The Hodgepodge and more...

Welcome to this week's Hodgepodge and the first for the month of October.  I don't know about you, but I can't believe it that we are into another season.   Our first question makes me think of fall activities. 

1.  Have you ever spent time on a farm? Tell us a little bit about it. Have you ever grown your own pumpkin? Been on a hayride? Driven a tractor? Milked a cow?

I have not spent very much time on a farm.  When I was young, and I visited some of my mom's family in rural Ohio, a few of them still lived on a farm and it was their livelihood.   But, my only other farm experiences have been day trips with schools, or with the Girl Scouts.  

I have not grown my pumpkin.  I have not driven a tractor.  I think once a long, long time ago on a school trip I got to try and milk a cow.  And, I went on a hayride or two through Girl Scouts and church youth activities.  

2. What's something younger you would like about you now? 

"Younger Me" would love that I am much less concerned about social groups, 'clicks,' and have grown way beyond the need to 'fit in.'      I am who I am.   I like who I am.    Part of my growing up and growing older is becoming content with my place in life.
 

3. What are three things you'd like to do more often? Three things you'd like to do less often?

The three things I would like to do more often:

* See my daughters
* Go to more live concerts  (and I will talk about that more in my random comment.)
* pay it forward


The three things I would like to do less often:


* mis-judge situations and people
* speak too quickly
* clean bathrooms - lol

4. What's on your nachos?

Everything by jalapenos!   I LOVE loaded nachos!!! 

5. What's the most random thing in your purse or wallet? Does it need to stay there?

Right now?  I have my black handbell gloves in there.   I stuffed them in my purse after playing at another church and keep forgetting to put them back in my music book.   I use fun tie-dyed gloves at rehearsals, and only use the black ones at performances.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

We are all reeling right now from the madman who gunned down so many innocent people at the country music festival in Las Vegas.   If you read my blog often, you know that I love country music and I have gone to outdoor festivals.  I attend the CMA Festival in Nashville every summer.   I love the experience!   The music is incredible, and I love the sense of 'family' with the musicians and with all the other fans there.  The festivals are 'love fests' because everyone who comes is there for the same reason, and they strike up conversations, and they dance together, and just share being in a special environment together.    So, when this madman picked a country music festival to do the unthinkable, it hit me hard.  He picked a place of music and love and connection.   How dare he!!    Read the tweets and the messages from the country music artists since Sunday night... it was very personal.   My heart goes out to the families that lost loved ones in such a hideous way at the festival.  And to the hundreds injured - and the thousands there who had to experience the horror.  It's something that will be with them for life.    But, music is healing... and country music lyrics tell of heartbreak and also of community and love.   That is what is so great about it.   The music expresses it all.... that is what I love.   It is personal. It is family.   The family is hurting right now, but it will be there to support us.    I'm off to see Tim & Faith in concert in 2 weeks.  Another large concert venue.  Probably tight security.   But, nothing will stop me from being among all those country music lovers.  Perhaps now it's even more important to be there.