Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Atten-shun! Right Face! Hodgepodge!

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Add your link to the bottom of my post before you go see what the neighbors are saying.  Here are my answers-

1. My real life friends came through with another question this week so thank you real life friends.  When you've eaten in a restaurant do you complete their comment card? Do you take online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts?

If a restaurant is new and looking for feedback we might fill out their comment card. If it's a place we go regularly we won't, unless there is something particularly bad or particularly outstanding.  

I don't bother with the surveys on the bottom of receipts.  I'm finding it tiresome to check out of almost any shop these days.  The receipt is a mile long even when you're buying just one item, it's also now two or three slips of paper instead of one, and then they whip out the highlighter to circle all the survey information.  

2. The (US) ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January.  It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out but it's been reported over 200,000 front line positions will eventually open up to women.  Your thoughts?

I'm going to be honest...my initial gut reaction is eh.

I am a huge supporter of our military, and am a military brat myself.  I admire the courage, the discipline, and the willingness of our troops to protect this land we love. Women are, and have been in the military for eons filling all sorts of roles. They are pilots, medics, lawyers, programmers, strategists, military police and intelligence officers. I could go on because women can pursue pretty much anything except front line combat.  I know female soliders will probably tell me it's not all even steven opportunity wise, but its a long way from where it was even 25 years ago.   

In spite of not serving in combat there are still female soldiers killed in every war. You don't have to be on the front line to serve your country, risk your life, or be put in harm's way.    

I guess if a woman really wants to be on the front line, and can meet all of the requirements including the physical, then okay.  It's the meeting the requirements bit where things get dicey. Will the physical requirements be lessened to accommodate women who, no matter how hard they try, are just not made like men?  If so then no, I'm not in favor of it.  Men are sent to the front line whether they want to be or not...is that where we're headed with women?  

If you're a woman and can meet the current requirements then knock yourself out. I think there are very few who can, and that is not intended, nor should it be taken as, an insult to women.  It's just the way we're made.  

3. In looking back at all the blog posts you've written, what's your favorite post title?

I could never answer a 'what's your favorite post' question because posts are meaningful for a variety of reasons.  Titles are another matter though, and I have a couple of favorites in my blog history. The one that immediately sprang to mind was this one-

Misty Water Colored Naked Barbie Memories Light the Corners of my Mind

4. What's worse-overly permissive parents or overly protective parents? Did your own parents lean toward the permissive or the protective category? If you're a parent where do you fall?

In my opinion the overly permissive parenting style causes more harm, because that one seems to negatively impact society more so than the overly protective.  

My parents were definitely not overly permissive, but I didn't feel they were overly protective either.  I'm sure there were instances of that at some point along the way, but overall they had balance.  I hope I  did as well, but we'll see if my daughter plays along and answers this one today.  

As teenagers my girls had some pretty amazing adventures all over Europe, which I think confirms I was not overly protective. I also said no to some things other parents may have said yes to (co-ed sleepovers anyone?), and to a teenager some of my 'no' answers may have felt overly protective. I say God gives us parents for a reason. 

5. Candlelight-moonlight-firelight-bright lights in the big city....which one's your favorite?

Oh dear.  I like them all, depending on mood, weather and occasion.  If I can only choose one I'm going with moonlight.  

6. Dr. Seuss's birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What's a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your childhood?  Did books play an important role in your growing up years?  Explain.

Definitely.  My mom was a librarian and she brought home stacks of books on a regular basis.  Then she read them to us, which is one of my most favorite childhood memories.  My younger sister and I walked home from school for lunch all through the elementary grades.  We had a full hour for lunch which seems crazy since kids today get about 20 minutes, but it was wonderful.  My mom read aloud to us while we ate and we three bonded over funny words, expressions, and the emotion a particular story evoked.  

My favorite book as a young child was called Crow Boy by Taro Yashimo.  It is the poignant tale of a poor Japanese boy called Chibi, an outcast who was made fun of all through school. It's not until the very end of the very last year of school that Chibi's special talent is revealed in his school's program.  

This story is good on so many levels. I like the way the author didn't feel the need to hit you over the head with the message.  Instead he made you feel Chibis hurt. He didn't lecture the reader on bullying, rather he made you feel ashamed of the classmates behavior. I think these types of stories resonate and stay with a child so much more than a book with the word bully in the title.  Great books lead naturally to talks about all sorts of things that we'll face in life as we grow up. It is one of the biggest benefits to reading aloud to your children, no matter their age.  

I reread Crow Boy every now and then. I love the soft illustrations, the way it can still make my heart ache, and the sweet memory of a sister across the table listening as our mother read aloud on a school day noontime break.  

If you've never read it, look for it in your library. You never outgrow a truly good 'children's book'. 

7. To quote Dr. Seuss...

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere." 

Share something funny you've recently read, seen, or heard.

Why is it we see and hear funny things all the time, but when someone asks us to share one, we're blank?

Here's one-Honest Toddler.  I've mentioned it here before, but it is hilarious and very clever.  

I follow on Twitter (@HonestToddler), but there's also a facebook page and a blog.  It never fails to  make me laugh.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Is anyone watching the History Channel's mini series-The Bible?  What do you think so far?  







32 comments:

  1. I've never heard of Crow Boy, but you've piqued my interest, for sure. Sounds like we're much alike on our parenting pendulum. And as for the Bible, yes, I watched Sunday night's first episode. What an "epic" to tackle. I have enough to say to make it a blog post, so I won't junk up your comment box, other than to say I would give the film thus far a mixed review.

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  2. Great answer for the women in combat - I totally agree!!! I love books and was a library tech for a blissful year before I had kids ... I have yet to hear of the book you mentioned. It does sound like a great read - thanks for sharing.
    I'll be back tomorrow to check in with other hodge-podgers.

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  3. Ugh! No, I'm not watching the Bible Series because we don't have satellite tv and don't get the History channel! I'll have to wait for it to come out on Netflix... sigh...

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  4. That is a great blog title, and a sweet story.

    I love children's books and it is true what you said. You never outgrow a good children's book. I enjoyed reading my old Blume favorites and other books I read in childhood to my daughter. But I also bought her current books, of course. Often when I bought her a new book, I would read it before giving it to her.

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  5. I will have to see if I can find Crow Boy. As I stated in my post today, I was never into reading when I was a kid...I'm sure this probably wasn't written when I was, but I will check for it 'cause I love to read now. I too like to have all the 'lights' like you stated, and I put it succinctly in my first response, then chose just one afterward.

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  6. Thanks for being such a gracious hostess.

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  7. Your answer to #2 is spot on! I think it's incredible that your girls have traveled all over Europe, just don't know if I'd be brave enough to allow mine to do the same if I wasn't there with them. Movies like "Taken" sure don't help on that note! Honest Toddler? I've never heard of it, but you have definitely sparked my interest. Enjoy your Wednesday, Joyce!

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  8. I've not seen the story on the history channel yet but Hubby did. Said it didn't follow the Bible well at all but I'll be watching it tomorrow since I don't think I'll be working IN the office because of 10 more inches of white stuff coming our way!

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  9. I'm following Honest Toddler on Twitter, but didn't know there was a facebook page & blog.
    I heard about The Bible yesterday, so I'm going to see if I can catch up on it, especially since there's no school today! It's suppose to be amazingly good!

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  10. Question 5 I am agree, I choose option: all lol or starlight. Hehehe

    Hubby and I just saw the advertising for the Bible series last night, but had yet to catch a peek at it. We enjoy the history challenge and their shows usually strike up some interesting conversations.

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  11. I watched parts of the first and second nights of the Bible and unfortunately I am not impressed. It's so disjointed and I don't think the actors are very good. As someone who is familliar with the Bible I can identify the scenes, etc. But I think if I was watching but unfamiliar with the book and it's teachings, it would leave me very confused.

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    1. I think your last point is my issue as well. If you weren't already somewhat familiar with the scenes they've chosen to portray it would be confusing. My feelings are mixed on the show overall.

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  12. I also get a kick out of Honest Toddler. I will have to read Crow Boy. Somehow I missed that one. Have a great day!

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  13. We dont get the history channel :( I will have to check to see if we can watch on-line because I have been hearing it is fantastic! I have never heard of Crow Boy (and I've read TONS of children's books over the years!) I will have to check it out the next time I am at the library. Growing up we each had a library bag that we could fill with books each time we went to the library. Loved it!

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  14. I'm with you on the moonlight! I went and put the book Crow Boy in my cart on Amazon. It sounds very good. Yes I am watching The Bible. I think it is excellent and heard that the reviews were amazing. Enjoy your day.....

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  15. One never out grows good children's books! I watched The Bible-Sunday night-mixed feelings.

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  16. Haven't seen or heard about "The Bible" on TV. Haven't heard of "Honest Toddler" either. I also haven't heard of that book. But I must say, you've got me interested, so I think I'll go check them all out. :)

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  17. Joyce, you always come up with the most creative and catchy titles for your posts! How do you do it?!

    I've been recording The Bible, but Ed and I haven't had time to watch yet. The comments left today have my curiosity peaked now. (Our oldest son refused to watch because he feared it would be "distorted" in some way.)

    Thanks for recommending Honest Toddler. I love anything that'll make me smile, so I'll be checking it out now.



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  18. We DVR'ed the bible & cant wait to watch it!!!!

    That's funny you said something about the Honest Toddler - I had so many people retweeting him yesterday!

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  19. Glad to be back so that I can read other people's responses. Yours are always great.

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  20. I enjoyed this as always! Thank you so much for hosting this fun meme! I had forgotten about Crow Boy, but your right...a wonderful book! Enjoy your day!

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  21. I haven't been able to watch the Bible yet. It is on my On Demand so I'm going to watch it.

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  22. I agree with you on #2 (only you said it much better than I could have).

    With the 2 littlest grands here over the weekend, my mind was totally fried and I forgot to set the DVR. I thought I read somewhere that they're going to air a repeat ... just when I forget, so I need to go figure out when and then set my DVR. I see from some of the comments here that it's getting mixed reviews ... I didn't have extremely high expectations, so maybe it won't be too disappointing??

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  23. I was very happy to hear that the ban was lifted on women in "combat," with all the caveats you mentioned. There may not be many women who will qualify or even want to, but it's not right to deny the ones that are the opportunity. Things may be much better than they were 20 or 30 years ago, but I don't think that women can truly have equal rights without equal responsibility.

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  24. Great questions....loved all the Dr. Seuss references.

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  25. My grandmother (Dad's mother) was the town librarian. I spent countless hours there, especially during the summers. I much have read every single children's book in there. My lab is right next door to the library at school and I have a reading challenge going on with some 4th and 5th graders. You're quite right- you never really outgrow a good children's book. :)

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  26. I had trouble thinking of #7, although I laughed and laughed Sunday at Jason's Deli at something my husband/son said. I couldn't remember exactly the full conversation and it probably wouldn't be funny to anyone else anyway!

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  27. I'm not watching The Bible but did you catch an episode of Vikings?

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  28. How neat that you and sister got to go home for lunch. I went to a neighborhood school my first 3 years of school but never had the privilege of going home for lunch.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the Bible and am looking forward to the rest of the series. I was especially taken by the scene of Abraham sacrificing Issac.

    Thanks for always "showing up" for us. You are the BEST!

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  29. That is one AWESOME post title!

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  30. #6 made me think of one from Mema's house as well, Tiki Tiki Tembo. Sigh good memories. I also love the title and that post in general from question #3. Love you!!

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