Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. My daughter earned her Master's Degree this past weekend...what's something you've 'mastered' in recent weeks or months?  Congratulations to your daughter and I wish her well as she begins her first year of teaching!!  An honorable profession!

I am such a sad example to anyone.  I honestly can’t think of a thing worthy of mentioning that would qualify me as having “mastered” it in recent weeks or months.  That is really sad.

2. What song most reminds you of your childhood?  This one is easy!  “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino.  My mom sang all the time, and I have a distinct memory of seeing her standing at the kitchen sink, singing along with the radio.  I was probably six or seven, but I can close my eyes and see her right now, as the song plays….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdGF-G5p-00   Not a lullaby, or a children’s song….Blueberry Hill!  She sang along with all the songs, but for some reason, this one stuck in my mind and the association was made.  I guess I liked the tune, or something. Mom was in the church choir and had a beautiful alto voice.  I didn’t get the singing gene, but do love music. I played trumpet all through Jr.  & Sr. high school, and took piano and organ lessons (for a while, and a long, long time ago).

3. What do you think about single gender groups and/or events? Should every group/event be open to both genders?  If not, what sort of exceptions do you think are appropriate?  I think we have taken things a little too far by insisting that both genders should be welcome everywhere for everything.  I believe if my taxes are paying for something, both genders should be welcome equally, but if it is a private organization (like a golf club or civic organization) and no public money funds it, they can have any rules they want about who can join or not join.  There are certainly times when I appreciate being with just “the girls”, and I know men feel the same way about being with “the guys”. I think Boy Scouts should be all boys, and Girl Scouts should be all girls…. But if a woman can perform equally with the men, she should be welcome (military, fire department, police force, etc.)  I don’t agree with making exceptions and ‘dumbing down’ to accommodate anyone, though (gender, race, religion, sexual orientation). Step up, or find something else to do.

4. What's your favorite spice? Your favorite dish containing your favorite spice?   My first response to this is GARLIC, but garlic is not a spice, it is from the lily family and would be better considered a seasoning, I think.  So, I guess I’ll go with cinnamon.  Cinnamon makes your morning toast taste delicious. I keep a shaker with cinnamon and Splenda, mixed and ready to shake onto my buttered toast.  Drizzle butter and cinnamon on most any bread for a little taste of heaven. I also keep a cinnamon grinder next to the coffee pot.  Just grind a little into your cup and fill with coffee. Yum. No need to buy flavored coffee when you can flavor it yourself.

5.  I saw this question on Marla's facebook page and asked if I could steal borrow it for the Hodgepodge...thanks Marla!

Chevron patterns are everywhere!  Do you like it or think its just a little too much? Do you own anything 'chevron'?  A little goes a looonnnnggggg way. Too busy for my taste, and I don’t have anything with that pattern.

6.  What's something you disliked as a child, but can fully appreciate now? You know, I really can’t think of anything I disliked as a child. Never really thought about it before, but I can’t think of anything.  We ate anything mom cooked…no picky eaters at our house, including all vegetables.  I could say housework, but I still don’t like housework!  LOL   As the oldest of 4 kids, I had lots of chores (both parents worked), including baby-sitting after school, cleaning and cooking. Perhaps I appreciate NOW that I learned how to do everything at a young age, and know that it just has to be done, and I’m the one to do it…even if I still don’t like it. J

7. What can irritate you very quickly?  Ignorance irritates me, and sales people who won’t take no for an answer, kids who haven’t learned to say please and thank you, and that younger folks don’t get up to give older folks their seat, or just show respect generally.  Those things can make me exhibit rude behavior, which I don’t like in myself or anyone else! Have to work on that one! Example… the dentist has a small waiting room. Mom has three little ones taking up chairs, when an elderly man comes in.  When it was obvious the mom was not going to get one of her kids to free up a chair, I got up.  The elderly man didn't want to take a woman’s seat, because of how HE was raised, but I insisted. The mom was still oblivious.  No respect. Grrrrrrrrr!!! And now her kids won’t have any respect.  Another generation of ignorant disrespectful people….

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  As you all read this, I will be in surgery or recovering from the anesthesia, so my random thought is hoping I will be reading your responses tomorrow evening, and feeling okay.  Prayers appreciated!! It’s not serious (out-patient), but it is still surgery.  Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers!