PRE-AUTUMN HODGEPODGE !

     Welcome to another Wednesday Hodgepodge. A few more school districts in the Granite State began their school year this week. The rest should follow suit the day after Labor Day, on Tuesday next. We are still experiencing a drought. Fortunately our artesian well is still providing us with copious amounts of cold, clean water. 
     Thank you Joyce for another series of questions. 

1.  Are there any men or women in blue on your family tree?
     I think that I am the only member of my family to have donned a police uniform. My older brother joined the U.S. Air Force the same year that I did and Air Force uniforms are blue. Does that count?

2. Are you someone who suffers from the Sunday night blues? What helps you get over it?
     I am not! When I am blue from time to time and a number of things help get me through those times . In no particular order, I color in my coloring book, I watch tv, I read the Bible or other spiritual oriented book, I also read secular material as well. Sometimes I just sit quietly and pray silently. These things have been effective for me.

3. I read the color blue is an appetite suppressant since there are very few naturally blue foods out there. How do you feel about blue cheese? Love it or blech? If you're a fan, what's something you like that's made with blue cheese?
     Blue Cheese is not one of my favorite foods. I do enjoy blue cheese salad dressing. That would be about it.

4. We can't head in to the Labor Day weekend without a related question, can we? Complete this thought: I work best when____________________. 
     ...left alone to complete my tasks.

5. 'Everything yields to diligence.' Antiphanes Your thoughts? (on this particular quote or on diligence in general)
     I respectfully disagree. I have witnessed, and experienced, failure that occurred after being dilligent and meticulous. Sometimes, no matter what you do things will go bad. Granted those times may be rare but they do occur.

6. The National Park Service turned 100 years old on August 25th. Have you been to many of America's National Parks? If so share with us a favorite or two. Which National Park would you most like to visit before the next birthday rolls around?
     I have been to two National Parks, three if you count Niagara Falls. The two are White Mountain National Park here in the Granite State and Yosemite National Park in California. I would love to visit Yellowstone National Park sometime soon.

7.  Bid farewell to August in seven words or less.
     August, you went by too fast...again!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     Colin Kaepernick is a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He has created quite a kerfuffle when he refused to stand for the national anthem that is routinely played before football games. When asked why, he said that he refuses to show respect to the flag of a country that oppresses it's citizens of color. He said that he will continue to sit until things change. He went on to spout the Black Lives Matter diatribe and propaganda.
     Mr. Kaepernick has every right to sit during the national anthem and to criticize the country that makes it possible for a black man to attain great wealth as he has done. Mr. Kaepernick is a black man who was raised by caucasian parents. 
     Mr. Kaepernick is a JERK for doing so and his protest is born out of ignorance and false information. So, Mr. Kaepernick can join that long line of contemptible people who can kiss me where the good Lord split me!
     Other than that I have no strong opinions on the matter.

BACK TO SCHOOL ALREADY HODGEPODGE!

     There are a number of school districts in the Granite State that have begun their school year. Traditionally, the school year did not start until after Labor Day. Therefore, Summer has come all too soon to a screeching halt for some. 
     Today being Wednesday means that it is time for another hodgepodge of questions. Thank you Joyce for another series of questions. 

1. It's National Waffle Day (August 24th)...what decision are you currently 'waffling over'? (or share one you've recently 'waffled over')

     I generally don't waffle. I look at the available facts and decide on the best course of action given the information at my disposal. I will make adjustments as necessary if new information comes to light but I don't waffle.

2. It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts. Do you think we rush the seasons? If so, does that bother you? I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list that included-

make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, be a tourist for the day, have a pot luck picnic, book a last minute summer getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day on the lake, try a new summer recipe

Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close? 

     I think as a general observation we tend to rush through our lives. When we're kids we can't wait to grow up. When we grow up we can't wait to finish school. When we finish school we can't wait to start a family. When we start a family we can't wait until our kids are grown and beginning families of their own, etc. We often fail to stop and relish the seasons of our particular lives. We do the same thing about the meteorological seasons. Back in the 1960's the musical group The Grass Roots sang a song entitled "Let's Live for Today!" The Bible urges us to live today and to not worry about tomorrow. Good advice!
     As for the end of Summer bucket list, I don't have one.

3. Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?

     My favorite Summertime art are the panoramic views found in the Granite State. They are spectacular and shout out the magnificent variety that our Creator has made. God has mad skills!

4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying 'We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their actions.' Agree or no? Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else? 

     I think there is some truth to this statement. I believe the reason we do that is because we often cannot and do not know "intentions." Weary to reverse engineer ones intentions from their actions. To come to know intentions we would have to possess the ability to read someone else's mind. However, we certainly know our own mind and therefore our own intentions. Therefore our actions are always in line with our intentions. The consequences of our actions may not be, but our actions always are.

5. Are you useful in a crisis? Elaborate. 

     I am useful in a crisis. I have spent the better part of my adult life bringing order to disorder as a police officer. I have been trained and have experience working in crisis environments. 

6. What's been your go-to dish this summer? Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?

     SWMBO and I love a nice garden salad. We will continue making this dish year round. Another favorite dish is Chinese Pie (AKA Shepherds Pie).

7. Adult coloring books are a thing now. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? If not is this something you think you might enjoy?

     SWMBO and I have both jumped onto the bandwagon. There are days when you just can't "adult" and so you climb into your tent fort and color.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

     Have you been watching the coverage of the floods in Louisiana? While watching  news report I wondered if most people are good decent people or are most people evil malicious people. 
     My theory is that most people are good decent people. Just look at the community affected by the floods. People are helping each other as they are able. Skin color or political affiliation have no relevance. People are stepping up to ease suffering and to begin the process of rebuilding. This reaction to massive suffering is not unique to Louisiana. You see it repeated worldwide.
     I suspect that the reason why we think that there are more evil malicious people than good decent people is that the evil malicious people get most of the press coverage. Evil sells papers, good does not. 
     Do your think that my theory is correct? Have a great Wednesday!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL HODGEPODGE!

     Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. I hope that you are having a good week. As of this writing my beloved Red Sox certainly are having a good week, but I digress. Thank you Joyce Daley for another challenging Hodgepodge of questions. I hope those of you who stop by enjoy reading my answers. Now, onto this week's questions...

1. I read here four creative activities to try this month. They were-calligraphy, make your own cookbook, dance or learn a new type of dance, and letter writing. Which activity on the list appeals to you most? Will you add it to your August? 

     I think letter writing will be my choice. I'm not much of a dancer. I don't have enough recipes for a cookbook so letter writing wins by default.

2. Bertrand Russell is quoted as saying, 'To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.' Agree or disagree? Explain.

     I believe that there is a lot truth in that statement. If we had everything that we wanted and wanted nothing else we would become miserable and bored. However, if we have something to strive for, something to try an achieve therein lies our happiness. An illustration of what I mean comes from my experience hunting deer. The enjoyment is in the thrill of the chase and not the actual capture. One of the best days of hunting I ever had was after a snowfall of a few inches. I found a set of tracks that were made by three deer. I suspected they were two does and a buck. I followed those tracks for the better part of the day over hill and dale, over streams and swamp. Finding the deer would have been anticlimatic. I lost the trail in the swamp. But, I had a great time!

3. August 17th is National Thriftshop Day...are you a 'thrifter'? If so, tell us about one of your best or favorite finds. 

    I am not a "thrifter." Nuff said!

4.  On a scale of 1-10 (with 1= almost none and 10=loads) how would you rate your sense of wanderlust? What kicks your wanderlust into high gear?

I would place it at around a 6 or 7. When I'm someplace where I am not familiar with the area, my wonderlust jumps to a 9 or 10. I love to explore! SWMBO and I will often drive back roads rather than interstate highways on occasion just to see what we can see. We can get a real flavor for an area that way.

5. Has life felt more like a marathon or sprint so far this month? How so?

     It's been a marathon with intermittent sprints. SWMBO had a bout with pneumonia which took weeks and strong antibiotics for her to combat.  She already has a compromised  immune system and stuff like pneumonia is very problematic. The water well issue(s) was another difficult time, not to mention expensive to get through. So, there it is.

6. What do you need to get a jump on before fall officially arrives? 

     Yard work! I have got gobs of it to get done before the snow flies and it's even money on whether I'll get it done.

7. What's the last thing you did with friends or family where you lost track of time?

     I can't think of anything.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

     This week we are having Vacation Bible School at the church. So many people helped behind the scenes to prepare the church building for this three day event. We have puppets, elaborate decorations consistent with this years theme, snacks, teachers, etc. Our church family did an outstanding job to provide a fun environment for the kids who attend the event. It is such a blessing to watch all the preparation pay off. There is an obvious love for God. There is an obvious love for children. There is an obvious love for lost souls. God has blessed His church with some pretty amazing people. I am privileged and blessed to be able to work with them.

A WATERLESS WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE!

     Welcome back ye olde Wednesday Hodgepodge, you were missed. We are back in the hot and muggies up here in the Granite State. It has been a great Summer weatherize so far. We are in drought conditions and could use some significant rainfall. Something a little more than the Oklahoma Dust Bowl and not quite as much as Noah and his Ark experienced. Now onto the Hodgepodge.

1. Are you watching the Olympics? Your favorite summer Olympic event? I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history...what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?
     I am not watching the Olympics this time around. I just don't have the time. One of my favorite Olympic moments is when the U.S. Hockey team spanked the Soviet Union hockey team in Lake Placid, NY. 

2. Have you ever been to Rio? How about the place that started it all-Greece? Have you ever been to any of the Olympic Games in person? Is that something you'd like to do? Have you ever met an Olympian in person?
     I have never been to Rio, Greece or been in attendance at any Olympic event. I would like to someday and no, I have never met an Olympic athlete.

3. The ball's in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving), on a roll (gymnastics), out of one's depth (swimming)...which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now? Explain.
     "Out of one's depth" applies to SWMBO and me at this point in our existence. Ironically it's not from having too much water, it's from not having any. Let me explain. We have a well and for some reason water is backing up into our laundry room. So we had to shut our well pump down and the earliest we can get someone here to fix the problem is Thursday. So we are without water until then. We've been filling two 5 gallon water cans to fill the toilet tank because some things don't wait, if you catch my drift. We've been relying on friends and family for shower privileges for the duration.

4. What have you earned a 'gold medal' in recently?
     Taking care of the logistics to meet SWMBO's water needs during this water crisis. (See #5)

5. What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what you can to be healthy?
     SWMBO! I have to be reasonably healthy to be able to care for her. That said, I haven't been too successful in maintaining eating right and exercising. Eating is not the problem, eating right is! 

6. Are you young at heart or an old soul? Explain.
     I don't know!

7. It's National S'mores Day (August 10th)...are you a fan? Will you celebrate with a s'more today?
     I'm not a fan of amores so I think I'll pass.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     I sometimes get the impression that secular people believe that Christians are sinless, holy people who never fall victim to the less seemly side of human existence. They seem to further believe that Christians don't experience difficulties as non Christians do.
     The fact is that whether they admit it or not, all Christians still fail and sin. "Christians are not perfect, just forgiven" is just a cliche but it happens to be true. Christians try hard every day to live right but often fail to do so. 
     As for facing difficulties, Christians experience them as everybody else does. Christians are not immune to getting cancer, losing everything in a tornado, wildfire or an earthquake or experiencing some other calamity. Where Christians differ is that we know, by faith, that the difficulties of this world will cease and we will have an eternity without any suffering. God said it, I believe it, that settles it. Yes, that is another cliche, but it too happens to be true! God bless all of you!