Sit Down, Charlie Brown, and Read My Hodgepodge Answers, or Else!

Joyce managed to pitch another 8 questions our way, so this Orioles fan is going to swing and hope that my answers aren't the "out in left field" kind.  By the way, did you know that our Baltimore Orioles  (Balmer Oryulls, hon!) are in the playoffs for the FIRST TIME SINCE 1997  ???   This is exciting stuff here in Birdland!

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

         My son and his fiancee's engagement party this Saturday evening.  We were going to take them to an Italian restaurant, together with all the sibs from both sides of the family  to meet each other for the first time.  But Steve and Ambrey didn't want anything that costly or that formal. They opted for after-dinner finger foods, dessert, and board games at her house.  This should be fun and laid-back.  I'm going to take her favorites: Cucumber Sammies and sushi, and one of our favorites--Pepperoni Kabobs.  Her mom is making the sweet stuff which I will try to avoid in my gluten-free month attempt. (So far, so good. I feel a LOT better already, the third day of my gluten fast.)
Our oldest sons are both heavily into politics, so they will have no trouble conversing. We girls will be all abou the wedding, I'm sure.  The quiet dads might not get a word in edgewise anyway, so goodie for them!

2. Is chivalry dead? Explain.

No, it's not dead, but it isn't the norm ,either, unfortunately.  I like when I see men carrying heavy groceries, taking the trash cans to the curb, holding the door, giving up his seat for a woman, fixing a tire on the side of the road,
helping a little old lady (me) across the street, and doing courageous things. My sons excel in chivalry learned from their dad. And my brothers-in-law have been in wars, and that to me is the ultimate--to face death with bravery on behalf of another.

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 have to skip the description for time's sake, but the character who comes to mind as being "most like me" is Lucy. She is bossy and likes to psychoanalyze people.  Or to put it a sweeter way,
she likes to direct and counsel.  I guess we're alike in one more way: we use euphemisms to cushion the harsh reality that we are control freaks with a tendency to judge.

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

Board games and Words with Friends, tennis (in my younger days I loved to try to "whoop my hubby's can!" if I could--which was RARE), and arguments (again, very Lucy-ish).


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

I like popcorn but have to be in the mood. I like it buttery and salty, or caramel popcorn.  I seldom think about popcorn, but if it's offered,  I can easily oblige.  I always have it on hand, but it can sit in the cupboard for months.

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

Not sure. But I find by visiting local churches, that the Christian world is a small one, relatively speaking,. Can't find a church where I don't know SOMEONE!  I even work for Jewish people who know some of my Christian friends.  Oy vey!



7. In terms of architecture, what's the most beautiful building you've seen up close and in person?
In the US, I think Monticello is gorgeous. In Russia, I was enamored of this building:


St. Basil's Cathedral

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This morning I asked my youngest (fifth grade) what he was going to wear for Wacky Wednesday today.
"My Orioles t-shirt and black shorts."
"That's not wacky, " I said. "That's just called being out of uniform."
"So?"
"So ,all the kids are probably going to wear stuff like crazy hats and socks, camo with stripes,
blue wigs and funny ties, that kind of thing/"
"I know, Mom, but look at this way. The way I figure, if everyone else is wearing wacky and I'm not, then really I am the wacky one!"