The Last Wednesday Hodge Podge of February

1. When were you last facing an ocean? Using just ONE word, describe how you felt as you faced that ocean.

Free



2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?

Growling or hissing from cats, tornado sirens, howling wind when it’s snowing


3. This question comes to you courtesy of some real life friends. Hi real life friends! When you shop for yourself, do you try everything on in the store before buying or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?

It’s a mobility thing, but I don’t waste my energy on clothes shopping. I buy online and return it if it doesn’t fit, but aside from fit, I know myself well enough to know what will look good on me. I’m also closer to 50 than 25, so clothes just aren’t so important to me now.


4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut? Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?

I like pistachios out of the roasted shell just fine, but my favorite way to have them is in ice cream or a cannoli. I prefer pecans or almonds as just plain out-of-the-shell or really ANY way nuts.



5. When did you last have to compromise with someone? Were you happy to reach the compromise or slightly irritated it was necessary?

I don’t look at compromise as a “have to” thing. I think compromise is the most sensible answer when two people or two sides of a situation disagree as long as neither one is causing harm to anyone. Mature adults should always be ready to compromise; a half full glass is better than an empty one, even if you wanted the whole glass.

Half full as opposed to empty is why I can always find satisfaction in compromise, even if sometimes it’s delayed satisfaction. The last time I had to compromise it was really with myself in prioritizing what I can and can’t get done in a planned day. Accepting compromise on my “to do list” is essential for my mental health!


6. Have you ever written a letter to an elected official? Did you get a response?

I have often written to my elected officials! Actually if I don’t get a response, it’s pretty much a guarantee that they won’t get my vote next time they run. Even if it’s a form letter/email response, I want to know that they at least included me in their “count” of constituents that do/don’t agree with them.

I’ve received some very contentious replies from officials I do and don’t agree with, either comforting me that they are fighting for the cause I believe in or respectfully explaining their different view. I have noticed over the years that a left side official will respond more often, even if you disagree with them than a right side official will even of you do agree and the more moderate the elected official, the more likely they are to have a real dialogue with you.

Debbie Stabenow in Michigan and Marci Kaptur in Ohio have been the best and most respectful when I’ve written or spoken with them.


7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of this week...what's something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?

Spring training games on TV



8. Insert your own random thought here.

It’s s&*#ing. We had rain all day and night instead of s&*# yesterday, but boy was it serious rain! It started to rain just as I was leaving therapy yesterday but it wasn’t bad rain until I’d been home for a while. Then we did have rain, freezing rain, sleet and big wet s&*# flakes but not enough to stick to the ground.

Right now it fine and quickly falling s&*#. Hey Buckeye Chuck, what was that about no shadow and early? Humph.