A LATE SUMMER HODGEPODGE!

      Welcome back Wednesday Hodgepodge! Welcome back to our Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daley. Thank you for another wonderful set of writing prompts. So, without further ado, I present the Hodgepodge....

1. What has been the highlight of your summer so far? (It's still summer people!)
     Each Labor Day the church meets at one of the members house and food gets cooked, salads, desserts and drinks get contributed to the cause, and we have a wonderful time of sharing food, conversation and games. It is usually the highlight of the summer.

2. What do you wish you'd done more of this summer? Less of?
     I wish I had done more writing, specifically on my blog. I could have done with fewer doctor visits. (See Random Thought below)

3. Something you're looking forward to on your September calendar?
     My beloved SWMBO expressed the desire to travel to Canada for a few days. I'm thinking that we might visit the maritime Provinces. She's thinking of visiting Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. We'll keep you posted.

4. Best/favorite book you've read this summer?
     I'm still reading it. It's called "The Blood Sugar Solution" by Dr. Mark Hyman. I am trying to get better control of my blood sugar levels.

5. Share something positive, encouraging, or uplifting here.
     My beloved SWMBO is responding to her cancer treatments. We recently received clearance from her oncologist to travel. She has felt the urge to travel, hence my response to question #3 above.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

     Expanding my response to question #2 I had nothing better to do this summer so I developed a couple of kidney stones. Anyone who has had kidney stones will tell you how much they hurt. 

     I woke up around 2:30 a.m. one morning, in significant pain. Nothing I tried took the edge off of the pain. So around 2:30 p.m. I told SWMBO what's been happening and that I needed to go to Urgent Care. She then knew I was in some distress because I NEVER go to the doctor unless I am dire straits.

    At Urgent Care the doctor administered a number of tests that revealed that I had a kidney stone lodged in each kidney. The one in my right kidney was not causing any mischief. The one in my left kidney was causing a lot of mischief. I felt like I was being kidney punched by Muhammed Ali (sp?) . I underwent a surgical procedure to remove the stone. 

     It has been a few weeks since the surgery and I'm feeling much better.  I hope that the remaining stone continues to behave itself. I further hope that I do not develop any more stones.

     Have a wonderful week.

SUMMER IS HERE HODGEPODGE!

     "When in the course of human events...." These words begin what I consider to be one of the greatest documents ever written, the Declaration of Independence. As we approach the 242nd birthday of our great Nation I have been thinking about our beginning and subsequent history. Despite our flaws, and there are many, we continue to be a noble people and a force for good upon the face of the earth.
     Another force for good upon the face of the earth is the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley, our Hodgepodge Mistress, for these weekly respites from the drudgeries of life. Enjoy!

1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list.
     One thing on the list is the Laconia Motorcycle Rally, the oldest motorcycle rally in the country. It ran through father's day. My mission when I go is to purchase a rally pin, purchase an Italian sausage with onions and peppers, and a soft serve ice cream. This year...mission accomplished.
     Another thing on our bucket list is a trip to the beach with the Littles. We must find some Fried Dough. SWMBO & I love Fried Dough with powdered sugar.

2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime?
     One of my favorite things to do as a youngster, usually with my friends, was to play, fish and swim at the river which was located about 100 yards from my front door.

3. Rootop or backyard? Why?
      You will find me in the backyard. I love the smell of grass. I love the trees ans looking up at the sky. Also, it is hard to grill on the roof...just sayin'.

4. Do you read food labels? Place importance on them? Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from?
     I do read food labels sometimes. I place a reasonable amount of importance on them. I do care where my food comes from.  I am not as dilligent as I perhaps should be. 

5. A song you'll have on repeat this summer?
     The catalogs of Boston, Kansas and the Eagles.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
     I will not bore you with a lot of  commentary, but I have a few opinions to express.  
    (1)  My beloved Red Sox continue to play good ball. 
    (2)  The Department of Justice Inspector General's Report on the investigation into the Hillary Clinton emails is in. The IG did as good a job as possible given his limitations of authority. More about this in a future blog post.
     (3)   The hearings with the DOJ IG went as expected.  Both sides of the aisle interpreted the report in accordance with their own notions of what actually happened.
    (4)  I hope that all you Dads out there had a great Father's Day...I surely did. I was well spoiled by my beloved SWMBO.
     Have a great week!

LATE NIGHT & BASEBALL!

     
     A very pleasant Wednesday to all of you. I hope that this 74th anniversary of the Allied Forces storming the beaches of Normandy finds you to be well. 
     Can you believe that it has been just about three quarters of a century since the events of D-Day? I recommend that you watch Darryl F. Zanucks epic movie "The Longest Day." This movie tells the story of the invasion from the perspective of the Allies and the Nazis. 
     Well, enough history for today. We have a Wednesday Hodgepodge to get to. Thank you Joyce Daley for another challenging set of questions. I urge you budding writers out there to join in on the fun. Go to "From This Side of the Pond" to learn how you can participate. And now...the Hodgepodge!  
      1.Describe your 30's in one sentence. If you're not yet 30 tell us one thing you hope to accomplish once you hit that particular decade.
     My 30's was a great time of my life. SWMBO and I were still young. Our kids were young, but old enough to do things with that all of us could enjoy. The 30's had its hard times but I remember it as a mostly joyful time.

2. Is it harder for you to exercise or eat healthy?
     Yes! It is hard for me to exercise and eat healthy.
 
3. June 7th is National VCR Day. Huh? Anyway this reminded me of something I saw on Facebook listing household items we no longer have and the VCR was on it. I couldn't put my hands on that list, but found another list here of 21 items we all had ten years ago, but which are now obsolete-

bookshelves (WHAT!!???), drip coffee makers, alarm clocks, file cabinets, desktop computers, printers, printed phone books, answering machines, fax machines, paper shredders, a Rolodex, CD racks, CD burners, china cabinets, home phones, entertainment consoles, DVD players, calculators, takeout menus, incandescent light bulbs, and cable TV

Your thoughts? How many on the list do you still have? Still use?
     What do you mean, no longer have. SWMBO and I still have, AND use...bookshelves, alarm clocks, file cabinets, desktop computers, printers, answering machines, paper shredders, CD racks, china cabinets, a home phone, DVD Players, calculators, takeout menus, incandescent light bulbs, and cable tv. 
     Does that mean that we're Luddites?

4. What's something you see disappearing in the next ten years?
        My mind! The only thing is, however, I do not think that it will take ten years for that to occur.
 
5. How did you celebrate your birthday this past year? Is that typical?
      SWMBO gave me a nice greeting card with an additional personal message that she composed. We then went out to eat and one of our favorite restaurant. It is what we typically do.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
     I am a baseball fan. My favorite team is of course the Boston Red Sox and whoever is playing the Yankees. 
    This month SWMBO and I were able to take in a game of our local Double A baseball team, the NH Fisher Cats, a farm team of the Toronto Blue Jays. (They beat the Red Sox Double A team, The Portland, Maine, Sea Dogs...in case you were wondering who won.)
     On Monday, I returned home from a church business meeting at around 8:45 p.m. I noticed that a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks was being televised on ESPN beginning at 10:00 p.m. I decided to watch and score the game. I do so enjoy scoring a baseball game. The game ended after 1:00 a.m. The Giants won, in case you were wondering.
    On Tuesday morning I was very, very, very tired. I seem to have forgotten that I'm getting too old for this stuff. But I do love baseball! Enjoy your week.

GETTING CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER HODGEPODGE!

     A pleasant good morning to one and all. I hope all of you are well today. I'm doing okay also. My beloved Red Sox continues to play some pretty good baseball. Our mortgage refinancing is officially completed. All the T's are crossed and all the I's are dotted. 
     Today being Wednesday, we have another Wednesday Hodgepodge to navigate. Thank you, Joyce Daley, for continuing to challenge us every week with your questions. Please consider joining us and participating in the Hodgepodge. Click on over to "From this Side of the Pond" and follow the simple directions. Here we go....

1. The last place you visited/patronized where you felt like you were given 'the royal treatment'?

     This is a tough one. Most places SWMBO and I go give us good service but going above and beyond the call of duty and treating us like royalty, I cannot remember any such time.

2. The last task you completed that was a 'royal pain'?

     This one is easy. We refinanced our mortgage. 

3. How have your strengths helped you succeed? How have your faults hindered you?

     This is another difficult question. My perseverance, some would call it stubbornness, has enabled me to push through obstacles and accomplish many of my goals. On the fault side of the ledger, my procrastination has resulted in my missing some opportunities and prevented me from attaining some goals. 

4. If you found a remote that could rewind, fast forward, stop and start time, what would you do with it?

     Would I to possess such a device I would have to take some time to consider the exact question that is being posed here. However, to answer the question, I think that I would rewind to certain times in my life and change a couple of bad decisions that I made. Then I would fast forward to see what difference my altered choices made in my life. 

5. Any special plans for the Memorial Day weekend? Will you in some way honor or recognize the meaning of this day (remembering people who died in service to their country)? Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery? Does your town do anything special to mark the day?

     SWMBO and I have no special plans for Memorial Day, but that is subject to change without notice. We may pick up some groceries and grill some animal flesh. I will certainly spend time in prayer for our departed heroes and their families for their sacrifice to our Nation. I will thank God that during our darkest times men and women stepped up and unselfishly gave their last full measure of devotion.
     I have been to Arlington National Cemetery as well as the Vietnam War Memorial and the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It was a moving experience each time I went.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

      In the early 1970's some Republican operatives were caught trying to bug the Democratic National Committee at their offices in the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. 
     After the election, President-elect Trump said that he was being surveilled and electronically monitored (bugged). Most people in the "Fake News" media laughed at him. They called him paranoid and many other things. As it turns out he was correct.
     Now we are learning that FISA Warrants have been sought and granted on the basis of unsubstantiated information in violation of law and Department of Justice protocols.
     The sad fact appears to be that the more we learn about the conduct of the FBI, the Special Prosecutor and his staff, and the Department of Justice, the more outrageous this whole thing becomes. Compared to the Watergate affair, this whole ordeal is much, much worse by orders of magnitude. The Rule of Law in our beloved country is under assault. May God help us and protect us!
     

MAY DAY PARADE HODGEPODGE!

    Good morning world! Yesterday having been "May Day" I remember that during the late 20th century the communist nations would have a parade with all their military might on display, showing all the world the great achievements of communism and putting the world on notice that they are not to be trifled with.
     Another May Day is in the history books for another year. That brings me to today, Wednesday, May 2nd, the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Joyce Daley for another bunch of questions. So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen...the Hodgepodge!
      
1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Is there a flower you associate with a particular memory? Explain.
     I am a flower person by marriage. Otherwise, I have no interest. My beloved SWMBO loves carnations so, I guess, I do too. I do not have any memories associated with flowers.

2. Last time you helped someone? Tell us how.
     The last time I helped someone was a couple of  Sundays ago. Our preacher had to go out of town and needed someone to teach his Bible class and fillthe pulpit. I covered both things for him so he could take care of his personal business without worrying about things here.

3. It's National Salsa Month (the food, not the dance) so tell us, do you like salsa? Hot, medium, or mild? Homemade, store bought, or from your favorite restaurant only?
     I do like salsa. My preference is for medium hot salsa. I prefer store bought salsa and my favorite brand is Newman's Own.

4. When I was twelve years old...
     ...I think that I was in the sixth grade. Lyndon Johnson was president of the United States.  The Vietnam War was in full swing. My best friend was Roger. I played first base and center field for my Little League baseball team. My affection for the Red Sox was in its infancy. They continued to get our hopes raised that this was the year that they break the curse of the Bambino only to dash them upon the rocks of reality. It was a more innocent time.

5. It's the first of May so let's run with it-first things first, don't know the first thing about it, first dibs on something, first impression, first rate, first cousin, first string, first come first served, at first light-which phrase can best be applied to something in your life currently or even recently?

     First thing first for us. SWMBO and I are in the process of refinancing our home. It is a step by step process and nothing is easy. We will hopefully get through the process soon and close on the new loan.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
     On Monday we had the water line from our artesian well to the house replaced. The old water line had become brittle with age and was cracked in a few places. You may recall we discovered a water leak in February which had to be dug up and spliced to get us through the rest of the Winter months.  
     This time they dug a fifty foot trench from the well to the house using a small excavator. The whole job took about four and a half hours.  The new water line should last forty to fifty years which is thirty to forty years past normal life expectancy.
     Now we have our water back on. The pump pressure is within design parameters. Hopefully nothing else breaks. 
     Water is like electricity in that you don't really appreciate its value until you lose it. 
     Have a great week everyone!

CUE THE BEATLE'S "WHEN I'M SIXTY FOUR" HODGEPODGE!

     Happy Hump Day to all who have made it this far. We are into the 2nd quarter of the year. How is your year going so far? As usual, our year has been fraught with some ups and some downs, but we endure by the grace of God.
     Yesterday, SWMBO and I celebrated the completion of my 64th trip around the ball of burning hot gas called the Sun, hence the title of this post.
     The baseball season is well underway as are the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I hope your team does well, that is unless they are playing my team.
     We have another Wednesday Hodgepodge today, so thank you Joyce Daley for another set of questions. So, without further ado...the Hodgepodge!

1. Three things on your spring bucket list? If you don't have an actual list that's fine, pretend you do.
    Three things on my Spring bucket list is watch and score Red Sox Baseball, with Bruins Playoff Ice Hockey and refinance our home mortgage.

2. Where do you find rest? What restores your soul? When was the last time you did whatever it was you answered here?
      I find rest in watching and scoring a baseball game. I find that sharing a meal and sharing good conversations with my beloved SWMBO or good friends restores my soul. The last time that I did that was last night when SWMBO took me out to dinner.

3. April is National Celery Month. Who knew? Do you like celery? What's your favorite dish made with celery? On a veggie and dip platter which would you reach for first-carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes? 
      I do like celery. I do not think I have a favorite dish but I like celery in soups. I like celery filled with cream cheese or peanut butter. As regarding veggie and dip platters I usually do grab a few stalks of celery first. 

4. I read here eight things to do before 8 am to make your day less hectic-Start one load of laundry, drink water, empty the dishwasher, read your Bible, know what you're having for dinner, get dressed, brain dump (two lists-one what you're thankful for and one what's weighing on your mind), and after the brain dump make your to-list for the day

How many of these are you currently doing? Which one do you think would help the most if you added it to your early morning routine?
     The only thing that I do before 8 am is get dressed. I usually do by Bible study and quiet time in the evening after SWMBO and the "Littles" go to bed. I also do my brain dumping in the evening. I drink water throughout the day, along with a cup of coffee or two and/or maybe a cup of tea. 

5. Describe the view from your window.
     Looking out the window from where I am typing this I see our unpaved gravel driveway below me. To the right is our front lawn. To the left is our garden shed. At the end of our driveway on the left is a utility pole with a transformer. Also on the left is a smattering of trees. At the end of our driveway on the right is our mailbox and a lamp on a pole. There is also a smattering of trees. Across the street from the end of our driveway is a wetland and looking up I see gray overcast clouds. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.
       This past weekend our church held our annual youth rally. There were around forty teens from area congregations. Our speaker was a former member who now preaches full time. He travelled with his lovely bride from the Lone Star State to speak to us. The theme of the weekend was "Jesus, The Good Shepherd." The sermon text was the 23rd Psalm.    
       Several members of the congregation stepped up to take responsibility for various functions that are necessary to host such an event. Several members stepped up to help those members complete their functions that made the weekend a success. I am so proud of the church members and their heart for God and for young people. I pray God's blessings upon all who participated.

SPRING HAS APPARENTLY SPRUNG HODGEPODGE!

     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. 

WINTER'S DEATH SPIRAL HODGEPODGE

     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!

A PRE-SUPER BOWL WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE!

      I hope that you are all well on this Wednesday morning. Are you looking forward to the upcoming Super Bowl?  We citizens of Patriots Nation most certainly are. I am equally certain that the citizens of Eagles Nation are likewise looking forward to the game. I hope that it is a good game where the best of each team is put on display. I hope that no one gets injured. I hope that the officiating is fair and accurate and that it does not affect the outcome of the game. It bodes to be a great game.
     Another Wednesday Hodgepodge is once again upon us. I thank our Hodgepodge Mistress for her constant efforts to come up with challenging questions each week. Thank you Joyce Daley.
     Now onto the Hodgepodge....

1. Speaking of endings....at your wit's end, at loose ends, a dead end, burn the candle at both ends, all's well that end's well, or no end in sight...which 'end' phrase might best be applied to your life lately? Explain.  
     I would have to go with "no end in sight." My beloved SWMBO's health is a constant, never ending challenge. She is now contending with a sinus infection, swollen lymph nodes and possibly strep throat. So, she now has to take a course of medication to address the infections above and beyond what she is already taking for her cancer. She continues to fight valiantly with perseverance and an indomitable spirit. 
     By the way, thank you, and you know who you are, for your continued prayers and words of encouragement. They do help so much.

2. What was a must have accessory when you were growing up? Did you own one? If so tell us what you remember about it.
     At the risk of dating myself, what comes to my mind is a clock radio. I did have one. I would listen to it while doing homework. They often broadcast the Red Sox games on the radio. I would also listen to a talk radio show out of Boston's WBZ, 1030 AM on your radio dial. The radio also had a sleep setting where it would turn off after an hour or two so I could fall asleep while listening to the radio.

3. Something that made you smile yesterday?
     The thing that made me smile yesterday is the same thing that makes me smile everyday...my beloved SWMBO. Another thing that has been making me smile lately are GIF's that I have been watching on Pinterest. Some of them are just too funny. 

4. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Do you like croissants? Sweet or savory? We're having chicken salad for lunch...would you rather have yours served on a croissant, a wrap, a bagel, bread, or a roll of some sort?
     Who comes up with these National Days? Yes, I do like croissants. I like chicken salad on croissants. I'm okay with chicken salad on a wrap, a roll, or bread. Not too keen on the bagel idea, though. 

5. Sum up your January in fifteen words or less.
     Our January can be summed up in one word...Change. New medical insurance, etc.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
     I watched the State of the Union address last night. I think that President Trump did a respectable job. He is not a gifted public speaker, he never has been. However, a lot of what the president said resonated with me. I like to think that I am not alone.
     I was profoundly disappointed in the democrats reaction to much of what the president said. They just sat there, dour faced, as the president reported the reduction in unemployment, the growth of the stock market and other positive trends that are good for the country. It seemed as if the democrats were mourning the success of the president's policies.
     Our government is deeply divided. I do not think that there is much chance of that changing given what I witnessed last night. May God have mercy on these United States.

PELLET STOVE LOVE HODGEPODGE

     Good morning everyone. How's your new year going so far. I hope that everything is going well for you and yours. We are finally getting some respite from the bitter cold. However, the bitter cold is sure to return. I thank God for our wood pellet stove and the wood pellets fuel to keep it cranking out those BTU's.
     Thank you Joyce for another interesting Wednesday Hodgepodge. I urge you to join in on the fun. I hope that you enjoy this weeks post.

1. January is National Mentoring Month. Have you ever had a mentor? Been a mentor? How would you rate the experience?
     When a new police officer is hired, they are required to attend a sixteen week Police Academy. After graduation they are assigned a Field Training Officer (FTO) for another few months. This FTO tailors the training received at the police academy to the specific policies and procedures of their police department. 
     This is a classic mentoring relationship. This mentoring continues well after the new police officer completes their field training. I have been mentored and I have been a mentor.

2. What current trend makes no sense to you?
     One trend that I find troubling is the current practice of bringing up events that occurred decades ago and using those events for the sole purpose of destroying a person's life. I find this to be grossly unfair. People change over time and most people are not the same people today that they were thirty or more years ago. 
     In criminal law there is a statute of limitation. This law prevents bringing a prosecution after a specified period of time. There are exceptions, however. For example, there is no time limitation on bringing a murderer to justice. 
     In short, with few exceptions, no one should be held responsible for conduct that was committed decades earlier.

3. I saw a cartoon on facebook highlighting a few 'weird' things that make you happy as an adult. The list included-writing with a nice pen, having plans cancelled, freshly cleaned sheets, eating the corner brownie, cleaning the dryer lint screen, and sipping coffee in that brief time before anyone else wakes up. (Credit for the cartoon goes here) Of the 'weird' things listed which one makes you happiest? What is one more 'weird' thing you'd add to the list?
     I would have to say, of the things listed, I go with the sipping that first cup of coffee in the morning. Having the corner brownie is a close second.

4. What's the last good thing you ate?
     Chines Pie! I made some Chinese Pie, A.K.A. Shepherds Pie, for my beloved SWMBO and me. We also had salad yesterday (Monday).

5. Describe life in your 20's in one sentence.
     SWMBO and I were young adults with very young children.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
     In January 2017 I had to have my furnace replaced at great cost. This January that brand new furnace was not running right. It sounded like a clothes dryer with a couple of balls tumbling within it. Our oil company came and repaired the furnace. The technician diagnosed the problem as a partially clogged fuel filter. He replaced it. I hope that this takes care of the problem. 
     Thank God for our wood pellet stove.
     Enjoy the rest of your week everybody.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...HODGEPODGE!

     Today is camel day. How do you like your camels...one hump or two? I hope that your hump day is going well so far. Being hump day it is also time for another Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks to our Hodgepodge Mistress, Joyce Daley, for another series of probing questions.
     I urge you to participate. You will not be sorry that you did. In any event, enjoy this weeks offering.

1. What title would you give this current chapter of your life?
      "We Keep Getting Back Up!" Sometimes in life you take some hits. Some of those hits ring your bell, others knock you off your feet, so to speak. A wise man once said that you never lose a fight if you keep getting back up.
     When the hits keep coming, you know, those financial set backs or a bad  report from your doctor, or the loss of a loved one, you keep getting back up.
     SWMBO and I keep getting back up !
  
2. December 6 is National Microwave Oven Day. Who knew? Besides popcorn and coffee reheats, what's the most common thing you microwave? Could you get along without a microwave?
     I suppose the most common thing that we reheat in the microwave oven are all sorts of leftovers. The "radar range" is very convenient but I think we could survive, that is, get along without one.

3. If you could insert yourself into any Christmas carol and experience the lyrics in real life, which Christmas carol lyric would you choose and why?
     My choice is "O Little Town of Bethlehem." I envision myself walking through its starlit streets until I came upon a manger on the outskirts of the tiny hamlet and witness the birth of the baby Jesus, Christ the Lord.  I would love to see that "new parent" look on the faces of Joseph and Mary as they held their new born Son for the first time. I imagine the sound of the heavenly hosts singing "Hallelujah, Glory to God in the Highest! Glory to the new born King!" I also can see in my minds eye the shepherds coming in from the fields to behold that which the Angel told them about, the Savior, a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger...with a look of awe upon their faces. What a wonderful experience that would be.

4. Describe the most beautiful drive you've ever taken.
     SWMBO and I are fortunate to live in NH. It is a beautiful and scenic state. The most beautiful drive we have ever taken was a sunny fall day through the White Mountains. We drove through Franconia Notch and the Kancamangus Highway, NH Route 112. The views of the surrounding terrain is awesome. It speaks volumes of the majesty of God.

5. What's something on your Christmas list this year? (an actual list or figuratively speaking, either one)
     I really don't have a Christmas Wish List. SWMBO and I started a tradition when we became empty nesters where we buy one gift for each other. This tradition avoids the whole "I spent more money on you than you spent on me" competition with the attendant bad feelings. 
     For example, one year we bought a new high definition television. Another year we bought new iPads. This seems to work for us.
   
6. Insert your own random thought here.
       One of the things that continues to amaze me at Christmas time is the thought that Almighty God, the Creator of all that has been created, left eternity and lived among us as a human, and a humble human at that.   He subjected Himself to all the laws of physics. He experienced things that are common to all of us. He got cold. He got hungry. He felt pain. He felt love. He laughed. He cried. He was like us in every way except one...He was still God. He was God in the flesh, but He was still God.
     Can you imagine how much love that God must have for all of us that He would do that? I cannot! So, during this Christmas season I urge all of you to consider the spiritual ramifications of the Christmas Holiday. I urge you all to truly keep Christ in Christmas.
     May God lavishly bless all of you!

A POST THANKSGIVING DAY HODGEPODGE!

     Good morning to all and to all a good morning. I hope that you all had a blessed and memorable Thanksgiving holiday. Are you sick and tired of turkey leftovers yet? SWMBO and I spent the dat with some dear friends who live close by. Thank you Doug and Linda for your hospitality and great food.
     Thank you Joyce Daley for your weekly series of questions. Thank you for your Wednesday Hodgepodge and for granting us fellow Hodgepodgers the privilege of participating. Here is this week's episode. I hope you enjoy you visit.

  
1.  What's something blogging has taught you about yourself?
     I have learned that I write better than I speak. I think the reason why is that with my writing I can revise and extend my remarks. I can think and evaluate more fully what I commit to paper. When I speak I only have one shot to get it right. Once it is spoken, it is out there, unpolished and often times flawed. Blogging has clearly taught me this truth.

2.  Leftovers...are you in the 'reheat and eat' camp or the 'put them in the fridge until they spoil and then toss them' camp? What's your favorite thing to have leftover? What can you not abide as a leftover?
     I am in the heat and reheat camp. I also sometimes eat leftovers such as Turkey or meat cold. Another thing that I like eating cold is my meat stuffing. It makes a wonderful tasting sandwich.
     That said, I have left things in the fridge so long that they turned into an awful, moldy, space alien like substance. EWWW! 
     My favorite leftover is chinese/shepherd's pie. I don't know about what I cannot abide as a leftover.

3. 'Me time'...your thoughts?
     I love being with people. I am also one of those people who are comfortable in their own company. Many years ago I was told that boredom is self inflicted. I believe that is true. We have all manner of things to stimulate us when we are flying solo. I like to read, play music, and watch TV to name a few. I also like to sit alone and just observe nature and get lost in my thoughts or spend time in prayer. Boredom is indeed self inflicted.

4. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
     The reasons why people come to me for help are as varied a the people. Sometimes it for advice for a personal problem. Some times it is a question about a teaching in Scripture or my opinion on something they heard or read about a teaching in Scripture. 
     I seldom get consulted on home repair or automotive issues due to my lack of skill in those disciplines.

5. If your childhood had a smell what would it be? Tell us why.

     My childhood would smell like onions frying in a cast iron pan. Our house often smelled of onions cooking. My grandmother, who did most of the cooking, almost always began by peeling, slicing and cooking onions.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

     I can hardly believe that the year 2017 is almost done, but a quick glance at the calendar confirms that it is. It is at this time of year that I look back and think about my year. I think about goals that I have achieved and the goals I have fallen short of achieving. I think about the New Year and what goals that I want to achieve. Some goals will be carry overs from this year. Other goals will be new.

     Being a seriously flawed individual I have a lot of room for improvement. I am not perfect and let me add as an aside that those of you who seem to be perfect who seem to have everything together are particularly annoying to those of us who aren't and don't.

     How about you? Have you achieved all of your goals for 2017? Are you thinking about your goals for 2018?  

     I urge you to set reasonable, achievable goals and to work towards them. Do not spend your life wandering through it aimlessly. Set at least one goal and take steps to achieve it and then set another goal.

    Have a great week!