Speak Now Hodgepodgers

Welcome to this mid-October version of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. What's something small you tend to sweat even though you know you shouldn't? 

Getting places on time. I am very rarely (as in almost never) late anywhere, but if I'm delayed for some reason I sweat. Or if I even just think I'll be delayed, I sweat. 

2. October 17th is National Pasta Day...do you like pasta? What's your favorite? Cooked at home or eaten in your favorite Italian restaurant? How often do you make/eat pasta? 

Scratching my head on this one...does anyone really not like pasta? I'm sure there will be someone who answers no, but that someone is not me. I love pasta. That being said I don't eat it very often because carbs and all that jazz. 

I don't make my own pasta but do make my own sauces. I love a good Italian restaurant but am also happy with pasta at home. My favorite is spaghetti bolognese. Or marinara with a side of homemade meatball. 

3. Do you consider yourself a spontaneous person? Explain. 

I just asked hubs if he would say I'm a spontaneous person and he said, 'Once you're talked into it, then yes, you're spontaneous' lol. He admits I can be spontaneous, but mostly I like a plan and I like to know that plan ahead of time. Then I can sweat about whether we'll be late or not-ha. 

Also, we're never late. 

4. Who are some of your heroes? Tell us why. 

My dad. Corrie Ten Boom. Joni Eareckson Tada. The 911 first responders, police officers, and firefighters running into those falling buildings when everyone else was running out, our soldiers and their families who make so many sacrifices for us every single day. 

Why? Integrity, bravery, doing something hard when hard is necessary, swimming against the tide of popular culture, having the courage of their convictions, living out their faith...these are all qualities I greatly admire. 

5. Let's wrap it up with something light...Taylor Swift...are you a fan? On a scale of 1-10 how much so? (1=who's Taylor?, 10=a true Swiftie, seen her in concert more than once). If you're a fan what's your favorite T. Swift song? 

I'm not a Swiftie but I do like her music. I'll give myself a 7, although I might rate her higher if she stuck to music, and the business of music, etc. She occasionally gets on a political bent I'm not keen on, but if we're talking music then yes, I like her. Mostly I have tremendous admiration for her songwriting skills. Girl has an amazing way with words. 

Also, she is my own girls peer if you will, so we've all grown up alongside her and her music. I like a lot of her songs, but one of my most favorites is Love Story, which is an oldie but a goodie. I cannot hear this song without picturing my daughters in the backseat of my car singing it at the top of their lungs. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

That last question reminded me of once upon a time when my daughter1 wrote a special birthday post for me and in that post she recorded herself singing the T Swift song-The Best Day. I went on the hunt for that post and then I listened to it about ten times in a row. Be still my heart. 

Thirteen years, one husband, three children, and five moves have happened in her life since she sat on her bed as a recent college grad, in an apartment not far from where I live now. She sang and played the guitar for me for my birthday that year, and this recording is every bit as precious today as it was way back when. Maybe even more so because time y'all. It slays. 

You can hear it for yourself by visiting her blog via the link here-Sincerely-Shannon

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 523

The Hodgepodge is back this week and here are the questions. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. Strangers too. See you there! 

1. What's something small you tend to sweat even though you know you shouldn't? 

2. October 17th is National Pasta Day...do you like pasta? What's your favorite? Cooked at home or eaten in your favorite Italian restaurant? How often do you make/eat pasta? 

3. Do you consider yourself a spontaneous person? Explain. 

4. Who are some of your heroes? Tell us why. 

5. Let's wrap it up with something light...Taylor Swift...are you a fan? On a scale of 1-10 how much so? (1=who's Taylor?, 10=a true Swiftie, seen her in concert more than once). If you're a fan what's your favorite T. Swift song? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Holding Out For A Hero

Remember that song? I guess everybody knows it now thanks to Shrek, but who remembers the original sung by Bonnie Tyler? The video released with it was very dramatic, which fit with the 1980's and the early days of sitting around watching music videos with your friends. Then music video stations morphed into less than stellar reality TV programming and now everyone just watches youtube on their phones.

Let's hop off the rabbit trail and focus on today's letter.

Day 8-H is for Hero

My thirteen year old nephew picked this one. It's a good word, and one we're hearing often these days in reference to healthcare workers on the front line, classroom teachers who, without missing a beat, rapidly shifted gears, and company CEO's who've turned their factories and businesses into something completely new and different in an effort to provide what's needed in the immediate.

Earlier this year we cheered the bravery of firefighters around the world, and of course our men and women in uniform are often called upon to perform small and large acts of heroism in service to our country.

I'm someone who likes words, who think words matter. When a word is used too casually, it loses some of it's power. The same can be said of words that are over used to the point they become watery and then when we really need the word, when it truly fits as a descriptor of a person or situation, it doesn't get the attention it deserves. We don't sit up and take notice the way we should because we've become numb to it. I have a list of words I think fall into this category but for now let's stick with hero.

I've seen people called heroic for speaking their mind. Is that heroic? In some cases it might be brave, but heroic? Are bravery and heroism the same thing? Maybe if you're preparing to die for your beliefs, but is speaking out from behind a computer screen on a social media site in the same category as true heroism? I would say no.

I think we often use the word hero when what we really mean is role model or mentor, maybe even just a good example for others to follow. Real heroes are all of those things, but I don't think the reverse is neccessarily true. You can be a good example and role model without being heroic.

So who are the heroes?

I think true heroes behave in a sacrificial manner, with no thought given to the fame or notoriety that may come their way as a result of their actions. Their actions change the world, or at least change the situation at hand from something dangerous-life threatening-potentially disasterous to something better.

I read about a survey conducted a couple of years ago among British children ages 6-13 asking them who are their heroes. Guess who took the top spot?

Mom.

Well Mum because because it was a British survey , but either way that answer made me happy.

If we think about what good mothers do day in and day out the word fits. Mothers put themselves last. They aren't seeking fame for their accomplishments and in fact they've often set aside their own dreams and aspirations to ensure their children grow up reaching for the stars.

Mothers can change a child's world or at least how the child sees the world and his place in it. A gentle hug, wisdom bestowed, a quiet act of kindness. With the routine sameness of always being there doing all those little things that in hindsight turn out to be not so little.

I think right now the medical people suiting up daily and marching into hospital rooms where people are sick and dying, with many unknowns still out there, is heroic. On a different scale but perhaps no less important, moms keeping in check the mental, physical, and emotional health of the humans in their care during this season of change and uncertainty might also be worthy of the word.