99 Red Balloons in the Hodgepodge

This is Hodgepodge Number 99. Can you believe it? Me neither.


99 is  all over the retail stores, yes?  Why can't something just sell for $5.00, not $4.99?  I know, I know, it's psychological, darlin'!

99 is a fun number to say. And sing. Except when you don't want to sing, or listen to other people sing on the bus, "99 bottles of beer on the wall." Not that I ever sang it that way. I went to Christian school and we had to sing "99 bottles of Coke on the wall."  One more reason never to apply for a job as a bus driver.

Do you remember that song "99 Red Balloons Go By"?  I'm not sure if the words made sense; they seemed kooky last time I listened, and I haven't been tempted to re-listen for a fair analysis, lo these many years later.

 I found a photo on Flickr that is really cool (cold, actually!) with some amazing red balloons converging in a winter scene. There's also a brief explanation--says that "99 Red Balloons" was a German protest song in 1982. I was protesting things much closer to home then, namely having to catch the bus before the sun got out of bed.  Made me mad enough to pop LIKE a balloon.

Anyway, take one down and pass it around---a Hodgepodge link, that is.

1. So, do you like beer?

Yes, in general I do, if it's bottled, not that cheap "Rocky Moutain beaver pee" we some of my classmates used to drink in college.  I like Dos Esquis, Dogfish Head, Red Stripe, some Polish beer I can't think of (let alone pronounce) and Landshark, to name a few.  A cold brewski is unbeatable on two occasions: at a  crab feast, and after mowing the lawn in 100 degree heat and humidity.

2. What's your least favorite repetitive task?


Unloading the dishwasher. 

3. When was the last time you rode a bus? Where was it headed?

Hmmm. Let me think. It's been awhile. Does a shuttle bus count? If so, a couple months ago I visited a huge local church and happened to park in the "upper lot" which is about two miles   four city blocks from the main sanctuary, but I didn't know that. Thankfully, a shuttle bus makes the rounds for "lost souls" !

4. What song from your childhood or from your own children's childhood could make a parent's nerves stand on end? 

My parents didn't often let on that their nerves were frayed, but actually Daddy did NOT like when we sang the aforementioned "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall."  He came from a strict Baptist home and was a chaplain who saw many a life ruined by alcohol. He can't stand even the mention of anything alcoholic, so we girls refrain from speaking of it in front of him. (And I don't think my folks read my blog unless I point them here for a specific post. (Sorry, Daddy. You raised us right, but we're deviants; it's not your fault that we all four like a nip now and then.)  

My parents also did not like "B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-o."

Namely-o because we sang it and clapped out the letters  (B,i,n,g, CLAP) over and over and over and over and over  (like, 99 times?) till my  poor Baptist dad was probably tempted to take JUST ONE bottle of beer off the wall to drown his sorrows.



5. The US Presidential election cycle is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN??), and the third and final debate was held last night...what was the last thing you 'debated about'?

AMEN from me!!   The last thing I debated was with myself was ON THE WAY TO MY JOB INTERVIEW LAST WEEK!--when having  trouble with the car I'd taken as a back-up, mind you,  since my VAN was dead at home! The debate was whether to pull over onto the side of the beltway and call GEICO or one of my sons for help (hubby was in California, so not available in the least).  OR to risk making it off the exit ramp and get as close to my destination as possible and hope not to get stuck in busy traffic on the main thoroughfare through town.   I chose the latter.  You can read what transpired, in yesterday's post, which I wrote in a poetic letter to my friend Kelly.

6. Can a person make too much money? How much is too much?

Too much money is the amount it takes to forget God.  Remember that He owns it all, that He gives it and He can surely take it away.

I personally like the way Tevye "debated" (on the other hand...) in Fiddler on the Roof.  He says, "It's no shame to be poor.  On the other hand, it's no great honor either!"

Having been poor and having been "not poor," I like "not poor" better. But I have to say, I am more comfortable among the poor than among the rich.  You can find me at the corner of Redneck and Rodeo Drive.

7. Pop-soda-coke-something else...what's it called where you live/

Soda.  This is Balmer, hon.  If you're a Ravens fan (which I am) it's soda all the way.  (That is, if you aren't drinking beer.) If you're a "Stillers" fan, then it's pop. Or Rolling Rock beer (AKA Pittsburgh beaver pee).   In our house, we drink soda. Got that? No one is allowed to drink "pop" in our house unless they wanna get popped in the mouth. Well, okay, maybe we're not THAT hostile toward Steeler fans, but we do ban the use of the word "pop" except when referring to Daddy-o.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

Ten pounds and one pants size down since October 1st.  I feel like a new woman since going gluten-free.