1. Americans will celebrate Labor Day this coming weekend. Do you know what we're actually celebrating? (without consulting your friends google or wikipedia, ahem) What's a project you're currently 'laboring' over?
I do know why we celebrate and I'll spare you my thoughts here about the need and function of labor unions in the 19th century being very different from that of the 21st century. I live in NJ and unions make the news here every.single.day.
As far as projects I'm laboring over...I don't suppose you want to hear me mention my photo organization one more time do you?
Okay, how about this-we want to do some landscaping to our side hill and also need the back hill seriously pruned. We cannot seem to get a quote on the project. Recently we had a landscaper out to look at the potential work and make some drawings. I had no trouble reaching him by phone and spoke a couple of times to an actual person to book the appointment. He arrived on time, was personable and professional, and was accommodating in that he made the appointment for early evening to allow hubs time to get home from work. This landscaper came highly recommended by more than one source and said he'd get a quote to us by the weekend. That was three weeks ago. We've left countless messages and I can't imagine why he hasn't gotten back to us and is suddenly unavailable by phone. It's a little worrisome, not to mention frustrating.
2. Labor Day also signifies the unofficial end of summer for most of us...what summer food will you miss the most? If you live in the Southern hemisphere feel free to substitute winter for summer.
Watermelon and tomatoes. I love all the summer fruits but watermelon is my favorite. And mid-winter when all the tomatoes are pink and grainy I'll be wishing I could sink my teeth into a red, ripe, fresh-from-the-vine Jersey tomato.
3. A well known proverb states, "It's easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission." Your thoughts?
I'm really more of an 'ask permission' kind of girl. Plowing ahead and then worrying about making up for it later is not my style. I won't be breaking the rules unless it's a matter of life and death. Ha- I'm sure my hubs is nodding his head at the truth of that last statement.
4. Food critic, film critic, art critic, book critic...which hat would you most like to wear?
Food.
No one is surprised are they?
5. When you were a kid, (besides your parents) who was your favorite adult?
There were many but the ones who popped immediately to mind were my grandma, the young mom who lived next door, a favorite camp counselor, and the youth leaders in my church.
6. The astronaut Neil Armstrong passed away last week. He was regarded as a hero by many generations of people all around the world. Do we still have modern day heroes? What makes someone a hero?
Back in 1969 the courage it took for those astronauts to climb into that little bitty capsule is mind boggling. By all accounts Neil Armstrong was a humble man. He liked to credit the thousands of NASA workers who made his moon walk possible rather than seeking the spotlight himself. I think bravery combined with integrity and humility is the very definition of heroism.
Our society likes to hold up sports figures as heroes but I disagree. I think sports figures can potentially be role models, but what they do is in no way heroic. Nor are celebrities heroic. And while great business leaders and entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs can inspire and change the world, I wouldn't label them as heroes either.
The world needs role models and heroes both. I think a hero is someone who, with great courage, deliberately and without regard for the personal consequences, puts others before self in order to accomplish something amazing.
Firefighters and policemen rushing in to the crumbling World Trade Center buildings-heroic.
One man standing firm against the tyranny of a dictator-heroic
Navy Seals, Green Berets, and other Special Forces rescuing a fallen soldier behind enemy lines-heroic.
A pilot calmly landing a plane full of frightened passengers in the middle of the Hudson River and then stating he was only doing his job-heroic.
Bravery is an essential component of heroism. I think humility and integrity complete the package.
7. I never get tired of __________________.
...a clear , bright blue sky.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Debby over at Just Breathe had a little musical meme on her blog last week and I told her I'd play along. The instructions were to name 15 vocalists (in no particular order) who will always stick with you...don't take too long to think about it, just the first 15 that pop into your head.
Okay, you know I'm not very good at that whole 'not thinking too hard about it' thing but here's a list of fifteen...
Steve Perry (Journey), Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Karen Carpenter, Don Henley, Bono, Martina McBride, Barry Gibb, Carole King, Phil Collins, Ann Wilson (Heart), Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty), and Christopher Cross.
Who would be on your list?