I was pleased to be honored by Thomas Wikman for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I don’t normally participate in awards, but Thomas is such an enthusiastic blogger and author that I just couldn’t resist after seeing his questions. Thomas has two blogs. The first is mainly about his favorite subject, Leonberger dogs, and outstanding book reviews. Here is a link: https://leonbergerlife.com. The second is to create a list of facts that are important, known to be true, yet disputed among the public, or very surprising or misunderstood by many. There is a blog post for each fact, explaining it and providing background. Here is a link: “Superfactful.”
Here is a little more about Thomas in his own words.
Welcome to my website! My name is Thomas Wikman. I am a retired software/robotics engineer with a background in physics—but this blog is primarily about Leonbergers, an unusual and fascinating dog breed that is known for its size, affectionate nature, and intelligence.
I know a lot about Leonbergers because my family was lucky enough to live with one for thirteen years. His name was Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle—but we called him “Bronco” for short.
As for me: in addition to being a dog lover, I am a craft beer enthusiast and brewer, an amateur astronomer, a student of French, and an avid reader. From time to time, I may write about these or other subjects here, in addition to writing about dogs. I live in Dallas, Texas, but I am originally from Sweden. I am married to Claudia, and we have three children: Jacob, David, and Rachel.
Thomas’ book on Amazon
And now to the questions sent by Thomas.
Question 1: What’s your favorite movie(s)? There are so many classics that are favorites. 2001: A Space Odyssey – Had special effects using a green screen for one of the first times. On the Beach – The end of the world through the eyes of very Common people. The Star Wars Trilogy – Fascinating special effects and characters. Apocalypse Now – The dirty side of the Vietnam War. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – First real gritty romance story. The Godfather – Just plain good. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Humor and adventure. Well, I could go on and on, but I also like streaming hits like 1923, 1884, Yellowstone, Bear, The Landman, Marshals, The Madison, and soon Dutton Ranch.
Question 2: What is something you’ve done or experienced that is unusual? I guess unusual is in the eye of the beholder. I haven’t really done or experienced anything unusual. I have had three occupations and am in the fourth, but to me, that is normal. I guess being in three auto accidents and three airplane emergencies might qualify. The fact that I’m still here might be the most unusual.
Question 3: What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet? I have always wanted to take a ride into outer space. This desire has been with me ever since NASA was organized. I was fascinated by the Mercury and Apollo missions, and of course, the first walk on the moon.
Question 4: What’s something you’re really passionate about? I am passionate about writing. I do it every day and cannot imagine not being able to do it for any reason. The thought of not writing causes me great anxiety, so I guess that would demonstrate passion.
Question 5: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I think I would love to live in the mountains for the summers. I can enjoy Texas for the fall and winter and part of spring, but I would like to go someplace cool for the summer.
Question 6: What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a day off? I never take a day off. Weekends are for relaxing with a VooDoo Ranger IPA and cooking a delicious meal on Saturday. On Sunday, it’s a delicious Cappuccino and cooking brunch. Sunday evening is family dinner, which I love.
Question 7: What’s something you wish more people understood about you? That I am sincere when I ask them how they are doing. It is what I really want to know, and not just a rhetorical question.
Question 8: What’s your go-to comfort food or favorite meal? I love pasta of all kinds. I have several killer recipes that I can whip up on a moment’s notice. I think my favorite might be Clams Linguine or Amatriciana.
Question 9: If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive), who would they be? My three would be Sir Winston Churchill, Kurt Vonnegut, and John Wayne. I think the mixture would spark a lively discussion of world affairs, lots of laughs, and a serious hangover the next day.
Question 10: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? I had a mentor back when I was beginning in business. When I received my first promotion, I was very nervous about how well I would do. His advice was, “Just do your job.” I found that comforting and very useful in subsequent positions. It was a very brief description of the proper focus for success.
Question 11: What kind of music are you into? I am into all kinds of music. I first started listening seriously in 1954 in Detroit, Michigan. Became a huge fan of rock, then Motown, then Jazz, then country, then heavy metal. I still like them all.
Thank you, Thomas, for your nomination. Although it is traditional to nominate others, I’ll just thank you and, since there are so many qualified bloggers out there, nominate all of them.
Fiction Favorites 
Good to see some of the old favourites coming back, and your response to those questions made very interesting reading!
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Thank you, Jaye. 😀
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Thomas is a great guy and so gifted with his super facts and love of dogs and family!
Congratulations, John 🎊
I just loved all of your answers! In your true writing style you nailed each one with intrigue, wonder ( how the hell are you alive with all of those incidents.. glad you are!), great movie, picks, songs but ida never guess you as liking heavy metal. Hey, you just may get to the moon and back in that voodoo ranger yet. 💕🙌🏽🤗
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I think with enough VooDoo Rangers, I can believe I’m on the moon. Thank you for the kind words, Cindy.
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Hey, John…enjoy your “down day”👍Do something special for yourself today.🐳
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Have fencing to install, so I won’t get too far down. Thanks, Jim.
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Hey, just saying…there is a time in our life that we give up fencing🐳
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Not when your middle name is d’Artagnan.
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Question number 9 is always a good one. I like to toss this one around pretty often. I usually put my folks on the list. So many un-asked questions I have now. The next two are always different. If only …..
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You can always get answers. 😀
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Nope, no one left unfortunately.
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Great questions and even better answers, John. Thanks for this!
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Thank you, Noelle. 😊
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🙂 🙂
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😊
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Yay for you on the award–well deserved, John. My husband is a fan of Marshall’s too. And all I ever heard about when ‘Yellowstone’ was on regular TV was Beth. I can cuss as well as Beth. When I do it, husband gets mad. When Beth does it, it’s funny. Go figure. 🙄
“Just do your job”–I love that. Plain and simple.
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Beth is a hoot for sure. This Friday, Dutton Ranch is scheduled to premiere. Beth and Rip will be there.
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Congratulations, John! You certainly deserve it.
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Thanks, Tim.
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😊
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Congratulations on your Sunshine Blogger Award, John! I enjoyed the Q & A.
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Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John!
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😊
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That was a very interesting post, and it was great to learn more about you. There were many things I did not know. Wow, being in three auto accidents and three airplane emergencies is incredible and I am certainly happy you are still with us after all that. As you know I love VooDoo Ranger IPA too.
Thank you so much for highlighting and explaining about my blogs and my Leonberger book. That was super nice of you too. Also thank you so much for doing this and answering all the questions. I wish you a great rest of your week.
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Thank you, Thomas. It was fun.
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A very worthy award! I love following John’s blog. These questions and answers were enlightening. I would never have guessed about your desire to travel into outer space, John. Thank you for nominating John, Thomas. Congratulations to John.
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Thank you so much, Jan. A very quiet desire. I was in Air Force ROTC in college, with big plans to fly, until one of those car accidents ended that dream.
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Well-deserved nomination; my friend, the metal-head! 😉
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Thank you, Annette. 😊
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Brilliant responses John and looking at the three dinner guests my father would have leapt at the chance to join John Wayne.. he was a huge fan.. a well deserved award.. hugsx
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Thank you for the kind words, Sally.
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Congrats on this well deserved recognition. Loved your answers to the questions and am especially looking forward to the Yellowstone sequel.
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Thank you, Monika. I’m looking forward to it as well.😊
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Wonderful recognition, John! 🌻 Austin is great (and weird) but the summers are brutal with the humidity. Your response to Q.3 is far out! 🌌👍🏻
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When we moved to Texas in 2000, we didn’t think we’d survive the summers. We did, but still miss that 55-degree nighttime temperature of Northern California. I was enrolled in Air Force ROTC and planned a future in flying. One of those accidents ended that plan. 😊
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55-degree nighttime temps are perfection. You found an alternative and rewarding path but I’m sorry an accident took you from another.
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I was very upset at the time, but I had a lot of time to decide on a different path. It was over a year of recovery, and I made up my mind to quit brooding and get on with it.
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👍🏻
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😊
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Congratulations, John. 🎉 You deserve this acknowledgment, and Thomas has offered a great endorsement. Thank you, Thomas! I always look forward to each of your blogs. About outer space – I can’t imagine being bundled up in an astronaut’s suit, but I’d love to spread my figurative wings and fly through the heavens. 😊
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Maybe there will be an opportunity to do just that someday. Thanks for the lovely comment, Gwen. 😊
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This is great, John. Loved your answers. With your penchant for accidents, space might not be for you.
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Yeah, I could see getting snagged on a doorknob and doing a deflating balloon imitation out into the darkness.
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Thomas is a great guy that I feel like I’m just getting to know better. This was a fun read. Good to get to know you better, too. 🙂
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Thank you, Marsha. 😊
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Congrats on the nomination John. I didn’t know you were such a cook! These interviews are always fun.
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I started in college and love to do it. 😊
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A good skill to have! 🙂
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I’ve never been hungry for the lack of a prepared meal.
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I’d imagine. 😂
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😊
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