Wednesday Hodge Podge

1. It's a brand new month...share one thing you're looking forward to in October.

While David is on vacation, Kelly will visit for a week! Girl time! Time for chocolate and 5 dollah coffee!


2. Is chivalry dead? Explain.

According to the World English Dictionary, Chivalry is having courage, honor, justice and a readiness to help the weak. The second part of the definition is courteous behavior, especially towards women.

That was in the Middles Ages and it was a word used about men, especially knights. In today’s world I see plenty of chivalry from men and women. I also see plenty of courteous behavior from men and women, however when sexism rears it’s incredibly ugly head, that kills chivalry.

Chivalry is common courtesy. It’s treating everyone, even strangers, like they exist and matter. If someone is walking into a building right behind you, hold the door so it doesn’t slam them in the face after you enter. If a woman is several feet behind with her arms empty and a man waits to hold the door for her that’s not courteous, it’s creepy. There are many common sense examples of right and wrong, but somehow, they just aren’t practiced.

The most chivalrous act I've been involved in lately was a girl, about 10 years old, held the door open for me and my wheelchair going into the women's room.  She asked if she could help in any way and closed the stall door for me.  After she'd already washed her hands, she waited for me to come out and and wash my hands.  Then she held the door so I wouldn't bang my knuckles on the door-frame.  That's real modern chivalry and a man couldn't do that for me in a public place.  It's not dead; it's growing.


3. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts comic strip made its debut. Which character is your favorite? Which character is most like you? (Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Shroeder, Snoopy, Woodstock, or Pig Pen) If you need a description click here .

I think I was most like Peppermint Patty when I was a kid and my insatiable ego liked her best because she was like me; an outspoken tomboy who is a little bit of a know-it-all.

When I asked David this question last night, he cited my auburn hair when he said he was Charlie Brown but he got the Little Red-Haired Girl. Awww! Who needs chivalry when I still have romance?


4. What's something you're competitive about?

I was really thinking about this one. I’m not competitive at all. I always try my best and if I win it feels good, but I don’t let myself wallow if I don’t. Even in job interviews or challenging another woman for a man’s interest when I was younger, I’ve always thought if I put in everything I’m worth and someone else is deemed to be a better fit, I’ve lost nothing. I tried. I presented my best. Not putting in an effort is the only real way to lose.


5. October is National Popcorn Popping Month...are you a fan? How do you like your popcorn?

Popcorn and pretzels are my favorite starchy snacks. I will pop a quarter cup of kernels in my air popper and often just enjoy it hot with nothing on it. (It’s best to buy big yellow kernels to eat it that way.)  Sometimes I spray it with butter-flavored cooking spray and add some salt, but usually it’s plain. I like popcorn at the ball park too.


6. When did you first realize the world is small?

As a first generation American on Dad’s side, I always had relatives on the other side of the world who visited often. I turned 13 in Italy. I guess I never really thought the world was so huge.


7. In terms of architecture, what's the most beautiful building you've seen up close and in person?

During that summer I turned 13, I saw the Vatican and the ruins of Rome. But I wasn’t really aware of art and architecture until over a year later in my first Humanities class in high school. (When I was heartbroken at all the things I‘d seen and not appreciated) I love the architecture of old churches and remember that I was really taken by Saint Anne de Beaupre in Quebec when I was there with my high school French Club in1983.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m looking forward to a lunch date with Sheri Friday! I just don’t see my friends enough lately and it’s killing me inside. :( We’re going to have lunch and hopefully have time to make a stop at the orchard so I can get a coupleafew bags of apples for making apple chips for those college-care-packages. I love my friends! A true friend will drive an hour to spend a day with you even if it means she’s picking you up because you can’t currently drive! She is SO getting a Starbucks stop for that!