SUMMER HEAT HODGEPODGE

     

     Here it is almost mid July. The summer seems to be passing by way too quickly. Well, with summer comes the inevitable thunder storms and with Wednesday comes the inevitable series of Hodgepodge questions from our friend Joyce. If you have a chance visit her blog "From This Side of the Pond." You'll be glad that you did. Thank you Joyce for another set of great questions!

1. July is National Anti-Boredom Month. When was the last time you were bored? What's your go-to cure for boredom?
     When I was in the U.S. Air Force I had a supervisor who told me that boredom is self inflicted. He believed that if one is bored it is their own fault. We have at our fingertips every imaginable activity that can challenge our minds, our talents or our bodies.  There is no reason why we should get bored. The sad fact, however, is that we all do get bored from time to time.
     I cannot remember the last time I was bored. When I do get bored I read, work a crossword puzzle, or watch an On-Demand movie on television.  

2. What's the last thing you made a reservation for?
     A medical test that I had done yesterday. (See Random Thought below)

3. What's one thing on your summer 'bucket list'? Any plans to make it happen?
     I really don't have a summer "bucket list." I believe in making it up as I go along. I prefer to let my summer unfold naturally if you will. SWMBO wants to visit Cape Cod sometime this year. 

4. What's your favorite summertime sip?
     My absolute favorite summertime sip is Dunkin Donuts Watermelon Coolatta with whipped cream. My next favorite would be a sweetened peach iced tea.

5. What do you find is the best way to handle another person's hostility and hopefully ease the tension?
     The Bible teaches that a soft answer turns away wrath. I find that the best way is to respond to hostility is to do so gently. To do so often diffuses the tension and makes reasonable discourse possible. Answering hostility with more hostility only escalates the tension and makes dialogue almost impossible. 
     Responding with a baseball bat up side their head also diffuses hostility and often, consciousness. (For the benefit of those who don't know me, I'm just kidding notwithstanding the truth of my previous statement!)

6. Your favorite film set in summer?
     Saving Private Ryan! I know it begins on June 6th, 1944, but most of it takes place during the summer of 1944 following the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. I love World War II history.

7. What word are you using too much lately?
      I have no idea which word I've been using too much lately.
   
8. Insert your own random thought here.
     Yesterday I had to undergo a routine medical procedure which is odious to most people. This medical procedure requires one or two days of preparation prior to the day of the test. It is an invasive test. Normally I require dinner and a movie before participating in this level of intimacy, but I digress.  If you have had this routine test done in the past then you understand what I mean. If you have not had this test done in the past, then I won't spoil the surprise. 
     I should have my formal results in about two weeks. The doctor told me that she did not note any anomalies.
     My beloved SWMBO was glad to be driving me around for a change. She drove me to and from the hospital.