Welcoming February Hodge Podge

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1. Can you believe it's the end of January? What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

Yes, I can believe that yesterday was January 2017's last. And I am grateful. It hung on and on. 

January 14 was a good day because I was with family enjoying a meal out. 

2. What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

Ticking clocks

3. I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are—

anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead)

Which thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?

May I just say that I hate love lists like this?! 😑 😇

I'd like to see all these things gone from my list and everyone else's for that matter. No, I will not consciously be trying to deal with them because willpower does not work. My method is to pray about these things and ask God for His intervention. He is the only One Who can take care of big, ugly issues like these.

4. What is sacred to you?

God's Word is sacred; His love for me; My relationships are sacred; My country is sacred; My home is sacred; Some favorite places feel sacred; My mother's hospice room felt sacred. 

5. January is National Oatmeal month. Are you a fan, and if so how do you like it?

Yes, big fan. It's my breakfast most mornings. I prefer maple and brown sugar flavor with a bit of cream. I used to eat the very hearty varieties, but they were too hard on my delicate tummy so I switched to a generic brand. 

6. What feelings does twilight stir up in you? 

In the past, I might have had a sense of excitement for going out in the evening or watching a favorite program. These days, it is more an oh, I can go to bed soon feeling. 

7. Something you're looking forward to next month? 

I have nothing on the docket. Probably should change that so that I do. It's a choice.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Well, that was depressing. How about a joke? My friend Deborah told me this one in 1982. 

Seems a godly, Christian man took some sky diving lessons and was prepared to jump solo for the first time. He said a quick prayer and leaped from the plane. At the appropriate time, he pulled his ripcord and nothing happened. He pulled the second one and still nothing. He began to pray in earnest and, when he opened his eyes, he was amazed to see a man shooting right straight up from the earth in his direction. As the man neared him, the skydiver yelled, "Hey, know anything about parachutes?" The response: "No! You know anything about furnaces?"

Please join *Joyce* for another fun Hodge Podge already in progress.