Today, I'm grateful for:
- Making it to church since I missed last week because of weather. It was a great service with a challenging message.
- I opened a Christmas gift I got in the mail yesterday:
Today, I'm grateful for:
Today, I'm grateful for:
Today, I'm grateful for:
Today, I'm grateful for:
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Since there is no formal Hodgepodge this week, I thought I'd answer a few of the questions from previous Hodgepodges in which I had not participated.
From September 5, 2023
It's National Read A Book Day...whatcha' reading? What's a book you want to read?
First off, every day is National Book Day for me.
Currently, I'm reading:
What helps you calm down?
One destructive thing that calms me down is food. Some constructive means for me to calm down is to listen to music, to pray, to light a candle or load my defuser with water and a good-smelling oil and turn it on. Being creative also calms me down. With all of that, you'd think I wouldn't have time to eat.
From November 15, 2023
Taken at the Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado |
What in nature inspires you and why?
My main inspirations are flowers and birds. I try to make them a normal part of my life and my art. My mother was an avid gardener and I learned from and gleaned my love for the seemingly unending variety of colors and shapes from her. Miss Sue (my housemate when I lived in Weaver, Alabama) was the impetus for my love of birds. Hummingbirds were her favorite; cardinals were mine. Now that it's winter, I have a fond affinity for crows.
What's something you own that makes you feel cozy?
A throw blanket given to me for Christmas last year. It's so warm and soft; perfect for curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and a book on a snowy day.
Insert your own random thought here.Days 34 & 35
I'm grateful for:
Today, I'm grateful for:
Guess who just finished chasing squirrels in the back yard? |
This was one of the gifts Diana gave her husband. Now that's pretty funny right there... |
Days 31 & 32
I'm grateful for:
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Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was it by choice or by necessity?
Hopefully I had a balance of both. The nature of my work requires the ability to balance the two. Listening and speaking effectively includes phone calls, Zoom meetings and e-mails. Assumptions and misunderstandings can occur no matter what mode of communication is used.
What's an activity you won't try, an event you won't attend, or an athletic challenge you won't take part in not even for 'all the tea in China'?
Alone? There are too many to name. However, if I'm with friends, the list is much shorter.
What's something most people seem to love but is not 'your cup of tea'?
This time of year, the big thing is pumpkin spiced drinks. I don't like pumpkin or pumpkin spice. People also seem to love licorice, but I don't care for it.
Insert your own random thought here.
Days 26, 27, & 28.
I am grateful for:
Photo taken my first winter in CO. |
Days 23 & 24
I'm grateful for:
Today, I'm grateful for:
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Oxford's Word of the Year for 2023 is 'rizz'. Hmmm...before today had you ever heard the word? Do you know what it means? (Apparently it's short for charisma) Have you ever used the word? If you were in charge of the world, what word would you declare word of the year for 2023?
I have heard the term. However, I never knew what it meant. If I were to declare a word for 2023, it would be stop. Stop and think. Stop and enjoy. Stop and love. Stop worrying. Stop being in such a hurry. Stop doing anything that is harmful and really live.
What's one word you tend to abbreviate in your writing or speech? (as in rizz for charisma).
Let me first offer a caveat. I'm referring to informal speech and writing. I'm not sure if this counts as an abbreviation, but I use the word y'all. Even in text messages and e-mails I try not to abbreviate or shortcut too much. I see too many students who don't understand that a class discussion or an academic paper isn't a tweet or a text. Use your big boy words.
Are you a Hallmark movie watcher this time of year? What's your favorite character from a holiday- themed movie, book, or TV special?
Hallmark Christmas movies aren't my favorite. I find them too predictable and they come off as cheesy. With that being said, if I'm invited to watch those types of movies with friends, I'll enjoy the fun of being with the group even if I don't entirely enjoy the movie.On the other hand, I enjoy holiday themed movies. There have been very few iterations of A Christmas Carol that I didn't enjoy. My favorites are the George C. Scott version from the 80s, the Patrick Stewart version (I wish someone would put his one man show version of the this on video somewhere--I'd love to see it), and the version with the Muppets. Even the Hallmark (yes, I said Hallmark) interpretation of the story with Susan Lucci as Elizabeth"Ebbie" Scrooge is a keeper. Bob Cratchit is my favorite character from the story. He's such a kind soul; no matter how crappy his wages and treatment, he always finds a way to be joyful and generous.
"Los Tres Reyes" by Shannon Maddox, aka "Auntie" |
Insert your own random thought here.
Days 20, 21, & 22.
I am grateful for:
* My previous Hodgepodge post: "It's Not Easy Being Blue" is here.
* My latest First Line Friday post "#15: Practicing Christian Doctrine" is here.
* My latest Monday Mess Making post on my Auntie's Workshop blog "Quilt in a Day...Well: Episode 3" is here.
Today, I'm grateful for:
Today, I'm grateful for:
Join the fun!
Come on over to
for the Hodgepodge link-up!
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What's one fun thing on your December calendar?
The university's administrative assistants (for future reference, the group is called Gatekeepers Ltd.) are having a Christmas brunch and white elephant gift exchange. I always enjoy white elephant/dirty Santa exchanges. It's a riot to see what gifts are fought over and how intense the battle is. I remember a church worship team Christmas party back home that got pretty feisty because most of the group were Alabama fans and there was a University of Alabama ornament in the mix. We had to establish the rule that after a gift had been stolen three times, it was "frozen" before somebody got hurt.
Sherwin William's Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, described as 'a hint of silver lining', 'a breezy blissful blue' (see sample here). Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2024 is Blue Nova, where 'violet and blue come together in a sumptuous hue'. (see sample here) Valspar's Color of the Year for 2024 is Renew Blue, a balanced blue with a touch of grayed sea -green' (see sample here).
Seems like the design world is keen on the color blue for the new year. Do you have a lot of blue in your home decor currently? What shade? Of the three colors listed which one's your favorite? Do you need to paint? How likely is it you'd select one of these shades for your home? Which one?
Though all of those sample shades were lovely, in my living and dining area I'm using shades of turquoise and teal. Since I do not own my place, it would be cost prohibitive to have the walls painted since I'd have to have them painted white again when I move. When I am at the place where I own my living quarters, any of the sample colors would made a good color for an accent wall.
Do you struggle with 'the seasonal blues'? What are some things you do to try to beat the blues?
Unfortunately, I do struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I chronicle my journey with it here. I still employ those strategies to keep the dark tendrils of full-blown depression at bay.
Blue jeans...love 'em or no? How many pair do you own? Are you married to a particular brand?
I like them, especially stretch jeans. I've only got one pair for now, but would like to get a few pairs with some warm flannel shirts to go with them (so, is that Coloradan, redneck, or a combo?). I don't care about the brand, so long as they fit well.
In terms of holiday preparation (baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing, meal planning, etc) how far along are you? 1=haven't given it a second thought, 10=nothing left to do but wait
I am where I am. I refuse to pressure myself. I've had a heck of time getting into the Christmas spirit. Even though I'm on sabbatical from teaching until summer, I have added responsibilities on my full-time job. I end my days much earlier but just as tired. I'm just taking it one day and one event at a time.
Insert your own random thought here.
Days 12 and 13.
I am grateful for:
In case you missed it:
* My previous Hodgepodge post: "Time After Time" is here.
* My latest First Line Friday post "#15: Practicing Christian Doctrine" is here.
* My latest Monday Mess Making post on my Auntie's Workshop blog "Quilt in a Day...Well: Episode 3" is here.
Being mad about the right things. Just a confession up front, my sister Clara and I have some weird conversations--and we know it. #SisterGoals The beginning of today's conversation revolved around the fact that I'd run out of grits, the surprise that I could even buy grits in Colorado, and the different ways that we prepare and garnish our grits so that they taste like something other than paste. [Side note: if anyone ever tries to offer you plain and/or instant grits, run! They are either a Yankee who doesn't know how to make grits, or they are an assassin who's trying to kill you. What did you do?] This led us both to wonder if they still made Cream of Wheat (which is nothing like grits). Neither of us like this "food," so I have no idea why we cared. I did a web search and not only found out the product still exists, but that they have also joined the ranks of other "woke" companies by removing the famous black chef character from their packaging.
What the crap?
Ok, when the football team formerly known as the Washington Redskins changed their name, I thought it was stupid. When Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians rebranded themselves as the Cleveland Guardians, I thought it was asinine. As one comedian put it, "Guardians is a stupid name. It's just a guy you tell 'You're not my real dad!'" When companies like Land-O-Lakes, Aunt Jemima, and Uncle Ben's Rice decided to prove their love of diversity by removing all the people of color from their packaging, I was incensed. Is anyone truly offended by this, or is this someone being offended "for" someone because they believe he or she needs an ally, a voice for the voiceless? That sounds all well and good until you realize that those "voiceless" souls can speak for themselves and never asked for a 3rd party mouthpiece.
Today, I'm grateful for:
Today, I'm grateful for: