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I don’t know whether it’s because Dianne is originally from Brooklyn, New York and that I happen to love the frankness and directness of New Yorkers, or that I am in awe of her amazing gift for writing both real-life and fictional stories. But I love her. If I were to describe Dianne’s blog, I would have to say it’s a life blog. She shares everything from her strong opinions on politics, to hysterical pictorial stories of her cats Siren and Mia, Wordzzles, and most recently, the birth of her grandchild, Hope.

The thing I most admire about Dianne is that she’s diplomatic in sharing her opinions. She allows her readers to also share their own, without ever getting defensive or ugly. She has a razor-sharp mind and a hysterical sense of humor to go with it. She also has one of the most giving and compassionate hearts.

So, without further ado let’s meet the lady behind the blog, Fork Off The Moment.

Welcome Dianne…..

Why did you start blogging?

I was part of a forum devoted to discussing all things Craig Ferguson and my entries started to get, even in my own opinion, long winded and off topic. I enjoyed the reaction to what I had to say so I decided to start a blog where it was all mine.

This was also at the same time that my interest in writing and photography was renewed. I was feeling depressed and lost and wanted to feel more creative. The blog’s name came from something the shrink said about my needing to stay in the moment and my laughing about all the forks my mind takes – Hence ‘Forks Off The Moment’

Has your feelings about blogging changed over the years? And if so, in what way?

I’ve only been blogging for 2 years. 2 years this month so I’m still relatively new. I think the biggest change has been my adopting the ‘Blogging Without Obligation’ concept. I used to feel I had to respond to every comment, post every day, visit everyone. It’s not possible unless it’s all you do.

I have also become very anti awards and memes. More obligations. I participate in some photo and pet projects but I don’t accept being tagged for anything and I stopped passing on awards. I’d rather try and visit everyone who has posted a photo on Ruby Tuesday. Or try to visit and encourage a new blogger.

Do you write for you or your readers?

I always hope to make my readers laugh or feel or see something in a new way. When I read a comment that tells me I made their morning by making them laugh I feel great. So I guess the way I write has my readers in mind. Your reaction to my Pet Pride posts is a perfect example. It is a joy that you enjoy them so much.

My subjects are all me. My opinions are what they are. My cussing is what it is.

I have an eclectic readership so I do sometimes pause for a moment and think of who doesn’t like cursing or who feels strongly about something I’m about to mock but in the end I say what I feel and think.

I feel we all need to do that.

What are your feelings on organized religion?

It causes way too much trouble. It divides. It encourages judgments based on one and only one way of thinking. It was designed to control people. The Bible is a lovely piece of literature abused by people for their own agendas.

Right now the political ramifications of religion scare the hell out of me. To think that the Mormon church and the Knights of Columbus could cause Prop 8 in CA disgusts me.

Our founders guaranteed freedom from persecution based on religion and that is where any connection between church and state should end. I don’t think prayer belongs at a government function, I don’t think the President or judges or any official should be sworn in on a Bible.

They should be sworn in on the Constitution. And maybe a book about how to behave in public.

Do you think we'll ever see a female president in the White House?

If it’s going to be Sarah Palin or anyone like her then I hope NOT!!!

Good Lord that woman set female politicians back. And the fact that women supported her simply because she was a woman is pathetic. She and her ilk are so anti-woman.

I do hope a woman becomes President one day. And an atheist. And a gay person. And anyone qualified to lead and inspire based on brains and heart and soul.

At this moment I fear we’re headed back toward a time of miserable old white men with shit for brains and even less in their hearts and souls.

If you were elected President of the United States, what is the first thing you would like to change?

I’d like to stop how hard it is to get simple things done.

President Clinton and President Carter have both stated many times that they have made a more positive impact on people in the private sector than they ever did as President! And that’s absurd.

Right now we have the resources to feed everyone in the world. To stop malaria with a freaking $10 net. To stop AIDS. To build houses. And on and on.

Right now we have a President with a good heart and an open soul and an even more open mind. And he has to spend his days justifying and explaining common sense to assholes with TV shows. I would say screw it! I might be a one term President and I might piss off my own party but damn if I wouldn’t get stuff done.

What is the biggest misconception people have of you?

If you had asked that question a few years ago I would have said people thought I was stronger than I am. Today I have so many misconceptions of my own about me that I’m not sure. I do think I come off as tougher than I am but even that façade seems to be fading.

Tell us one thing you enjoy and do not enjoy about aging.

The absolute joy of getting older is that you don’t sweat small stuff. Things that might have seemed a drama at 30 are laughable at 50. And you care less about what other people think of you.

I think physical limitations are the worst of aging. That and the fact that our society doesn’t seem to respect experience the way it should.

Many people feel that having a child interracially places a life-long hardship on them. Please tell us how you feel about that.

I think anyone who is “different” has some hardship to carry. We need to see people in broader strokes. My son suffered terrible insults as a child. People would ask why his Mom was white. He was called names. He also became an exceptionally tolerant and open hearted person, much as Obama did. And that’s one way to turn a hardship around. We can’t and shouldn’t help who we love and who we have a family with. I think a lot of those who see being multi racial or gay or autistic or deaf or whatever as a “hardship” are really just voicing their own inability to accept people as they are.

How has Hope enriched your life?

There is a wonderful sense of circle of life! LOL

I hear my son say something to Hope that I used to say to him and the joy is huge. I hear my Nana coming through as well.

It’s our way of being immortal isn’t it? Having some of our heart and soul continue on …






Note: Dianne will be responding to all comments on this post, so please feel free to talk with her. Thank you!

Photos: Dianne and her son Jeff, her granddaughter Hope.

47 comments:

  1. I love her too!

    I cannot miss reading Dianne's posts every day. Her strength gives me strength. And her humor keeps me going sometimes when I'm really down. '

    I lived in NY for 21 years, and do love the directness and openness I hear from her, not always found elsewhere. What a great interview this was.

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  2. Oh, yay! I think I'm first with a word!
    Dianne: It is a pleasure to "meet" you here at Ron's place. You have a wonderful sense of eloquence to your writing and I can see why Ron would enjoy visiting you regularly. I'm heading over to your place to say hello.
    It's always great to find a seriously good read!
    Have a great weekend,
    Kathryn

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  3. Oh what a brilliant interview. Bless you for those excellent questions - they were the right ones to get the wonderful Dianne to shine through.

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  4. Hot dog!
    Well the only surprise you gave me here was you think your not as tough as you were. I get it, I'm over 50 too.

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  5. Awwwww......what a precious wee one.

    Pleasure to meet you, Diane. I'll have to drop in for a look-see when I get unburied from everything I've let go in the past few weeks.

    I do so endorse the 'no obligation' attitude about being HERE....it makes HERE a wonderful place to be.

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  6. Great interview with some very interesting and different questions. I enjoyed getting to know Diane better.

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  7. Well done! I've been reading Dianne's posts for a while now, but your interview makes me feel like I've learned a few new things about her.

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  8. Dianne: I can't wait to read your blog. You sound very interesting. I'll be checking in later today.

    Ron: I think that CBS might be contacting you for an anchor job. Great job with the interview.

    Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.
    Isabella

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  9. Good Morning Everyone!

    Just wanted to say...Thank you for dropping by!

    Isn't Dianne the BOMB
    ????

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  10. I LOVE Dianne, even tho she flirts with my ToonMan ... she is the smartest, funniest, most honest blogger I have met and person I hope to meet in person ... thank you for interviewing her ..

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  11. Excellent interview ...Dianne is real...nuff said!

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  12. Thoroughly enjoyed, Ron! Will stop by and say hello!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  13. Great interview! Thoughtful questions and honest answers. I love the way Dianne looks at the world--and the more forks the better. And by the way, Dianne, you're stronger than you think. :)

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  14. bobbie - and I love ya right back!!

    kathryn - thanks for the visit to my place and for these kind words here too!
    I visited your place and had such a good laugh, you are effortlessly funny

    rob - Ron did ask great questions!!

    micky - this disability thing has worn me down a bit :)

    mel - thank you :)
    we think we'll keep here LOL
    hope life calms down for ya

    nessa and fermicat - it's so great to answer questions, makes you think and for me made me feel OK to divulge a bit more without feeling like I was preaching or rambling

    isabella - Ron would be so wonderful on TV!! thanks for your kind words

    ron - LOL
    I usually feel like I laid the bomb hehehehe

    daryl - but I flirt in the most innocent way LOL
    I love ya Sis

    bond - oh I'm real alright ;)

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  15. I like the interview.

    The baby is adorable and her name touches me...so sweet.

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  16. I think Dianne is fantastic, and she has a great blog too! I've been subscribed to her blog and enjoying her personality for a while now.

    I can't say what a relief it was to read her talk about the "blogging without obligation"... I've been having a very rough time with that for a few months now.

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  17. Yes, indeed! I love her, too! I love her posts, her honesty, her no nonsense take on life and she has a fabulous sense of humor. I too had an interracial marriage, but my kids were blessed with the fact we lived in Montana -- being black or half black was ok as long as your weren't Native American -- go figure.

    Thanks for the interview! We can all learn from Dianne!

    Sylvia

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  18. All things Craig Ferguson!!! I LOVE Craig Ferguson! And ... she's a New Yorker? I gotta read her blog!

    HEY! Dianne!

    Ron - There's an award at my place for you!

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  19. petra - thank you

    mountain photog - I love ya lady
    and you're right about Ron's questions, they were great

    spiky zora jones - lord I love that name!!
    thanks for the sweet words about Hope
    I'm thrilled with her name, it's perfect on so many levels

    misty - thank you :)
    as for BWO, embrace it my friend, embrace it!!
    you work so many hours and you care for the dogs and you host Camera Critters and still I read you apologizing for not waking up early to post CC - and OY!! on the people who complain LOL
    if you cut what you do in half you'd still be over achieving

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  20. To Everyone...

    Thank you so much for stopping by and adding your thoughts, feelings and BRAVADO'S on this great lady.

    YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Dianne
    !!!

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  21. So fun! I love meeting new bloggers! Especially if they are so different then me! I do get tired of reading the mommy blogs. =/ Thank you for doing this! I will have to check out her blog now!

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  22. Howdy Nitebyrd!

    aaawh...thanks, Sis!

    I'll be right over!

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  23. This is awesome... my adopted Mama and my Libra Twin on one blog post :)

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  24. sylvia - I learn so much from you as well, thank you for such kind words

    nitebyrd - isn't Craig wonderful!!

    la la la leah - another cool name :)
    I hope you like my blog although I've been very grand-mommy like lately, I don't even curse if there's a pic of Hope in the post, LOL

    anndi - you're such a good girl
    love ya
    Mama

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  25. I admit to becoming a fan this past year or so. I mean, what's not to like?

    She's a feisty broad with a sharp mind who writes 'em as she sees 'em.

    Godblessya, Dianne.

    (Good job on the interview too.) :)

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  26. Hi Frank!

    She's a feisty broad with a sharp mind who writes 'em as she sees 'em.

    Exactly! Which is why we all lover her.

    Thanks for stopping by. So nice to meet ya!

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  27. I love Dianne's blog!

    I so agree with what Dianne has to say about getting older too - life is so much easier because you don't worry about what people think.

    I love the photos, especially the one of Hope - isn't she just beautiful!

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  28. What's not to love indeed! Dianne is a straight-shooter, intelligent, funny, warm, a fighter for the underdog and supportive of others. She's a must-read and the proudest Grandma I know. :) Hugs to you, Dianne!

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  29. frank - feisty broad!! thank you! I love that, makes me feel young again/still

    akelamalu - Hope sends you big hugs :)

    hilary - thanks Lady, you're one of the classiest people I know - I always wonder what you see in me LOL

    Ron - I'm so happy that new folks are stopping by here - the wonder that is you must be spread about :)

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  30. Hi Dianne!

    It's been such a pleasure meeting and reading your FAN CLUB!!!

    And I know you'll be getting more!

    X

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  31. Dianne -you are superb!
    I've enjoyed every one of your posts since I discovered you when you first started blogging and although occasionally (but very rarely, I might add) I have not agreed with you 110 percent, as a general rule, you speak pretty much the same thoughts as I tend to have, same beliefs, etc. About the only place where we differ is that I belong to a church and do advocate church membership although not necessarily of the same group where I am a member. I love it for the community it gives me of caring people -for the most part. (Yeah, a few here and there might be a tad "iffy" on the caring bit but then, we all have faults so who am I to judge unless they start spouting off hate stuff or some such.
    Anyway, see how I "fork off" too? Must be something in our genes or some such that makes us do that. And the bit about people seeing others as different, being fearful or hating those who are that -I do believe you are right on target there, Kiddo!
    Keep on plugging away and never forget there is always Hope -for you, for all of us too!

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  32. I think my favorite thing about Dianne is that she tolerates discussion and disagreement when it is done with respect. She knows that we all don't think the same way, nor should we.

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  33. Hi Travis~

    Thank you!

    That's what I like about her too!

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  34. Hi Dianne,

    Love your answers to these thought provoking questions. Ron always picks out the gems.

    Great to meet you!

    P.S. Congrats on beautiful Hope!

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  35. Ron, thank you so very much for your wonderful comment! I try!
    If I've put a smile on your face while sharing some popcorn, then it was all worthwhile!

    And a Happy Columbus Day to you as well! :))

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  36. Helloooo Petra!

    Oh, you are soooo welcome!

    I really enjoy your blog.

    One day we'll have to share some popcorn and watch a film together. Perhaps Mildred Pierce!?

    HA!

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  37. Great questions; great answers from one of my favorite bloggers!

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  38. jeni - I think there are many individual churches that do amazing community service, I have a friend in Miss. whose church has helped more Katrina victims than FEMA did
    as with all things there are exceptions :)

    travis - I try, I really try
    I think you're better at it than I am

    chrissy - thank you!! Hope sends a smooch

    pagan - Ron would make a wonderful jounalist
    actually he already is!
    thanks Lady

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  39. Love this interesting thought provoking interview!
    I think you are so on target about what some would say constitutes a "hardship" Dianne, very insightful, "... are really just voicing their own inability to accept people as they are".
    what a wonderful world it would be if we could all learn to do just do that. I think I do that, but I am sure I don't always without realizing it at times. I think this is a great idea to meditate on.

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  40. Glad I made it by for the interview.

    Dianne is uber cool isn't she?

    She handles controversy with an incredible sense of tact. I've seen her down right PO'ed at opinions and comments made, but always lets those with different views express themselves.

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  41. I am a Dianne fan too. Great interview. I learned a few things, as I usually do when I read her blog.

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  42. I'm sorry for being soooo late to comment.
    I LOVE Dianne! I've been to both her blogs many times and even when I just don't have time to visit or comment I have her links on my sidebar for the second I can get over there. The sweet pictures of her kitty babies and lovely Hope. :) Her sense of humor, compassion, honesty, love of family, friends, country!
    My hubby is part asian, his birth mother is Korean, so being adopted from overseas and raised with here by white parents was hard for him too. But he also grew up to be quite kind and forgiving and it was maybe that exotic look of his that certainly made me look twice. Mmmm.

    Hi Ron! Thanks for highlighting a special lady.

    I'm rushing out the door to take my daughter to an appt. (baby Sierra is coming TOMORROW!!!) so I can't comment on 'male adjustment' at that post in my usually long ramble, but just to say here....OH it certainly does go on out there. Some men must think they play for a major league baseball team with all the ball handling they do. Sheesh.
    My hubby doesn't seem to do too much of that, even though he does wear boxers, but good goddess that man's zipper seems to always be done. I do not know why. LOL

    Have a wonderful week. :)

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  43. Hi Crystal Chick!

    Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by to share on this post!

    Isn't Lady Dianne the BEST?

    I was so excited to interview her!

    And thanks for stopping by to read my previous post too!

    Some men must think they play for a major league baseball team with all the ball handling they do. Sheesh.

    bwhahahahahaha!

    That was FLAWLESS!

    And I'm sooo excited to hear about baby Sierra!! Keep me posted, ok?

    Have a great week, neighbor!

    X

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  44. This was an awesome interview. Dianne, you are an intelligent, well written woman who has an open mind and gracious heart toward others. We are different in a lot of ways (though you might be surprised at some of my opinions about organized religion) but you have always made me feel welcome at your blog.

    I'm thankful for you.

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  45. Okay...so I'm pretty dang late to the party - but I just gotta say how much I loved this interview - fantastic. I'm a gigantic Di fan, love her. Plain and simple.

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  46. Hi Shelly!

    Hey, better late than never!

    Great to see ya!

    Thanks SO MUCH for dropping by and adding your RAVE about Miss Dianne.

    Don't ya just LOVE her???

    Yup!

    Plain and simple.

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