Hello friends. Thanks for popping in on a Wednesday. Typically I blog on Mondays and Thursdays but changing it up every once in awhile keeps my brain engaged, and allows me to participate in different link-ups as well. Like today’s HodgePodge. I was looking forward to joining all those who answer these weekly questions – and then I saw the questions. Hmmm. Not sure my answers are going to be that exciting…or if I even have an answer. But, let’s give it a try.
1. What’s a winter memory you treasure? I would easily say my favorite/most treasured winter memory is also my first memory. Or the first that I can recall…and I can recall it in vivid detail. I blogged about it before (although it has been several years since that post) but you can read about it here. Goodness that one was a long time ago. Another favorite winter memory was a few years later when I was in high school. I believe it was in 1979 and a winter storm that February snowed three inches an hour. For hours. Our school district, which was large and covered lots of country roads, etc., was notorious for cancelling school at the first sign of bad weather. The storm that winter closed our school for over three weeks. Almost the entire month of Februray. As students, we thought it was amazing. Even I (who was warm weathered even then) had so much fun in the snow and on our frozen pond. I got very good at ice skating that winter. The fun did evaporate in late June/early July – and we were still going to school. The school year had to be extended. We went to school on Saturdays and we were still going to school in the summer. Without air conditioning, of course. That was also memorable but not nearly as fun as the snowstorm had been.
2. Tell us about the last time or a recent time you were caught up in red tape. I literally thought and thought on this and I got nothing.
3. Do you eat/like fish? Do you cook fish at home? What’s your favorite fish dish? Ever been ice fishing? Ice fishing. That’s funny. And a hard no. I do not especially like fish but I will eat salmon. I do not cook salmon (or any other fresh fish) at home. I mainly eat salmon at restaurants where there are few to no vegeterian options. As well, sometimes I will get such a craving for fish and chips. This was especially true when I was going through treatment. No idea why and I didn’t realize the timing until I started thinking about this question. During that time, I wanted fish and chips every time we went out but it has been months since I even thought about fish and chips. I do like them though!
4. Did you watch any of the US President’s Inauguration coverage on Monday, Jan 20? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being not at all and 10 being very very) how interested are you in politics in general? Do you follow/keep up with/ get involved with local politics? I did watch the inauguration. Interestingly, I think this is the first inauguration that I have ever viewed. Not sure why but I do not remember watching others. Perhaps there was not the availability and/or I was working. I don’t know. I did not necessarily watch this one because of extra invested interest but it did seem historical and significant. Having the technology to livestream such events – and enjoy them in the warmth of my home – still amazes me. As for the second question….I would say a 2. Maybe a 3, depending on who I am talking with, etc. Local politics is much closer to a 1.
5. What’s the coziest thing you own and what makes it so? Defining cozy: Snug, comfortable, and warm. Ahh. The coziest room in my house is my office. It is snug, very comfortable and filled with my favorite things. I like being in my office. As for the coziest thing…I would say my bed. Especially in the deep freeze that is January just now. When I think of beds, I think of Goldilocks. Everyone has their personal opinion of the perfect bed. Mine is, to me, just right. (Ahh…) Not only are the decorative pillows just enough but they are cute. And say comfortable. The flannel sheets are soft. And warm. But not hot. I do not like to be hot when I am sleeping. We have the perfect amount of bedding/blankets to be snug but not hot. On these frigid mornings, I am so snug and cozy….getting up can be a challenge. But that is okay, spring will be here before you know and bounding out of bed with the early daylight will return:) Right now? I am enjoying cozy!!
6. Insert your own random thought here. I am taking a friend for a breast biopsy this afternoon. I don’t know what road lies ahead for her, although she seems convinced there is cancer. I am privileged that she would allow me to be part of (whatever) her journey might be. In many ways, it seems “quite awhile ago” since I embarked on my most recent cancer journey. Often, I keep it stuffed away in the back parts of my memory and brain. However, I’ve been rehearsing bits and pieces again. Certainly God allows us to go through certain things so that, in many different ways, we can help others when their lives include the unexpected. The troubled waters, etc. So for that, I can thank Him. Even for my recent journey.
Oh, my dear friend, I can think of no one better to take your friend to this appointment today. What a support group of one you will be to her. Take care and stay warm. xx
Dianna, you are so sweet! Thank you!!
Wow no school for 3 weeks because of snow? That’s a long time. Of course now school would probably continue online. Nice to have a comfy cozy place to sleep and I agree with you about not being too hot in bed. You’re being a good friend to accompany your friend to her biopsy.
Three weeks seems crazy to me now – but, when I was a student, I was loving it!! ha –
Praying your friend’s biopsy is benign.
Thank you, Barbara. I really appreciate that!
I think that our area got that same huge snowfall in ’79. Three weeks off of school is crazy… as is having to make up all those days in the summer. Ouch! But at least you enjoyed yourself when school was out in February. I watched part of the inauguration and it was the first time I had ever done that as well. I’m not sure I even knew inaugurations were televised until I read the Hodgepodge questions on Sunday! (It does make sense that it’s televised- we just never watch the news or network TV so I am generally unaware of typical programming.) How kind you to accompany your friend. I am sure your presence is a huge comfort to her.
Maria, I am surprised to read that this was the first inauguration you have watched. Then again, I was surprised for myself. I’m glad I am not the only with memories of snow in 1979!!:) Hope you are having a good week!
I hope things are ok for your friend today.
Thank you!!
What lovely winter memories. Three weeks sounds like such a long time to shut a school but it happened when my girls were little and their school was closed for a couple of weeks. The good thing here was that they never extended the school year!
My family are not big fish eaters either but fish and chips yes! They would have that every night given the chance.
I hope everything turns out OK for your friend.
Kim, I hope some day I can taste “the real deal” fish and chips!! Yum. I would probably be getting takeout (take away) every other day!!
That was a lot of school time to have to make up. I’m sure you all didn’t grumble about going to school on Saturday. 🙂
It’s good to not be able to remember a red tape time in your life. Hope the biopsy for your friend turns out to be negative. So good to have a friend along for encouragement for her procedure.
Hi Jennifer, a wonderful hodgepodge, and found your answers fun and interesting. My prayers are with your friend my friend. She must love you dearly to ask you to go with you. I am 100 percent positive you are a loving support. Stay cozy and warm!
Um, is it bad if I admit we didn’t watch any of the inauguration. I am not huge into politics, like, at all! We have watched bits and pieces of them over the years, but it’s never been a high priority. I remember a storm like the one you mentioned in the 90’s in TN. I can’t remember the exact year, but it was either Feb or March, we got a tornado followed by a huge snow storm and school was closed for 3 weeks.
Changing things up, even the small things, is so much fun! It gives us a fresh outlook and maybe a new rhythm. And we sure need that right about now, here in deep mid-winter.
Thanks for sharing this nudge forward, Jennifer.
praying for your friend and hope all is well!!
Hi, you are welcome here to Wisconsin to experience ice fishing if you like. 😉 Hee Hee.
I enjoyed your winter memory… wow!!!
Enjoy the last week of January.
Carla