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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

ANOTHER FRICKIN' SNOWY DAY HODGEPODGE!


     As I copy over this week's Hodgepodge questions it is snowing in the Granite State again. I think that we have had just about enough snow for one winter! I am running out of room in my driveway to place all this white stuff. Yuck! Well, thanks Joyce for another batch of questions. Enjoy this week's Hodgepodge and leave a comment. Better still answer them yourself!

1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?
      One of the biggest changes is the lack of respect for authority. As a child if a teacher reported to my parents that I was not completing my work or I was misbehaving, my parents would take corrective action with me. Today it seems that parents hire a lawyer and sue the school district for having the temerity to hold their child accountable.
     Another change is how people interact with police officers. Over the past couple of weeks several NH police officers were assaulted in the line of duty. It used to be a fairly rare occurrence, particularly in NH. However, it seems to be happening with more frequency. 
     Neither one of these happenings bode well for society.
 
2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with either two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?
     I would be more stressed out about the skiing part. I have never been on ski's and have never had the urge to learn how to ski. I love the shooting part because I like to shoot and have some skill as a shooter.

3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most often purchased canned food item?  What was in the last can you opened?
     The most frequent canned good purchase is either vegetables or soup. The last can I opened was two cans of tuna so that I could make my special tuna salad recipe. SWMBO loves my tuna salad.

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?
     I would like to cruise the Danube River in Europe. I think that the historical impact that river has had on the development of civilization, art, etc. would appeal to me.
  
5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do? Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?
     If I can't sleep I generally turn on the TV and channel surf. Other times I get up and try doing something productive like reading a book or working on a sermon or Bible Study.

6. How important is keeping your cool?
     Keeping ones cool is very important. I have learned through experience that ones ability to think clearly and react properly goes down as emotions and temper goes up. This is particularly true in stressful situations. People are better able to perform during emergencies if they can maintain a calm demeanor.

7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?
   "Wave the white flag" definitely. I surrender to winter! Enough with the snow carpet bombings! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
     At the beginning of winter most people look forward to the first snow fall. When it happens they cannot wait to get out and play in the white stuff. As the winter progresses the appeal of a fresh snowfall tends to abate. By this time of year, after ALL the snow we have received, the number of these people diminish. I think that the majority of people just want the incessant snow to STOP! 
     However there are those "certifiably nuts" people who relish more snow. These people are CRAZY! They will argue that snow is beautiful and is lots of fun to play in. THESE PEOPLE ARE NUTS! 
     I am running out of room in my driveway. Many more snow storms and SWMBO and I will be snowbound until spring. I will be shovelling snow until June at this rate. So after serious reflection I have come to the conclusion that winter should..."DIE WINTER, DIE!!!! Other than that I have no strong feelings on the subject!



Wednesday, February 12, 2014

SHOT THROUGH THE HEART DAY HODGEPODGE!


    Valentine's Day (AKA Shot Through the Heart by Cupid's Arrow Day) is this Friday, hence the title of this Hodgepodge blog entry! Joyce from "From this Side of the Pond" never disappoints with the latest series of questions. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, have a seat and enjoy this week's edition of the Hodgepodge. Better yet, fire up the old computer and join in on the fun!
  

1.What makes love last?
    It seems to me that this question suggests that love is finite, that you get so much and then it's gone or that we have just so much love to give and then we're out. I do not believe that love wears out. I believe that we choose to stop loving…for whatever reason.
    My beloved SWMBO and I have been in love for 42 years. We continue to choose to love each other no matter what. So, to my way of thinking, what makes love last is our decision that it will last!

   
2. The Beatles made their US debut fifty years ago this week. Are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite Beatles tune?
   I am definitely a fan! I listen to an "All Beatles All the Time" station over my I-Heart radio I-Phone application. I prefer their earlier stuff, up to and including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. I don't have only one favorite Beatles tune. "And I Love Her", "If I Fell", "No Reply", "The Night Before" are a few of the ones I find myself singing when alone in my car or at home doing chores.

  
3. Valentine's Day-your thoughts? Do you celebrate in any way? Do anything special for the people you love? Expect anything special from the people who love you? 
    I will give SWMBO a tasteful greeting card and a small box of chocolates. I don't expect anything special from people who love me.


4. Steak or burger...you have to choose. Now that that's settled, how do you like it?
    I prefer a nice New York Strip steak cooked medium well. Yumm!


5. The Hodgepodge lands on the birthdate (February 12th) of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America. Lincoln is quoted as saying, 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test his character give him power.'  Do you agree? Why or why not?
    Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Our founding fathers knew this all too well and did their level best to construct our system of government in such a way that the tension existing between the three equal branches would keep our lesser angels in check. President "Honest Abe" believed this as well evidenced by this quote. Our nation is seriously lacking in people of such character today.


6. Honest Abe's image is featured on the US penny (1 cent coin) so I'm wondering...what do you do with your pennies (or your country's equivalent)?  It's been suggested the US stop making the penny, and two bills have been introduced proposing just that, but neither were approved. What say you?
     I still pick up pennies and save them in a "Penny Jar." When the jar gets filled I convert them to more convenient forms of cash and take SWMBO out to dinner. It still takes 100 pennies to make a dollar.


7.  Do you think pop culture deserves serious study?
    Yes, I do think that pop culture should be studied but not us, but rather by the people who come after us. I do not believe that we can accurately assess our culture from the present. For example, in my humble opinion we really did not begin to fully comprehend or appreciate the societal upheaval that was the 1960's until we looked back from the perspective of the late 1970's or 1980's.


8. Insert your own random thought here.
    I have been thinking about the humanity of Jesus Christ. What I mean is that I have been considering some of the events in His life and considered how He might have felt given how we might feel in the same circumstances.
   We can infer from a reading of the Gospels that Joseph, His earthly father, probably died sometime before Jesus began His public ministry. In my mind I see Him, with tears in His eyes and a broken heart, comforting His mother Mary and His siblings at the gravesite.  
     While on earth, Jesus chose twelve men who became His disciples, His Apostles and I believe His closest friends. One of these friends, Judas, conspired with His enemies to arrest Him. In my minds eye I see tears in Jesus' eyes when Judas kissed Him in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus said "Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
    I see Jesus walking through the courtyard and His eyes meeting Peter's after Peter denied knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter was one of His three closest friends and even though Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny knowing Him, it had to cut Jesus deeply for that prophecy to have come true.
   As Christians I think that we sometimes fail to fully appreciate the extent of the humanity of the God-man, Jesus Christ. Think about it and see where your thoughts take you! May God bless you on your mental journey!




Monday, February 10, 2014

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN!



      IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS since the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan variety show. The Ed Sullivan show was a staple of my family's Sunday evening television viewing regimen. My family was not unique in this regard. Many times I would hear my parents talking with relatives, neighbors or friends about what had been on a recent Ed Sullivan Show or what was going to be on the next Ed Sullivan Show.

If you were a professional singer, comedian, musical group or novelty act appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show often made your career. The Ed Sullivan Show was very popular among the television viewing and gave the aforementioned professional entertainers national, if not worldwide, exposure. An appearance on this popular show often made one's career.

In 1964 an upstart musical group from Great Britain took America by storm. Four men, John, Paul, George and Ringo, arrived with great fanfare. Their plane was met at the airports by screaming crowds of young men and women straining to catch just a glimpse of these British invaders. Their motorcades were often surrounded by screaming, adoring fans. Security had to be extremely tight because their followers would go to amazing lengths to breach security and try to get into their hotel rooms.

If you're a Beatles fan, this week's retrospective, of the initial assault of what came to be known as the British Invasion, was pleasantly nostalgic. I am a Beatles fan, especially of their early music up to and including "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show gave them worldwide acclaim. The influence of their music continues to influence popular music like few bands have done before, or since, their arrival on the scene.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

GROUNDHOG DAY-SNOWBOUND HODGEPODGE


     Last Sunday was Groundhog Day and today, Wednesday, we in New Hampshire are being inundated with snow. YUCK! It is also time for another series of questions. I urge any male bloggers to join me in participating in the weekly Hodgepodge. I think I may be the only man to participate weekly. Come on in, the waters fine!

1. Are we always responsible for our actions? Are there any exceptions?
   We are always responsible for our actions. Our responsibility may be mitigated somewhat if we act upon information that was deliberately misrepresented to us. Even then, we are ultimately responsible for our actions but somewhat less so. Due diligence requires that we make every effort to insure that the information upon which we act is true and accurate.


2.  Has anyone from your home town become famous?
     I was born in Lowell, MA. Three famous names come to mind: Bette Davis, the great American actress; Jack Kerouac, author of "On the Road"; and Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's longtime Tonight Show sidekick.


3. January was National Slow Cooker month. Do you own a slow cooker/crock pot? Did you use it last month? What's a favorite dish you make using a slow cooker or crock pot?
     SWMBO and I have three crock pots in three different sizes. Baby Pot, Mama Pot and Papa Pot. SWMBO recently blogged about them at "Life Through Bifocals." I have two favorite meals. SWMBO makes an incredible Beef Stew. She also makes a Pork Chop Chili that will clean out your innards like Drano cleans out a clogged pipe. By that I mean it burns going down, clearing out your sinuses in the process. It also burns coming out, if you know what I mean. It tastes really, really good though!

4. How do you feel about private companies collecting data about you?
     I have become convinced that the days of having personal privacy is over. The most intimate details of our lives that are stored on any computer is vulnerable. That said, I don't mind if a company stores the kind of things I buy from them or how often I shop and stuff like that. I do object to them collecting data which invades my privacy, stuff I would prefer to keep confidential or that is not intended for public consumption.


5. The Games of the 2014 Winter Olympics kick off with their opening ceremony this coming Friday....will you be watching? Which Winter Olympic event would you most like to see in person? Have you ever been to Russia? Any desire to go, Olympics or otherwise?
     I love the Hockey competition. I prefer the earlier Olympic games when only amateurs were allowed to compete. Now the NHL takes a two week hiatus so that some of their players can compete for their respective nations. SWMBO loves the figure skating.


6. Share a good or bad sports related memory from your childhood or teen years.
     I played little league baseball as a young boy. I was a pretty good first baseman. My team was in the league playoffs. It was the bottom of the last inning and I caught a game ending foul ball that secured our victory. Unfortunately, my team lost the rubber game of the playoff, but that catch was an exciting moment in my young life.


7. What's a must have song for you on a work out play list? If you don't work out, run, swim, bike, walk, or anything else that could be construed as 'exercise', then what's a song that motivates you to at least get up off the couch?
     There's a lot of songs that get my blood moving. Foreigner's "Dirty White Boy" and "Hot Blooded"; Deep Purple's "Highway Star" and "Space Truckin"; Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely" and "Pretty Woman"; Styx "Too Much Time On My Hands" and "Blue Collar Man" and "Renegade"; The Eagles "Life in the Fast Lane" and "Already Gone" just to name a few!


8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     I have been thinking about Divorce recently. No…SWMBO and I are doing fine. In fact we're closer now and more in love than we have ever been. I have been thinking about some of the self deluding things that people say when they choose to divorce.
     "We have just grown apart." In my humble opinion this just means that you have stopped trying to please each other like you did when you were dating. Also, when you are dating someone you tend to overlook a bunch of stuff that for some strange reason becomes intolerable after you are married.  Don't kid yourself, you have stopped trying because you chose to stop trying.
     "We have become different people!" You were different people when you started dating. You were different people when you got married. You are both different people now. The one constant in the universe is change. You are both going to change. Your interests, your abilities, your bodies, etc. will change over the years. Change can be properly managed if you choose to do so.
     "We don't love each other anymore."  You have chosen not to love each other anymore. Love is a verb! Love is a choice! Nuff said! 
     "It is better for the kids" This is the worst of all the self deluding statements! The one unalterable fact about divorce is that no matter how amicable the divorce may be, the kids are ALWAYS adversely affected. I have seen this first hand in my career as a police officer and have dealt with the very real consequences of the fallout from "amicable" divorce.

     I understand that there are times when Divorce is unavoidable for a variety of reasons. I am not trying to be judgmental or even self righteous. I just know what a blessing marriage is or can be. In my humble opinion Divorce is bad and nobody wins, especially the kids! 




Wednesday, January 29, 2014

SUPER BOWL HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY!



1. It's  been said that one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. Do you think that's true? Do you find that an easy exercise most mornings? What's something positive you told yourself today? If you missed that boat, what's something positive you could tell yourself tomorrow?
     I am not very positive early in the day. I don't recall ever starting my day with a deliberate positive thought. Perhaps I'll give it a try and see what happens. 
     I'm not particularly negative either. When I get up I kind of take inventory of joint pain and other aches and see if there are any new ones or if any are missing. If any are missing that means it's going to be a good day.
     I usually drag myself to the kitchen, greeting my beloved SWMBO enroute, and have breakfast and/or just a cup of coffee and once the juices start flowing I plan my day.

2. There will be karaoke at the next party you attend...are you in? Or will you be faking a sore throat?
     It depends upon who else is in attendance. I am way less likely to participate if most of the attendee's are strangers or new acquaintances. I wouldn't fake anything, if I chose not to participate I simply would not participate. 

3. January 29th is National Puzzle Day...what's something you've found puzzling recently?
     I watched the movie "Inception" with Leonardo DeCaprio and had trouble following what was going on. It's a puzzling movie.

4.  Jigsaw, crossword, acrostic, logic, sudoku, word search...what's your favorite kind of puzzle, and when did you last work one?
     In order of preference: Crossword, Sudoku, Word Search, Logic then Jigsaw. I generally work the daily crossword and sudoku puzzles from USA Today. I also enjoy Word Jumbles.

5. Recently a writer by the name of Amy Glass ruffled feathers with a post she wrote saying she looks down on young women with husbands and kids and she's not sorry. Among other things, she says women will be equal with men when we stop saying house work and real work are equally important. You can read the whole piece by clicking here.
     
What say you? Do you think men and women are equal in the 21st century? Why or why not?
   I say that Ms Glass is wrong! If my feathers got ruffled every time someone said something that seemed ignorant, offensive or down right stupid I would be in a perpetual state of ruffle-ness. I fail to understand why people get riled up over stuff like this.
   Anyway,  in my humble opinion housework and real work, whatever that means, are equally important. In today's world it is not unusual for both parties to a marriage to do housework and hold a job outside the home. As I type this I am doing the week's laundry.                       Believe me, having clean clothes is important. Having nutritious meals to eat is important. Having a clean place to live is important. These things don't happen by themselves.
    So I say again, Ms Glass is simply wrong!

6. What's a product you've noticed in the grocery store that you'd like to try, but haven't yet?
     I've got nothing! No idea!

7. The author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) was born this week in 1832 (January 27th).  Which character from his celebrated novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, would you most like to meet, and why? Here's a link to a character list if you need help on this one. 
   I choose the Cheshire Cat. He's logical and would be able to elucidate the realities of living in wonderland.
  
8. Insert your own random thought here.
     Last week neither I nor SWMBO participated in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. We were otherwise engaged and unable to. Suffice it to say, we sincerely thank all of you who graciously held us up in prayer. Your prayers went a long way towards making a difficult week more tolerable. 
     Here's my random thought. The U.S. Government recently indicted a conservative film maker, Dinesh D'Souza (sp?), and released him on $500, 000 bail. A half million dollars, and the Court required him to surrender his passport(s). What heinous crime is he accused of? He allegedly conspired with three other people to donate $20,000 cash to the senate campaign of a former classmate. He has pled "NOT GUILTY" in this matter. 
     Could the fact that he made a couple of documentary films that are unflattering to President Obama have anything to do with the heavy handedness of this prosecution?
     This could be chilling for anyone who holds conservative views and decides to publicly express them. May God bless America, we really, really, need it! 






Wednesday, January 15, 2014

JANUARY THAW HODGEPODGE!



     We are experiencing a warming trend called the January thaw. The temperature climbs into the balmy 40's or the sweltering 50's. It never ceases to amaze me how warm the 40's feel after a few days with highs in the teens or low 20's with windchill temperatures well below zero. 
   Well, it is Wednesday and it is time for another set of probing questions from our friend Joyce from "From This Side of the Pond." Enjoy!

1.  Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?
     Generally, not so much, but in a few specific situations, absolutely. What I mean is I don't have to get my way in most of the things that crop up in my life. I don't dig in and fight many battles because at the end of the day most things are really not worth fighting about. However, were my beloved SWMBO or our children or grandchildren be threatened, I am definitely a force to be reckoned with. 
     
2. What are two things you love about the wintertime? Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you 'like' about winter? 
     One of my favorite things to do on a clear, dry, cold winter night is to stargaze. The sky looks so spectacular on such a night. It is awe inspiring. A second thing I like is just after a snowfall, the ground looks so pristine and beautiful. Also, all is quiet as if the snow muffled all sound.

3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health benefits, particularly during the winter months. Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried? 
     I don't have a favorite from the given list of fruits. I have tried Pomegranate and Kiwi. I can take them or leave them. 

4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their outdoor sign- 'When all else fails, do the right thing.' Your thoughts?
     I believe that we should always try to do the right thing in the first instance. Doing the right thing is not a fall back position. To do otherwise is like "You're not trying if you're not cheating." or "It's only wrong if you get caught!" As a Bible believing Christian I believe we are called to do the right thing always.

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are-St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland.  Of the five listed, which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer. 
     I am not a skier. I have never been tempted to try. That said, I wouldn't mind visiting Switzerland or Austria. I wouldn't mind watching other people ski from the cozy warmth of a chalet while sipping a hot chocolate.

6.  What's the last thing you looked for online? (Besides my blog!)
     The last thing I looked for online are pet friendly hotels in the Lebanon, NH, area. SWMBO and I and the fur babies will be spending a few nights in a hotel when they try to harvest her stem cells for a possible stem cell transplant in the future.

7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?
     "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:6,7)

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
     The NFL Super Bowl is once again upon us. I love the Super Bowl because it is the first death knell of Winter. It is a reminder that Spring is just around the corner. The next death knell of winter is when the Red Sox pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Florida. The final death knell is St. Patricks Day. We can still be whacked with a snow storm but the odds are increasingly in our favor that we will not.
     Winter is the price we must pay for the privilege of enjoying the other three seasons here in New England. It is a price worth paying. 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR HODGEPODGE!



1. Times Square is the setting for the infamous ball drop signaling a brand new year....when did you last 'drop the ball' on something?
     Hardly a week goes by when I don't drop the ball on something or other. Nothing specific comes to mind. SWMBO is very forgiving however, otherwise my ghost would be typing this right now. No jury in the entire nation would ever convict her if she was not so forgiving!

2. What is one thing you resolved to do in 2013 that you actually did?
     I resolved to be more active in the church. I think that I have achieved this goal.

3. Jack London is quoted as saying, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." Agree or disagree? Why? 
     I guess I would have to disagree. I would assert that Inspiration hunts us down and comes after us with a club. Inspiration is something that is spontaneous. Inspiration is something that jumps up and smacks you dead in the face without warning. You hear a song with a powerful message and a beautiful melody, you are inspired.
     You read about some of the great figures of history and all that they overcame to become the influential people that they became and you become inspired.
     Sooner or later Inspiration gets us all!

4. What was the best thing you ate in 2013?
     I give up...what was the best thing that I ate in 2013? I don't know. If you were to meet me in person you would soon realize that there is a veritable cornucopia of things that I have consumed over the pst year. To narrow it down to one specific "best thing" is daunting to put it mildly.

5.  Share an anti-resolution...that is, something you plan to keep on doing in the new year.
     I plan to keep on loving, serving and enriching SWMBO's life in any way I can. Beside that I intend to keep blogging, reading, and studying the Bible.

6. The Pantone color of the year for 2014 is radiant orchid.  Like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either?
     I have way too much testosterone to be able to respond to this question and maintain possession of my "Man Card!"

7. In three words or less sum up your 2013.
     Cancer Really Blows!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     At this time of year people often look back over the past twelve months and reflect upon the condition of their lives. They assess the progress that they made on the changes that they resolved to make during the year. The more common resolutions such as to lose weight, exercise more, improve their personal relationships and yada, yada, yada often don't survive past the first quarter of the year. We start out with zeal and positive expectations as well as good intentions to succeed. Despite our best intentions we fail. I number myself among those good intentioned souls who have added bricks on the road to perdition, that particular road being paved with good intentions.
     It can be discouraging to make the same resolutions year after year to just see them fall by the wayside year after year. How can we stop this vicious cycle? I haven't got a clue!
     One thing that I do know is that perseverance is unbeatable. I take a lesson from Thomas a. Edison. He used something like a thousand different metals for the filament on his light bulb until he happened upon tungsten, the metal that finally worked. 
     Well, if you have failed at keeping your resolutions, persevere! If you stumble and fall during the year, get up and begin anew! Persevere! Never retreat! Persevere! Never surrender! Persevere!
     I readily acknowledge that this is easier said than done. Remember...PERSEVERANCE WINS THE DAY!
     Happy New Year to one and all!