Rainy days and Hodgepodge.

Greetings everyone! It's a rainy April morning here as I sit down to type, so it's very appropriate for this week's Hodgepodge questions. Thank you Joyce for leading the Hodgepodge, and enjoy your week off next week with your family as you prepare for Easter.

1.   April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes.  When did you last 'shower' attention on someone, or have attention 'showered' on you?  Did you love it, or did all that attention make you squirm? 

Well, this question makes me feel a bit guilty because perhaps I have not showered enough attention on those I love.  I will try and do better.  As for me receiving attention, my hubby is VERY good at giving me compliments and 'showering' me with love.  I don't always receive it well - although deep inside I know I'm so fortunate to have a spouse like him.  Sometimes when he gives me a compliment I either roll my eyes or say some silly remark back.  He tells me just say "thank you"…and accept it.  It's hard sometimes.

2.   Share a favorite 'spring break' memory.  Not talking about just the college spring break, but any favorite spring break memory you'd like to share. 

Back in the 'dark ages' when I went to college 'spring break' was not a party destination time.  But, I do remember going on a few get-aways with friends once I started working, mostly to get away from winter's doldrums.   One of the first trips with girlfriends was to Martinque (where is it?  South of Aruba).  I tagged along on a planned trip.  I think it was 4 days.   This is my take-away from it:  We were conservative American girls hitting the beach with french "free" women.  Some were topless. We were covered up in our one piece suits!  We didn't have much money - so we lived on french bread and cheese for most of the trip.  The airport was hot and made of cement blocks.  No luxuries like you find at US Airports.  We sat there a long time.  Our flight was delayed.  I was happy at that point to get on a plane and fly home!

I think it was my first experience of being outside the US and it was an eye opener for seeing how other people live.  It was also the first time I felt a bit nervous, knowing we were not in the safety of our own country.    

3.  It's National Pecan Month…  are you a fan?  If so, what's your favorite dish that calls for pecans? 

Yes, I'm a fan!  I love nuts (takes one to know one!  ha)    I love pecan pie but rarely have it. Oh, the calories!!  Most times I eat pecans on a salad, or just out of my hand.

4.  'Put all your eggs in one basket.' 'egg on your face,' 'rotten egg,' 'walk on eggshells,' or 'a good egg'…  which egg expression could most recently be applied to your life? 

Do you remember as a kid playing tag and saying "the last one in is a rotten egg?"    Funny how we come up with things sometimes.     Now, that I don't play tag anyone….   I think I have to say I see myself as "a good egg."   Reliable - with my heart in the right place.  

5.  In my experience ______________ .

In my experience I have learned that life is what you make it.  That attitude is 90% of it.  It doesn't matter what you do, or where you come from, but HOW you see the joy in a situation and how you learn to accept whatever happens.

I have learned that life IS short and each day REALLY is a gift.   When I was young it was hard to get that concept.   Now, in my "mid life" (I hope that's where I am) I know that life is precious and I try to make each day count.  Gee, I guess that goes back to question #1:  I need to shower more attention on my loved ones!

6.  What's a favorite song with the word rain in it's title or lyrics? 

"Rain is a Good Thing" - Luke Bryan

"It's Raining on Sunday" - Keith Urban

"She's My Kind of Rain" - Tim McGraw - although I still don't totally understand the lyrics.  I love Tim McGraw so much I had to include this song.  lol   "She's like raining confetti"….

7.  What does hope mean to you? 
 
Hope - means never giving up.  It means seeing that light at the end of the tunnel.  Hope means living life with rose colored glasses and seeing good in the future.

8.  My random thought. 

So, here's a bit of a philosophical question for you out there.  It has to do with the disappearance of the Malaysian plane.   First, are you tired of the "front page" emphasis on it?  And, do you think we (all the countries involved) should be spending millions of dollars looking for the wreckage and remains?  I totally understand the need for closure for the families of those missing.  I also understand the need to see if some catastrophic event happened to cause the plane to go down.  But, where does the line get drawn?  Is money spent searching even something to think about?  If so,  how much is too much?

Is the news media keeping the story alive longer than it should?  It's almost the tail wagging the dog.  The searchers are being SO scrutinized by the media that they are leading the campaign to keep looking.   Do you know what I mean?  

Wow.  Sorry.  A heavy random thought this morning.   It happens.  My blog - my thoughts.  

Happy Palm Sunday - and have a solemn, thoughtful Holy Week.     See you on the flip side of Easter! Alleluia!  He is risen!