. Collectively, they have eight children, ranging in age from 10 months to 11 years. My sewing machine always travels with me because several of the granddaughters are learning to sew, and seeing them perpetuate the skills that my grandmother and mother taught me is my ultimate creative high. After waiting so long to fulfill my dream of marrying my soul mate (I know that sounds trite), I am poignantly aware of what I bring to him and what he does for me. Our relationship is one of mutual cherishing, which requires some creative thinking, too!

4. What do you do? (Elevator speech)

I am a retired behavior management and special education teacher. Currently I enjoy sewing, reading, writing, playing my French horn in two bands, yoga, bicycle riding, and going anywhere with my husband. I also really enjoy whiling away time on the computer.

5. What's your story (how did you get here)?

My husband and I met in college in 1968. Thirty-two years later, we reconnected and have been married for 10 years. I came here to claim him.

6. Why is creativity (art, writing, performing, or ____) important to you?

Sewing, fabric art, finding new uses for old things, journaling, and music are essential to my well-being and peace of mind. I find joy and satisfaction in creation.

7. When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?

For as long as I can remember, I have loved words — books, word games, writing, and as a teenager, I learned to sew from my mother and grandmother. My dad instilled a love of music in me as I tapped my toes to his radio and guitar. I've never not had a calling to creativity.

8. How did you embrace it?

Crawling under the house or up in a tree or in a corner to read. Playing in my school bands. Sewing my own and my children's clothes. Perusing craft magazines…

9. How did that feel?

Connected to the world. People connect with their souls when they share their creativity. Creation may be solitary, but connecting and being acknowledged by others is deeply satisfying and stimulating.

10. Where has your journey taken you?

Because of my love of music and resuming playing my French horn 22 years out of high school, I joined a German band and made two tours of Germany — something I probably would not have done otherwise. I have sold some of my fabric art through a consignment shop, which was very exciting.

11. What challenges have you faced?

Overwhelmed because I try to do too many projects at once. Confusion because I lose track of things when I shuffle projects around in my limited space.

12. What worked for you?

Attempting to focus on a single project at a time and see it to completion.

13. What didn't work for you?

Attempting to focus on a single project at a time and see it to completion!

14. What three tips can you share with those starting on a similar path?

  1. Be bold! Don't be afraid to try something because you're unsure of the outcome.
  2. Trust yourself and have confidence in your own ability and inclinations.
  3. Ask the experts. They're usually more than happy to share their journey with you.

15. What are you working on now?

Salvaged window frames. Creating meaningful scenes in them that tell a story that will connect with the viewer.

16. What's coming up for you in the next year?

I don't know. This is my weakness: setting goals and projecting into the future.

17. What else do you desire/dream to do?

Public speaking. I have Parkinson's Disease, and allowing my creativity to flourish and expand is an excellent antidote to depression and, to some extent, to physical manifestations. I would love to share my experience with others and motivate and uplift and encourage them.

18. How will you make that happen?

I should start small and search for venues…but don't seem to have any ideas.

19. What question do you want to answer that's not on this list?

What legacy would you like to leave the world?

I would like to think that somehow my sparks of creativity will ignite sparks in others so that their lives will be more joyous because of mine.

20. How may people connect with you?

omapeg [at] hotmail.com

12/7/11