Wednesday Hodgepodge

In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?

The kids and I have been doing an exhaustive study of World War II this year for our history studies. Veteran's Day has taken on a whole new meaning during this study. To me, on Veteran's Day we need to be letting a Veteran, or many, know how much they are loved, that they are not forgotten, that we are grateful for the horror he or she endured for our freedom. We are definitely doing something tangible for some WWII veterans and for one person currently in the military this Veteran's Day. We can't do a lot, but we can do what we can.

What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

In the 80's my dad loved the movie "Uncommon Valor". We watched it many, many times together. It ranks up there as one of my favorites.

Flu shot - yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

No flu shots for us. We have all had the flu in years past. In fact, the sickest I have ever been has been while having the flu. But the flu shot is a crap shoot guess at which of a gazillion strains it might be this year, and I don't see the sense in putting my kids through a traumatic shot on the very off chance there might be a prevention against the flu.

Plus, the flu is a virus that needs to be cared for like any other virus, and with proper care it can be. I know when someone in my family has the flu the second he or she wakes up on that first morning and looks at me. It's the flu eyes. It's undeniable. When it happens, the sick one hits the couch and that becomes his or her bed for the duration. I immediately put on some chicken breasts to make homemade chicken and noodles. Green tea, tons and tons and tons of water, are poured down that person. I buy the "flu foods". I put the vaporizer right next to the sick bed with eucalyptus essential oil diffusing directly onto the sicky. The sick one takes lot of baths with eucalyptus oil. We call off school and sleep, sleep, sleep. Thieves oil is placed on the feet bottoms with socks. Soft tissues are purchased. And the over-the-counter meds are given routinely. I have a regimen that I always give. And the pour little sick person covers his or her face several times a day when I spray the heck out of their sick area with Lysol.

We always try to be on the defensive to the flu, but this year are taking it more seriously. We are running Thieves in our diffuser all day in the living room and then I move it to the kids' room at night. The kids religiously take their vitamins and Immune C gummies. Every day while doing schoolwork the kids and I all drink a cup of green tea. We are keeping the house clean, keeping ourselves clean, and getting lots of rest. We get to bed at a reasonable hour each night, and I let the kids sleep in a bit in the morning so they are well rested.

I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

I absolutely refuse to put up our Christmas tree, or any Christmas decorations, until the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday. It's all about family. And I don't want us to be distracted with the hoopla of Christmas.

On the topic of the Starbucks cups, I read this quote: "I think Starbucks has gotten the message that the Christian majority in this country has awakened and are demanding that our voice be heard." ~ Joshua Feuerstein (ignorant former pastor who calls himself a "social media personality" and makes Christians look stupid.)

Really? The Christian majority doesn't give a poo what color cup they are drinking out of at Starbucks or whether or not it has a Christmas symbol on it. I would gather that the Christian majority is more concerned about how much is being spent at Starbucks on over-priced drinks when that money could be used to help someone in need, especially this holiday season.

Of course we will decorate for Christmas. Of course we will enjoy each and every moment of the holiday season, and we'll enjoy it big! But we will first give each holiday its due, including Eli's birthday that is three days before Christmas. We will concentrate on family and giving and loving. I have pared down our decorations dramatically over the years! I just don't want the focus to be on decorating (Plus it's a lot of work that I end up doing the majority of myself and cleaning up the majority of myself, and there's more important things on my list of things to do.)

What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

Snakes. Because, snakes.

Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?

Um, I don't really have an opinion about building things. I don't have a problem doing it, necessarily, if I need to, but I just don't find the need to very often. The thing that stands out was an adirondak chair I put together way back when Kyndal was a baby. I am sure I have put some other things together over the years, but that one stands out for some reason.

In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude ... what you are most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

My house. Every day when I run I always make sure I finish by coming up the street toward the front of my house so that I can see it calling me back to it. Home is where the heart is ...

Insert your own random thought here.

I think I am one of six people who love the end of Daylight Savings. I enjoy it being light when I wake up in the morning so I can drink my coffee and read my Bible in the sunlight. And I absolutely LOVE that it gets dark at 5:00 p.m. If you are a true homebody, you get it. I like that my people are all home and ready to stay home early in the evening.