what's good about March? How do you see this month? Do you go with the wind?

Our Hodgepodge leader Joyce has a great list of questions this week.  Prepare yourself because a couple of the questions will send me into a lengthy answer, and you might need to sit down, and grab a cup of coffee.

1.  'In like a lion, out like a lamb'...does the first part of this saying describing March weather ring true where you live? 

Yes, it rings true here.  I know I live in an area that doesn't get the extreme cold temps and snow like many of you do, but for here, yes, March has come in like a lion.   It's been a very cold and unusual winter for these parts because normally we get some "warm-up" days mixed in.  I can recall wearing shorts in January for a few days in past years.  But, the arctic air dipped down low this season.  My plants have been zapped badly this year.   I am looking forward to spring more than ever after this winter.  I'm praying that March goes out like a lamb!!

2.  March 4th is National Grammar Day.  What common grammatical error bothers you the most? 

I'll be the first to admit I am not an expert when it comes to grammar, and I find that I write like I talk...   like right now.   I don't always make a perfect sentence!  lol    So, I think I have more of a question than anything when it comes to grammar.  Teachers out there, please give me the answer!  When closing quotes, and then a period at the end of the sentence, in what order do they appear?  I always thought it was the period first, then the quote mark.  But I have seen it both ways.  Is there a right and wrong way??  

3.  William Arthur Ward says "the pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."  (note:  period, quote mark)   Which one are you?

Ok.  Prepare for a long answer!   I have had similiar discussions on several occasions when it comes to peoples' outlooks on life.  I think the first thing to say is that one way is not necessarily better than another way.  I think each person has some sort of genetic make-up, that along with life experiences, makes them see the wind a certain way.   And, the vision of the wind each person has causes them to react a certain way.

I am an optimist for sure.  I am happy to be an optimist, and I generally see the world in a positive way. I know the wind will change and I am content with that knowledge... and look forward to seeing the change.    I have been told on numerous occasions that I wear rose-colored glasses.  When told that I feel like it is said in a negative way - that perhaps I am spacey, or live a "favored" life.   Perhaps it is true.  But, it is my truth.  It is who I am.   

I have grown into being an optimist.  I don't think I was an optimist from Day One.  But, I have chosen through my life experiences, and through learning, and through my faith,  to believe in the wind...to let it change as it must. 

I tend to think people who see the wind in the same way understand each other better.   Optimists hang together.  Pessimists do too (or do they hide away, afraid & sad?)   It's easy to get judgemental.  It's hard to accept the differences.  

4.  What's something you need to 'march forth and conquer' this month? 

Well, not to be too redundant, I let the wind carry me - but I also prepare the best I can too.  So, I need to continue to conquer the upcoming wedding plans.   The days are ticking by and April 25th is getting closer.   I am very excited about it all, and am doing my best to conquer the hundred and one things on the "to do" list!

5.  An on-going debate around here... do you dust first, then vacuum...or vacuum first, then dust?  Of the two routine household chores, which do you dislike the least?  How's that for wording? 

Definitely DUST FIRST, THEN VACUUM!!    When you dust you can't help but scatter some of the dust - and it falls on to the carpet.  So, to get the most dust picked up, it is best to dust first, and then vacuum.   (duh)     Of the two I don't have a "least favorite"....  it depends. (See, I'm an optimist - I try and see the best in everything! lol)  I like to dust to music or the TV on if it's a show I want to see.   Then I vacuum (after dusting) but because it's noisy, I wait until I don't need to hear anything.  My dogs go crazy when I first turn on the vacuum. They quickly settle down.  But, each and every time, when it's turned on they want to attack it!   What is it with dogs and vacuums??  

6.  According to thrillist.com, the ten most photographed sites in the USA are - Cinderella's Castle in Orlando, the Southernmost house in Key West FL, the Space Needle in Seattle, the site of the Boston Massacre in Boston, the Bellagio lake/fountains in Las Vegas, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.,  Coit Tower in San Francisco, the Art Institute of Chicago, Niagra Falls, and snagging the number one spot - the Guggenheim Museum in New York. 

How many on this list have you photographed?  Which one on the list would you most like to visit and photograph? 

Been there and took the picture:   Cinderella's Castle in Orlando,  the southernmost "spot" in Key West (the buoy thing that tells how far it is to Cuba),  the Lincoln Memorial in D.C.,  and Coit Tower.

Been there but did NOT take a picture:  Boston - but not where the massacre took place.   New York City - lots of spots. I have driven by the Guggenheim but didn't take a picture. 

I visited Niagra Falls as a kid.  I don't know if we had a picture taken there but I am guessing we did.

I also visited Chicago when I was in college.  The Art Institute outdoor sculptures count? 

So, the only place I have yet to be is Seattle.  I am a bit of a picture-taking nut these days thanks to my iphone, so I'm guessing I would definitely take a pic of the Space Needle if I saw it!

7.  Fifty years ago Monday (March 2, 1965) The Sound of Music premiered at the Rivoli Theatre in NYC.  Have you seen the film?  Do you own a copy?  On a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you love it (or not)?  10 = best movie ever.  If you're a fan, what's your favorite scene or song in the movie? 

OMG!  The Sound of Music IS my all-time favorite movie!  It's a 10 in my book!   It's perfection.   This movie features the best music, the best actors, the best scenery and cinematography!   It's a classic - and EVERYONE should see it.   And, who doesn't already know the music??  Come on... it's amazing!  

Yes, we own a copy.  And yes, I showed the movie to my daughters at a young age - it's like making sure your kids know the Beatles.  It's a must.  

My daughters and I had an opportunity when they were in high school to travel to Salzburg, Austria with the county orchestra.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me to walk where it was filmed - to see the familiar sites.    Aaaahhh.    sigh.

Obviously, the movie is also an important history lesson.  We can't forget that too.  And it is the REAL life story of the Von Trapp family - and Maria.

My favorite scene and song?    I love them all.  That's hard.   Too many choices...all wonderful!!

8. My random thought. 

Dang. I have deep thoughts today.  So, none that are really out there and just random.  I'm thinking about living as an optimist and looking forward to spring...and the wedding... and summer concerts, and summer in general.   March is a "turning point" in each year.   It's the time of Lent before Easter.  It's reflection...and about finding joy in new growth and in birds singing.   

It's all good!