Wednesday Hodgepodge

What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

Not much surprises me, unfortunately. But I guess the lack of care that people have of their own environment does baffle me. I just don't understand why you wouldn't want to have a well-kept home and yard, children who are truly loved and disciplined, pets that are cared for, a nurtured personal appearance. It's just a lack of care.

Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year ... awesome sauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fat berg, fat shame, angry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable. Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find the most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say outloud? Which word would you most likely to use in a conversation?

I am not saying I will not ever use one of these words in conversation, or even that I haven't. But just because we say a word doesn't mean it should be one. Good grief.

Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy ... which one on the list is your favorite?

Gravy is amazing. I love gravy on biscuits, chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, even scrambled eggs. When I think of gravy, I think of my Grandma Alice and her friend chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. It was so good! I always make my gravy from scratch, in the way taught to me by my dad. Gravy making is an art form. It takes patience and care. I have to admit that I make a pretty good gravy.

Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces?

I always have a plan. My plans have plans. Of course I have plans fall apart, but my backup plan always steps right in to help.

November 19th is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

We do own Monopoly, but I don't like to play it because it takes too much commitment. I like short games. I doubt we'll be playing the game tomorrow. I have never been to Atlantic City, and I have no desire to go there. The kids and I have taken the train in St. Louis, just for fun, but I haven't gone on any long rides. We do have free parking in our town. It's only a population of about 2,900 so no parking enterprising going on here. I am not one for taking a chance. Refer to the "plan" question above.

A song that has the word (or some form of the word) "thanks" in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

Give Thanks (with a grateful heart) by Don Moen.

In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude ... what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?

Peace. If you look next door, across the street, in another town or state or country or continent, you don't see much of it. Heck, most people don't even have peace in their own hearts. I do have an incredible amount of peace in my life, and I definitely take that gift from God for granted.

Insert your own random thought here.

Today my first baby girl turns 21 years old. I look at her now and just feel immense love and pride for the young woman she is. She has such intense hopes and dreams of being a good wife and, someday, a mom. She has grown so much as a woman, especially in the past year, and I beam with adoration. Her faith is strong and her tenacity is stronger. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. She's pretty darn amazing. And I love her! Happy birthday, Kyndal Jamison Werths!