Responding to the Hodgepodge.

Time for the Hodgepodge and I have to admit that this week's questions don't "hit home" so much for me. How about you?  Read on - and tell me what you think.

1. When you've eaten at a restaurant do you complete the comment card?  Do you take the online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts?

No, I do not complete comment cards at restaurants.  I should because I'm sure they appreciate feedback.  And, I rarely take the online surveys from stores. I think I have gone to the Home Depot site a couple of times, and CVS...but it's because I'm lured there by the chance to win money.

2. The US ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January.  It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out, but it's been reported over 200,000 frontline positions will eventually open up to women.  Your thoughts?

I believe in equal opportunities for the sexes.   But, that being said, I do not like sending ANY of our people, men or women, into war.  I am a pacifist and prefer to deal with conflict through love (through discussion, providing food, etc. but not combat.)  I do not want to put ANY person in harm's way.   I have been told numerous times that I am not realistic in my beliefs, but that's okay.  It's the only way I can be.  I can not, will not, accept a reason for sending someone to war to kill others and be killed.

3. In looking back at all the blog posts you've written, what's your favorite title?

I just took a moment and looked back on my post titles. So, they are not very profound - or funny. I guess my first one "Welcome to my blog" means a lot to me because it was a long time ago and I am happy to have stuck with blogging.  My first reason to start it was to get rid of the thoughts rolling around in my brain, and thinking I had a little something to say.  I wanted to write so that my daughters could see another side of Mom.  I wanted to have a way to leave my mark so to speak.  I am happy I started blogging.  One fun extra has been this Hodgepodge each week. Thank you to my Sparta friend Diane who told me about Joyce and this weekly set of questions!   It's given me fuel for thinking - and I have met and made some nice friends through it too!

4. What's worse - overly permissive parents or overly protective parents?  Did your own parents lean more to the permissive or the protective category?  If you are a parent where do you fall?

I think most new parents tend to be overly protective and that's okay.  I think I was that way when my daughters were young.  I didn't want anything to happen to them physically or socially.  Life is tough out there and I wanted to protect them for awhile.   If the question deals with those scary teenage years, then again over-protective has to be the way. Why?  Because overly permissive could possibly bring on school discipline problems, issues with the law, etc.  These are events that can stay with a person all their life.   There comes a point when a parent MUST parent to protect the child from bad people and ways - even foolish acts that can cause irreversalable harm (even death.)  

My parents were quietly protective.  I would say they did not allow my siblings and I to do anything that we would regret or that would harm us, but they didn't lecture or punish us when we made wrong choices.  I would not say they were permissive either.    I guess with all parenting there is a happy medium, and each parent - child relationship has to be a constant balancing act!

5.  Candlelight - moonlight - firelight - bright lights in the city....which one's your favorite?

I love candlelight for a special occasion. I love moonlight on a lovely summer night. I love firelight when we all sit around our firepit.  I'm not fond of the bright lights of the city.  It's too garish, too flashy, too unsettling.   Geez, I'm getting old...

6.  Dr. Seuss's birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What's a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your own childhood?  Did books play an important part in your growing up years?  Explain.

My parents were from a generation where the early childhood years were for play, not so much for education.  It was before preschools, and before Sesame Street.   I want to say that because I don't want to dis my parents for not putting books into my hands when I was a little one.  But, I don't think they knew it was valuable. Times have changed.   Therefore, the first book (series) I remember really enjoying were the Bobbsey Twins books.   Then Nancy Drew books.  

I don't think books played a big part in my growing up - and that makes me sad.  But, I think I have made up for it as an adult. I have belonged to book clubs for years now and I live every day with a book in my hand. 

7.  To quote Dr. Seuss..  "From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere" - from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.   Share something funny you've recently read, seen, or heard.

Just one thing?  I get a lot of chuckles from jokes and cartoons shared on Facebook.  But, yet, I still haven't figured out how to cut & paste to here...  so all I can say is, go on Facebook you will see them!

8. Random thought.

As you know I'm a country music fan.  There is a song out right now by Lee Brice (from Sumter, SC) called "I Drive Your Truck."   He didn't write it - but he sings it with such passion.  If you have not seen the video, pull it up.  I watch CMT and it's running on there right now.  What an emotional video.  (It goes back to my answer on #2).    Love it!
Also, The CMA Festival people just released the names of many of the artists that will be performing in June.  I was excited about going before but now I'm SUPER excited for festival time to get here!  Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Eric church, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley...  to name a few!