A NEW BEGINNING HODGEPODGE

     As I write this I am winding down from my busy day. Frankly, I wasn't sure that I would be able to "play" this week, but here I am. SWMBO is still in the hospital up in Lebanon, NH. Our "Littles" (our two small dogs) are still alive and well under my care. They are having as normal an existence that I'm able to provide. Since I have some time and as long as Joyce went to the trouble of coming up with these questions, I thought that I'd try answering them. And now...the Hodgepodge...

1. Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven't been fishing is that something you'd like to try?
     I have been fishing many times. I sometimes catch fish. I enjoy catching any type of fish. I'm a catch and release kind of guy. I don't eat fish due to an allergy.

Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, fish or cut bait...which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?
     These days I'm kinda a fish out of water. Those things that SWMBO did on a daily basis that I took for granted, I am now doing. She made it look effortless. I assure you that it is not!

2. What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer?
     I am usually fishing out my debit card. I use it to pay for groceries, to pay for gasoline, to pay for the odd lunch.

3. Your favorite fish tale or movie?
     I don't know that I have a favorite "fish" movie. I like the original "Jaws" movie. I thought "Finding Nemo" was cute. Nothing else comes to mind.

4. Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night? Explain why you chose your answer.
     I am definitely a night owl. I hate mornings with a passion. Early mornings are the worse. I am at my best late afternoon and through the evening.

5. What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear?
     I have a N.E. Patriots winter jacket. I received it as a present from my daughter. As each year passes the rattier the coat looks, but I still wear it.

6. We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What's been the best and worst part of your winter so far?
     I've been feeling the need for a getaway for many, many months now. However, I cannot and will not be able to get away for many more months to come. Most of you know why.

7.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day...will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what's your favorite JB tune?
     I will not be celebrating. I'm not a margarita drinker. I do like Jimmy Buffet but I'm not a "Parrot Head." Margaritaville is my favorite Buffet song.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     SWMBO Transplant Update: My beloved SWMBO was admitted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center on Wednesday. After a massive dose of Chemo on Wednesday night, she received her stem cell transplant on Friday. She is having a rough time of it. She is suffering from serious nausea and vomiting, lowering blood pressure and rising heart rate to name just a few issues she's contending with. Today is day five post transplant. The attending physicians tell us that she is doing as expected at this point. Hopefully, she will turn a corner and improve dramatically over the next few days. 
     I travel up to Lebanon to see her two or three times a week. Every day we do speak to each other, either by phone of on "FaceTime." When we're on FaceTime she gets to see the Littles and they get to see her. It's not optimal but it's better than nothing.
     Thank all of you for your prayers and words of encouragement. They truly are a big help in easing our navigating these troubled waters. Have a wonderful week.