Hodgepodge on a Stick

1. What is something you'll never forget about the age you are right now?
The most important thing about my current age is the fact that I'm not fifty yet, and I've got a few years to go before I am.

2. What's a household chore you've never done? How have you managed that???
Are you kidding me? Why would I do any chores? That's why I went through 107 collective hours of labor so that I could guilt my kids into doing them.

3. Does nature shape our personalities more than nurture? Explain? 
Do you mean enduring a long harsh winter makes us crabby, and a beautiful spring day makes us happy? 'Cause if you don't, then I don't get the question.

4. Friday (February 28th) is 'Something on a Stick Day'...funny because Zoanna over atA Penchant for Pens recently sent me an idea for a question relating to this topic. What's your favorite food eaten on a stick? 
Uganda's version of fast food is chicken on a stick. There's a long line of grills off the side of the highway; you pull off the highway and they come running with the food. But with this drive through you'll want to keep your windows up because the vendors don't know personal space. I've actually gotten hit in the face with a chicken on a stick thrust through the window. And don't pick the vendors at the head of the pack. They tend to rub their chicken up against your closed car windows in order for you to get a good look at their wares.

5. Which of your five senses do you treasure most, and why?
I'm not sure which one I treasure the most, but living with this many guys in the house means I could do without my sense of smell.

6. What's the best music, theatre, or sporting venue you've been to? What made it great?
Wrigley Field is the best because hope springs eternal there.

7. It's the last week of the month...in five words or less bid adieu to your February.
I'd really like to know why Joyce picks the numbers that she does. "Five words or less", "Seven words" … 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Last night Joel and Paul cooked. Supper consisted of macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes. 

Whitewashing the Hodgepodge

1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?
People think less and act more. It's not a good change.

2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with either two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?
I'll take the shooting, but I want to pick the target.

3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most often purchased canned food item?  What was in the last can you opened?
What does it mean that canned food has a month? Are we supposed to celebrate canned foods? Can more foods this month? Resolve to use less canned foods in this month? I appreciate canned foods as much as the next person, but I'm not sure they deserve a whole month.

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?
No cruises! Don't you ever watch the news? Seems like every other week a cruise ship is being towed back to port with problems after everyone on board has been sitting without food or water or basic necessities for almost a week. Roughing it is not my idea of a vacation.

5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do? Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?
I take melatonin before I go to bed so I don't have this problem.

6. How important is keeping your cool?
It's not a big deal in Michigan in February. Ask me again in July.

7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?
I'm not sure, but this question did remind me that I need to wash the sheets.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm not tired of the snow yet, but I won't be sorry when spring shows up either.

Loving the Penny and the Hodgepodge

Love, Steaks, Pennies and Lincoln. This Hodgepodge has got it all, so put down the heart-shaped box of candy (or just push it over and nibble) as you join in the Hodgepodge this week.

1.What makes love last?
Being lovable helps.

2. The Beatles made their US debut fifty years ago this week. Are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite Beatles tune?
The Beatles made their debut before I was even born. Just thought I'd mention it.

3. Valentine's Day-your thoughts? Do you celebrate in any way? Do anything special for the people you love? Expect anything special from the people who love you? 
I never turn down chocolates … or flowers … or dinner out. Although I will say, if you wait until Valentine's Day and then buy your roses at Walmart, they're probably already half dead, and why would you give that kind of bouquet to the one you love?

Not that it's ever happened to me … ahem!

4. Steak or burger...you have to choose. Now that that's settled, how do you like it? 
I'll take a steak, but I'd like it at a steak restaurant. I don't know why you'd order a steak at a seafood place or an Italian place or--you get the idea. I figure whatever restaurant you're in, they're expertise is where you'll get the best taste.

Oh, medium, please. I don't want it mooing, but I don't mind a little red.

5. The Hodgepodge lands on the birthdate (February 12th) of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America. Lincoln is quoted as saying, 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test his character give him power.'  Do you agree? Why or why not?
Men may be able to stand adversity, but not all males are men. And with regard to power,

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."  --Lord Acton, British Historian

6. Honest Abe's image is featured on the US penny (1 cent coin) so I'm wondering...what do you do with your pennies (or your country's equivalent)?  It's been suggested the US stop making the penny, and two bills have been introduced proposing just that, but neither were approved. What say you?
My pennies sit with the rest of my change in the bottom of my purse. And I'm not sure why our legislators have time to worry about pennies when they can dispense with billions without batting an eye.

7.  Do you think pop culture deserves serious study?
Not by serious people.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I don't feel like cooking dinner.