Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Cruising Through the Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge...add a link to your own answers (Hodgepodge posts only please!), and then be all neighborly-like, and visit the bloggers who linked up before you. Here we go-


1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?

There is in general less respect, not only for those in authority such as teachers, police officers, etc, but also for the average person we encounter as we go about our day. I think we've become quite rude as a society. 

We don't know how to deal with someone who holds a viewpoint counter to our own, so that person must be eviscerated. They must be judged and judged harshly, labeled with the most derogatory terms we can find, and then verbally beaten to a pulp. It does seem to me the more we have talked about 'tolerance' the less 'tolerant' we've become. I feel like there is now much more emphasis on our differences, less celebrating what we as humans share.  

There's no shame. 
In anything.  

Technology is amazing, but has definitely re-shaped the way we interact with one another, not always for the better. There are new ways to communicate, but also new dark anonymous alleys for bullies and pedophiles and other creepy crawlies. I think there's more fear in the world today, which leads to less trust, and consequently planet earth feels a little less friendly than it did when I was young.  

Wow that got heavy.  

On the bright side I'm not wearing polyester or blouses tucked into high waisted jeans anymore either.  

2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?

I'd like to try the shooting portion of this event, just not in combination with the pressure of a cross country ski race. I've never actually been on cross country skis, but those athletes all seem to fling themselves to the ground once they cross the finish line, so I'm thinking its way harder than it looks!  

3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most purchased canned food item? What was in the last can you opened?

I use very little in the way of canned foods. My most purchased item would probably be tuna fish, although I will admit to a love of canned whole green beans. I love fresh green beans too, but I really do like the taste of whole green beans, eaten right out of the can. There are worse things to snack on, right? 

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?

I'm not a 'cruiser', but I can handle rivers, so this would likely be the only way I'd ever agree to that sort of holiday.

The Rhine...castles, vineyards, and fairy tale towns in The Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland. What's not to love?

5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do?  Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?

This question reminds me of an e-card I saw the other day-
someecards.com - Only kids count sheep to fall asleep. Count your debts, your mistakes, your heartache and cry yourself to sleep like a grownup!!!

Well I don't count sheep. If I wake up in the middle of the night I'll start by ripping off the covers, since heat is normally to blame. I'll probably toss and turn a little, and oftentimes  I pray. Prayer has a way of settling me down on the inside so I can sleep. I don't turn on the television in the middle of the night, and I try not to get up and disturb my hubs. Apparently I'm not that great at being quiet-ha! 

6. How important is keeping your cool?

Keeping my cool is really important to me. I'm a pretty even tempered person, and find anger in others very difficult to handle. I think a viewpoint or opinion is heard, and more willingly considered, when it's made in a reasonable tone. Anger wounds. 

7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?

Hmmm...none of these really apply to me at the moment, although some of the Olympic events make me think of white knuckling it. I'm so nervous for the athletes, especially those doing the super scary stunts.  Aerial skiing anyone? Or how about the skeleton sled where they hurtle down an icy route head first going 80 mph? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of the Olympics and treating others with kindness today...did you see where the Russian cross country skier fell in the middle of the race, and broke a ski? He thought he wouldn't be able to finish, but a coach for the Canadian team ran in from the sidelines with an extra ski he'd carried up in case his own skier needed it. The Canadian coach helped the Russian skier put the ski on, and the Russian was able to finish the race. He came in 12th, but was greeted by the Russians as if he'd won.  

How about US hockey star, T.J. Oshie, who when labeled a hero for essentially winning the match against Russia said, "The real heroes wear camo. I'm not one of them." 

Humility from someone in the spotlight is refreshing, isn't it? 
And another person's spontaneous act of kindness makes the whole world smile.   


"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world." ~William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

29 comments:

  1. I'm not one to follow the Olympics so I feel commenting, like I would know anything about it, on your Olympic views and thoughts would be fruitless. But I DO say: LOVE the cartoon on insomnia today. That cracked me up. And as you describe the castles and fairytale towns along the Rhine...can I change my answer?! lol

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  2. Loved the story about the Russian skier. Sometime mankind can still amaze me. I love stories like that because we see it so rarely.

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  3. Praying when I can't sleep helps me immensely. I always find it calming to "have a little talk with Jesus". Ooh...the Rhine River does sound nice! I've never seen a real castle with my own eyes, so that would be very exciting! I missed what happened with the Russian skier...moments like that are what make the Olympics so incredibly special.

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  4. My same thoughts on number one. LOL-on the ee cards--

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  5. The Canadian Coach giving a ski to the Russian brought tears to my eyes. I applause his generosity.

    I agree with your comment regarding society having less respect. It is the adults responsibility to teach their children to be respectful and those same adults respect their children. It begins at home and children will become respectful adults.

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  6. I loved Oshie's comment about the real heros! I hadn't heard about the broken ski incident, but that is also a great story and both shine the light on what the Olympics should be. Awesome. By the way, I eat green beans right from the can too. Sometimes I just grab a can from the pantry to have for my lunch!!

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  7. Your answer to #1 was fantastic--and right on the money!
    What will we do for excitement, after the Olympics are over???

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  8. I too often pray if I find myself awake in the middle of the night..your right it is calming. I missed the Russian skier story, but how I LOVE to hear stories like this. Enjoyed this as always...

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  9. I love good Olympians that have their heads on right...

    That e-card is hilarious... & sadly true

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  10. You are absolutely right on the way the world is today. Probably the biggest change... and what I wrote about... was how unsafe of a world it is for kids now.

    There is nothing like green beans from the can. I don't know why. Probably all the additives. LOL.

    Julia @ Mini Van Dreams

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  11. Great questions as always and I always enjoy your answers. Hoping you all are about to be clear of the snow. It must be tiring after a time. Happy rest of the week!

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  12. I agree with much of what you said in #1. I think a lot of people mistake tolerance for acceptance. In their minds if you tolerate something you also have to accept it, otherwise you're intolerant. I believe that you can tolerate things that you don't accept. Might be a good topic for a blog entry. Thanks for the Hodgepodge.

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  13. Loved #8. I've been seeing the hockey player's quote but didn't know the story.

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  14. I will admit to eating canned green beans as a snack. I think it is the saltiness - better than chips, right? Happy Wednesday :-)

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  15. Applause, applause...standing ovation for your answer to #1. We really have become the rude Americans. :(

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  16. Your second paragraph on viewpoint seems to be our daughter today and I don't know where it is coming from. She wasn't raised that way. I cross country skied years ago. Took lessons on a golf course in Wisconsin with couple friends of ours. I just came across an article yesterday about 10 convenience food that are good for you and canned beans was one of them. I didn't see that happen with the broken ski but I've been loving the Olympics and I'm so proud of everyone.

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  17. I didn't hear any of those heartwarming things from the Olympics but thanks for sharing. I needed that. I share TV time with hubby and he isn't glued to Olympics. The e-card is hilarious! Oh and I share your love for green beans from a can. I love corn in a can, too. Here's saying a prayer that you don't get hammered by the storm (or hammered as a result. Haha. All this snow could drive someone to drink like a fish!.

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  18. Hi! I had commented a few hours ago but I got an error message.. I totally agree with no. 1! I was saying that it's crazy how tech kids are these days. I've seen kids at Yosemite or somewhere beautiful on their iPod or iPad. Also kids seem to be a little more disrespectful to their elders than when I was growing up. I wouldn't dare talk back to my parents like my niece does.

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  19. Love that Shakespeare quote.

    Good questions and answers this week Joyce. Thank you.

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  20. Your random brightened my day. :) Great choice for #4. I have more trouble with being awake in the middle of the night then I admit to. Prayer does often seem to help. (So does throwing off the covers!)

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  21. I watched that halfpipe skiing thing last night and didn't realize that it could get crazier than the snowboard halfpipe. But skiing seems scarier than the snowboard version. Who let's their kids do this?

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    1. My next door neighbors : ) My hubs watches with envy, but knows he better not try it!

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  22. love your 1, 6 and 8!
    I pray too when I can't sleep. I figure God wants my attention about something :)

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  23. My parents did a river Rhine cruise and loved it, I'd do that in a heart beat. Last can I bought was corn for my Turkey chili! Loved your random answer with Olympic story there has been some amazing tearful experiences of sportsmanship and humanity. I've enjoyed watching!

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  24. Rare indeed to see such sportsmanship :)

    Thanks for hosting.

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  25. There have been so many moving stories come out of these Olympics. Some have been really heart-wrenching, but in all of them the dedication and sacrifice has been the amazing thing. The Rhine cruise was another choice for me. Sounds wonderful! Have a great week!

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  26. Awww...I had not heard that story about the Canadian coach helping the Russian skier. I think that, despite our lapses as humans, when push comes to shove, we really do look out for one another. Thank you for sharing that tidbit. :)

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  27. I had not heard about the Canadian ski coach... That made me smile... It is what the Olympics are all about don't you think?

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