Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 189

Here are the questions and my answers to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then skip over to Joyce's From This Side of the Pond to add your link to the party.  See you there!

1. On Thursday we pause to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Will you mark it in some special way?

We marked it on Sunday at church. Our church brings in a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall for several days for display in our parking lot so that all the community can come look and find names of friends or loved ones names who might be on the Wall. Some local schools brought students on field trips to see it. The display is guarded 24/7 by veterans.

This year those who wanted to do so bought and donated brand new pairs of Army field/desert boots like the military wears in Afghanistan and Iraq. Each pair was to represent and honor a fallen soldier from our area who gave their life in the battles there since the Persian Gulf. Veterans, active military, firefighters and police were invited to join us and be honored by our congregation and they and their families were served lunch. All the men and women honored stand up front as we applaud and cheer and then pray for them. I'm telling you, it is quite an emotional moment for everyone and you can see grown men cry as they feel the love.

On Thursday, I will remember how I felt the morning that happened. Stunned, shocked, disbelief, fear ... so many emotions. My husband was a firefighter at the time and our son was going to rookie school with the fire department. It was very scary to think about other women's husbands, sons, brothers going into those buildings never to return. 

2. Do you ever/still...listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone?

• I listen to the radio when I'm in the car ... alone. At night, if I'm having trouble sleeping, I will find a favorite teacher online and plug in to hear some really good teaching. It's really funny, but I never make it past the introduction before I am fast asleep and wake up in the morning with ear buds still in my ears.
• I have several VCR tapes of kids' movies which we watch with the grands.
• The phone books go in the recycle bin as soon as they are delivered.
• Sometimes I use a paper map in the car. Not too often.
• I set my phone alarm only when something is going on the next morning. I have an internal alarm clock that wakes me about 5 every morning, but I need a back-up sometimes, just in case.

3.  Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?

When I am talking with someone I don't know, I can usually get a feel for what their opinion is politically and also by the time a few exchanges have been made, we will know where we stand on the subject of God. I won't argue politics or religion, but I love talking with someone about Jesus. It's always exciting to find a kindred spirit. I get a feel early in the conversation as to whether they love talking about Him, too. 

I am fine with discussions and conversations with strangers about other topics besides those. Sometimes it is just NOT a good idea. Why create strife? That doesn't show love.

4. What's a dish you haven't eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month?

I am ready for some good old-fashioned beef stew and cornbread. It just hasn't happened yet. Still too hot here. 

5. What's something you know nothing about?

Quantum physics 

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what's your favorite piece?

Yes, I do. The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah - so powerful!

Fur Elise. (Sorry, that's more than one.)

7. What's the oldest thing you own?

A rocker from the late 1800's. I love this chair and enjoyed rocking Kate and Jack in it. It had a great creaking sound to go with a lullaby.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I wish I had a way to slow down the rest of the year. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us before you know it and, as in years past, I will not be ready for it. The holidays will be different this year as everybody is scattered. Very seldom have the holidays been a Norman Rockwell scene, but I cherish the ones that were.