Name: Mary Ann Germanson

Which generation do you belong to? Baby Boomer (1946-1964)

Age you are on the inside:  25

Birth city or where your would say your roots are from: I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Mantua, about 40 miles southeast of Cleveland. Only thing it's famous for is native son, Jack Lambert, former Pittsburgh Steeler during the Super Bowl years. A neighboring landmark is Kent State University with its painful spot in history.

Member of Grace since:  2001

Early Bird or Night Owl?

This totally depends on my agenda as I can be versatile for the right activity. Since I stopped teaching High School Art, however, I refuse to get out of bed if there is a 5 on the digital display of my clock radio.

Favorite childhood memory:

Having ten acres and woods to explore and run wild with my four siblings. We had a vegetable farm and it did involve a lot of work, but there is a joy in the simplicity of that kind of lifestyle. I remember one of the only magazines we got was Organic Gardening and I was always disappointed in the lack of illustrations. Even back then, I really liked art and needed visuals.

I knew I was an adult when:

I had a one year-old daughter and my husband was sent to Viet Nam. It was difficult to do everything by myself, but I had moved back to Ohio in his absence to be near family. Back then, there was no instant communication. Letters, cassette tapes, and limited military-type phone calls that were patched through an operator who was listening in to transmit back and forth, were the ways we kept in touch.

Beloved blog, website or TV/radio program:

I loved The West Wing, and have not felt the same way about a TV show since it was cancelled. It really woke me up to politics and its insanities and made me a more cautious voter. Of course, it didn't hurt to look at Bradley Whitford, week after week. My favorite radio programs are Musica Antiqua and Better Living Through Show Tunes on WORT, Prairie Home Companion and Simply Folk on WPR. Facebook has kept my family in Ohio close and my former students are most of my "friends".

Favorite book to foist on all of your friends:

Anything Michael Pollan writes about our food cultures, Dr. Oz about our health, Frances Mayes about escaping to Italy. I read and reread the Little Women/Men books by Alcott when I was a kid, but the only book that has gotten a reread these days is The Celestine Prophecy by Redfield. I learn something new every time I read it.

Go-to comfort food:

Mashed potatoes and gravy are my friends when I am sick or down. There is a Potato Festival back home every year, so I think I am doomed to love spuds forever. I have dozens of recipes, many using such low cal ingredients as butter and sour cream.

#1 item on your Bucket List
(Things to do before you "kick the bucket."):

I woke up one day to realize that I have been all over Europe, but have not seen the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. That would be nice whirlwind trip, but I would have to stop in Taos and Santa Fe to top off nature with some art.

Thanksgiving with my children and grandchildren

Physical object that represents your life's work or passion:

Perhaps my paintings are the best answer to this question which cannot have children as the answer. If I were wealthy, I would pay to have my plaster maquettes turned into large bronzes at a foundry. That is a big, expensive if.

What is your first memory of God?

I can't remember the first memory because God has always been with me. I remember my mother teaching us the sign of the cross, every little Catholic kid's first prayer. We never missed bedtime prayers, Sunday mass, Saturday confession and Catechism class. One of my favorite things to do was to draw pictures of the saints and the Holy Family, as depicted in my prayer book. God was very present when, as a youth, I attended summer camp run by our diocese. The energy level was high and the music was such a change from the traditional Latin Mass, that it really got me excited. Again, it was the era of the idea of a Peace Corps and we had a young, vibrant president.

What inspires you?

Visiting art museums and galleries is a narcotic to me. I especially enjoy being close enough to see the brushstrokes of artists I have studied. Then again, sky gazing is another way to reflect on one's importance in life and marvel at creation at the same time. Giggling little grandkids can put me over the moon with joy.

One thing no one would guess about you:

I was so shy in kindergarten, I couldn't even say "here" when attendance was called. I worked hard to overcome it.

Why Grace?

We searched long and hard to find the right fit upon returning to Madison after living in Portage for 6 years. At a late point in my life, I realized that the Catholic Church did not meet my criteria for a loving, compassionate, inclusive, forgiving church and I needed something more. The food pantry and shelter are the true reasons for me being here. This church walks the walk, not just talks the talk. The choir is my home away from home and once again, fellow singers have become some of my best friends. Grace just feels like home.