Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, then run say hi to your neighbor (the blogger before you). Here we go-
Home build-September 2015
rip rap in and ready for dock install
manly men doing manly men stuff
should the house sit here or 1/16th of an inch to the right?
Aaaand home build, September 2016
pulling in to our much enjoyed dock
kitchen nearing completion
out back
and from the front
Still not living there though. That hasn't changed!
2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what's a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer?
I like some classical music and will sometimes play it when I'm home alone and writing. I'm not sure I have a favorite piece but Vivaldi's Four Seasons, anything from The Nutcracker, and Pachelbel's Canon in D Major are a few that I enjoy.
3. Besides The Bible, what's a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so?
When I started thinking about my answer I decided I could make this a blog post (and I will). Several came to mind immediately, and I could easily come up with a list of ten. For now I'll go with My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I'm re-reading it again this year and it is absolutely jam-packed full of life-changing wisdom.
4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter...play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively
Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try?
I currently read voraciously, pray regularly, work out my brain, exercise, write, travel and cook. Learning a new language has been on my personal to-do list for a while now, but I haven't followed through. I'd still like to!
5. What sports traditions does your family have?
Go VOLS!
6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please.
Not sure I can do the 'few words' thing on this topic, but I'll try. Yes it's America and freedom of speech and all that jazz, but....the way I see it, the field is a football player's workplace, and freedom of speech does not extend to the workplace. Employers can require all sorts of things of their employees and if the employee doesn't like it he's free to find another job. People pay money to see you play football, not to protest what you think is wrong with America. I really do think the league is at fault here for permitting it.
Football and sport in general is one area where people of all race, creed, and religion can share common ground. We unite in our love (or dislike) for a team or player or a spectacular catch or whatever. These protests are ruining that. They are creating division where there doesn't need to be division and I'm so weary of it.
And to kneel as a statement of protest against our police forces on the anniversary of 9-11 I think is outrageous. If I were their mother I'd be so ashamed. Remember those people dressed in Blue who went running in to burning skyscrapers as they crumbled to the ground while everybody else was running out? Remember how those people dressed in Blue were Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, male, female? Remember how they just reached for anyone of any color they could pull from the rubble? It's despicable on this day most of all that an overpaid football player can't stand and show a little respect for that if nothing else.
Standing for the anthem doesn't make you a patriot, nor does standing mean you think America is a perfect place. I know we can't force someone to feel respect, but I do think we can ask that our citizens show respect. People have died, spilled their very blood for the liberties we take for granted. The least we can do is stand.
7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience?
I have loads of patience for all sorts of things including small and large children (not talking about adults who behave like children), anxious parents (I was a teacher), baking, grocery shopping, gardening, and most of the everyday things we encounter in life that slow us down or deter us from our plans.
What I do not have patience for are people driving way too slow in the left lane, particularly if it's because they're texting, (also, p.s.a-the left lane is for passing...just throwing that out there in case you're one of the drivers who try my patience), chronic complainers, laziness on the job, and technology glitches. And obviously I have no patience for highly paid professional athletes who use the 'workplace' as a means of protest.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
This is a beautiful story...take a minute to read it if you haven't already.
Remembering a Hero, 15 Years After 9/11
