Patience! No need to hurry through the Hodgepodge.

The Hodgepodge took last week off but it's back again today.  Just for fun, on Tuesdays, our leader comes up with 7 questions and posts them online.  Then we answer them and we meet back and share our answers on Wednesdays.  Want to join in?  Just let me know and I will pass along our leader Joyce's info to you.  In the meantime, here is this week's questions with my answers. 

 

1. What's changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday? 

 

I can't think of a big change that has happened since my last birthday - which is December 15th.  But, within the month a big change is 'a coming.'  I have mentioned this before here, but hubby and I are getting ready to downsize our home.  We have our house on the market, and we have already purchased a smaller one.  We have been doing some work on the smaller one, and we are taking over lots of the small stuff that we can handle.  Hopefully next week we will have the furniture moved, so then it will become our 'official' residence. 

We will have a new permanent address.

 

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what's a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer?  

Yes, I like to listen to classical music but it's not my 'music of choice' when I am doing work around the house or riding in the car.  Classical music has such wide degrees of volume and I find it hard to listen to it well with just a radio or on my Iphone.   I also find that since I know enough about music in general, and about the different instruments in an orchestra, that I can't really listen passively... I need to sit, and really listen to classical music.

Favorite piece or composer?   I have several for varying reasons.  My Lutheran background and upbringing makes Bach one of my favorite composers.   He wrote much of the music used in the early church.   When it comes to amazing piano concertos I love Rachmoninoff.  I also love the beauty of the Chopin Nocturnes.   Oh - and Mozart!  Strings and Mozart!

3. Besides The Bible, what's a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so? 

 

I just finished reading a book last month that really meant a lot to me, and I may have mentioned it here already. I loved it so much I shared copies with family members.  It is "Across That Bridge. Life lessons and a Vision for Change" by Congressman and Civil Rights leader John Lewis.  

It doesn't take long to read.  Congressman Lewis is such a role model to me on how to work non-violently towards a better life for all. He is a man of faith, and a man not afraid to get into the political world and work endlessly for change and for a better country.  

It's a book that stimulates discussion - and that is always a good thing!

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter...play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try? 

 

At this point in my life, I don't know if I want to be smarter - I just don't want to lose my brain ability and become dumber!  lol   Of the hobbies on the list above, I already play a musical instrument regularly, I read all the time, I meditate/pray, I work crossword puzzles often, I exercise occasionally (not enough), and I write my feelings down in my blog. 

So... of the hobbies I do not do, I will say I would like to get into golf again.  I played regularly for a good while but then I backed away last year for two reasons:  I got very frustrated with my game.  ha!  Who doesn't??  And, my back had given me pain issues.  Golfing was a challenge with a sore back.   

I do not have a desire to travel to new places or to cook different kinds of meals.

5. What sports traditions does your family have? 

 

I can't say we have any long-standing traditions that have to do with sports. But, in general, we are a family that enjoys watching lots of sports.  Especially football.  We are college and NFL fans.  Some of us like watching tennis too.  We even enjoy watching golf on TV.  

I will definitely pass on watching boxing. 

As for playing sports, we all have dipped our toes into various types of sports... as I said in question 4,  I played golf...and some tennis. 

 

 

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please. 

 

Although personally I think it's a bit disrespectful to kneel or stay seated during the National Anthem, we live in America and we are allowed Freedom of Speech (and freedom of actions that do not harm others) and we have the right to express ourselves.  Many citizens of other countries do not have that opportunity.

I think the media again is making this a bigger deal than it should be. And, I think once again it causes people to 'take sides' and I don't think we need to be so divisive all the time. 

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience? 

 

Ha!  Why is it easier to think of the times I lack patience?!?    I lack it when I get behind a slow driver in the left lane.  I lack it when someone is in line to buy something - and then they get up to the counter and are not prepared to 'check out'... and I lack it when I think something is easy to do, but someone else finds it difficult.  

Where am I most patient?   I do not mind waiting in a long backed up traffic line (or in a  standstill) when I know it's due to a car accident ahead of me.  I pray for the people involved and realize being late to where I am going is no big deal compared to those involved in the accident. 

 

 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

I have not watched "Dancing with the Stars" for a few years - but I did last night.  I was one of those who wondered about how it would go with Ryan Lochte on last night's show.   Yep. The network pulled me in.   If you watched too, you saw, but more 'heard,' the scuffle after he and Cheryl Burke danced.   Someone came out on the stage and yelled about Locht being a liar. I guess the guy was tackled and 'escorted' out.  The camera kept on the judges table during it all.    What do you think?  Part of me kinda thinks it might have been planned...which I realize it pretty cynical of me.  But, how can they not know who is in that audience?  How did someone get in to the room and jump out on to the stage like that without people not knowing ahead of time?    Could the network big-wigs who got me to watch the show last night also had 'allowed' this to occur?   I hate to think so...but I do wonder.  

 

Your thoughts?

 

Have a patient week ahead!!