Happy Little Concussions: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

February is coming to a close. Give us a two-word phrase that tells us something about how yours went.

If you had to describe how you're feeling right now as an amusement park ride, what ride are you on? Explain. 

Since I haven't been to an amusement park since the woods burnt down, I'll have to go old school.  Right now, I feel like the old Z-Force ride from Six Flags over Georgia.  When I was a teen, the ride sounded like fun until the hairpin turns combined with corkscrew twists banged me around and I walked away with a horrible headache and a possible concussion.

Yeah, February's been a difficult month and today (Tuesday) has not been the best of days.  And like the Z-Force, I'll get over it.

What's something on your desk or a nearby wall that cheers you up when you see it or walk past? 

My Bob Ross bobblehead makes me smile.  In all seriousness, is there anyone who doesn't smile when they see or hear Bob Ross?

Are you a salad eater? How many salads do you typically eat in a week? Your favorite kind of salad? 

I enjoy many different types of salads:  lettuce-based, spinach based, chicken salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, fruit salad, bean salad, homemade salad, store bought salad, salads at a buffet, the Southwest Salad from Chick-Fil-A...I'm starting to sound like Bubba from Forest Gump.  I eat more salads in the summer; cold salad doesn't appeal to me in wintertime.

Without telling us the category give us your top five ______________.

1. Roses
2. Sunflowers
3. Petunias
4. Lilies
5. Tulips 

Insert your own random thought here.

In case you missed it:  

* My previous Hodgepodge post:  "Ice Cold Courage" is here.
* My latest First Line Friday post: "#18: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" is here.
* My latest book review of The Invisible Leader is here.
* My "24 in 2024" post is here.
* My 2024 reading challenge:  "Full Shelf Challenge V.2" is here.
* My final Simple Woman's Daybook "Day 40:  The End is Just the Beginning?" is here.
* My latest Monday Mess Making post on my Auntie's Workshop blog "Scraps and Tools" is here.

Five Minute Friday: "Respite."

Can I just have a day?  

Can I just have 24 hours of respite that I don't have to justify?  Just because I don't have a husband, kids, and/or big house to tend doesn't mean that I don't get tired.  My job doesn't involve much physical labor, but many of you know that brain work can stress and tire the body as much as (if not more than) labor intensive tasks.  

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job, but I need a break...a real respite.  Sure, I've had some days off, but they were not the rest I needed.  

Can I have a morning where I don't wake up tired after a good night's sleep and feel like I have to get up so early out of guilt because I didn't get it all done yesterday and have more to do today?  Can I have a day where all the electronics are off, my pajamas are on, my Fitbit is not on my wrist demanding that I get up and walk, I'm on the couch with my coffee or tea, a real book, and a notebook and pen?  Can I have 24 hours without a headache, eyestrain, and a twitching thumb from typing and clicking a mouse all day?  Can I have 1,440 seconds of not feeling lazy because I use my dishwasher, not feeling good enough no matter how much weight I lose or how much I accomplish, and not feeling like I need to punish myself if I don't do something right?

Even if all who read say no, even if all who read say I haven't earned the right to what I want, and even if all who read mistake my need of a respite for losing my hustle, I'm giving myself that 24 hours, and I'm giving it more than once!

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In case you missed it:  

* My latest First Line Friday Post: "#18:  The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" is here.
* My latest Wednesday Hodgepodge post, "Happy Little Concussions," is here.
* My latest book review of The Invisible Leader is here.
* My "24 in 2024" post is here.
* My 2024 reading challenge:  "Full Shelf Challenge V.2" is here.
* My final Simple Woman's Daybook "Day 40:  The End is Just the Beginning?" is here.
* My latest Monday Mess Making post on my Auntie's Workshop blog "Scraps and Tools" is here.

First Line Friday #18: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

 

Thanks to Carrie at
Reading is My Superpower
for the Link-up

 

Title: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Author:  Benjamin Franklin
Genre:  Biography

 

  〰First Line〰

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Dear Son:  I have ever had pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors.

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Synopsis:  (From Goodreads) 

Written initially to guide his son, Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography is a lively, spellbinding account of his unique and eventful life, now a classic of world literature that is sure to inspire and delight readers everywhere.

Few men could compare to Benjamin Franklin. Virtually self-taught, he excelled as an athlete, a man of letters, a printer, a scientist, a wit, an inventor, an editor, and a writer, and he was probably the most successful diplomat in American history. David Hume hailed him as the first great philosopher and great man of letters in the New World.

  〰First Thoughts〰

Over the years I've heard many influential people recommend this book as they described elements of this elder statesman's multifaceted life.  From Dave Ramsey complimenting Franklin's leadership acumen, to Gretchen Rubin expounding on Franklin's efforts to build virtuous habits, elements of this work come highly recommended.

So, what's the first line of the book you're currently reading?

First Line Friday #17: Lectures to My Students by C. H. Spurgeon

Thanks to Carrie at
Reading is My Superpower
for the Link-up

 

 

Title:  Lectures to My Students
Author:  C. H. Spurgeon
Genre:  Theology/Ministry

  〰First Line〰

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Every workman knows the necessity of keeping his tools in a good state of repair, for "if the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edges, then must he put to more strength."

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Synopsis:  (From Amazon) 

A preacher and tutor of great renown, C. H. Spurgeon led an eventful life. Gaining prominence while still a young man, Spurgeon captivated audiences with his charismatic preaching - he had a unique ability to meld sometimes complex scholarship of the Bible with his speeches, in a way that let audiences understand clearly the spiritual wisdom. This quality is amply demonstrated in Spurgeon's lectures, which are plainly written but contain much practical knowledge for students.

Where other editions of these lectures have omitted or truncate some of the author's words, this printing does not. All twenty-eight of Spurgeon's original talks, which concern topics such as joining the Christian ministry; how a minister should converse; how one should gesture and behave upon the podium; and the message the preacher should convey to his audience.

Together, these lectures constitute a preaching masterclass from one of Christianity's most iconic ministers. Spurgeon's charismatic personality, keen wit and oratorical ability transcended Christian denominations, and his lessons on engaging an audience and imparting the wisdom of God to listeners are for all time.

NOTE:  This references a newer paperback edition.  I have an older hardcover edition.

  〰First Thoughts〰

Spurgeon's writings have been both an encouragement and a challenge to me since I first read his devotionals Morning by Morning and Evening by Evening.  Like A Year With C. S. Lewis, this selection should not be rushed through, but slowly absorbed in prayerful contemplation.  I look forward to reading this during the Lenten season.

So, what's the first line of the book you're currently reading?