Poem (re-post) #1 ... cheating, I know!

Mittens or gloves is the question

the answer to which I am certain

lies on the inside

where fingers and thumbs cry

for comfort, warmth and protection!

Working in the school district full time for over 20 years has allowed me the opportunity to view first hand how parents dress their children. Now, why would parents send their kids to school in the wintertime, knowing there is outside play at recess, with no snowpants, no boots, no hat (or hood on their jacket)and only stretchy gloves, if any, for hand protection? Poor kids have to borrow mittens/gloves and hats from the teacher or nurse's office and then stand where it is plowed and just watch the other kids play. What great memories those kids have ... NOT! The rest of the kids are building snowmen, playing King of the Hill on the snowbanks and making forts. They aren't allowed to throw snowballs at each other but in the past we've managed to find a way to play "snowbaseball", where I pitched and they batted (using their arms,)

So, parents, dress your kids (and yourselves) for the weather. It's winter! My final words go back to my poem: Mittens are always warmer than gloves since your fingers get to hang out together and share body heat. I even slip my thumbs out of their little home to be curled up inside my hand and sometimes I even drive the car that way! Just sayin' .. .around our house, mittens makes the difference between happy hands or a miserable grandmommy!

One Month Later... Wednesday Hodgepodge, again!

1. I read here four creative activities to try this month. They were-calligraphy, make your own cookbook, dance or learn a new type of dance, and letter writing. Which activity on the list appeals to you most? Will you add it to your August? 

There is no room in my August for anything creative, sadly.  I'd be happy if I could finish reading a book. There is a letter or two I could write, if I turned off the computer.  HA! There's my problem!

2. Bertrand Russell is quoted as saying, 'To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.' Agree or disagree? Explain. 

There is SOME truth to that. Desiring something in a good way and not in a jealous way and not knowing if you will ever get it, gives a person nice thoughts and something to dream about or look forward to. You can't take for granted the things you do not have.  However, I'm thinking that I really wanted more grandchildren... not that I don't love the two I have or am not fulfilled by my role as their grandmother, but I always envisioned myself as the Grammy whose kitchen always had cookies baking and a parade of children coming through. I know it is not my place to whine or complain, so I don't. Our children have fulfilling lives of their own and are secure, successful and content within their own families.  I think true happiness is dependent upon your relationship with the Creator.   I often go back to a song I learned years ago. YEARS AGO!

3. August 17th is National Thriftshop Day...are you a 'thrifter'? If so, tell us about one of your best or favorite finds. 

Oooh! I love a good bargain! I'm always looking for clothing and have a hard time finding my size in thrift shops; HOWEVER I have found several items in the "Reuzit" shops of Pennsylvania!  Friendly, clean and very well organized, their proceeds benefit Mennonite mission work.  A blue short sleeved sweater is my all time favorite.  I also have a couple of long sleeved fleeces that get rave reviews every time I wear them. 

4.  On a scale of 1-10 (with 1= almost none and 10=loads) how would you rate your sense of wanderlust? What kicks your wanderlust into high gear? 

Actually, I'm more of a homebody. So, maybe a 5, but every once in a while, I just want to get away with my husband to someplace warm, or fun, or exciting...  We've done mission work in Central America. Love visiting things historical; Vacationed along the east coast beaches (incl Gulf of Mexico;)  Taken the kids camping when they were little; Love exploring the country side of PA;  Love driving through the mountains of NY, PA, WV, VA, NC, KY and TN ... sounds like I never stay home!  But it's only a few times a year and we drive to each location, except Central America; but in Costa Rica we rented a car and drove to the coast.   There's no one thing that kicks "wanderlust" into gear... but just a sense of wanting to explore new and old places.  Well.... maybe the month of January does.  Yeah... January here in the Northeast.... 

5. Has life felt more like a marathon or sprint so far this month? How so?

This month started out like a marathon but has ended more like a sprint. I can't believe it's half over! Doing arts and crafts with kids at a local Christian Camp each summer has me whirling around and around looking for materials and counting and re-counting how many kids I'll have... it changes each week and I absolutely never know before Sunday!  It's exciting, rewarding and this is my last week for the year.  I'll miss these kids but will see them again in 45 weeks!

6. What do you need to get a jump on before fall officially arrives? 

Housework. Definitely, housework. 

7. What's the last thing you did with friends or family where you lost track of time?

HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!  *wipes tears* 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Boys making banners to hang; Girls painting with shaving cream paint; Shaving cream paint pictures left out to dry.  (adding glue makes them stay puffy!)

Hodgepodge Right on Time!

1. Do you find yourself influencing your world, or is it more the other way around?

I like to think I am a good influence.  Working with children in school; teaching a class at Bible Club in church; being a deaconess in the same church; working with kids at Bible camp each summer affords me the godly privilege to change our world, one child/one woman at a time.  

2. July 14th is National Tape Measure Day...the device was patented on this date in 1868. When did you last use a tape measure? Do you always know where to find one in your house? Tell us one way in which you feel blessed 'beyond measure'.

We have several tape measures, from huge ones in the kitchen and hidden somewhere by my husband out in the garage, to a little one rolled up in my sewing basket.  They never seem to be where they belong when I want one!  The last time I used a tape measure was to measure a window that needs a window box. It was not my tape measure, but a friend's. She keeps one in her pocket book. Smart girl!

I am SO blessed beyond measure, I could never choose just one way.  From my marriage to parenthood, grandparenthood, teacher, fellowship of other Christians...   God is so good!  

Luke 6:38 - (ESV) Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

3.The Plaza Hotel (Eloise), The Land of Oz (The Wizard of Oz), Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia), The Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh), Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), or Never Never Land (Peter Pan)...which storybook land (on this list!) would you most like to visit and why?

Narnia!  I want to view the movie, aerially. Except for the beginning as they climb through the wardrobe. Then I have to be able to be in two places at the same time: in the room with the wardrobe and standing at the lamppost in Narnia :-)

4. Where and when do you get your best ideas?

Usually at home after a long nap. Not kidding! 

5.  So what have you been watching on TV this summer? Anything good?

Not much time for TV... occasional re re-runs of:  The Middle.  The Waltons.  Little House on the Prairie. 

6. 'Don't swim for an hour after you eat', 'Dog days of summer', 'Knee high by the Fourth of July'...choose a summer saying from the list or share one of your own, then tell us what image or memory comes to mind when you hear it spoken.

Just used "Knee high by the Fourth of July" to describe my corn... well, actually, what I said was:  "My corn is thigh high by the Fourth of July, the weeds are knee high... SIGH!"   The "Don't swim...."  adage we have changed to about 15 minutes. Haven't lost anyone, yet!  "Dog days of summer" reminds me of my growing up years near the Green County NY Catskill Mountains.  You would think it would be cooler there... but those mountains would hold in the heat and humidity like nobody's business!  Now, that said, I found out a few years ago that "Dog days of summer" actually refer to those days in July and August, usually hot and humid, when Sirius the Dog Star rises along with the sun.

7. In a single sentence, sum up one life lesson you've learned.

Let others speak first. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

He flew right into my field of vision as I was trying to zoom in on some flowers...  So glad for auto focus!

Whoa! Back up! Back up! Hodgepodge

1.  How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today) 

July just slipped right in after June.  We celebrated my birthday and our anniversary at the end of June and Arts and Crafts started  up immediately for me at our local Christian camp so it was hectic.  No fireworks, or picnics or anything of that sort.  We were simply to tired or too busy!  But we prayed for America as a nation; remembering our forefathers who signed their names... risking arrest for treason and death. Remembering the Continental Army who fought til we won our independence. Our prayer, now, is that politicians (any and all) don't throw that freedom away... 

2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? white thing? blue thing?

Red: Strawberries.  White: Whipped Cream.  Blue: The summer sky.  I didn't have to think long at all!

3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Explain.

I don't know what a freak flag is. No red flags in our present or even on the horizon. White flag? Well, I did surrender to my diet and eat ice cream twice in one week....  I suppose that could now be considered a red flag warning...HAHA! 

4. According to Cond Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-

a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria

If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? Which would you most like to see and why?

Oh, I could go for the Salzburg Festival in Austria!  A little closer to home would be Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.  However, we went to Maine in June  and enjoyed the shoreline from York Harbor and York Beach, to Freeport and Camden all the way up to Bar Harbor in Acadia National Park. We can't afford to go anywhere in July or August!  However, in September, we may head back to York Beach for a few days... The ocean will be warmer, then! 

5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed?

 Ooooh.. Grilled swiss cheese and cheddar mac and cheese. Can't choose!

6. What makes you sweat?

Summertime.  Hot flashes. Speaking in public.

7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort?

Hands down. A made for TV movie called, "Goodbye Miss Fourth of July."  I think I've mentioned it before.  I never see it advertised anymore.  It may have been put out by Disney. I think I saw it on the Disney Channel about 20 years ago. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Putting this up as my Facebook status, too.  Eleven police officers were shot, early this AM and at least 5 of them have died.  Why? Because some people have it in their heads that police lives don't matter. Now, children are without fathers, wives without husbands, mothers and fathers without sons.  What a tragedy. Police officers maintaining order so others could have a peaceful demonstration...   Know what the problem is?  Not guns. Not color. Not police. But SIN. Plain and simple.  We are, by nature, sinful (says so in the Bible) and until we as individuals and corporately as a nation, get our selfish minds off of what we want/deserve and put it on what God wants/deserves and ask for forgiveness as individuals and as a nation, we are going to have this type of behavior.  I haven't a clue how to fix this national/world problem; I can only account for myself.  Dear Lord, please draw near to you, the families that have been affected by this (and other recent tragedies.)  Expose this evil for exactly what it is and help bring justice back to our nation.  If you could slap some politicians up the side of the  head, I'd appreciate that, too. I'm so discouraged, but the verse I'm holding to this week is from Galatians 6:7  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap.  Amen.

Back to Winter Wednesday

1. What does retirement mean to you? Are you planning for it, not thinking about it, looking forward to it, or dreading it?
Retirement means I have the time to do the things I want to do, mostly when I want to do them; like substitute teaching so I can afford to volunteer... and take those beach vacations!  

2. It's International Guitar Month...do you play? Does anyone in your family play? What's a song you especially like to hear played on the guitar or a favorite song featuring the guitar?

I don't play but my husband does as does our youngest son and his wife. Wow... so many songs. I love to hear my husband play... any and all love songs!

3. What's your comfort food?
I have several. In the winter, I LOVE pancakes with real maple syrup.  Any time of year, I love rice with butter, salt and pepper.  I crave cinnamon toast, too.  But probably to curl up on the couch with a bowl of buttered (real) and salted popcorn fresh from the popper would be "it."  

4. What's one activity or area of your life where you absolutely never procrastinate?
Never procrastinate?  I always procrastinate to some degree!   I suppose going to the bathroom first thing in the morning...   I know, TMI.

5. Who does the grocery shopping in your house? Does your local store bag the groceries for you or is it a do-it-yourself kind of place? Do you like someone packing your groceries?  
Mostly, I do the shopping. I go to two different stores on a regular basis. One bags, the other doesn't. I don't care who bags my groceries as long as I can get in, find what I'm looking for and get out.  I dislike standing in line. 

6. What's the coolest thing you've seen in nature?
Wow... I never have my camera when I need it.  Having parrots fly past my head while on a mission trip to Venezuela years ago was pretty cool!  Colorful, too. Double rainbows always fascinate me. A monkey monkeying around in a tree outside our room while in Costa Rica was amusing - had the camera, but it was not close enough for a picture :-(   However, I think the birth of our kittens tops them all! 

7. Share a favorite quote about home.

A little long and I know it's really a song, but it does belong to Steve Green and so, I quote him:  "Here we are at the start; committed to each other by His Word and from our hearts. We will be a family in a house that will be a HOME; and with faith, we'll build it strong. We'll build a household of faith, that together we canl make and when the strong winds blow it won't fall down.  As one in Him we'll grow, and the whole world will know we are a household of faith." 

8. Insert your own random thought here.  

From 4 years ago: It rained every day on our trip to Costa Rica but we had a wonderful time both at the conference and at a beach resort! 

Wow! Wednesday!

1. What are two or three expectations you have of yourself? 
Losing weight; Staying young at heart; Keeping fit.  Two out of three isn't too bad!  I must keep plugging along...

2. In what way does your outdoor space need sprucing up this spring?

Decks need to be repaired. Flower beds need some TLC. I have the time but not the patience. We are getting an inground pool so I must get my act together and start being a little fussy!  The local Amish produce auction will have some plants, trees pretty soon and that should rev me up! 

3. According to this site (Roadtrippers), six of North America's most wondrous waterfalls are-Webster's Falls in Ontario, Upper Whitewater Falls in North Carolina, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon, Multnomah Falls in Oregon, The Lower Yellowstone Falls, and Niagara. Have you seen any on the list? Which one on the list would you most like to visit? Prettiest waterfall not on the list that you've seen in person?

We've been to Niagara... whoa!!!!  In the winter, they are frozen over and the mist freezes 6-10 inches thick on the railings of the fence!  There's a small but wide waterfall on a back road near where I grew up.  They didn't have a name for it... I wish I could lay my hands on the picture!  A friend just visited Yosemite Falls and her pics and video were amazing!

4. Looking back, what's something you wish you'd done as a teenager?
Studied harder so I could have had better grades. 

5. Ham...yes please or no thank you? If you said yes please which of the following do you like best-baked ham with all the trimmings, a ham and cheese sandwich, prosciutto with melon, a ham biscuit, a bowl of split pea and ham soup, or a slice of pizza topped with ham and pineapple?
I love all of the above except the pizza...it was ruined with pineapple :-(   

6. Are you typical of your generation? How so?

Probably not. I never tried drugs. Not even marijuana. I'm guessing that 1/2 of my graduation class smoked a joint at least once. I had no desire. My desire was to love the Lord my God and be someone people younger than me could look up to.  I wanted to serve God more than serve myself. I wasn't always successful, but He understood... and never gave up on my desire to serve.  I can look back and see where he was leading and at the time, I thought I was wandering! HAHA!  Hey...  This scenario has repeated itself many times...  There is always grace, hope, love and forgiveness when there is repentance.

7. April rolls in at the end of the week, and in keeping with that theme...'act the fool', 'nobody's fool', 'a fool's errand', 'could have fooled me'...which foolish idiom most recently applies to you? Explain.
Tough one. April 1st is our 2nd son's birthday.  Called my mom at 3AM that morning, over 30 years ago and she thought I was fooling!  Yeah, Mom! I waited up til 3AM to play a joke... She said, "I mean about you having another boy!"  More laughter!!  Not fooling about that, either! 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Here he is about 34 years ago:

It's Almost Really Spring Hodgepodge!

1. Has spring sprung in your little corner of the world? Other than the calendar how would I know? What's your favorite thing about spring?

Well, we thought it had, but then it got colder, then it got warmer, then it snowed but it melted by noon, today was cooler than expected... but the robins are singing and other birdies are doing what birdies do this time of year, so I guess it is spring!  My favorite part?  Hmmmm ... warmer temps and more daylight!


2. Besides the weather, what's put a spring in your step recently?

Vacation. Vacation always puts a spring in my step! We took a teeny, tiny one to Pennsylvania and then a longer one to Virginia Beach. Ahhhh!  2 warm days on the beach!

3. How does Easter impact you?

Easter, or Resurrection Sunday as I like to call it, is probably the highlight of holidays in my Christian life.  To think that Jesus stayed on the cross on my behalf; bearing the consequence of all sin for all time... the mind can not really wrap around that sacrifice...but then he didn't stay dead! The sins he took to the grave, he left there... rising triumphantly over death AND sin, he promises those who believe, a place in heaven for all eternity...

4. I saw this somewhere on Facebook and thought it would make a fun Hodgepodge question. Which of the following would you find most disappointing...

a just stuffed taco shell breaking open and spilling out before you take the first bite? dropping a just-purchased Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts coffee? opening the peanut butter jar and finding it empty? upending onto the sidewalk a just-purchased ice cream cone? a burnt bagel popping up in your toaster when you're rushing breakfast? or cutting into an avocado and finding out it's rotten? 
Definitely, a just purchased ice cream cone hitting the sidewalk.

5. What's something held together with tape at your house? Or a paper clip? Or a wing and a prayer?

I can't think of anything held together with tape... but possibly the railing on our back steps is being held together by God's grace.  There's no other explanation. That would be very similar to "a wing and a prayer."  

6. Do you feel underappreciated? In what way?

No. My family appreciates all that I do or even attempt to do! Once at work, I was treated in a way that made me feel underappreciated, but co-workers rallied to my side and their encouragement showed just how much they appreciated me, even if the administration did not!

7. What's something you'd build if you knew how?

A greenhouse! I would love to be able to start vegetables and flowers in March.  Like, today for instance!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Here we go with my pictures!  "Just who owns this breakfast of "fresh" fish, anyway?"

Wild About Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Create an acrostic using the word LOVE. If you're unsure what an acrostic is click here. 

       Loyal
and Over the top
in loVe with me
  forEver

That's my Bill !

2. Does love really conquer all? Why or why not?  

God's love conquers all. It just doesn't get any better than having Him provide a way for our sinful selves to be forgiven. (That's the short version)

3. Tell us about a time recently, where you really put your heart into something.

When I work with kids, I always put my heart into it. Sometimes I spend too much time planning. Really. But when the end result is happy kids and crafts they can take home and KEEP rather than have their parents throw away, I know my heart is in the right place!

4. What's your favorite fictional love story?

Only one favorite?  *sigh*  OK, Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe :-)

5. Do you generally wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your cards close to the vest?

I'm sort of a middle of the road person, actually....

6. What food says love to you? Why?

Chocolate always says love to me. So does pumpkin pie with whipped cream. ... and a milkshake. Lobster, too. I suppose I should stop, now.

7. When were you last 'tickled pink' over something? Explain.  

When I found out that my nephew and his wife; and my niece and her husband were all expecting babies within months of each other! (One down and one to go!)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Less than 5 months till I can pour  my heart into my kids at Sacandaga Bible Conference!

waiting for spring ... then SUMMER!

boys after the baking soda/vingear/balloon experiment

a lot of little girls at one time

the "weaving" about killed the boys

spiders hung up to dry...and one butterfly

woven paper plates, the girls loved

 bottle caps turn into stampers

Right on Time!

1. Share one thing that really makes your day.

One thing... ?  Hmmm...  I'm thinking it changes from day to day, season to season.  Honestly, I love waking up to a snow storm :-)  

2. Lots of these kinds of lists out there, but one found here says the fifteen most colorful places on earth are:

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy~Burano, Italy~Havana, Cuba~Rio de Janiero, Brazil~Chefchaouen, Morocco~Balat, Istanbul, Turkey~Menton, France~Jodhpur, India~La Baca, Buenos Aires, Argentina~Guanajuato, Mexico~Capetown, South Africa~Valparaiso, Chile~Wroclaw, Poland~San Francisco, California~and Pelourhino, Salvador, Brazil.  

Of those listed which would you most like to see up close and in person? Of all the places you've seen or traveled in your own life, what would you say was one of the most colorful?

I guess, maybe Buenos Aires, Argentina. I speak a little Spanish and would want to mix with the the locals a little bit.  I'm not the "tourist" type.  Autumn anywhere where trees change color.  Home may be the best of all!

3."Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield  In general, would you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?

Perhaps I don't understand what he means.  Fear can mean "being afraid" or "respect."
I'm actually afraid of very little:  spiders, stinging insects, lightning, bad wind storms, speeding vehicles of all kinds, and pain. So, what IS on the other side of spiders? I'm clueless. 

4. Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and dessert appears...what do you hope it is? Do you ever struggle to remember which spelling is desert and which is dessert?
I have not had trouble spelling dessert or desert since I was in junior high school when someone said, "Think of the two "s's" as something to eat... so, In the desert, you WISH had two desserts."  So, if I was on a desert island (as in "deserted") I would like chocolate with no coconut ...  or pineapple...

5. What song almost always makes you cry?
There are a few hymns that move me to tears.  An old one is: "Because He Lives." 

6. January is National Soup Month.  Everything from soup to nuts, in the soup,thick as pea soup, souped up...which saying most recently applies to your life in some way? Explain.

Oh, I don't know... you mentioned soup and I immediately thought of .. .SOUP!  Thick as pea soup could describe the fog we had here several days running. We're supposed to be having snow!

7. Write a two word note to your younger self. What does it say?  

"Smaller portions."

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I love inserting pictures here.  Today is no exception! This is our New Year's Dinner with the whole family;  a rare event!

Wednesday Hodgepodge on Thursday...it's allowed.

1. Are you ready for new? Is 2016 likely to be very different than 2015? Do you want it to be?

I kind of liked 2015 so if 2016 is similar, that would be fine with me.  We're hoping to get an in-ground swimming pool this spring. Looking forward to that!

2. January 6th is National Technology Day. Currently, what is your single biggest struggle or frustration when it comes to technology?

I have a roaming dead spot on the screen of my Droid. I'll be swiping, typing, opening, closing and it randomly shows up for days at a time... then moves.  We won't even discuss my lap top! 

3. It's that time again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2016. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

So (at the start of every single sentence), conversation (as in hotly debated topics where we're invited to 'join the conversation'), problematic, stakeholder, price point, secret sauce, break the Internet, walk it back, presser, manspreading (common in larger cities where some men take up the entire bus or train seat by sitting wide), vape, giving me life (refers to anything that may excite a person or make them laugh), and physicality

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?
These phrases don't bother me, but "Give it up for..." annoys me. We can't create a sentence without words containing more than 4 letters?  and "Have a good one," as I leave a store or restaurant. What happened to the words, "day", "life", "hour", "vacation",.  When did the word, "one" become all inclusive? Just bugs me. 

4. Share one of your current health related goals.

I really need to get more exercise but I'm too short to use Bill's equipment; the highway has too much high speed traffic for safe walking; the tree farm lane is too short and in and out of the rows is a bit monotonous.  However, I am going to try to eat better.  That's a start!
5. Let's talk fifty shades of gray. As in the color. Gray is currently a popular color in home decor, paint, wardrobes, hair, wedding party attire, and more. Are you a fan? Do you have the color in some variation in your home or wardrobe?  Gray hair, the old gray mare, gray matter, gray area...which gray idiom can you most relate to right now?
I don't really like gray. I have a gray skirt I seldom wear and I vaguely remember a gray sweater but just now realized I haven't seen it in years. I must have given it away. I have a short-sleeved gray top trimmed in blue and green that looks nice when worn with something other than that gray skirt.  My gray hair is exactly that color... gray; not silver, not white, but mouse gray. I tried letting it go this past summer. September came and the gray left. I don't like it at all and and returned to using a nice light golden brown to hide it.  I'll do it til the day I die if that gray hair doesn't begin to sparkle or remind me of snow.  
6. Certain foods are considered 'lucky' if eaten on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Cooked greens to bring economic fortune, black-eyed peas or lentils also symbolize money, pork which symbolizes progress, fish for good luck, and if you're in Spain 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Did you eat any lucky foods on the first day of the year? Is that a tradition in your home? Of the foods listed, which most appeals to you?

I don't believe in luck and never heard of that tradition. I like pork and fish. We're pretty stuck on turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas but New Year's demands something different. This year we had roast beef, baked potatoes that were slightly sliced open, pickled beets and from the splendor of my summer garden we ate butternut squash, carrots cooked with maple syrup and peas.

7. What's the single biggest time waster in your life and what, if anything, will you do about it this year?

Probably Facebook. I've cut back a lot, usually just checking notifications and messages first thing in the morning, but not responding or changing my own status until evening. Now that I have "messenger" on my cell phone, I may begin checking that in the AM and let the notification go til evening. As far as my cell phone, it stays on vibrate all day and ONLY phone calls make it vibrate...no messages, notifications, emails. NO WAY!
8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Once upon a time, January would have me dreaming of re-opening Grandview Mini Golf. I would already be plotting  a few changes; perhaps new flags, new golf balls in varying colors; watching sale papers for sales on beverages; perusing online wholesale candy and ice cream selections for the stand and freezer. No more! Now, I'm plotting vacations! I love being mostly retired!