Easter & Spring Hodgepodge

It's Holy Week... and the Hodgepodge questions for this week are about Easter, and spring, and love. Aaaah.   Oh, but also karoke and being foolish - those two can go hand in hand! ha!   Below are Joyce's questions and my answers. 

1.  What are your plans for Easter?  Are you cooking a big lunch or dinner? Dyeing eggs?  Attending a sun rise service?   Eating too much chocolate?

My one daughter and her boyfriend are coming home for the weekend.  We will all attend the 10:00am service together.  Yes, our church DOES have a sunrise service - on the beach - but it's really early AND it's going to be pretty chilly.  So, we will go to the church service. I play in the church handbell group and we are playing a piece with a brass group on Sunday.  It should be very special!   Afterwards we will enjoy Easter brunch at a local restaurant.  Then we plan to head over to our  "riva-side" cabin for the rest of the day.  We plan on playing games together, and just enjoying the time together.   As for chocolate: I gave it up for Lent (I usually do) and so I will "indulge" in a piece or two on Easter. 

2.  What is something you feel too young to do?

Join AARP!   They keep sending me mail.  Stop it!!! 

3. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.... it is not seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..."     Of the characteristics mentioned, which do you find the most difficult to live out and why?

I think it is hardest not to keep a record of wrongs.  I think it's very challenging to "forgive and forget" another individual.   When I feel like someone has said or done something mean to me, then it's hard for me to let it slide off my back.  I know in my head we all do & say dumb things, or that we react improperly when angered or tired...    but it's hard for my heart to let go of it.  I need to keep working on forgiveness. 

4.  What's a springtime flower you associate with your childhood?

Definitely daffadils.  I grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio during a good bit of my youth.  One year when I was in elementary school, our teacher took us to the grassy area by the playground where a sea of daffadils were planted by the fence.  We each got our picture taken by them, holding a little bouquet of daffs...and the picture was used as a gift to our parents.  Perhaps it was for Mother's Day - because, remember, this was northern Ohio!  Spring didn't come early.  I don't really remember what occasion it was for - but I certainly remember all the pretty yellow daffadils!

5.  Ever sung karoke?  If so, what's your go-to song? If not and your given the opportunity would you?

One year for Christmas when our daughters were young we got them a home karoke machine.  I tried it out when nobody else was in the house!   The machine taped you singing & then you could play it back.  OUCH!!!   After hearing myself I don't think I would ever sing karoke in public.  Perhaps with a couple of other people...and with lots of wine! 

6. What is something you keep in a basket?

Shells!   Since we got our boat last year we have gone out to untouched barrier islands and have collected conch shells.  I have a basket of them in front of our fireplace.  I also keep a basket of them at the "Riva-side" cabin.  Recently I took a bunch of small round shells and put them in a natural weaved baasket and it sits on my coffee table. 

7. When was the last time you felt foolish?

I am surprised that I can't come up with a particular time or incident right now, because believe me, I have moments of feeling foolish!   Wait... I remember long ago, when I was engaged and my hubby was working for Pepsi-Cola I went to a big shmancy event with him - and ordered a Rum & Coke!!  I felt like the room stopped...and looked at me!  (Remember the EF Hutton commercials?)   I felt SO foolish!!! 

8. My random thought. 

It's kind of serious this week.  I am a pretty big advocate for gun safety and I have become more active these days. I have emailed & called elected officials about the need for stronger laws and I have joined the national Mothers group that is speaking out.  Too many children are killed by gun violence - and by accidental gun shootings.  I see in my local newspaper and hear on TV daily shootings.  It break my heart.  Such stupidity out there when it comes to gun safety - or lack of it.   Don't just shake your head and feel sad about it.  Don't do nothing.  As mothers we can be strong on this issue...  and we can make a difference! 

Happy Easter everyone!  "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son."    He is risen, He is risen indeed!!  Death is conquered.   Hallelujah!!