Don't Squash the Hodgepodge

Thanks for making your way to my Hodgepodge answers.  Our faithful hostess, Joyce, is to be commended for cranking out the questions, week after week, month after month, season after season.  Let's get into it again, shall we?

1. What's one thing you learned in September?

That my friend, Diane, had been put in hospice.  She lost her battle with cancer on Thursday, September 26th. Her funeral was this past Monday.  She was only 58. I still can't really grasp it.  I still picture her as she was when we were homeschooling, encouraging each other on the phone that these days and years are of utmost importance. Our mothering matters to God. 

She is the second friend I've lost in as many months. But I will see them both again in heaven. Carol and Diane just beat me to the Finish Line.

2. Acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, yellow squash, zucchini squash, or blech! hold the squash... what's your favorite squash? What's your favorite way to prepare your favorite squash? 

I'm a pretty equal-opportunity squash consumer. My most frequently enjoyed one is yellow summer, simply sauteed with butter, sometimes onion, salt and pepper. But what I think is  a  real treat when fall comes is to have butternut squash. I slice it in half lengthwise, put it face down in a shallow pan of 1/2 inch of water, cover it with foil and bake it for about 40 minutes until it's soft. Then I doctor it with butter and brown sugar .  I know I should skip the brown sugar, but it's part of the definition of "treat." 

3. The older I get the_______________________________.

better I am at distinguishing the good from the better, and the better from the best in terms of priorities in life.

4. What's your favorite television theme song ever?

Ever?  Oh, my.  That's a hard one.  Although it had no words, I liked the theme music to The Waltons.  It ushered us as a family into an hour of family togetherness every Thursday night. It was rare that my parents watched anything but the evening news, so it felt special.   

5. What do you wish you'd spent more time doing five years ago?

Praying.  I did more trying to figure out, trying to learn, trying to control people and circumstances instead of praying in faith about the things that bothered me. 

One of the quotes  Diane had written in her  Bible, which her youngest daughter shared at the funeral, was this: "Instead of saying, "God, here is my problem," say, "Problem, here is my God!"  

6. What item do you most need (or want) to add to your wardrobe this fall?

A couple half zip-up sweatshirts. I've been wearing my charcoal grey (I think originally black) GAP sweatshirt like it's the only one I own.  Why? Because it is.  I have sweaters and cardigans  and long V-neck tees (my shirt of choice on a chilly day inside) but really need to get two more sweatshirts  in vibrant colors.  I'm thinking a cranberry and a coral.   

7. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts cartoon was introduced to the world. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?

In print?  Goofus and Gallant in the Highlights magazine.   On TV?  Speed Racer.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have an interview tomorrow for a  part-time position as an art teacher at the local rec center.  I really 

feel most alive in the classroom and especially teaching art to kids.  One of my priorities now is to  be more active in the community,  not just in my own little world of home, church and school.  I would appreciate prayers.