Positive thoughts today!

Good morning Hodgepodge readers!  Here are this week's questions with my answers.  They are going to be "wordy" because I have nowhere to go this morning.  Here in the SC Lowcountry everything is closed today due to the forecast of sleet, ice, then snow.  Lovely!?!  I'm not venturing outdoors so I have plenty of time to ponder the questions and type my responses.

1.  It's been said that one positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. Do you think that's true? Do you find that an easy exercise most mornings?  What's something positive you told yourself today? 

I absolutely believe it's true.  I am fortunate that when I wake up I'm ready to go for the day and I generally have a positive outlook on life.  But I believe even one specific positive thought can get you thinking about the good in life and therefore you can take on tasks and communicate with others with that same positive belief.

This morning?  As I said already it's going to be an "indoors" day so I told myself this morning to stay put, read, exercise, play my flute, get things done in the house… make use of the time inside.   I know this rare event of sleet and snow here won't last long and I will be out and about in a day or two.  I am blessed to be in a warm home with my puppy dogs.  My hubby is trying to get home from Boston today and I don't know if he will make it.  I'm sure flights will be grounded.  He handles changes in schedules and delays well, but I feel for him.  Who thought getting south would be an issue?   Such strange weather!

2.  There will be karaoke at the next party you attend… are you in?  Or will you be faking a sore throat? 

Ha!  This question makes me think of the great scene in "My Best Friend's Wedding" where Kimmie (played by Cameron Diaz) sings at the table and she's way off key, at first embarrassed - but then belts it out by the end.  A very funny moment!  Everyone joins in with her.    That could be me, although I think I do have a bit more singing ability than Kimmie.   I think I sing on key for the most part. I hope so anyway.

I would certainly have to down a glass or two of wine before getting up to sing karaoke, but I suppose if everyone is taking their turn then I would too.    One of my wishes has always been that I could have a better voice and really sing. I am jealous of those who can!   I like to think when I get to heaven I'll have the voice of a songbird!  ( :

3.  January 29th is National Puzzle Day… what's something you've found puzzling recently? 

I recently devoted a blog post to it:  the division of beliefs in this country about gun ownership.  It's the "freedom of the right to bear arms" vs.  people like me who think it's better to give up that right than to continue to have deadly shootings every day.

4.  Jigsaw, crossword, acrostic, logic, sudoku, word search…  what's your favorite kind of puzzle, and when did you last work one? 

I am a crossword puzzle junkie!  I do them everyday!  I sometimes think I get the daily newspaper just so I can get the crosswords - yes, two of them each day!  Thank you to Myrtle Beach's The Sun News for putting in two in each paper! Hubby and I get the NY Times on the weekends and I grab the Sunday Magazine out of it VERY quickly to get the crossword out of it!  I can sit on the couch and work it for hours!!  I also keep a few crossword books around to fill in the gaps.

5.  Recently a write by the name of Amy Glass ruffled feathers with a post she wrote saying she looked down on women with husbands and kids and she was not sorry.  Among other things, she says women will be equal with men when we stop saying house work and real work are equally important.  What say you?  Do you think men and women are equal in the 21st century?  Why or why not? 

First, let me say, Ms. Glass's mother must be so proud - NOT! ha   But, viva la difference of opinion and she had every right to say how she felt in her personal post.  I do not agree with her about women who "choose" to get married and raise a family.  In fact, I think most satisfaction in life, even joy in life, is being in a loving family unit. It is for me.  Raising children is more important than just about anything I can think of… so I disagree with Ms. Glass. It's not equal. Family is GREATER than job importance.

And I also think women are not equal to men - we are better!! ( :    Seriously, we are made different and  both sexes have traits that help make the world go round….  viva la difference!

6.  What's a product you've noticed in the grocery store that you'd like to try, but haven't yet? 

Okay… I have written this before but I do not enjoy my time in a grocery store so I usually go in, get what I need, and then get out as quickly as possible.  I grab the things on my list (if I remember to bring it) and don't peruse the aisles for new and different food choices.

Maybe I'll see something interesting in the answers by the other Hodgepodge responders and I'll pick it up!

7.  The author, Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) was born this week in 1832 (January 27th.)  Which character from his celebrated novel 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' would you most like to meet and why? 

Hmmm.  I looked at the list of characters and all are fascinating but certainly have their faults. I think I have to say I would most enjoy meeting Alice because she is so curious about everything, even tho it gets her into trouble at times.  But without her curiosity she would never experience wonderland and all it's unusual animals.  

8. My random thought. 

Well, it's only days until the Super Bowl so I think my random thought has to be about it!   What are you looking forward to, and who do you want to see win?   I am rooting for Seattle because the Seahawks have not won in ages!  Seattle also has an ex-Gamecock Sidney Rice, who got a lot of play in before an injury put him on the sidelines during the season.  I like to root for the Carolina boys!  

What do you think will be the most interesting commercial?  I am still a bit disgusted about ex-govenor Arnold doing the beer commercials.   A couple of them ran during the League Championship games two Sundays ago and they will "continue" during the Super Bowl.    I haven't heard much about other commercials scheduled.  But, they are usually on the crazy side…off the wall.  Some even stupid.  

Have fun watching! Mostly, I hope the score will stay close so it's exciting to watch! I like Peyton Manning. Both teams deserve to be there.