Random Hodgepodge

I have missed out on the Hodgepodge the past few weeks and therefore, have missed out on the fun. If you want to join in this week, run over here to visit Joyce's blog From this Side of the Pond, get the questions and answer on your blog.

1. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.

Because I think we should always be about doing kind things for others, I'm not sure that I think doing random acts of kindness are something we should be discussing in terms of random. I try to help wherever I can whenever I am able. 

Just out of curiosity, I googled to see what exactly is meant by random acts of kindness. "A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or a group wishing to either assist or to cheer up a individual person is to be kind, thoughtful, use your manners, give out compliments, volunteer, and or forgive someone." Wikipedia 

Well, I think I was correct. These are things we should do at every opportunity. But doing the kindness when the recipient is least expecting it would make it even nicer.

One of my weirdest random acts of kindness backfired on me years ago. As I drove out of the church parking lot one night, I noticed a man standing in the cold waiting for the cross town bus. I had seen him in church a couple of times, but didn't know him or anything about him. Normally, I would NEVER have offered a man a ride (I have been known to offer rides to ladies who appear to be in distress), but since it was at church, I thought it might be all right. I said goodbye to my husband on the phone and clicked it off. As soon as he got in my car, I felt totally creeped out. He was a very large man and had a certain aroma about him that was very unpleasant. It turned out he needed to go way out of my way, but I didn't feel I could make him get out of the car. So we made polite conversation as I very anxiously drove him to where he had directed. As soon as he was out of the car, I picked up the phone again to call my husband only to learn my earlier call with him had never disconnected. Surprised by that, I said hey, and he blasted me with questions! "Are you out of your mind? Are you nuts? You could have been murdered and I would have had to listen not knowing where you were!" He. Was. So. Angry! (I know his anger was from the fear he felt as he listened to his wife in the car with a strange man). I cried and cried and confessed as to what a very stupid thing that was for me to do and promised that was something I would NEVER, EVER, EVER do again.

2.What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

I am encouraged and uplifted each time I read about organizations such as International Justice Mission who are rescuing women and children from violence and sexual slavery. I applaud their courage to do this. 

3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?

Black beans are the favorite in this list. I guess the least favorite might be black currants. Truth is, I can't say I've ever had a black currant. 

4. A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before you turn 50. They were: travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?

My husband and I traveled every chance we had and I'm glad we did our traveling when we were younger because it is so tiring these days. We still travel, just easier trips. I'm taking better care of my skin, learning to care less about what people think of me, and spending less time worrying. I  have volunteered in several different areas, ESL to a woman from China, was a Stephen minister, a senior outreach volunteer Bible study teacher for several years, working children's ministry for the last 30 years or so, and taking meals to people in need. 

I haven't cooked any amazing dishes, but have been learning to get away from cooking the same old things. 

I really would like to make exercise a daily habit. I begin, get in to the habit, and then let other things take priority. I also wish I had learned to speak Spanish. 

Above is one of my favorite travel pics. We were on a train in Austria doing a Sound of Music Tour.

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting? 

Dr. Zhivago has some of the most beautiful winter scenes ever. I still feel the frigid harshness of the winter when Yuri has left the army and is walking back to Moscow. His beard and eyebrows actually have icicles. 

6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

I feel helpless as I watch my husband not being able to remember things, as he depends more and more upon me. I am praying about it, discussing it with him and his doctor, trying to stay on top of it.   

7. Share a favorite proverb. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

DH and I stepped back in time last weekend to listen to music by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. They were fabulous. Very easy listening, but I did wonder what the stories might be as to how the songs came to be given names such as, String of Pearls. Pennsylvania 6-5000 was interesting because it was the telephone number of a hotel in New York. Hmmmm.

http://glennmillerorchestra.com/