Good morning fellow bloggers and blog followers. I hope that you are all well on this Spring day. Thank you, Joyce Daley, for another set of probing questions.
The Major League Baseball Season begins in earnest tomorrow. My beloved Red Sox had a very good Spring training and are ready to go. Traditionally, Red Sox fan are optimistic but history has shown us that optimism, AKA hope, often gets dashed on the rocks of reality. All the same....GO SOX!
Since Joyce has gone to the trouble of posing a few questions, I might as well answer them. Here is this weeks Wednesday Hodgepodge.
1. What's a word that describes your life? A word you wish described your life?
Anxious is a word that is a pretty close description. I wish the word that described my life was "Relaxed." Perhaps, Lord willing, things will begin trading towards becoming relaxed.
2. Back in my day we___________________________________?
...actually had to get up to change the television channel and we only had three channels to choose from AND all three channels signed off the air at midnight and came back on the air at six in the morning.
3. When it comes to takeout are you more likely to opt for Italian, Mexican, or Chinese food? Does a typical week at your house include takeout?
Our takeout usually consists of either pizza or Chinese food.
4. Think about the people you most respect. What is it about them that earned your respect?
The things that earn my respect are people who treat people, regardless of their station in life, with respect and dignity. My life has been blessed with people who are prodigiously talented and accomplished and yet remain humble and respectful.
5. What's something your friends might see and say is 'so you'?
SWMBO and I sitting together at the back of the church auditorium and my arm is around her shoulders. My beloved wife and I still love cuddling and holding hands. She so seldom has to open a door for herself that she may have forgotten how. What can I say? I am still so madly in love with her.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Yesterday we celebrated the 35th anniversary of SWMBO's 29th birthday. The day started with a tasteful card in her favorite color, purple. We then went out to breakfast after we dropped the dogs off at daycare. This evening we went out to dinner at the Outback Restaurant. It is one of her favorite places to dine out. All in all it was a pretty fine day. Oh, she also received a small birthday cake, also in her favorite color.
It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to have been by her side for the vast majority of her life. Just in case you missed it in the previous question, I am so madly in love with my beloved SWMBO, even after all these years together.
Apparently New England is taking a pass on the first day of Spring. Another northeaster is bearing down on this region of the good ole US of A. AAAARRGGHHH!
In our Nation's capital the kabuki theater of government rages on. If this wasn't so serious I would think that these events are taking on the appearance of a soap opera. God help us.
March Madness college basketball has stumped many avid fans of the sport and busted pretty much everyone's bracket.
Thankfully, today is Wednesday and we have our usual break from the cares of this world that is the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce for this little respite from the world. And now, ladies and gentlemen....the Hodgepodge!
1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year.
I am looking forward to getting out more. God willing, spending more time with my grandchildren. Nothing is better than that. Perhaps SWMBO and I can do a little hiking.
2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?
When it comes to Spring Cleaning , I'd rather not. I'd really rather not do any of the tasks that are listed, BUT, because SWMBO still lets me live with her for some unknown reason, I would do, and have done, most of the listed items. We have not begun our spring cleaning because we are still butt deep in snow with more to come.
3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?
My favorites are cream cheese on an onion bagel, sour cream on a baked potato and whipped cream on a pecan pie.
4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?
I was surprised to learn that I have been mispronouncing about half of the words listed. I often have trouble pronouncing some of the names listed in the Old Testament of the Bible. I also find a lot of medical terms difficult to pronounce.
5. What's a song you love with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics?
The problem with these type questions is that there is never just "a _____" there are always several. "Rhythm of the Rain" the Cascades; "Who'll Stop the Rain" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" Creedence Clearwater Revival; I Wish it Would Rain" the Temptations; "Let it Rain" Eric Clapton and "Fire and Rain" James Taylor. See what I mean?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I began thinking about Spring since Spring is upon us. Here are a few thoughts. In Winter everything is barren, frozen cold, and lifeless. In the Spring what was dead comes back to life. What was frozen warms up. What was barren becomes lush.
The soul of humans is not so different. We all have a sin problem. In a manner of speaking we are all cold, dead and barren. The Bible tells us that "...the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
There is only one person in all of history who has lived a perfectly sinless life, and they nailed Him to a cross and because they did and because He rose from the dead three days later we all have hope. "...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
The only cure for our sin problem is the precious blood of He who was nailed to a cross. His blood cleanses us of all sin, not just some, but all. It makes us who were dead in sin alive in Him. We become renewed like the world in the Spring with the added feature of having eternal life.
Sadly, some choose to remain dead in their sins. I urge you with every fiber of my being, please take care of your sin problem before it's too late. The cure is free for whosoever will. God bless you!
Erin Go Bragh! Saturday is St. Patrick's Day so a shout out to all who are of Irish ancestry. May the wind be always at your back and may you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead.
Another Wednesday Hodgepodge is upon us once again. May the Lord bless you in a tangible way today. Thank you Joyce for your return and for another fine set of questions.
1. Best place you've been lately?
SWMBO and I had occasion to go to a fine restaurant with some close friends and enjoy a wonderful meal and great conversation. The restaurant is called the "Copper Door." It is a somewhat upscale restaurant with great ambience and food. We had a great time.
2. What's something you should say yes to today? Or this week? Or even this year?
I should say yes to snow shoveling. As I write this we are in the throes of another northeaster. Old Man Winter is just refusing to realize that his time is up and that he needs to move on. This is his second snow tantrum in as many weeks. Ten to eighteen inches of snow is expected. YUCK!
3. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way, shape, or form? If so tell us how. In Western cultures the color green is typically associated with jealousy, nature, good luck, and growth. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'green'?
We don't usually celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We might go to McDonald's for a Shamrock Shake but that would be about it.
The thing that comes to mind when I hear the word green is the grass at Fenway Park. When you first walk into the stands the grass is so green that it almost seems like a special effect. It is really striking. I imagine other major league ball parks are similarly beautiful and striking.
4. What's a product or service you love so much you'd happily be their spokesperson? Tell us what makes you such a fan.
Anyone who has read my blog posts knows how committed I am to my faith in God. I am a kind of a spokesperson for God and His Gospel. All who have obeyed the Gospel are also spokespersons, #GreatCommission. Neither God nor His Gospel are products or services to be sold but I could see myself being a spokesperson for the Gospel. It is free to whosoever will.
From a more earthly perspective, I do love Skippy's Chunky Peanut Butter. I think I could serve as a spokesman.
5. March 14th is Pi Day. How are your math skills? What's the last thing you did that required math of any kind? And most importantly do you like pie? What's your favorite kind? With ice cream, whipped cream, or please hold the cream?
My math skills are fair. The last time I used math was to figure out our finances.
I most certainly do love pie. I love those small Table Talk Pies you can get in the grocery store. My favorite pie is Pecan Pie with a dollop of whipped cream.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
On Monday, news broke that someone was delivering bombs in the form of packages in Austin, Texas. To date three bombs have been delivered and detonated.
A task force of State, Local and Federal law enforcement has been formed to bring the serial bomber to justice. This will not be easy. You may recall that it took eighteen years to bring Ted Kascinski, the Unabomber, to justice. I pray God that this case doesn't take nearly that long.
There is an undeniable fact. There are evil people running loose in the world today and these evil people do not obey laws that the rest of us do. It is not the implements that they use that is evil, it is they who are evil. May God protect us all from such people.
Have a wonderful week and c'mon Spring!
