Wednesday, May 15, 2013

There's No Place Like the Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Grab your ruby slippers and join the party...here are my answers to this week's questions-

1. May is National Blood Pressure Month...what sends yours soaring, either literally or figuratively?  What calms you down?  When did you last have your bp checked?

I've written more or less the same answer to this question multiple times, trying different wording each time, but in the end deleting it altogether because it felt like I might be raising a topic that would make your blood pressure soar. You're welcome.

Let's go with the general answer of politics and leave it at that.  

What calms me down? 

Simple-turn it off. The news, the television, the car radio, the multiple social media outlets. Do something else. I might go for a walk, cook, read, listen to music, watch a movie...anything really. Hey, I might even vacuum. 

I have my bp checked several times a year, because once you've cruised past your 45th birthday people, its all just fun and games.  

2. You found $1-what do you spend it on?  $10  $100?

1$-I'd probably stick it in my wallet. Can you actually buy anything with a buck? 

10$-lunch at Paneras

100$-something fun to wear or something fun for the house

3. Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food has been proposed, but not yet enacted in the US.  How much attention do you give food labels before you buy?  Are you in favor of labeling if it means higher prices?  Is this an issue you've been following and feel strongly about, or is this the first you've heard of the controversy?

I pay a fair amount of attention to labels because we obsess over carbs, sodium, and sugar these days. I buy organic when I can and straight from the farmer whenever that's possible. I live in the NJ countryside so around here that is very often possible. 

I've read quite a bit about the GE foods and while my instinct is to say absolutely slap a label on everything, it's not quite that black and white. For instance there is debate about what technology would require labeling, what percentage of GE must be present to require labeling, how is it regulated, etc.

Cost is definitely a factor for most people when purchasing groceries. I often stagger out of the market in a daze, receipt in hand, trying to mentally figure out how what I just purchased cost as much as it did.  I feel for families regularly trying to feed growing children on a budget.  

4. May 15th marks the birth date of Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz.  At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain.

I have some personal goals I'm attempting to meet so I'm going with courage.  They're not extraordinary, but they do require me to be a little bit brave and a lot disciplined.  

5. "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book.  When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?

Every time I return from a trip out of town, which if you read here you know is pretty often.  I love to travel, love to visit family and friends and foreign cities, but I also love to come home.  No matter where it is, there is no place like it.

6. Steak-yes please or no thank you?  What cut do you prefer and how do you like yours cooked?  Sauce or no sauce?  Besides your own kitchen where's a place you like to go to get a great steak?

Yes please, just not too often.  I like a petit fillet if we're dining out, and a cowboy cut Ribeye we get from someone here if hubs is grilling.  We call it the Fred Flintstone steak because it reminds us of those ginormous steaks Fred used to eat that tipped his car on its side.  

Definitely no sauce. Just the steak, charred on the outside and medium rare on the inside.  Sorry all you vegetarians reading here.  Just writing that description of a great steak confirms for me why I'll never be a vegan.  

There are any number of fabulous places to get a great steak, but I especially love Sparks Steak House in the city.  

7. When was the last time you were in a genuine hurry?

I needed to be somewhere at 10 am on Monday morning.  Hubs was working from home until he needed to leave for the airport, and just as I was getting ready to walk out the door he asked me to print his boarding pass. There was some sort of mix up that required phone calls and waiting on hold, and then more waiting on hold before it was all sorted, so I ended up running a little late. 

Running late makes my blood pressure soar.  
I could have just said that for #1, because I hate to be late.

I wasn't really late, more like right on time. 
Which is the same thing as late in my book.   

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Who's a fan of the show 24? Fox TV announced this week they're bringing it back, summer 2014, and Keifer Sutherland will once again remind us that our own day wasn't so bad after all.  

24 was some of the most intense programming I've ever seen, and Jack Bauer is still one of my all time favorite fictional heroes.  To this day when we see Dennis Haysbert in anything we refer to him as President Palmer.  

Thinking about that show takes me back to some chilly UK springs and summers winters, short on daylight, but filled with lots of family togetherness. Many a winter weekend we'd all bundle up by the fire in our cozy sitting room and watch 'just one more hour' of 24. 

If you're a fan of the show you know it's impossible to watch 'just one more'.   

Hmmm...I think my girls are gonna need to plan for some marathon viewing here at home once the new season is released on DVD. We never ever watched it in real time. I mean, who could stand to wait a week to find out what happens in the next hour?  





28 comments:

  1. I was told that vegan and vegetarian are two totally different 'kinds of people'. I'm really not sure, 'cause I eat meats, eggs and cheese...oh and milk I drink. But that was what I was told. lol

    And as for 24 I've never watched it before. And now that we have no cable [and I LOVE the fact - tv is not what it used to be] I probably never will watch it.

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  2. Like you I hate to be late for anything so if I arrive at the exact time I feel I am late as well.

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  3. We are thinking alike this week- hate being late, need courage, and steaks without sauce.

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  4. Couldn't agree with you more on politics making blood pressure soar!

    I'm a stickler for being on time to, and feel like I'm late if I'm not early :)

    I've never watched 24. I'll have to check it out!

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  5. 24 is coming back!! My hubby saw the announcement a couple of days ago!! I remember even having the ringtone of the phone in Jack's office!!! Bu bu bu buuuuu.

    I am thrilled beyond belief!

    As far as programming, it was one of the shows that we simply would not allow our children to watch with us because of the violence! Yikes! Can't wait to see what intrigue the writers cook up!

    BTW, have you watched the show Touch? It's got our same friend in it, and it just finished its second season.

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  6. 24 is on my list of shows I'd like to watch. And something like that I would never watch in real time. I watched most of Alias on DVD because like you, I can't wait a whole week to see what happens! : )

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  7. I hate being late too.. my husband? He think if you're 15 minute late, then you're on time... drives me INSANE... there goes my BP! :)

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  8. Great post title. (Great minds think alike - wonder how many of us will have the same one today.) And you'll have to come out for a steak sometime. :) Have a great day!

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  9. Good Luck on those personal goals. I hate running late too, it drives me insane. I can't wait to tell my Dad about 24, he loved that show, he will be beyond excited. Oh, and thanks for the information on labeling, I was totally in the dark. We like steak too,I get it :)

    Lucy from Lucy's Reality

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  10. Oh, I had to laugh out loud when I read that "being on time is the same as being late." I am the exact same way! Another fun week of Hodgepodge!

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  11. I do keep the news off, and I stay away from the multiple social media outlets because my own little world is enough for me to handle most days! Mine came out 10 $100 so I answered differently. At the most I have a steak maybe once a month. I do love them!! I'm pretty sure my husband watched that show and I know he would love to see it again. Have a great day Joyce.

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  12. You are I are a little different on our steak choices! lol Good luck on your personal goals - and I know you already have the courage you need. And I forgot how politics get my blood pressure up - I am with you - I have to turn it off. sandie

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  13. Loved the questions this week. You and I had a number of like answers.

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  14. Sometimes I have to just walk away from the news too. I should have put that down as a calming option also. Yes, it is difficult trying to afford good food for a growing family, especially hungry boys! Have a fantabulous day!

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  15. I love getting our produce from the farmstand too. I still haven't found beef though. I think I'd have to get delivery for that. I bet the beef tastes great!

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  16. My husband watches all the political shows and I just can't do it. I get crazy mad at the talking heads who clearly have their agenda and aren't really listening. And don't get me started on the bias of the journalists. I have to turn it off too and just find a good article about the topic.

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  17. Great title! LOL

    And amen about being on time. I've always said that if I'm not 5 minutes early, I'm late!

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  18. ps....hope you get some photos of the robin babies. How cool!!!

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  19. Interesting questions this week! Mine are up!

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  20. Just discovered this event, and it looks like fun! I may join, soon as I can make the time to; if not this week, then maybe next week... But much to my biggest excitement here, I must confess, is that the show 24 is coming BACK ON!!!!!! YAY!!!!!! Dear Son and I BOTH LOVE THE SHOW! So we are definitely looking forward to seeing it again!!!... Nice to meet you today, via Wednesday Hodgepodge! ~tina

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  21. "I wasn't really late, more like right on time.
    Which is the same thing as late in my book. "

    Said perfectly and so ME!
    I have never watched 24, but your review makes me want to try it.

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  22. I hate being late too! I'm always early and now that I think about it, my heart rate probably does inch up a notch when someone is causing me to be late. {ahem}

    Believe it or not, I have never watched 24.

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  23. You can buy a big gulp at 7/11 for 89 cents. There I've spent your dollar!

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  24. Never watched 24 before. I too like to be on time so I leave early. Love fresh local food if we can get it. It's a short season up here after all. We are still getting frost warnings up here at night and the pellet stove has been turned on a few times already.

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  25. My sister used to like it but it was too intense for her and didn't want the youngsters watching it. I don't like intense, i go as far as Law & Order SVU & that's about it. ;) Have a great week! It's been much too hot here ;o

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  26. Every time I read your answers I like you a little bit more...is that even possible?? Thanks for hosting questions per excellence!

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  27. The Flinstones comment cracked me up! I have never seen 24 nor Downton Abbey, for that matter. Am I a weirdo? I really liked your Oz questions. Great options. I will pray for your courage.

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  28. So sorry to be a day late! I spent yesterday with DoodleBug--took the day off and all--and she left for Europe today! She's in the air right now headed for Stuttgart---if you would mention her in your prayers, it would be especially appreciated! :)

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