In like a lion...

We have made it to March! I remember as a child seeing a bulletin board in my classroom with a lion and a lamb on it, and the expression that "March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb."   It seems this year the month of March is certainly starting off like a lion.  I have high hopes that it will be more like a lamb by the end of the month.

As we wait, we can continue with the Hodgepodge each week.  Here are today's questions with my answers.

1.  The expression 'mad as a March hare' originated as a fictional character who is distracted and frantic.  When were you last 'mad as a March hare' and what was it that made you that way? 

Usually I feel 'mad as a March hare' when I have lost something that is important to me.  A couple of weeks ago I became very frantic and distracted when  I could not find my glasses that I rely on for driving.  I don't wear glasses all the time so I am continually putting them on, taking them off, setting them aside.  I try to put my glasses in the same places all the time - but occasionally I don't.  Then I get mad at myself - and I get pretty frantic as I look for them.   The last time this happened I searched and searched until I found that they had slid down between my driver's seat and the middle console in the car.  They must have fallen out of my handbag.

2. Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, March 4th. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras, and if so what did you think?  If not, do you have any interest in going? Purple, green, and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras.  Which one is most prevalent in your wardrobe?  How about in your home? 

I have never been to Mardi Gras - and in fact, I have never been to New Orleans.  So, yes, I would like to experience it all once!  I might prefer to see New Orleans when it is not Mardi Gras time - to really see the sights, and hear the sounds of the area.  I'm not a big creole lover so I don't think I'd go for the food, but I would love to hear the jazz bands in the little clubs, and experience the music scene that it is so famous for.

As for the colors:  Green is most prevalent in my closet. I've said this before, I have green eyes so I like to wear green too.   In my home?  None of the colors really - but my living room area and kitchen walls are painted a deep buttery yellow (it changes color with the light of the day.)  It's not gold… but the closest of the Mardi Gras colors.

3.  Are you old fashioned? 

I think as a person ages they can't help but become a bit old fashioned because they remember and look back fondly on the events and styles of their youth.  They become reminiscent of the 'good ole days' and sometimes don't like to see things change from how it was.

Saying that, I TRY TRY TRY to stay current and not be old fashioned all the time.  I don't want to live in the past. I want to keep whatever youth I have -  which is really only the youth in my mind!  My body may not be youthful anymore but I can try and keep my thinking that way.  I admit I need prodding sometimes. My hubby has the same mindset as I do, so he is good at encouraging me to be "with it" when it comes to electronics, fashion, etc.

4.  Do you carefully plan your vacations, or do you prefer the days to be more spontaneous? 

I'm a planner.  I'm not good at just going somewhere on a whim without any ideas of what to do and see.  So, I prefer to take some time and plan out a vacation ahead of going. It's easy to do on the internet.  I like to research the area, to learn the places of interest, and to make a plan as to what I want to experience on a vacation.

Some of my favorite vacations have been ones where I have gone with a group tour because it is already planned - and it's less personally stressful.  No decisions to be made.  Just go with the flow.  I have taken a couple European trips that way.  And, I have cruised several times.  Cruising gives you a bit of both - planned adventures and some spontaneous moments.


5.  March is National Sauce Month… what is your favorite sauce, and what do you most often top with this sauce? 

Who knew?   A special month for sauces!   ha!   I think my favorite is a brown sauce.  I love lots of Chinese food dishes prepared with brown sauce, especially chicken egg foo yong.  When I order Chinese food I usually get enough brown sauce to use it in another meal too.

6.  What's something that easily brings you to tears? 

Just one thing?  I can't answer with just one….    I tear up easily.   Here's a few reasons:   Watching a movie with a happy ending, or a sweet moment OR watching a moment with an extremely sad situation,  watching a family video of my daughters when they were babies/toddlers - and hearing their little voices, sitting in church and thinking back on my family growing up in church (I sometimes hear a hymn and my mother singing beside me & I hear my Dad saying the benediction - he was a pastor),  being outdoors on a lovely evening with my hubby and having a glass of wine, talking about life.

FYI:  I used to tear up ALL the time in my 40's due to hormonal ups and downs - and had to get on my "happy pills". Back then my tearing up was not always 'tears of joy' but now it is.  Thank God for modern medicine!

7.  If you could own any sports team, which would it be and why?  

I could not imagine owning any big professional sports team in today's world because they are so wrapped up in making big bucks and it's too often business over enjoyment.  So, I think I have to answer that I'd own a neighborhood children's team…and try to teach sportsmanship and the love of a game at an early age.

8.  My random thought. 

I am itching to get out and to plant!  I want to work in my yard, to "piddle' around and pull weeds, and plant flowers in pots. It's still too early but I'm anxious - and I'm waiting for the mild lamb-like days of March to get outdoors and enjoy!!

Have a good week all.  Stay warm!