Wednesday Hodgepodge - 17 February 2016

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.

One of the customers at the store where I've been working often gives us a tip, of sorts, when he wins on the lottery tickets that he purchases. He is a sweet guy that reminds me in some ways of my daddy.

The best answer for this one is written about on my husband's blog. Read the story of Thanksgiving here in David's testimony.

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 find it encouraging that so many people are getting away from traditional employment and going into businesses of their own. It gives me hope that ours will be successful, too.

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

I am allergic to black olives, or at least intolerant of them. They make me shiver, though I like the taste. I have never had a currant of any variety that I know of, nor black grapes. Black beans, blackberries, and most definitely Oreos I like just fine, especially the Oreos!

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?

I think that it is a nice list. I haven't done all 12 and I just turned fifty this past August.

I have not yet stopped worrying or caring what other people think about me.

I am giving two weeks' notice at work tomorrow so that we can go for an opportunity that has presented itself to us and we actually feel good about this one.

We haven't traveled often or extensively. Our last - and only - vacation since we had our last child almost 21 years ago was when we had to evacuate for Hurricane Rita in 2005. It was great! We ended up staying in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but went to Coffeyville, Kansas, for a day. It was such fun!

I have never made exercise a habit. I was born with asthma, which made things difficult. Any exertion triggered an attack and I haven't always had access to the necessary inhalers. Now, I have COPD and get winded just walking. I do what I can, when I can, and spend a long time trying to recover a calm breathing pattern afterwards.

I took French in high school (1 year) and college (1 semester) and did okay in both and can still figure out what some French things mean. But, I wouldn't dare try to speak it with a real French person.

I should take better care of my skin, but I don't know what to do about it. It is sensitive to most everything and I get way too hot when I use any kind of lotion. Plus, I don't like feeling gooey.

I left one toxic situation into another one when I left South Carolina for Texas.

Now, for that amazing dish thing... I love to cook, but picky people have, for the most part, kept me from exercising that love because they preferred what we refer to as "robot food". David isn't as picky as other folks that have been here, but I have to keep in mind his acid reflux problem. However, he is game for me to experiment in the kitchen.

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

None come to mind at the moment.

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

The one thing that comes to mind is when I was assaulted at work back in early 2010. Two young men came into the store and one distracted David, having him go to the back of the store for something, while the other guy pinned me to the beer trough and did what he did. David couldn't hear me from the back of the store, nor hear what was happening. As soon as I could break free, I went to the back of the store. I could hear the one guy saying, "Where did she go?" and they left the store at a fast pace and were gone before David fully realized what had happened.

7. Share a favorite proverb.

Of the Biblical proverbs, I can't think of any that I wouldn't count as a favorite. I came across this one earlier today and it is one that I need to remember often. Frustrations would be fewer if I did, maybe.

Proverbs 19:21

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand." (KJV)

And in the New King James Version:

"There are many plans in a man’s heart,

Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand."

8. Insert your own random thought here.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

Martin Luther King, Jr.