WEDNESDAY'S HODGEPODGE

I am thrilled about being back home and being able to participate in Joyce's Wednesday's Hodgepodge.  I so enjoy responding to her intriguing questions, reading the responses of fellow participants and finding that we have so much in common.  What I like the best is being able to follow the other bloggers who I am beginning to know.  Please join in the fun and click on the badge above to access this week's Hodgepodge.  I guarantee you will enjoy it!


1. Have you ever been 'asked' to report for jury duty? Were you chosen to serve? If not, were you happy or disappointed?

I was summoned to jury duty and was informed it was a capital offense, a double homicide where two men were stuffed into a trunk of a car and it was set ablaze.  It was over a drug deal gone bad.  At the time, I was the drug coordinator for the high school I taught at.  The prosecutor really wanted me, but the defense team had me tossed off.  Good thing too because before I was tossed off I had to go into the judges chambers and answer a question in front of the defendant.  The question was, "Do you believe in capital punishment?"  I never anticipated the question and having to answer while the accused looked me straight in the eye was unnerving.  I kept thinking, "What if he gets off and comes looking for me if I said I could pull the switch?"  I know, too many Hollywood movies, but I was scared out of my wits.  Nevertheless, I answered as honestly as I could.  I was not happy or disappointed.  I was relieved not to have to decide this man's fate.  Although I think jury duty is our civic duty, it is also something that takes you far away from your comfort zone and I do not relish ever being in a position where I determine whether a person lives or dies.  To me, that is God's decision.  Not mine.

2. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very), how mechanically inclined are you? Give an example to back up your answer.

I am more mechanically inclined than I would admit to, surely.  When push comes to shove and I have to do something mechanical, I seem to find a way.  I will Google the procedure, study it, ask questions, and then tackle it.  I surprise myself time and again with my ability.  I guess I underestimate my competence in things mechanical.

3. Beets-cabbage-cauliflower-butternut squash....of the four, which is your favorite fall vegetable?

Butternut squash.

4. What do you recommend to overcome self-pity?

I have found that extending myself to help others, less fortunate, takes away all of my self centeredness.  There is no time to wallow in the mud when you are too busy helping others.  An added bonus is that you begin to feel good about yourself and what you can do to make others feel better. A win/win situation.

5. Do you enjoy classical music?

Yes, I do, although I am fairly ignorant about it.  Recently I have put a folder of classical music on my ipod.  I have no idea what is good or not so good, so I just chose by listening to it on i-tunes and then downloading it.  I like to listen to it when I walk or when I am sunbathing.  I find it very relaxing.  I also love symphonies and fortunately we have a very good one here in Germany and many outstanding orchestras throughout Europe.

6. October is National Book Month...what's on your reading list this month?

I am currently finishing The Lotus Eaters, by Tatiana Soli, and loving it.  I need to finish it next week for my book club.  Then I will begin, The Wedding Officer, by Anthony Capella, for December and A Pale View From the Hill, by Kazue Ishigure, for January.

7. What is your idea of 'cute'?

Oh, boy.  As a former high school English teacher, I would chastise my students for overusing this word.  Instead, I asked them to be more specific.  What was it that they found "cute" and to elaborate on this quality.  So, heeding my own advice, I would say that my idea of "cute" would be anything I could pet (like a dog or cat) or pinch (like a baby's cheeks or my husband's dimples).  Other than these examples, I would have to use better adjectives like "charming,"  "dainty," or "delightful."

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This evening we listened to CNN and learned about the National Security Forces, the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, and police force foiling the assassination plot, paid for by the country of Iran, intended to kill the ambassador of Saudi Arabia on American soil.  It was to happen in a restaurant that would have had members of congress in attendance and would have likely killed and injured a large amount of people.  Our government is holding Iran responsible. 


 I say, "Job well done, America!"  How fortunate are we to have a vigilant security force!  We have an awesome track record so far of keeping danger far from us.  Thank you, United States of America, once again!