Wednesday, November 11, 2015

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. A very special and heart felt shout out to anyone joining us today who is a veteran. Thank you for your service to our country. 

If you've answered the questions today, please add a link to your answers at the end of my post. And do say hi to the blogger who linked before you because comments make the world go round. Here we go-


1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?

I grew up in a military family and have a son-in-law currently in the US Army. I feel a special affection for those who take an oath to serve and protect this land we love. The freedoms we enjoy in America are something I think most of us take for granted on a daily basis. It's not until our lives are touched by war, a family member entering the armed services, or some national tragedy like 911 that we really stop and think about what it looks like to 'serve your country'. 

I'm so glad we set aside this date to recognize our servicemen and women's commitment to freedom. Their commitment to defending the ideals our country holds dear and what that commitment means to the average citizen. I'm grateful for their willingness to serve, some giving even their very lives in the call of duty. I think of the words honor and sacrifice, and how to our veterans those aren't just words. I'm proud to be the daughter of a United States Marine, and on this day feel humbled by the bravery of our veterans. 

2. What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

It's too hard to choose just one. A few of my favorites falling under this heading would be The Dirty Dozen, Argo, Saving Private Ryan, Lone Survivor, and American Sniper. Of the movies listed Saving Private Ryan is probably my #1. 

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

I did get a flu shot. I had the flu once, it was several years ago but it's not something I care to ever have again, so since then I've had a flu shot every year. 

4. I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are you thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

In the words of Nadine from SNL's Burger Castle (go here if you're clueless) everybody 'simmah down nah'! Have mercy we're easily offended in 2015, aren't we? Also, I feel like now people complaining about people complaining about red cups is a thing. We just need a thing I guess. 

Starbucks is a business and if they want plain red cups vs. snowflakes and polar bears I say go for it. This isn't an organization claiming to represent Christianity. It's Starbucks. I don't get why a red cup is offensive?? That being said, if you don't like their business philosophy don't buy their coffee. God bless America! 

Also, it's capitalism with a Capital C, but I'd love to see stores hold off until at least November before decking the halls. And I DO NOT understand people with their trees up on the first of November.  I think it's ridunkulous, but it's your house and if that's what makes your family happy then you go right ahead and hang that mistletoe while snacking on Halloween candy. 

5. What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

Well I'm sure I should say a copperhead or a big fat crunchy spider, which are both high on my list of things to avoid and not something I ever want to encounter, but I'm actually going to say a possum. I don't know if it's their rodent-y bodies or their beady little eyes, but there's something about them that sends shivers up my spine. They're creepy. And they like to get in the garbage cans so when you lift the lid they stare back and scare the daylights out of you. 

6. Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?

Not particularly. Hubs and I are building a house, but technically we're watching our builder build a house. The last thing I built? Hmmmm.....perhaps a casserole? I'm not a hammer and nail kind of girl. 

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

Sunlight on the water and a clear blue sky. I'm slightly obsessed with both. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.






25 comments:

  1. I understand where you're coming from on the flu front. Been there got the t-shirt as they say. Enjoyed your answers. Lots of common sense in there. It's a shame that not everyone seems to have a full share of that these days ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. My salute to your son-in-law. You listed a few great movies of our time. Thank you Joyce for another week of the Hodgepodge.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with your advice to SIMMAH DOWN NAHabout the Starbucks cups!! Sheesh!! I don't drink coffee so it makes no nevermind to me, but for goodness sake, that's the hill to die on this Christmas?
    Have a good week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great video!
    If you are one of the ones complaining about the Red Cup, consider yourself fortunate you are healthy enough to stand in line and rich enough to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks-enough said!
    American Sniper my second choice.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah, the red cup. That silly red cup that no one seems to be really complaining about but the media is saying we are all complaining about. I have yet to find anyone who cares, and I am affiliated with some pretty outspoken and conservative Christians.

    You and I had very similar things listed under what we have built.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh yes! The possums. I would freak out if I ever saw one in our garbage can. One night we came home from church and our Trudy was in the back yard facing off with a possum which had its teeth bared at Trudy. It was scary and I was so glad we came home at just the right time.

    A big thank you to your Dad and family for serving. I am proud of everyone in my family for serving and my nephews who are currently serving. Thank God for them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We agree on the fact that there is too much hoopla about too many things. Also we are on the same page when it comes to building things. Great video.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I believe your're right about people needing, 'a thing' these days. It's absolutely ridiculous. I have veterans in the family too. My brother is the only one to come out alive, though.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree, 'possums are kind of creepy and disgusting. We also learned how much they stink when Ed trapped one and attempted to relocate it! Ha!
    One bad bout with the flu was all it took to get me started taking the flu shots. Now if they'd just come up with a shot to prevent the stomach flu... I'd be the first one in line!!!
    Have a great Wednesday, and thanks for another great Hodgepodge.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have never understood how a possum can get into a trashcan without the lid coming off! My mom has opened her trashcan, with the lid on, and a possum been in there. They are crafty little fellows!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I totally missed the red cup complaint, but good grief, what difference does it make? As you said, they're not a Christian organization and were we expecting a manger scene?

    I put up our tree after Thanksgiving, but only if there's snow.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Enjoyed your comments on the Hodge Podge. I'm with you on the snakes and spiders.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LOVE all your thoughts on veterans and couldn't agree more! Soo glad there is a day set aside to honor them. And the red cup thing is just ridiculous, lol, enough said. People DO need a "thing". And while our tree is not up yet, we have begun our decorating process. And these days it IS a process, and we take our sweet time. We don't turn on the lights until after Thanksgiving, and enjoy the ENTIRE month of December with it all, but I am sure the day is coming where it will be a wreath on the front door and our nativity set on the table, and that will be that. But until then, this works for us. lol Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ah, the sun shining on the water, making it sparkle like diamonds ... love it! Thankfully I've never had the flu but I've heard enough to know that if I can do something to help minimize my chances of getting it, I'm all for it. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. No, I wouldn't want to encounter a possum, either. I don't hesitate to step on spiders.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am the proud daughter of a United States Marine too :)
    Possums are gross! So far I've only heard raccoons in the garbage but I think I'll be more cautious now, yuck!
    Thanks for another great Hodgepodge.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I totally agree with your answer to #4. God bless American, and God bless all of our Veterans and Service Men & Woman. Heartfelt thanks to them all. And thank you for another fun Hodgepodge!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Big 'ol gushy tears streaming down my face at that video... I am so proud to be an Air Force wife and granddaughter of a WWII veteran.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for this week's questions! I agree with the possum answer and started to put that as my answer. We live in town and have a big ole beady-eyed possum that comes every night to eat the cat food! He is so creepy!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you to your family for serving our country and keeping us safe. I totally forgot about Argo, what a great movie and of course Saving Private Ryan too. Like you said there are so many great ones out there. That coffee cup issue is crazy!!! It's a red cup, why does it have to mean anything more than that???

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ooooh, you're so right, possums are so gross! We also have these nutrient rodent things. Kind of a cross between a rat and a possum. Ick. They are near water so I don't see them often.
    I didn't think of building food. Well, why would I? Ha. But if put to it, I do enjoy 'building' a lasagna. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have seen all of those movies you mentioned...and thought of them for my own favorite patriotic movie, but while good, some of them are so difficult to watch. Saving Private Ryan, American Sniper...and I'd add Code Talker and Blackhawk Down. Powerful stories, but I basically felt relief when they ended because of how raw they are. Blackhawk down is especially hard because I went to school with one of the men who was killed.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I could not agree more with your comments about the red cup. We are so easily offended these days and seem to be enjoying it. Get over it! I wish I had thought of Saving Private Ryan. Loved that movie.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Don't blame you about possums--they're creepy little guys! I found one in my backyard and it freaked me out!

    ReplyDelete