Decking The Hodgepodge Halls

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you because (kind) comments keep the blog world merry. 

Please note: The Hodgepodge will be on Christmas break next week, so no link up on December 24th. We'll return to our normal Wednesday hop on December 31st. In the meantime, here's what we're answering this week...

1. What's one thing on your to-do list that you want-need-must get done before the year ends? 

Re-organizing my closet. It's gotten away from me and I need to reel it back in. 

2.  December 17th is National Maple Syrup Day...are you a fan? Do you like maple flavor in other food items such as candy, cookies, donuts, oatmeal, hot toddies, coffee? 

I like it okay. On a waffle yes, but even then I don't want it swimming in syrup. Maple isn't a flavor I'd  choose and definitely NOT in coffee. I do put a splash of maple syrup on butternut squash when I roast it, and that's good, but otherwise maple isn't my favorite. 

3. Time magazine names a person of the year every year.  The tradition started back in 1927 with a 'man of the year' but has since changed to recognize not only an individual, but also to consider the impact of a group, movement, or idea that most influenced the year. The selection is not always someone or something good (think Hitler in 1938 and Stalin twice). 

This year they've named The AI Architects as their 'person of the year'. What say you? Is this a good choice, an obvious choice, a logical choice? Who do you think should have been named person of the year? 

I'd prefer to see an individual nominated rather than an idea. Technically they did choose real people involved in AI but eh. AI has its uses for sure, but some of what it can do is still pretty frightening to me. I really dislike having to figure out if something I read is AI or 'real'. 

What a year it has been. I might have picked Charlie Kirk as his murder seemed to be a tipping point in terms of free speech and civil political discourse in our country. 

4. What's a city, state, or country you've visited that you never care to visit again? Tell us why. 

Nothing springs to mind. If there are places I don't care to visit again it's generally because there are so many places in this world I haven't seen, and those spots top my list of places to go over places I've already been. I currently have no desire to go back to San Francisco or Portland.  

5. Next Sunday (December 21st) marks the first day of winter (or the opposite if you're living down under). What's one thing you love about this new season? 

There's a coziness that comes with the winter season that I enjoy. Sitting beside the fire, hot tea, a blanket, a good book, and nowhere to be. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Christmas, 1993

'

We can't make the clock slow down, but we got Christmas here right now, 

Let's soak it up and thank the Lord for another one." 

                                ~from Christmas Through the Years by Matthew West 

Merry Christmas Hodgepodgers! May the peace of Christ fill your heart and home 

today and in the year ahead.