When There's a Four Letter Word in the Forecast

It's a funny thing to consider how people all of the United States react when there's a four letter word that begins with "S" in the forecast. When you consider it, some of the actions will have you scratching your head or laughing out loud.

I live in the South. There's not much snow here, but since I work in the schools, we live for the hope of snow in the winter. It doesn't matter how much, and it doesn't matter where it is as long as it's in the county where I work. A lot of us keep an eye on the forecast and tend to get our hopes up when we see that sweet little symbol on our phones.❆ We also feel a lot of disappointment when we wake up and nothing looks different outside. We grumble that we stayed up too late the night before because the meteorologist said it was a sure thing. Sometimes it is a sure thing, but just north of us.
I've never bought into the whole "let's run to the store and make sure we have plenty of bread and milk", but the times I have had to run and get some milk because we're out have been frustrating. I mean, it's not like we're going to be stuck inside for days. It's very rare when the snow hasn't all melted by mid-afternoon.

I have a friend who lives in New Hampshire. When it snows they go about their everyday life. Sure, they have snow days and ice days, but those crazy Northerners choose to stand outside in the snow and watch cross country ski races! My friend has a generator so they still have some semblance of modern life when the power goes out. They're the ones who need to stock up on their food, not southerners who think an inch of snow is Armageddon.

Let me just say: snow on the weekends is a waste. Sure I still get a little excited to see the white stuff floating down, but unless it happens on a Sunday when there's not a holiday on Monday, it's a waste. That is unless there's enough of it that the melting remnants stay on the roads enough to ice over.  Then, we'll take a delayed start, which is almost as good as a day off. On those days the Kindergarten classes have breakfast and lunch within the span of an hour. Crazy, huh?

There's so much excitement when I see ❆ on the forecast map. It's easy to get my hopes up. CH doesn't understand the excitement, but that four letter word in the forecast is like a Christmas present, especially in the South.

Cooking Up the Wednesday Medley

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

National Pie Day is celebrated annually on January 23rd. (Not to be confused with March 14 which is PI π Day.) 

National Pie Day was created simply to celebrate the pie.  It is a day for all to bake or cook their favorite pies.  Even more importantly, it is a day set aside for all to enjoy eating pies!

The first pies appeared around 9500 BC in the Egyptian Neolithic period or New Stone Age.

1.  Okay, fess up.  Tell us your top three favorite pies, please.  Will you have some pie today?

Pecan, Coconut, and Key Lime. We're having Chicken Pot Pie for dinner, so...

2.  While we are talking about food... are you a picky eater or are you ready to try almost any new food?  What is the worst thing you have ever eaten?

I'm not too picky of an eater, as long as it's not cooked veggies. Especially if I'm traveling, I'll try it. I'm drawing a blank as to the worst thing I've ever eaten. CH says the worst thing he's ever eaten is King's Pie at the Tower of London. 

3.  Baking could be considered an art as could cooking.  How do you define art?

Something that is beautiful. It's definitely in the eyes of the beholder!

4.  Tell us a really stupid joke that made you laugh, please.

Wanna go to Booger King? (push tip of nose up while saying the next part) Hop right in! :) 

5.  January 23rd is also National Handwriting Day. Do you have nice handwriting? Did cursive writing come naturally or did you practice in those double-lined practice books until your fingers hurt?

If I take my time, I think I have decent handwriting. I must have practiced, but I don't remember how much. 

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

A podcast that someone recommended to me is doing a book study on The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The first episode was Monday, and it was excellent. The hosts are 3 women that includes 1 nun who are friends. I love their comradery and their insight. Just look up Abiding Together on Google Play, iTunes, or your favorite pod player. You won't be disappointed!

A Do Nothing Wednesday Medley

It's just like the Wednesday Hodgepodge, but with a new name and a new "hostess with the mostess"! Much thanks to Terri for continuing our Wednesday Q&A...I'm looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.

Wednesday, January 16th, is National Do Nothing Day!! National Nothing Day was proposed in 1972 by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin. This day has been observed annually since 1973. Of course, the way to celebrate it is to do nothing! 

1.  To commemorate Do Nothing Day in SOME way, tell us something about your life (or the life of someone close to you) in 1973!! 

Wow. 1973: I was 9 years old & I have no idea what was going on! At that time, I suppose my 2 oldest sisters had moved out so that left 8 of us living in the house, plus my parents. Other than that, I have no idea what was happening! 

2.  Now that we are thinking back, please tell us what your favorite past time was as a child.

Summers were spent going to the community swimming pool and playing outdoor games (hide & seek, rolly bats, fruit basket turn-over, etc) with the neighborhood kids at night. 

3.  What is the best way to cheer you up on a bad day? 

Honestly? Just leave me alone. Definitely, don't keep asking me what's wrong! 

4.  How old were you when you first started dating? Do you remember your first date?

I went on my first date at 15. My parents had 16 as the age to date, but they allowed me to go out with this one guy because his niece went with us. At least she started out the date with us, then went home after a while. I didn't date a whole lot, but in high school I dated a couple of pretty terrific guys. 

I need to clarify the whole "niece" thing: the guy I went out with was a year older than I; his niece was a year younger. We actually met at band camp; he went to a different school & his niece introduced us and set us up. It was a "one and done" kind of thing, which was a good thing because I think he could be considered a "bad boy". 

5.  Today is also National Fig Newton day.  Do you like figs/Fig Newtons?

Here is my weirdness shining through: I like fig newtons the best when they're a little crunchy on the outside. I do like fig newtons, but that's my favorite way to eat them!

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

There's not much going on around here. OS completed a Wilderness Emergency Medical Response Course last week, so he was gone & we watched the granddog for him. He is such a sweet dog. 

I'm looking forward to a long weekend of doing nothing in celebration of "Do Nothing Day"!

Thanks again, Terri, for hosting! Want to get in on the Wednesday Medley? Check her blog Your Friend from Florida on Tuesdays to get the questions, then don't forget to link up on Wednesdays!