Veteran Hodgepodge

Joyce is back from a week off, so it's back to the Hodgepodge!

1. We celebrate Veteran's Day in the US of A on November 11th. When did you last interact with a member of the armed forces (either currently serving or retired)? Have you ever written a letter to a soldier, bought a meal or coffee for a solider, said an unprompted thank you to a soldier you encountered out and about somewhere? If you're not in the US, comment on a similar holiday in your own country.

I interact with a veteran every day. CH went to West Point for a year, then was in the National Guard until YS was born. His dad is retired Army, and his brother still serves full time in the Army National Guard. I also have a couple of brothers who are retired from the Air Force & Navy National Guards. AND, I have a nephew serving in the Army and one in the Air Force right now. The Air Force nephew's wife is also serving in the Air Force. I can't forget my Daddy...he served in the Navy at the end of WWII; he was in the Asian Theater.

Top left: my brother (Navy), nephew (Air Force), and Daddy (Navy). Top right: My BIL (Army) & my wonderful SIL (who puts up with him!). Bottom Left: another brother (Air Force). Bottom Center: CH (Army). Bottom Right: My FIL (Army).

2. You can have fifty pounds of anything at all (except money)...what would you choose?

Hmmmmm...CH says plutonium because it's worth a lot of money! Or platinum...because plutonium is hard to handle. (I had no idea what to answer, so I asked him.)

3. When did you last receive an invitation in the 'real' mail? What was it for and did you attend? When it comes to RSVP-ing, are you an 'early responder' or a 'last minute, barely-under-the-wire' kind of guest?
The last invitation I received was an to my nephew's wedding. I responded pretty quickly after receiving it. It was a beautiful wedding...outdoors on a river island. They did all of the decorations themselves, and it was just gorgeous.

4. What's something you really don't like to waste?

That's easy: Food. (Ha, ha!)

5. Cheers, Friends, MASH, Seinfeld...of the ones listed, your favorite long-running sitcom?

It would really depend on my mood, but if I had to pick one, I would pick M*A*S*H.

6. What decision are you glad you made?

Besides the decision to marry CH, to move back to the Small Town 10 years ago. I'm so glad that I had those 10 years with Mama.

7. In this month of 'Thanksgiving' what is one thing that's different today than it was a year ago that you're grateful for?

I'm extremely grateful that I'm not at one of the schools I worked at last year. That one school was a full time job, and I had not only that one, but my mountain school as well. I seriously think I would have had a break-down if I had that school along with dealing with Mama's passing. (Okay, that may be a little melodramatic, but you get the drift!)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My mountain school is having monthly "Family Fun Nights" in an attempt for the school to be the center of the community. The teacher who is putting them together is doing an incredibly awesome job. Last night, we had a Brigadier General, and a colonial fife & drum corps. They were quite entertaining!

And...check out this picture of OS:

I showed the picture to a friend, and she asked if it made me nervous. I don't know he's doing it, so, no, I'm not nervous about it!
Here's a bit of trivia for you:
Remember back in the 80's when M&Ms got rid of the red ones because of the red dye scare? A young man from Knoxville started a campaign to bring it back. You can see the clip from the news here. It's a pretty neat story; it's just too bad he doesn't get royalty charges every time the red M&M is featured in a commercial!

Excitement!

Yesterday, MS' soccer team left for the state tournament.  The place where it's being played is about 3 1/2 hours away.  Here's a picture of the team on the bus, ready to go:

The boys are so funny...when I was taking the picture, some of them yelled "Queso"!  (Bet you can't guess which ones!)  They are quite a group of boys!
Unfortunately, they lost last night 1-0.  I hate that they got the shaft with the "blind draw" and had to play the same team that they played last year.  But, I think they made it farther than a lot of people thought they would, so you've gotta hand it to them!
While I was at the high school, I ran into YS with some of his harem friends(except for the other boy!  The other boy is his friend, not part of his harem!):

It was his last day of school (they had a half-day), and they had already finished taking their last final as Freshmen. 

I've got to show you my find of the week.

It's a pineapple peeler/slicer.  I love fresh pineapple, but have never gotten the hang of cutting one up without wasting half of the pineapple meat.  I saw this in the grocery store and thought I'd give it a try:

You cut the top off of the pineapple, and start twisting, kind of like you would a corkscrew.

Then, when you get to the bottom of the pineapple, you start pulling it out:

Until it's all the way out:

Here's the final product:

Is that not the coolest thing?  Yes, I'm easily amused!

If you've been reading my posts, you know I don't do well with keeping plants alive.  I've had these for a whole week, and just look at them:

Please over look our clover field yard in the back.  It comes from years and years of it not being tended.  We hate to kill the clover because we're afraid if we do, we'll just have dirt!
Check out my "surprise hosta" in the space between the sidewalk and house:

NO WEEDS!  Hopefully I can get the  little guy to grow!  I need to decide what plants I'm going to put in there and get them  in before summer's over.  I think I've decided on some kind of ground cover that blooms.  Any suggestions?

The Air Force Hot Brass Band was so awesome last night!  I could have watched the tuba player All. Night. Long.  I've never seen a tuba player move like that!  They played a lot of  '80's and '70's music (and we all know that's the best music!), and, instead of having  a bass guitar, the tuba was it.  Man, was he good!  I just can't describe how good they were.  Here's an example:
My Country Tis of Thee   (Scroll down until you see the little blue icon near the bottom of the page, then click on the icon.)  Warning:  It's a little loud at the beginning, but just wait for it.  That will give you a good idea of the tuba player:  he  was jamming!

Meet y'all back here tomorrow!

Tuesdays Unwrapped: On My Own

I have no idea what happened to Tuesday Unwrapped.  It just disappeared from the blogosphere.    Emily at Chatting at the Sky is MIA.  So, I've decided to go it alone today.

Edit:  It's back!  Just checked & Tuesdays Unwrapped is back online!
 

I went to Daily Mass yesterday...at the parish where I grew up, which is not the parish I attend.  I drive to the big city to attend Mass on Sundays.  In the 6 years since I've been home, there have been 4 sets of priests in the parish where I grew up.  One, I absolutely loved...he's now a Bishop  in another state.  The next set were a couple of older priests who were in their second career.  I liked them.  Then, out of the blue, they were both reassigned.  In comes 2 more priests.  One, I'm convinced has "autistic-like" characteristics; the other is from another country, and, while I'm sure he has good messages, he's very hard to understand, so those great messages get lost because  you're trying to concentrate so hard to understand what he is saying that 1) the message gets lost, and 2) the messages are just so long that with trying to understand what he is saying, you lose interest.  I've asked for God's help during those homilies, but maybe I'm just not disciplined enough to do it. 

Yesterday the priest with the "autistic-like" characteristics celebrated the Mass.  The first time I went to a Mass where he presided, I thought, "Hmmm.  Okay, being a priest and celebrating a Mass is perfect for someone with autism.  The Mass is very routine; during one season, the only thing that changes from week to week is the Homily."  However, if that priest is required to actually interact with people, then there's a problem.  That parish is a pretty good size:  Interacting with the parishioners is a must.   This priest doesn't even stand outside after the Mass to greet his parishioners.

It occurred to me during Mass that, if he really does have autism, he is a major rule follower and can't stand for those rules to not be followed.  Also, he doesn't understand what is socially appropriate to say, and doesn't get it when he chastises from the altar.  This priest has done things such as chastise a family whose 3 or 4 year old blurted out what Father had just said (I think it was something like, "Peace be with you").  I wasn't there for that Mass, but some people I know said that everybody thought it was cute that he was imitating the priest.  I wonder if that family ever came back following the verbal chastisement they received during the Mass.  Another time, he talked about what to wear to Mass.  I do believe that girls shouldn't come in with short shorts or skirts, or with blouses that are off the shoulder.  However, does God really care that you're there in jeans and tennis shoes?  I think God is just thankful that you came to His house to worship.  (Okay, okay, I just happened to have on jeans and tennis shoes that time...I honestly don't do that very often, but we were going to the mountains as a family and I was trying to save time by not having to change clothes!)

Yesterday was  the first time since these priests have been at that parish, I didn't leave Mass angry.  (This is the "little thing" that I am most grateful for and the whole reason for my post!)  I don't mean for this post to be a "priest bashing", but rather a revelation that I stumbled upon yesterday during Daily Mass.

I have met both priests during church functions.  The priest that is from another country is charming, and has a wonderful personality.  I was shocked when the other priest actually looked me in the eyes. I"m not saying I'm ready to go back to that parish on a regular  basis,  but yesterday was a start.  I know God will lead me where He wants me to be.

On a different subject (I have no idea how to segue into this!):  Our county is really getting "uptown", y'all!  We have a new Center for the Performing Arts, and it is N-I-C-E.    Last night there was a free piano recital by a man who has performed all  over the world, including Carnegie Hall.  He was unbelievable.  I can't get over how he was able to play all of those waltzes without looking at any music.  Every seat in the place was taken;  they even put some chairs on the stage to accommodate everybody.Tonight is the Air Force Band:  Hot Brass Band Concert.  It looks to be a good one!  The best part:  this concert is free, too.  You did have to get tickets ahead of time, and it's sold out.  Really looking forward to that!  Small town girl is gettin' some culture!

Have a great Tuesday!