DOG DAYS OF SUMMER HODGEPODGE! WOOF!

     It is the latter part of July here in New Hampshire. The weather goes from hot and humid to less hot and dry. My preference is for less hot and dry. SWMBO on the other hand is a hot and humid fan. In any event being Wednesday it is time for another issue of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. I hope you enjoy this edition!

1. When I look at the sky I feel________________________________________.
     Awe! One of my favorite things to do is to look up at the sky on a cloudless night and watch the star filled sky. Sometimes I get rewarded by seeing a meteor streak across the sky. It is an awesome sight to see so many stars and to ponder their distance away from earth and that what we see is a very small portion of a vast universe filled with galaxies and planetary systems. Awesome!

2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this?
     I cannot run for political office because my parents were married! If I had to run for political office I thinks I would run for the U.S. Senate. I believe that I could be more effective being 1 in a 100 than being 1 in 435. No, I do not have ANY desire to run for public office. I have never been a fan of being in the spotlight public office requires.

3. What scent makes you think of home?
     The smell of onions cooking always reminds me of home. I love onions, whether raw or cooked, and we use a fair amount of onions in our casseroles and other meals. This is a practice/tradition handed down by my maternal grandmother.

4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection?
     I would have to say...periodically. Usually it is provoked by a news story, family tragedy or celebration such as Funerals, Weddings, Births, Retirements, etc. Sometimes I when I'm someplace quiet, I reflect on where I've been and ponder what the future holds. Campfires often provoke such ruminating.

5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream?
     My preference is ice cream alone in a cone, a sundae or banana split. Why spoil good ice cream with other food stuff? If I must choose I suppose I'd go with the conventional Apple Pie A La Mode. 

6. What might your autobiography be called?
     "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE CRAZY!" ...but it certainly helps!

7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why?
     The foot train is my least favorite mode of transportation because of severely depleted knee cartilage in both knees. My next least favorite mode of transpiration would be hot air balloon. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     I have been thinking a lot lately on the subject of "Truth." Specifically that truth matters! I think about past scandals and how they were made worse by the people involved not telling the truth, even when placed under oath and their swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
     These scandals involve both Republican and Democrat Administrations. Just off the top of my head: the Watergate Scandal, Iran-Contra, Monica Lewinsky, Tawana Brawley, Benghazi, IRS, etc. 
     There is a cliche that arose out of the Watergate scandal that says "It's not the overt acts, but the cover up that does people in." I believe that the act is damning enough. The cover up just exacerbates the overt acts.
     We the people are being lied to by our elected officials at ALL levels of government. It seems to me that the higher you go in government the more outrageous and damaging the lie. Case in point is the Affordable Care Act. This piece of legislation was passed based upon lies. It has been a disaster and the pain and suffering that it has and will continue to cause to We the People remains to be seen but it will be dire.
     One of New Hampshire's greatest statesman, Daniel Webster said "There is nothing so powerful as truth." To paraphrase an old saw from the 60's I say "POWER TO THE PEOPLE!" In the upcoming elections I urge all Americans to think long and hard before voting to re-elect ANY incumbent office holder.

THUNDER STORMY HODGEPODGE

     We are having sporadic thunder storms today. Apparently high humidity and clashing weather fronts is a recipe for violent weather. So far the storms we have had were not too severe, at least in my town. Other parts of New England were not so lucky with having trees blown over and damage from hail. 

     Oh well, it's still wednesday and it's still time for the weekly Hodgepodge. Come on and join in on the fun!

1. The month of July was named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. He's quoted as saying, 'Experience is the teacher of all things." So what has experience taught you lately?
     I learned that "butterflying" chicken breasts before putting them on the grill makes it easier to cook them evenly. SWMBO loved my BBQ chicken breasts. 

2. Where did you last 'roam'?
     I drove to a friends house and took the back roads over the mountains and literally through the woods. It was a beautiful day and a nice picturesque drive.

3. Speaking of 'Rome'...pizza, pasta, gelato...you can only pick one, which would you choose?
     I would pick pasta. I understand that Italian Pizza is not the same as the Pizza we get in this country.

4. 'Rome wasn't built in a day', 'All roads lead to Rome', 'When in Rome...' which 'Roman' idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.
     "Rome wasn't built in a day" Recovering from a chronic disease is a one day at a time kind of thing. Nothing happens quickly and there are often set backs. 

5. What's a movie you've seen or a book you've read, that makes you want to book a trip to Italy?
      "The Pigeon Project" by Irving Wallace makes me want to book a trip to Venice.

6.  Walt's original Disneyland opened almost sixty years ago, on July 17, 1955  Have you ever been to the California park? How about any of the other Disney parks around the world? What's your favorite amusement park ride or attraction?
     I have never been to any of the Disney Amusement Parks. I don't see me ever spending $133 dollars to go and stand in line for hours on end. The admission price is outrageous in my humble opinion.

7. It's that time of year...when were you last bitten or stung?
     In our yard...the mosquitos have been particularly hungry. SWMBO got nailed by a tick which infected her with Lyme disease. I guess her cancer wasn't challenging enough.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

     In the 1840's at the Vienna General Hospital, a teaching hospital, the mortality rate in the maternity wards was 1 in 6 women died from infections. It seems that in the mornings doctors and students would perform autopsies on the women who died the previous day. Afterwards they would go to the wards and perform pelvic exams upon the living women patients without washing their hands.
     Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis was in charge of one these wards. He instituted a protocol of hand washing for all doctors and students before they examined any patient. Within the first month the mortality rate fell to 1 in 42. The second month the rate fell to 1 in 84. 
     Dr. Semmelweis expanded the hand washing protocol to include washing hands between examining patients. This caused the mortality rate to drop even further.
     The doctors and students complained so bitterly about the hand washing protocols that Dr. Semmelweis was fired. The doctor who succeeded him threw out the hand washing protocols. The mortality rate quickly returned to what they were before the protocols were put in place.
     It wasn't until several years later when Louis Pasteur discovered the connection between germs and infection that Dr, Semmelweis was exonerated. My point is that truth matters!

SUMMER HEAT HODGEPODGE

     

     Here it is almost mid July. The summer seems to be passing by way too quickly. Well, with summer comes the inevitable thunder storms and with Wednesday comes the inevitable series of Hodgepodge questions from our friend Joyce. If you have a chance visit her blog "From This Side of the Pond." You'll be glad that you did. Thank you Joyce for another set of great questions!

1. July is National Anti-Boredom Month. When was the last time you were bored? What's your go-to cure for boredom?
     When I was in the U.S. Air Force I had a supervisor who told me that boredom is self inflicted. He believed that if one is bored it is their own fault. We have at our fingertips every imaginable activity that can challenge our minds, our talents or our bodies.  There is no reason why we should get bored. The sad fact, however, is that we all do get bored from time to time.
     I cannot remember the last time I was bored. When I do get bored I read, work a crossword puzzle, or watch an On-Demand movie on television.  

2. What's the last thing you made a reservation for?
     A medical test that I had done yesterday. (See Random Thought below)

3. What's one thing on your summer 'bucket list'? Any plans to make it happen?
     I really don't have a summer "bucket list." I believe in making it up as I go along. I prefer to let my summer unfold naturally if you will. SWMBO wants to visit Cape Cod sometime this year. 

4. What's your favorite summertime sip?
     My absolute favorite summertime sip is Dunkin Donuts Watermelon Coolatta with whipped cream. My next favorite would be a sweetened peach iced tea.

5. What do you find is the best way to handle another person's hostility and hopefully ease the tension?
     The Bible teaches that a soft answer turns away wrath. I find that the best way is to respond to hostility is to do so gently. To do so often diffuses the tension and makes reasonable discourse possible. Answering hostility with more hostility only escalates the tension and makes dialogue almost impossible. 
     Responding with a baseball bat up side their head also diffuses hostility and often, consciousness. (For the benefit of those who don't know me, I'm just kidding notwithstanding the truth of my previous statement!)

6. Your favorite film set in summer?
     Saving Private Ryan! I know it begins on June 6th, 1944, but most of it takes place during the summer of 1944 following the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. I love World War II history.

7. What word are you using too much lately?
      I have no idea which word I've been using too much lately.
   
8. Insert your own random thought here.
     Yesterday I had to undergo a routine medical procedure which is odious to most people. This medical procedure requires one or two days of preparation prior to the day of the test. It is an invasive test. Normally I require dinner and a movie before participating in this level of intimacy, but I digress.  If you have had this routine test done in the past then you understand what I mean. If you have not had this test done in the past, then I won't spoil the surprise. 
     I should have my formal results in about two weeks. The doctor told me that she did not note any anomalies.
     My beloved SWMBO was glad to be driving me around for a change. She drove me to and from the hospital.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA HODGEPODGE!

     This week the United States of America turns 238 years old. As countries go we are still very young when you consider the great nations that have endured for millennia! America has accomplished a lot during her short lifespan. I love America and the ideals that it still struggles to live by. Happy Birthday, America! And now, here's this weeks Hodgepodge!

1.  Speaking of 180...when was the last time you 'did a 180' on something?
     Just this evening SWMBO and I were returning home from dinner out. I told her I was going to visit our local Dairy Queen for a cherry dipped cone. While enroute I changed my mind and decided to forego the cherry dipped cone. I remembered that we had watermelon in our refrigerator at home. Just as sweet and tasty and so much better for me, health-wise. 

2. It's Independence Week in the US of A! What's your favorite thing about America right this very minute? Favorites only! Let's hear what you love about America.
 
If you're playing along today, and you're not an American but have been to America, what do/did you like best about this country? If you've never been to America, do you have any desire to visit? What's the number one thing you'd like to see?
     My favorite thing about America are the freedoms that we enjoy. We are free to move about without requiring permission from anyone. We are allowed to speak our minds without fear of getting locked up for what we say. We are allowed to criticize our leaders in as vile or vicious a manner we choose without having to worry about getting locked up or worse, disappearing without a trace. These are just some of the many freedoms that we enjoy.

3. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream, or blueberry pie?
     Watermelon please! 

4. When did you last see stars, figuratively speaking?
     About a month ago I was doing something in the car. I bumped my head on the door jamb and saw stars for a second or two. Ouch!

5.  'Clear as a bell', 'with bells on',  'lots of bells and whistles', 'saved by the bell'...which phrase 'rings' truest for you lately?  Have you ever seen The Liberty Bell?
     I have never seen the Liberty Bell in person. "Clear as a Bell" is truest for me lately. My beloved SWMBO still is in love with me and is still devoted to me...that fact is clear as a bell! The reasons why she does is not not as clear! However, I thank God every day that she does.

6. Are you caught up in World Cup fever? Have you watched a lot or a little or none at all?
     I have never been a "Soccer" fan. I am not watching the World Cup at all. I really have no interest in the game or the tournament. 

7. Bid farewell to June in 10 words or less.
     I hope that you and Ward Cleaver are very happy!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     Forty-two years ago I asked this gorgeous blond blue eyed high school sweetheart to marry me. She refused! I asked her a second time. She again wisely refused! Being a baseball fan I thought I'd give her a third strike and so I asked her a third time to please marry me. She foolishly said "Yes!" We have been husband and wife, best friends, soul mates ever since.
     We have the kind of deep, devoted love that poets write about. We have the kind of love that songwriters write about. We have the kind of love that romance writers are envious of. Am I bragging? Your bet your derriere that I am!
     Seriously and all kidding aside, God has shown us how to love each other with that all encompassing AGAPE kind of love. He has shown us how spectacular a marriage can be. So although I am bragging, truth be told, all the credit for our marriage rightfully goes to God. He is love! He is the inventor of marriage and the great example of love in action. A godly marriage is a true blessing that enriches two peoples lives. You can take that to the bank! Happy 4th everyone!

END OF JUNE, ALREADY? HODGEPODGE

1. What summer activity most takes you back to your own childhood?

     A family day at the lake. When I was a boy our family would meet our aunts and uncles and their families at a State Park with a lake, picnic tables, ball fields, etc. We'd get there early in the morning  and play all day. We'd swim, play wiffle ball, volley ball and other activities. The adults would play cards and drink adult beverages and grill burgers and hot dogs for lunch. It was really a great time.

2. What's your favorite summer smell?

    Fresh cut watermelon!

3. It's beach season in the US of A...so how do you feel about sand?

     It is a necessary part of beach life. No matter what you do it comes home with you. It is part of the charm that is summer!

4. Sun tea, SunChips, sunflower seeds, Capri Sun, Sunny Delight, Sun-Maid raisins, sun-dried tomatoes...your favorite food or beverage with sun in its name?

     Sun Tea and Sun Chips.

5. What's your favorite way to cool off on a hot summer day?

     Sitting in an air conditioned movie theater watching a recent release.

6. Share a favorite song with the word sun or sunshine in it's title.

     "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison

7. Tell us about a time you had an exceedingly good or truly awful customer service experience. If it was awful, did you report it? Ever go back there again?

     When SWMBO had her stem cell harvested, we stayed at a Quality Inn in Lebanon, NH, about a mile from the hospital. The hotel manager and staff could not do enough for us. They made a difficult time somewhat less so. I did write a letter to the company commending the manager and staff for their service above and beyond the strict call of duty.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

     When I was growing up I was taught that "honesty is the best policy." I was told that truth is important. Lately, however, truth does not seem to matter. The "Global Climate Change" debate for example. We find that scientist have been cooking the books. Some glaring examples are the report out of East Anglia, United Kingdom, was shown to contain false and made-up  information that supported their thesis that the planet was warming. 

     A recent United Nations report on global climate change was soundly criticized by environmental scientists as being rife with "bad science" and false data.

     Most recently, NASA and NOAA were criticized for knowingly using false data in a report supporting the idea that the planet was warming due to man made events.

     If a person has to resort to lies to make his case, then his case is false, that is, untrue. TRUTH DOES MATTER!

THE IDES OF JUNE HODGEPODGE!

1. Since you weren't Hodgepodging last Wednesday, how did you pass the time?

     I also took a hiatus from blogging.

2. What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? Yes, one word. 

     E X C E L L E N T ! ! !

3. Summer officially arrives in the Northern hemishpere later this week. Does it feel like summer where you live? Describe your idea of the perfect summer day.

     It does feel like summer up here in New Hampshire. SWMBO is very pleased. The perfect summer day would be clear skies, temps in the range of the high 70's to mid 80's, low humidity, Hampton Beach or a mountain lake with SWMBO.

4. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."(Sam Keen) Is laziness ever respectable? Do you have a lazy summer planned, or something semi-ambitious?

     Yes, laziness can be respectable. You work hard all year! When it's vacation time then laziness is very respectable. As far as summer plans go I don't have any.

5. Past or present, who's your favorite television dad? Why is he a favorite? Is he anything like your own dad?

     Tim Taylor from Home Improvement. Like most men he often misses the obvious but his heart is in the right place. My dad was fairly handy and like Tim was a good man and somewhat slow on the uptake.

6. June 18th is International Picnic Day...share a favorite picnic memory.

     SWMBO and I like driving up to Quechee, VT, and viewing the gorge and spending time up there. After a trip to Lebanon for medical treatment and follow up we drove to Quechee and had a picnic with the dogs by the gorge. There is a park nearby with walking trails that is very relaxing. It was a nice time,

7. The travel site Trip Advisor lists the top five islands in the world for 2014 as- Ambergris Caye in Belize Cayes, Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Marco Island Florida, and Lewis and Harris in The Outer Hebrides (Scotland). Have you been to any of these? Of those listed (and if price were not a factor) which would you most like to book for a holiday?

     Bora Bora for SWMBO, the fur babies and me.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

     Last weekend I was sick. Not circling the drain about to checkout kind of sick, but feeling like you are circling the drain about to check out sick. SWMBO channelled her inner "Mother Hen" and went into action. She insured that I was able to sleep when I needed to. She controlled my diet, my fluid intake, my blood sugar...everything.  She helped me combat bone rattling chills and navigate profuse sweat inducing hot flashes. She comforted my headaches, bone aches and other discomforts. 
     SWMBO was not happy that I was sick but she was so glad to be the caregiver for a change. Today I am about 95% back to normal. As I have mentioned on many occasion I do so love this woman. She is remarkable in oh so many ways.
     This random thought is an elaboration of #2 above and just paints a small part of the whole picture.  

D-DAY, A NOT SO SUCCESSFUL SUCCESS!

Today is June 6, 2014. Three score and ten years ago the allied forces assaulted what was then known as "Fortress Europe." Adolph Hitler had spent years and materials  creating concrete bunkers, walls, steel obstacles and gun emplacements along the French side of the English Channel. Hitler was certain that an invasion was coming he just did not know where.

The D-Day Invasion of June 6, 1944, was fraught with errors and bad judgement on both sides of the conflict. For example, a significant number of the airborne troops who jumped into France the night before the invasion missed their assigned drop zones by miles. 

One group that missed their assigned drop zone landed in the middle of a French town that was occupied by German troops. Many of these brave Americans were killed by withering German fire before they hit the ground. 

The pre-invasion naval bombardment that was supposed to take out the concrete bunkers overlooking the landing beaches overshot their intended targets and failed to soften up the German defenses.

Some Allied Troops were landed on one beach, the wrong beach, and their support equipment did not follow them and was landed on their assigned beach.

The German Fifteenth Panzer Regiment was stationed near the Pas de Calais, the narrowest span of the English Channel. Hitler was convinced that the invasion would land at the Pas de Calais. Despite requests from his commanders in the field he would not commit the 15th Panzer Regiment to Normandy to repel the landings where the actual invasion took place. Had he done so, the invasion would have been successfully repelled and the invasion would have ended in disaster.

The German Air Force fighter planes were pulled back from the French coast to protect them from allied bombing raids. This made it impossible for the German Air Force to effectively support the German ground troops at the coast. 

Despite all these SNAFU's the invasion was successful by the narrowest of margins. The battles fought on D-Day could really have gone either way. However, the allies did prevail and established a beach head and thus began the fall of the Nazi occupation of Europe and the fall of Nazi Germany.

So on this seventieth anniversary of that great day, I remember those brave men who so valiantly served. I honor their memory. Most of all I thank them for stepping forward when their country called. I am proud to be an American, to be from a people that produced such great men. May God continue to so bless the United States.