Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Random Acts of Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Thanks for playing along today.

One quick item of blog business...I'm declaring next week winter break in the HP, so no Hodgepodge on February 24th. We'll be back the following Wednesday (March 2nd) with brand new questions and a brand new month.

Is it just me or is time flying?

Okay, back to today...here we go-


1.  February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th? 

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.  

I'll make a specific effort to notice someone on the official 'holiday'. These ROK are wins for everyone, and I almost don't want to write about anything I've done because anonymity is part of what makes them special. I will share one story because it still makes me smile when I remember this particular young woman.  

About a year ago I was preparing to pay for my manicure when a bride to be came into the salon. She was literally counting our her singles to determine whether or not she could afford to have her nails done and she had an accent I recognized immediately as East Tennessee (it was, but we were in NJ...small world). 

She explained to the owner that her wedding was the following day, and asked what she could do for the few dollars she had to spend. I was the only other person in the shop, and this bride made no secret about the fact that money was really tight, not in a complaining way, but just matter of factly said she needed to count pennies. So I quietly paid for her manicure and left the salon smiling. 

Most of these National Holidays feel contrived, but I like this one...a reminder to look for opportunities to brighten someone's day. I'm going to try! 

2. What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

The world still rallies around nations stricken with natural disaster or man-made terror. 

3.  Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list? 

That's an easy one! Black olives are my favorite. My least favorite on the list would be black currants, not so much the berry as things flavored with black currant. It's not a common flavoring in the US, but we found it in many drinks and candies in the UK.  

4.  A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things  you should do before you turn 50. They were-

travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?

I've passed the mile-marker mentioned and have done most everything on the list. The one I found most challenging, and that still needs conquering from time to time would be 'stop worrying'. I've come miles in that department, but can't say I never ever worry.  I think it's a pretty good list. 

The only thing I might add is that you should tell people who've impacted your life in a positive way what it's meant to you. Let them know they played a part in shaping the person you are today. So often we assume that youth leader, coach, camp counselor, fifth grade teacher, etc. knows they've made a difference, but it's extra special to hear it said aloud or see it in a hand written note.  

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting? 

I like the sweet romance of  Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. And I like the thriller Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone. I don't care how many times I've seen it, that first scene makes my palms sweaty every single time. 

6.  When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

Probably a couple of weeks ago when I was home alone with a fever and the worst headache of my life. What did I do about it? Cried to my husband when he phoned from an out of town business trip. Then later to my mom when she phoned to check on me. And possibly also one daughter. Maybe two. So to answer the question-I cried.  

7.  Share a favorite proverb.

"When words are many transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent." Proverbs 10:19

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 Combining two things I love (ballet and Degas) in a most beautiful way....click here to view. 




30 comments:

  1. I love the random act of kindness you shared!

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  2. Glad your sickness is in the past!
    Hope you get a chance for another RAOK!
    Enjoy your week off!

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  3. That was a good Hodgepodge, thanks Joyce. AND I remembered to link up...smiles.

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  4. Your proverb is what I need to remind myself of-thanks. Ballet pics are amazing. Have a restful week next week, and again thanks for hosting the Wednesday Hodgepodge!

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  5. Reading your RAK, made me remember that not too long ago I was also at the nail salon. A woman I had met before but I won't call us friends at that point, came in without an appointment because she was heading out on an extended vacation and hoped to get her nails done. But the salon was jam packed. I gave up my time in the pedi chair for her. She was VERY thankful and we have now become FB friends.

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  6. How sweet what you did for the bride...I bet she was tickled pink and I'm sure she'll always remember it. I agree with what you shared for #4. I have been wanting to write a note to my best friend's dad, my former pastor. He's the one who baptized me when I was 15 and I want to thank him for planting the seed of faith in me all those years ago. I, actually, have a photo of him baptizing me in a creek in Arkansas.

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    1. What a treasured photo. Send that thank you card. You will be so glad you did!

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  7. Love your manicure story. I bet that bride always thinks of your kindness when she remembers her wedding. I love the Serendipity movie too. Wish John Cusack did more movies. Have a great week and enjoy your week without Hodgepodge!

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  8. Hi Joyce,
    I really like how you summed up sharing with your mentor what they did for you. :-) I want to be sure to remind my boys of that and myself too.
    Enjoy your week,
    Carla

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  9. I love your random act of kindness. :)
    It is awesome to receive a note of thanks from someone- several times, I have had former students reach out to me for help or they send me a note of thanks. I can't tell you how much it means to me, so I know how it would make someone else feel.
    The ballet and Degas are beautiful. Have a toad-ally awesome 2 weeks!

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  10. I watched a documentary about Misty Copeland. Wonderful story! And I love Degas ballet scenes too. I was picturing a different one. Thanks for the link...And for hosting the Hodgepodge. Have a nice little break, Joyce.

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  11. Your random act of kindness to the bride warmed my heart. That was truly a wonderful thing to do and I also believe you are right about remaining anonymous. I like your suggestions to number 4 also. Thank you for the hodgepodge. I'm sorry you've been sick and alone. :-(

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  12. Proverbs 10:19 -- such a good reminder to all.

    Glad you survived that illness w/the horrible headache. Hope your hubs is feeling better from his weekend virus. BTW, loved your story about caring for him over Valentine's Day (another post). That's one of those times when love is put to the test and you did so very well.

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  13. Thanks for another great Hodgepodge, Joyce. That was a sweet act of kindness you did for the bride :)
    For some reason, I don't see the usual place to link up at the bottom of your post. Is it just me?
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  14. Good morning! I LOVED what you did for that bride! A simple thing really, but I bet is SOOO blessed her and she told everyone she knew. Won't forget it I am sure. And I picked Cliffhanger too. I thought it was pretty random and I'd be alone, but guess not. The look on that girl's face before she fell was haunting. OH and I SO agree on what you would add to your list. When hubby turned sixty four years ago I had everyone in our WHOLE family [there were about 25 entries] write out their favorite memory of him or what they loved best and I put it together for him in a little book. Oh how wonderful it was. He still talks about it as the best gift he ever got. Just little things you never really say. Have a good day!

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  15. Good job with these...my daughter turns 50 this year, Yikes!

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  16. Your act of kindness was such a precious gift to that young lady. The fact that your paths crossed at that particular time was truly a "God thing." I so enjoyed the article on Copeland. She is amazing and the photography unbelievable. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Hi Joyce! I have always enjoyed reading your hodgepodge questions and yours and others' answers as well! Today I finally linked up with your post. That young lady will never forget what you did for her...what a blessing. Thanks for hosting Hodgepodge and I'm glad to have been a part of it today!

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  18. It's not just you, time is flying! I love your random act of kindness. I didn't know that about black currant being a flavoring in the UK. Worrying is hard to overcome. Love your random....so beautiful!

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  19. I cry when I feel helpless too! I hate feeling helpless. I am such a control freak!!

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  20. Oh that was so nice, what you did for the bride. <3

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  21. The link you gave us is breathtakingly beautiful!! I'm going to share it on FB. I enjoyed your HP, Joyce, and we agree on blackcurrants. Your random act of kindness for that bride-to-be is great! We anonymously paid for dinner, for a soldier, his wife and two kids one evening. It just feels good to do what you can, when you are moved to do it.

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  22. Great questions and answers Joyce. I like your addition to the things to do before 50. So often we're quick to put in complaints when we're not happy about things but slow to acknowledge the good things. Have a nice week off next week.

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  23. What a nice gift to give to that bride. :)

    I am sorry that you had such a horrible headache. I hope that you don't get them very often, or anymore, for that matter!

    Have a blessed evening!

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  24. Awe, love your random act of kindness and I love doing RAK too. Hubby quite frequently pays for young couples meals when we are out and they never know who it was and I think it's really neat.

    I hope things are moving along with your house and I can't wait for you to get moved in. Blessings!

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  25. I so agree about your suggestion to acknowledge those who've impacted your life! For reasons I'm at a loss to explore right now, this hit me (right where it counts) ... and I plan to do something about it!

    Have a great week!

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  26. I know what you mean about the circus being in town in S.C. It was here in NH last week. You have the advantage though, S.C. is lrger than NH so it's not as concentrated as it is here. Here, you can't swing a cat without hitting a candidate. I also agree finding a successor to Justice Scalia will be a difficult task. Have a great week! Thanks for your Hodgepodge! See you in two weeks.

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  27. hi ill be back next week, we had a rough month of February. ;/

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