WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE "S" DAY BLOG

     Today is Wednesday and as usual it's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. It is also "S" day at the "A" to "Z" Blog Challenge. It is really challenging trying to publish a blog a day every day except Sunday. The Hodgepodge just adds to that challenge. It's a challenge gladly accepted. Thank you Joyce my fellow "A" to "Z" blogger and mistress of the Wednesday Hodgepodge for this week's edition!

1. Have you ever had to wear a uniform? If yes, tell us more. Did you love it or hate it?
     I wore a uniform when I played Little League baseball. I wore a uniform as a Boy Scout. I wore a uniform for the eight years I was in the U.S. Air Force. I wore a uniform for thirty years as a police officer. So yes I have worn a uniform! 

2. April 22nd is Earth Day. What is one thing you do personally to be a good steward of planet Earth?
    SWMBO and I recycle. 

3. Brown rice, quinoa, or couscous...your healthy grain of choice? How often are one of the three on your menu at home?  Given a choice between white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and fried rice which would you go for? 
     SWMBO and I have recently begun using Quinoa. We do like it. It is very comparable to brown rice which we also use. My choice from the list above would be fried rice.

4. In your opinion, who has the best job ever?
     Anyone who has a job that they absolutely love and are passionate about. It will be something different for each person. Mine was police work! Now it's being a husband and grandfather.

5. What's a situation in your life currently requiring patience? 
     I respectfully decline to answer on advice of counsel because my answer may tend to incriminate me!

6.  Do you live your life around days of the week? Explain.
      Not really... Sunday is the most important day, it sets the tone for the rest of the week. I wouldn't say that I live my life around any particular day however.

7. In a nod to the A to Z challenge happening around town this month, what 'R word' best describes your April? 
    Resolved! I am resolved to complete the Challenge and perhaps blog two or three times per week from May first onward.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My theme for the “A” to “Z” Blog Challenge is a trip down Rock and Roll Memory Lane. I’ve been writing about the lives and music of artist whose name begins with the letter of the day. Today is “S” day. My subject is Steven Georgiou. You may know him better as Cat Stevens. 

Cat Stevens was born in London, England on July 21, 1948. As a boy he taught himself to play the piano. With the popularity of the Beatles he convinced his father to buy him a guitar which he also taught himself to play. He immediately began writing songs. Stevens liked drawing and had a talent for art. He took classes in Art School and became a fairly good artist. Music was his calling, however, and he began playing in the various coffee houses in London. 

In 1969 he contracted tuberculosis and came close to death. Months in the hospital followed by a year convalescence caused him to explore aspects of life and spiritualism. He studied Yoga, Meditation and Metaphysics.

Cat Stevens had two albums that defined his career. Tea for the Tillerman  and Teaser and the Fireboat. Both these albums contained the songs which gave Stevens a measure of commercial success…Wild World, Father and Son, Peace Train, Morning has Broken and Moon Shadow.

In 1977 Cat Stevens converted to Islam taking the name Yusuf Islam. At the time he gave up the music business. He sold all his guitars and used the royalties from his music for philanthropic muslim causes. 

Stevens was one of the few muslims who condemned the attacks on the United States. 

Cat Stevens/ Yusuf Islam began performing again in 2007. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.