IDES OF OCTOBER HODGEPODGE!

       It is the middle of October, the ides of October. It is also Wednesday which means it is time for another exercise in self reflection, remembering the past, opining on current events and thoughtful contemplation. Our host, Joyce, does a remarkable job coming up with these questions every week. I urge you to join in on the fun. Go to Joyce's blog page to learn how. Enjoy this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge.
     

1. What's something that has recently 'tried your patience'?

     I went to the "Vet" for a routine follow up exam and to get some prescriptions renewed. I went to the grocery store to do our food shopping. I stopped by the pharmacy to pick up my prescription. The doctor's office sent in the wrong prescription. I completed the food shooping and proceeded to the check out. My purchases were rung up and bagged when I discovered that I did not have our debit card. AAARGH! That tried my patience!

2. Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you? (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10=I've got all the time in the world).

     I believe that patience is learned. Some people have the ability to learn patience better than others, but it is learned. On the scale of 1-10 I fall around 7, I think. Some days I drop to around 4. I generally roll with the punches despite my level of aggravation.

3. Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

     I enjoy powered flight. I once was able to pilot a Cessna with the aircraft's owner seated beside me. A friend from church owned his own Cessna 172 and graciously offered to take a couple of us up for a flight. It was exhillerating! When I was in the Air Force, I had an opportunity to fly a jet simulator. That is the ultimate video game! I completely enjoyed both experiences.

4. Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

     A couple of songs immediately come to mind. "Fly Like an Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band and "Gonna Fly Now" (The Theme from Rocky). A favorite church song is "Fly Away."

5. What's in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

     In my picnic basket is a thermos filed with hot apple cider. I also have a roast beef sub, chips, extra sharp cheddar cheeze and a couple of Cortland apples. I am picnicking at the top of one of the several mountains enjoying the colorful foliage.

6.  Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping...which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

     I'd love to be competent at carpentry, electrical and plumbing. I am not a fan of landscaping. I would use my skills to effect repairs and upgrades in my house. I would also use my skills to help others with repairs at their residence.

7. What's something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

     The deli in our grocery store has a chicken salad that is wonderful. The price of this chicken salad has risen to almost $10.00 per pound. That is too expensive for my tastes...pun intended.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

     In the Granite State we are experience the annual invasion of the "Leaf Peepers." This is both good and bad. It is good because many of the tourism related businesses profit from the influx of people and their dollars. It is bad because the people who are driving the leaf peepers are also leaf peeping while driving. Many of these leaf peeper drivers come from the state due south from NH. Their driving skills, under the best of circumstances, draw a huge vacuum, or put simply...SUCK! Add the added distraction of leaf peeping and these drivers become more of a hazard than they usually are.
     So if you have occasion to visit the Granite State to enjoy our world reknowned foliage, please drive carefully and watch out for those aforementioned hazardous leaf peeping drivers!