The good and the bad.

Hi everybody!  It's Tuesday, and that means it's Hodgepodge question & answer time.  Are you with me??

1.  The USA will mark Columbus Day this year on Monday, October 14th. What's something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)? 

I skipped this question at first to think about it, and have now come back - still without a definitive answer.  I suppose I will continue to explore the waterways in this area. I love boating and nature around these parts.  I will continue to explore through books and my love of reading. I will continue to explore my faith.  I will continue to explore music...a true joy in my life.

2. The Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz", Ursala from "The Little Mermaid", or Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty"... who do you most love to hate?

It has to be the Wicked Witch of the West - for a couple of reasons.  First, she was my childhood "baddie" and it was a big deal to stay up late and watch "The Wizard of Oz" as a kid.  But most important because she was REAL, not animated!  Oh, she was so mean,  so green...and very scary looking.  She didn't even like puppy dogs!  She frightened Dorothy to the core!   And, everyone cheered when she melted!

3.  Is open-mindedness a virtue? 

Absolutely!!!!    Being open-minded, loving, and responsible all at the same time is the way to  live!

4.  How often do you weigh yourself? 

Practically never.  I got weighed at the doctor's office a couple of months ago.  I don't need to weigh myself because I can tell if I have gained any weight just by how my clothes fit, or should I say how snug they get.  I am lucky to be a person who can stay within 5 pounds of my normal weight all the time.  I know if I have indulged one day to  back off the next.  I am also the type that does not like feeling "over-full" so I have learned when to push the plate away.

5.  Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on the "Happy Planet Index."  What's the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?  

Interesting.  I'd like to know the criteria used for measuring the happiness of the people.   I suppose environment, jobs and security,  family life, and lack of stress.   Interesting that Costa Rica was chosen - because it isn't a powerhouse, and it isn't a rich country compared to others.  But, yet the people are happy!  So, I think that says that sometimes we confuse being strong as a country with being happy.  The US could learn something!  A country I consider happy?   I have visited the Scandinavian countries and think they have good things there that create happiness.  Good work ethic, good family life, no need to jump into wars. Beautiful countryside.    So, Norway and Sweden seem happy!

6.  Besides the Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for high school students?  Why? 

I think "The Book Thief"  by Markus Zusak should be mandatory reading.  I loved the story of the 2 children growing up/trying to survive during WW II with Hitler's troops bombing. The family interactions and the historical setting & events are wonderful - but best is the joy the two found in reading books to escape the horror of real life.   I suggest it be read by adults too!

7.  Have you started your holiday shopping yet? 

No.  And, it seems each year I wait longer...  because each year time seems to move along just too quickly.  I want to stay "in the moment" more.   Now, that being said, I also don't like feeling stressed and in a time crunch.  I hate shopping in busy, crazy shopping malls in December.  So, I will probably keep my eyes open now for some Christmas gift finds... and maybe I'll try and do a bit more on-line shopping this year.

8.  My random thought. 

I think many of us may mention our government shutdown in this week's random thought.  It's hard NOT to say something about it. It's hard not to express the disdain and sadness about our politicians who earn money while stopping progress instead of making compromises for the good of the people they are supposed to represent.   The TV news circus instigates division and feeds off it.  I sometimes think about how bad this country SEEMS to be right now, but then I wonder about those times in our US history when the forefathers were also fighting in the "hallowed halls" and  waiting til seconds before deadlines.  The games have always been around.  Yes, our media has changed and gotten worse. They are more intrusive and more opinionated.  My recommendation is READ a newspaper, watch TV News only for a hour a day. Don't get caught up in all the BS and all the speculation that is spewed.