SLEEP DEPRIVED WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE!

      Here it is, another Wednesday already and time for another Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks again to out Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daly, for another series of interesting questions. I hope you enjoy reading this weeks edition of the Hodgepodge. Better yet, join in on the fun, it is real easy. Visit Joyce's blog page for precise instructions on how to participate. It is a lot of fun and you get to interact with a wide variety of bloggers, good people all.

1. When did you last 'swim against the tide'? Explain.

     I cannot remember when I last swam against the tide. I am sure I have because I have a larger than most "resistance to change" factor. I am not generally swayed by majority opinion.

2. What's the last self-help or self-improvement book you read?

     Being perfect, what need would I have for a self improvement book? However, SWMBO wants me to read "Correcting Self Delusion for Dummy's." SWMBO's helpful that way!

3. "Tolerance is a tremendous virtue, but the immediate neighbors of tolerance are apathy and weakness." (Sir James Goldsmith) 

Agree or disagree? Discuss. With civility please, because I think we have a good thing going in our very diverse (in geography, age, religion, political persuasion, ethnicity, marital status, upbringing, and cooking abilities) neighborhood here on This Side of the Pond.

     I think that I disagree to some extent. I don't think that tolerating the abuse of yourself,  a loved one, or someone else is a virtue. On the other hand tolerating a different opinion or belief or culture is a virtue. 
     I think that Mr. Goldsmith has a point about apathy and weakness being neighbors.  Our founding fathers chose not to tolerate the abuses of His Majesty's government. Had they been apathetic or weak we would still be singing "God Save the Queen" as our national anthem. Fortunately they were neither and that legacy has been passed down through the generations. It is not a prevalent today but it is still here.

4. What is one of your most vivid memories of the kitchen from your childhood?

     I can still see my grandmother wearing her favorite apron sitting in her rocking chair softly singing to herself in her native French Canadian language while peeling potatoes in a bowl that was sitting on her lap. The aroma of cooking onions was often in the air. My grandmother would agree with my answer to Question #2...just sayin'! I was her favorite! 

5. How did/do your own children's summers compare with your summers as a child? If you're not a parent, answer as it relates to what you've observed about the current generation of children vs. your own childhood.

     When I was a boy, children were much more left to their own devices to entertain themselves. We were "free range" kids. I lived near the Merrimack River. There were many times that I'd grab my fishing tackle and spend the day fishing, swimming or just having an adventure with my friends. We did have to let someone know where we were going and/or what we were doing but we did not have to check in periodically. We just had to be home by supper time or if it was after supper, before the street lights came on.
     Today, too many kids, it seems to me, don't have the freedom to do what they want like we did. Their days seemed to be over-scheduled with Day Camp, Summer Programs, Summer School,  Family Vacations, etc. This limits their creativity and imagination and this leads to the phenomena that when there is "down time" they turn to some sort of an electronic device to amuse themselves.  
  

6. Tell us what body of water you would most like to be on or near today, and why?

     I would love to be rafting down the Merced River in Yosemite National Park. The water is the coldest I have ever experienced and to raft trip is so relaxing. Yeah, that would be my choice. 

7.  Share a favorite song about water, or a favorite song with the word water in it's title, or a favorite song to listen to as you sit beside the water.

     Back in 1979, The Little River Band released a song called "Cool Change." One of the lyrics is "If there's one thing in my life that's missing, it's the time that I spend alone, staring at the cool and bright clear water." It really is a great song!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

     SWMBO and I began the process of looking for another dog to bring in to our home. We wanted something small because it would be easier to take care of. Our beloved Becke, a yellow Labrador Retriever, is over 15 years old and we don't know how many more days she's going to be with us. She has some health issues, mostly arthritis type stuff making it hard for her to move around without help. We wanted a third dog so that when the inevitable does happen August Rush, a Chinese Crested Puff (Hairy), won't be alone.
    As luck would have it, SWMBO saw on Facebook where a woman was driving to NH from Tennessee to visit her father in Manchester, NH, and she had a 9 month old Chinese Crested female she was looking to re-home. One thing led to another and we brought our newest family member home on Thursday, July 2nd. The dog is what I call an oxymoron Chinese Crested. Her proper designation is a hairy hairless Chinese Crested. We, and by "we" I mean SWMBO, named her "Divinity Tuppence Lillie." 
     Lillie is still adjusting to Becke and to August Rush. She is also adjusting to the sights and sounds of our home. She barks at E V E R Y blasted sound she hears. She also barks at us if we leave the room and return a few minutes later. Needless to say we have not been sleeping very well due to Divine's intermittent barking, hence the title of this Hodgepodge post. I'll try to post a picture or two at a later time. Enjoy the rest of your week!