Taxes, libraries, gardens, and more.

1. What's the last thing you did that could be described as 'taxing'?

Ah, tax season is here!  Thankfully, hubby and I have used a tax company and very qualified CPA's to do our taxes for quite a few years now.

But, what about other times I have done something taxing?   Well,  I take this to mean that it is having to do hard work, to use a lot of brain power, and it is quite tiring.  I am fortunate to say I have not had anything like that in my life for a long time.  I have had a few times in the past where I have had deadlines but usually they are for projects I enjoy doing.  I have a situation in life now, and am of an age too, where I can say no to something I consider taxing.    Yippee!

2. If you could plant a garden of anything, what would be in it?

I'm a flower garden person.  I love working outdoors and I love weeding, and watching flowers grow.  So, I think my garden of "anything" would be full of flowers of all kinds and colors, that bloom through the seasons.  

3. April 10-16 is National Library Week...will you celebrate with a visit to your nearest library? When did you last make a trip to the library? What are you reading right now? What's one title on your want-to-read list?

I take care of our church's library.  So, I visit it once a week or so...just to put away books that have been borrowed, or to add new donations in.   I do not really go to our county/neighborhood library, although I probably should.  It's new - and close by.

I prefer to buy books.  I buy some from our independent little book shop, and some I buy from Amazon.  I often buy gently used ones.  I like to have them for as long as I need them. I belong to two Book Clubs so sometimes I buy in advance - or see something I want to read in the summer and get it early to save. 

Right now I am reading "A God in Ruins" for my neighborhood Book Club.  It's by Kate Atkinson.  I am 3/4s through and I am not loving it.  Interesting characters I suppose. A lot of 'time jumping.'  I will be interested to hear how my fellow club members feel about the book.   That's the beauty of belonging to a club.  You hear many interpretations and reviews on a book. It can be enlightening.





4. Share a saying or an old wives tale you heard while growing up, you believed to be true or that you paid attention to 'just in case'?

I Skipped over this, and just came back.  I'm at a loss for an old wives tale that I still believe.  Stepping on cracks will break your mothers back...  walking under a ladder will give you bad luck...  maybe those two.  But, I really don't live my life thinking about it.  I guess I will have to wait and read other answers. 





5. Are you a fan of onions? Garlic? Ginger? What's a dish you love that contains one, two or all three items listed?

Onions - cooked. Yes!   Raw - they are okay in small doses.   Garlic - cooked. Yes! In small doses.  Ginger - I can take it or leave it.  

A favorite dish?  Well, I love a good thick spaghetti sauce with sauted onions and garlic in it.   Really, I love lots of dishes with sauted onions and garlic - And I love the smell of it on the stove top!

6.  Where does nurturing end and indulging begin? What are some skills or qualities a person needs to posess in order to be viewed as mature?

Hmm.  Good question.  My personal story:   I used to worry that we indulged our daughters too much when they were young and growing up...but I also made sure to let them know how fortunate we were, and that with good gifts from God there also comes responsibility.  

There is a big difference in what we NEED versus what we LIKE TO HAVE.   I think a child needs to learn as they grow that everyone has the same NEEDS, but they don't get the same things they might like to have.   But,  people are still the same.   A mature person knows this. A mature person is one that - going back to my new mantra these days - stays humble and kind to everyone.

7. What leading figure in any field would you like to hear speak, and why?

I love those videoed talks you can pull up online now. I can't think of the name of them, but my daughter has shown me a few - from industry leaders, or writers, or artists.

I think I would love to listen to someone in the music industry today.  I find it interesting...not the artist so much, as someone who works for them - to promote them, to get the talent out there for all to hear.  I think true singers/musicians have to rely on people to produce, agents to schedule, companies to market.  There is so much that goes on 'behind the scene' that I find fascinating. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I was "chatty" this morning and wrote a few thoughts on my blog in a post before this one.  If you hae time, read on.   If not, have a wonderful April day - and week!  See you next time here at the Hodgepodge!