It's short (and sweet) this week.

Hello Facebook and Hodgepodge friends.   Got a minute or two?   If so, read on



1.  Share one thing that really makes your day. 

I think it is when something unexpected happens - for the good.  It's usually a surprise from a person, be it a nice word or two said to me, or a small gesture done.   I think we all enjoy those moments. 

A card in the mail, or a cup of DD coffee....   a text about something funny.   It doesn't take money really.  It's more the thought and time given.

2. Lots of these kinds of lists out there, but one found here says the fifteen most colorful places on earth are:

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy~Burano, Italy~Havana, Cuba~Rio de Janiero, Brazil~Chefchaouen, Morocco~Balat, Istanbul, Turkey~Menton, France~Jodhpur, India~La Baca, Buenos Aires, Argentina~Guanajuato, Mexico~Capetown, South Africa~Valparaiso, Chile~Wroclaw, Poland~San Francisco, California~and Pelourhino, Salvador, Brazil.  

Of those listed which would you most like to see up close and in person? Of all the places you've seen or traveled in your own life, what would you say was one of the most colorful?
 



From this list, I have only been to San Francisco.  Sad?  Not sure.  What's interesting is that most of the other locations are spots I never craved to see.  Colorful? Why?   Because of natural beauty - or the people - or the attitude? 


Can I say, this just seems like a strange list to me. 


3."Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield  In general, would you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?

I think I have to disagree with the word 'everything' in this statement.  Even though fear can certainly hold us back, I don't think overcoming all fear means we then get everything we want.   There is more required than overcoming fear.  Often we need to put in hard work, or deal with circumstances, or just some things happen beyond our control.   So, I disagree with Mr. Canfield's statement. 

4. Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and dessert appears...what do you hope it is? Do you ever struggle to remember which spelling is desert and which is dessert?

Ha!  I never struggle with the spelling of those two words.  And, I think if I was stranded on a desert island my dessert of choice would have to be a warm brownie, with chocolate syrup on top - and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  

If it just "appears" out of thin air I think I might have other more serious issues to worry about on the island!  Maybe I'd had a little too much time in the sun!  lol 

5. What song almost always makes you cry?

Well, there is a hymn with the word 'cry' in the title that does just that!  This hymn some of you might be familiar with too.   It's called "I was there to hear your borning cry"...  and it goes on "I'll be there when you are old.  I was there the day you were babtized, to see your life unfold...."


It is a wonderful lyric, to a beautiful song.   I think of my daughters when I hear it.   Of course, it's really about God being there from the beginning, and always. It's quite touching. 



6. January is National Soup Month.  Everything from soup to nuts, in the soup, thick as pea soup, souped up...which saying most recently applies to your life in some way? Explain.

Toughie.  None of the sayings strike me immediately.   I try to be 'souped up' about life in general.   Excited.  Optimistic.     So, I guess I will go with that. 

7. Write a two word note to your younger self. What does it say?

Well, you know I immediately thought of the song by Brad Paisley.  You know it?  If not, google it and listen. I think it's called "If I Could Write a Letter to me."

But only two words??      Enjoy today.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Sometimes,  I can write paragraphs when I see the Hodgepodge questions. But this week they left me with little to say.  (Some may count that as a blessing! lol) 

My random thought is that winter nights are all about TV viewing.   When its cold out, and dark, I spend more hours in front of the television.  Last night I stayed up late to watch the exciting College Championship Football game.  Did you watch?  It was anybody's game down to the last minute!!!  Both teams were tough and had some amazing plays.  It's what you want a final game to be like.

Tonight the president gives his last "State of the Union" address and I look forward to watching it too.  Supposedly it's to be "different" and I hope it is.  You know, they can be long and dull...  with too much applause from Congress after being difficult to him all along.  It's so fake!  So, I hope there is something new and different to this speech.  I can see President Obama trying it.  I have liked him all along and I have supported most of his issues, and attempts to change this country for the better.

Then tomorrow... it's more of the final season for "American Idol."  I have watched it every year since Season one.  So many young, talented singers have come from the show!  It's been light, and fun, and emotional.... and I will miss it once it goes off air. 

Have a good night - and a pleasant tomorrow.  (Who signed off that way?  Extra credit if you know!)