ANOTHER FRICKIN' SNOW STORM HODGEPODGE!

     As I write this Hodgepodge entry we are expecting another snow storm where it is predicted that some parts of NH will receive from ten to twelve inches of snow. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH! Hence the title of this weeks Hodgepodge! I hope we do not get slammed again. Thank you Joyce for another set of interesting questions. Enjoy, better yet, participate.

1. Do you have an interest in learning about your family's heritage? Why or why not? If you know a little bit about your roots, share an interesting piece of trivia or a fun fact about someone who goes way back on your family tree.
     I have a friend who traces one's heritage as a hobby. He is the current president of the American-Canadian Genealogical Society. I am of French Canadian ancestry. As a surprise he traced my family roots back to the early 1700's. My forebears apparently lived in a small village in the area of what is now Trois Rivieres, Quebec. Family tradition indicates that we were devout Roman Catholics which is not unusual for French Canadians. 

2. Branch Rickey, the baseball exec credited with signing Jackie Robinson, is quoted as saying-

"Luck is the residue of design."
Agree or disagree? Why?
     I agree! I like to read biography's of famous and successful people. The one consistent fact in all the biography's that I have read is that no one achieved fame or success without years of preparation. Sometimes that preparation took the form of formal education. Sometimes it took the form of working in various disciplines, working their way up the ladder. Sometimes it was a combination of the two. It never happens "overnight!" It always takes years of hard work and preparation.

3. In the town where you currently reside, what's your favorite green space?
     There is a road that runs parallel to a small river. Both the road and the river meander through the countryside. I think that is my favorite green space.

4. Who is your favorite comedian?
     My favorite comedian who is still living would be "Dave Allen." My favorite of all time is "Red Skelton."

5. March is National Nutrition Month, and almost everyone needs to improve their diet in some way.  What about you? How can you improve your nutrition on a daily basis? Will you try?
     I can improve my diet by eating more vegetation such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. I have been trying for many years with some success and I'm sad to say more failure.

6. Which of these green expressions have you 'experienced' in recent weeks -green with envy, green thumb, green around the gills, or give the green light? Explain.
     I would have to go with "Green with envy." I am envious of the warm temperatures of southern Florida and southern California where my son and his family live.

7. Where is one place you don't mind waiting? 
     I don't mind waiting in a bakery or restaurant. The smells of these places are usually amazing and make any wait fairly pleasant.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     I am concerned about the education of our children. I believe that the time has long passed when the 'Education Establishment" is more concerned about educating our children than they are about gaining and maintaining more power and wealth for themselves.
     If you were to take a look at the rise in how much we spend per student now compared with how much we spent per student years ago you would see that we spend significantly more today than what we spent is past years. However, our students are less educated now than in years past.
     Private schools spend a half to two thirds as much as public schools do per student and the private school students are much better educated than the public school students. Why is this so?
     In my humble opinion the amount of money spent has never and will never be the main factor in determining the quality of an education. Rigorous instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, and critical thinking, along with practice and application, and fair, measurable standards will…in my humble opinion!