It's still February?

I think we are all glad that February is the shortest month of the year with all this crazy winter weather happening in so many places in our country.  Won't it be nice to turn the calendar to March?  (Joyce:  perhaps a future HP question… do you still use a paper calendar?  Or have you moved into the electronic world for keeping track of your schedule?)  

Until then, it's a February Hodgepodge list of questions…

1.  What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act? 

Somehow I have a feeling that my fellow bloggers and I will agree, and respond the same on this answer!  I think the "change" is a loosening or a total lack of respect for others.   I was first going to say it's about the way children are raised now, and the freedoms they have to be themselves without following rules.  No discipline.  No moral conscience for actions.  But!  I think it's a general problem - of all ages.   And, one could say if parents and older people had more respect for others (regardless of who they are and how they live) then I think it would filter down to the children.  So, really, it's a "change" (problem) with most everyone.   Aretha got it right when she sang about R - E - S- P -E - C -T!   We need more of it!

2.  The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing, broken up with two or four rounds of target shooting.  Which part would stress you out more?  Or would you love both equally? 

Cross country skiing takes endurance with great strength, and target shooting requires precision in aim, and steadiness.  Both challenging!   It's a strange "sport" that I'm guessing came from the past when people actually had to hunt for food.    I don't think I would "love" (as the question states) either of them… but, many people know I have a real aversion to anything that shoots.  So, I would not want to do that part of the race for sure.

3.  February is National Canned Food Month…what is your most often purchased canned food item?  What was the last can you opened? 

My most often purchased canned food is green beans because our church is responsible for the canned vegetables at the community Food Pantry.    The last can I opened?  I made some ham in the crock pot and put some canned diced pineapple on top with a little brown sugar.  I also use canned tomato sauce often for chili, and other wintery dishes.

4.  What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise? 

I have had a few friends cruise down the Rhine River through Germany and they loved it.  And, I have been to Germany (but not cruising) along the Mosel River and it was beautiful!!  It's the area of the storybook town of Bernkastel - along wine country.    So, yes, I think that a German river cruise would be wonderful!

5.  It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep… what do you do?  Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television?  Or do you get up and do something productive? 

I am blessed to be a very good sleeper!  Rarely do I wake up at night and not be able to roll over and fall right back asleep.  But… if I have a bit of difficulty, all I need to do is turn on my bedside lamp and read for a few minutes.  Usually, the next thing I know, it's morning and I have been sleeping with the book on my chest.  

6.  How important is keeping your cool?  

Oh wow!   VERY IMPORTANT!!!   For many reasons…  first, for your own health. Hot headed people often have high blood pressure and other issues that come with it.     People who have trouble keeping their cool and talking rationally are not easy to be around and often lose friends.  But, most of all… people who get worked up in a situation often react with anger… and that anger can lead to horrible circumstances.  We all know of cases of road rage, and of shootings from an escalated fight.  I think right now of the Michael Dunn case in Florida.  He did not keep his cool.   That's just the most recent nationally recognized tragedy.  But, it happens way too often.  

How do we teach people to keep their cool?  How do we stop them from acting out?  Perhaps it goes back to question 1, and the need for more emphasis on respect for each individual, especially when they are different or act differently than us.    "Do unto others are you would have them do unto you."

7.  White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet…
which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?  

None specifically apply to me, so I will say "white as a sheet" because I have been out of the sun these past months.  I ache for warmth, and sunshine, and outdoor living.  I need a little color in these cheeks!   Come on March!!

8.  My random thought. 

I wrote in my last post about my darn allergies giving me fits right now.  I'm allergic to trees and they are starting to pollinate in these parts.  That's a good thing because it's a sign of Spring coming.  But I'm wondering from the other seasonal sufferers out there what medicine is the "go to" drug to help alleviate your symptoms.  I usually rely on Benadryl.   But, right now I'm willing to try something new and different.  Suggestions please!  

Have a wonderful week ahead… as we edge closer and closer to March!