Wednesday Hodgepodge - 11 November 2015

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?

Okay, this is more than two or three sentences, but it is what I have. :)

David, Jr., saluting the Veteran's Memorial, Wharton, TX.

To me, Veteran's Day is a day for remembering those that have fought for our freedoms, some giving the ultimate - their lives- for that freedom. It also means seeking out veterans and thanking them for their service to this country. I think that this thanking needs to especially be done for the Vietnam veterans. They endured horrendous things in the field, only to come home to such hostilities on their own American soil. Not everyone is perfect and maybe some of them did bad things, but they had to do what they were ordered to do by their government. Who are we to scorn them and treat them worse than garbage? They should be thanked for their willingness to serve and not dodging the draft like many others did.

Veteran's Day hits home to me especially now as we have two sons in service. Our oldest son has been in the US Navy since 2004. Our youngest son left us for the US Marine Corps on 1 June 2014. Hopefully, they will always return safely from their duties…The "ultimate price" is not something that this mama would be able to endure.


2. What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

It depends on your definition of patriotism. I count it as loyalty to one's country. In that respect, my favorite patriotic-themed movies are: Gone with the Wind, Braveheart, and Rob Roy.
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3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

No, I have never had a flu shot nor do I intend to ever have one. Everyone that I know that has received a flu shot has ended up with the flu, so what was the point in getting the shot? I'd rather just take my chances. I don't think that I have ever had the flu. I have lost many past family members to the flu, many during the pandemic of 1918 and several since then. Still, I would rather take my chances than pretty much guaranteeing that I will get it by getting the shot.


4. I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

Personally, I think that Christmas has become far too commercialized and the season starts way too early these days. I understand why retail businesses have to order things for Christmas back in May. That just makes sense. But, to start the Christmas madhouse before Thanksgiving is ludicrous. The day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be the start of the Christmas season. Thanksgiving just gets totally by-passed in all the mad rush to get to Christmas.

I think that everyone just needs to slow down and remember what it is all about. We should be thankful for the Gift that Heavenly Father gave to us on that peaceful night all those years ago, a gift that doesn't run out; a gift that you don't have to camp out for and no one can snatch it out of your hands. It comes to you, no queue lines or credit cards involved, just your willingness to accept it.


5. What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

Snake in our driveway. Broad-banded water snake.

This might sound odd coming from someone that photographs snakes and loves it, but the answer would be "snake" these days. Having one hop off of our dining room table and land at my feet unnerved me to no end. I don't know what kind it was, but I do know it wasn't a coral snake. At this point, they are all considered poisonous and will be dealt with accordingly unless it has a note saying otherwise!


6. Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?

Yes, I like making things. Or rather, I like assisting David as he makes things. I am scared of the drill and the saw. I would likely drill or saw something that wasn't supposed to be drilled or sawn - like my hand. I think the last two things that we built were a screen for our recording studio setup and a climbing/scratching toy for our precious Xerxes…may he rest in peace.


7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

I am grateful for my family, most especially our children. They are unique individuals and I can't imagine our lives without any of them. Laynie is our sensitive spirit and animal lover. Davey is our quiet, reserved, steady one. And Maggie, the youngest, is our wild child, our little hippy. They all have a sense of humor to varying degrees.

I am grateful for David and our 34 years together (31 as husband and wife). It has been an interesting rollercoaster of a life together. I can't imagine spending it with anyone else.

I am also grateful for the variety of flowers that grow around here and the extended growing season. There is almost always something pretty in nature to photograph around here. I just don't always have time or opportunity to photograph them.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

Have you ever noticed that nothing fun is open on Monday? Yesterday, we tried to go again to Varner-Hogg to video the grounds. Closed. We had passed a museum that we hadn't noticed before, so decided to stop by there to see what they had. Closed. We came back to our town and went to the railroad depot museum. Same notes again - CLOSED. We don't have anything against little kids and families (we think they are cute!), but it would be nice for things to be open throughout the week so that us old people can go and be leisurely, not hold anybody up, and not get caught in the middle of a toddler (or parental) temper tantrum, or have to worry about tripping a little one with the cane or getting knocked down by a rambunctious youngster. AND actually get to hear what the tour guide is saying.


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