Wednesday, January 23, 2013

All is Fair in Love and Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  I'm still sans voice, but thankfully I can use as many words as I want in print.  Here are my answers to this week's questions...be sure to add your link before you hightail it out of here.


1.  The popular saying 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly.  Is he right?

Only if you strictly adhere to the definition of fair-

adjective-In accordance with the rules or standards; legitimate

adverb-Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage

Hmmm...isn't the object of war to gain advantage over your opponent?  Even so, in times of war we still have 'rules'...how a prisoner is treated for example. If everyone stays true to the definition of 'fair' then yes, all is fair. 

Oftentimes people make up their own definition of the word fair, which is why we hear warlords use it. Or, in the case of 'love', ordinary people who are pursuing someone unavailable (married) might think (hope-wish) this saying justifies their bad behavior.  

2. Are you a cereal eater?  What's your favorite kind?

I like cereal.  I don't eat it every day, but I like it.  Special K with Red Berries is my favorite.

Wait-Lucky Charms is my real favorite.  I'm not answering with that one though, because I never buy or eat it anymore.  Sniff.  

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the toy blows bubbles).  She did not have the gun with her at school.

A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record.  The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts? (If you missed the story, click here for details)

In this particular situation, if you look at the actual product I don't think it even looks like a gun. More like a blow dryer.  It's hot pink and painted with Miss Kitty on the side.  Regardless, it seems we have lost all common sense in this country.  We don't know 'the whole story', but did this instance really warrant a ten day suspension?

I know we're lawsuit happy in this country, but if I were the parents I'd want this removed from my child's record too.  It may sound silly now, but its possible it won't be viewed as such when she's a teenager applying to university, and there's a 'suspension for terrorist threat' on her permanent record.  

I guess what disturbs me most about this story is the notion that innocence in America is lost. Every word uttered must be scrutinized for motive, stuck under the microscope and examined, even in a kindergartner.  We no longer investigate before making a judgement, instead we leap to worst case scenario, which yeah, I kinda understand but not really. We've somehow become a nation that runs to extremes and figures we'll sort out the pesky details later.  When did we lose our ability to thoughtfully work our way towards a conclusion as opposed to being collectively catapulted there in a single bound?

Not everything is a four alarm fire. 

In America everything is a four alarm fire.  
Sometimes out of neccessity, but often because we make it so.

Tangent.  Sorry.  

4. Whatever happened to_______________________?

Common sense was the first thing that came to mind.

Whip n' chill was a close second.  Does anyone remember whip n' chill?  It was a dessert, sort of a very light and airy pudding and the lemon flavored was our favorite.  
I'm sure it was 'lemon flavored' and not actual lemon, probably full of chemicals too, but when I was growing up we thought it was such a treat.  

5. January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil.  Do you like your handwriting?  Do you prefer to print or write in cursive?  This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock.  What's the last thing you signed your name to?

I do like my handwriting, and it depends on my mood as to which I prefer-print or cursive.  I still love to write with a pen and I have a bit of a thing for pretty stationery, notecards, journals, and paper in general.  The last thing I signed my name to was the back of a check. 

6.  Speaking of John Hancock, ever been to Philadelphia?  Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love?

I grew up outside the city, my dad worked there for many years, and I have a sister who currently lives in the city, so yeah, I've been.  I love Philly.  Everyone should visit Independence Hall and eat a (real deal) cheesesteak at least once in their life.  

7. Share something funny you've heard a child say.

One of our favorites is this...when daughter2 was in kindergarten they were doing a unit on nutrition, healthy eating, and growing strong bodies. The teacher must have really emphasized the importance of this because when my daughter said her prayers that evening she said, 

'Thank you God for my strong healthy body.  
Because without it... I'd just be a head.'  

Pretty sure that wasn't the teacher's point, but it still makes us smile some 17 years later.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Have you seen this?  
Super cool!







46 comments:

  1. oh dear, do you have the cold too? I've had this sniffy, sore throat for a week and a half now. no fun! ;/

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  2. Hilarious! But at least she'd ALWAYS be ahead.

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  3. Oh my goodness! I really enjoyed that video!!! What a wonderful story! I doubt that I'll ever be able to look at a deck of cards the same way again! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. You answered #1 much better than I did... my brain is apparently mush. And I love that you and I both said "Common Sense" on #4. And tangent on. friend... I agree with you 100%. Sigh.

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  5. Oh my I love the video and have never seen this before. I m so glad you posted it.

    We differed in our opinion on the little girl a wee bit i some areas and in others we agreed.

    Oh my I am going to start separating this next week and doing it all by it's self.

    I really like this meme. N xt to my birds it is running a close second and I have not done it justice! Don't give up on me! I am a newbie!

    I'm Googling this for you!I hope you have a great day!




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  6. Loved reading your answers to all the questions. The video at the end was really neat!

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  7. That video was very cool! Didn't expect that ending with the cards.

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  8. First of all, Joyce, I hope you're feeling better this morning! Secondly, I really LOVE that video, in fact, I plan to share it with some folks I know would really appreciate it. I'm in total agreement with your answer to #3! I love what your daughter said back in kindergarten...she made a very valid point! ;)

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  9. Totally agree about the 10 day suspension of the little girl. It doesn't even look like a gun!

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  10. Love the video, Joyce! Hope your feeling better and thanks for always thinking up these questions.

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  11. No...it's not a tangent....that was very strong, smart, and well worth making your statement!! I enjoyed reading it...made me want to stand up and cheer you on!!

    As for common sense...wishing now I'D THOUGHT OF THAT!!

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  12. Now you've made me want a cheesesteak from Philly :-) We lived there (south Jersey) for a while and I loved the area. Hope your voice returns soon!

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  13. Cool video. I'm with you on the Red Berries. (Also on the Lucky Charms but don't buy them any more. :) Did you always save the 'charms' for last?) Hope you and D1 are both feeling better. Happy Wednesday.

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  14. Reading your answer to the innocense of children being gone I realized that in my age group children played Cowboys and Indians all the time. That didn't go on their permanent record! I forgot about the Cheesesteak sandwiches. We do have Philly's Best here in California and they are delicious. My husbands says they are the closet thing he has ever tasted to the original. That video is amazing....brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing it.

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  15. that video was amazing!!!!!! Stuff like that blows my mind!!!

    I'm going to love seeing all the things people say about what kids say.

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  16. Yum. I love me some Lucky Charms. Double sniff.

    Julia @ Mom on the Run x2

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  17. Praying your vocal cords are in good working order soon.....

    Awesome video!

    We had a lot of the same thoughts this week...

    Blessings
    R

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  18. What a great video! Have a good day.

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  19. Cool video - I'd never seen it that way, although I've heard the general story many times throughout the years.

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  20. Common sense was my answer for #4 also. =) Your little girl's answer in school was really cute. lol
    And that was a neat video--how do they make the things they do look so easy? lol That was a good message as well--for the Lord, AND for our country.
    Have a great day!

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  21. I put Lucky Charms (and Fruit Loops) and yes, I do still buy it, but I don't eat it every day. Just sometimes.

    I'd love to try a real cheesesteak from Philadelphia.

    Loved your daughter's comment about being just a head. Cute.

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  22. I have never had Lucky Charms! Marshmellows are not my thing.

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  23. I think we have lost all common sense in this country. But we've gained selfishness and rudeness. Not such a good trade.

    Enjoyed this post, Joyce. I liked Lucky Charms too, but only the charms.

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  24. I, too, am disturbed about the loss of innocence in America. I worry about my grandchildren and the world they are growing up in!

    I loved the video. Thanks for sharing it!

    I was going to try Special K with berries, then I saw the amount of sugar it has in it-nearly as much as my favorite sweetened cereals.

    P.S. I commented through my 2nd blog today. Couldn't get my 1st ID to work for some reason.

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  25. Loved the video. I've never seen that.

    I'll pass on Lucky Charms, but Frosted Flakes is my favorite "junk" ceral. LOL

    Common sense - my answer, as well!

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  26. I never thought about the resemblance to a hair dryer, but you're right. Next thing you know Conair is going to be on the list!

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  27. I just forgot everything that I was about to say because, yes, that is a super cool video. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  28. Interesting questions for sure. The Hello Kitty Bubble Gun question was very good and it does look like a hair dryer. The video was great!

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  29. We had such similar thoughts on common sense :) Thanks for sharing the soldier's cards- that was great!

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  30. Wow love that video...so cool! Lucky Charms is my favorite I only buy it when I need comfort food. I start a new job yesterday at a dentist office...trying to figure out this whole blog thing timing....hopefully do hodgepodge next week. Have a great day!

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  31. I just found you through Kimberly's Korner and this hop was so much fun! Glad to be a new follower and hopper! <3

    http://camomsworld.blogspot.com/2013/01/wednesday-hodgepodge-12313.html

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  32. My first time with the hodgepodge.
    Really fun - took me to some interesting memories.
    Thanks Joyce! Probably catch you next week.

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  33. I am with you on the whole gun/common sense thing. They were 5 year olds TALKING about playing with bubble guns. Come on, people! Use your brains for something besides keeping your skull from imploding.

    Love that video. I shared it on FB a while back. It still makes me smile. :) (see)

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  34. I thought the same thing about also wanting it off their daughters official record!
    Figures we like the same cereal. :)

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  35. I agree with your tangent, and that is a cool video. I'd never seen it before. Hope you're feeling better soon!

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  36. Never seen that but it is a good video.

    You're school record might as well be police record because that thing follows you EVERYWHERE

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  37. lucky charms is the best!

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  38. Loved your tangent and couldn't agree more! And, haven't thought about "Whip and Chill" in ages, we thought that was a real treat too.

    I do hope you are feeling better and getting your voice back. Hubby has been battling an awful cold for a week. Hoping I don't fall victim to it. :o)

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  39. loved the answers!!! good to be back on hodgepodge I missed it so much!! :) hope you feel better soon

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  40. this was fun --i so remember whip and chill--loved it--but once i guess my mom had used some that was out of date and while she was whipping it, we found all these little worms--never had it again :(

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  41. Hope your voice returns soon! That video was really cool. I have never seen it before!

    My favorite cereal WAS Cracklin' Oat Bran. But do you know how much fat is in that cereal?!?!

    I had to break up with it. So sad.

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  42. I, too, love all things stationery, paper, notecards, journals, pens, etc.!

    I, also agree, everyone should go to Independence Hall and eat a "real" Philly cheesesteak. You're making me hungry. I still have two children who haven't been there yet. Sounds like a road trip this summer.

    That video was so cool! Loved the magic trick. He's a cutie too. :)

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