Hodgepodge with a Chance of Sideburns

Strap on your gorgeous bowling shoes and play along with the Hodgepodge, won't you?

1. It was decided on Sunday the Denver Broncos will meet the Seattle Seahawks in this year's  Superbowl. So when was the last time you bowled? Not where you thought this question was going is it?  Do you like to bowl? Are you any good? 

Clever segue, there, Joyce.  If questions were bowling balls, you just rolled an unexpected strike on that one.   

Last time I went bowling, my baby was in the third grade, so that was three years ago. A bunch of the kids and us moms spontaneously went out after an early dismissal.   Do I like to bowl? Yes. Am I any good? Eh.  It usually takes me five or six frames to get in the groove (or should I say, to get OUT of the groove, AKA the gutter).  I'm not sure I trust my shoulder or my balance any more, considering I can't even throw a banana peel away without needing physical therapy as a result.  (In case you missed that story, check out my previous post.)

2.   Should sports stars be role models? 

Most of them are already role models, but not all are good ones.  I think every adult, regardless of profession, should be a good role model, but since we are a leisure-centric society with an inordinate

preoccupation with sports,  kids are going to gravitate to the athletes in the media to emulate.  Wouldn't it be loverly if stellar character were a prerequisite for stardom?

3. January is National Oatmeal month...are you a fan? How do you like your oats?

I love oatmeal.  The most common way I fix it is with raisins and brown sugar, microwaved. 

The best way,  though, is Baked Apple Oatmeal, which I just happen to plan on fixing tomorrow. 

It's really more of a dessert, thinly disguised as a nutritious breakfast. 

4. What is one book on your reading list for 2014?

The Book Thief.  I've heard all good things about it.


5. What would you like your future self to say to your present self?

Aren't you glad you obeyed God's voice in 2014 and became a post-abortion counselor? You helped to set captives free from guilt, shame, unforgiveness, and other demons. You are richer for having been vulnerable, courageous, and compassionate.  God gets all the praise. 

6. When scrolling through the TV guide, what is one movie title that makes you want to stop, grab the popcorn, and watch for a while?

The Notebook.

7. What are two style trends you hope never come back into fashion?

For men:  Long, thick, furry sideburns. (Honestly, I can't wait till thick, furry beards go back OUT of style. Ick!).   

For women:  Stirrup pants.  They make most of us look like bowling pins.  I'm just not a fan of clingy polyester--no way, no how. And I sure hope I never witness furry-sideburn men wearing stirrup pants. That was a style once upon a time, you know.  As Timon in The Lion King said, "Let's leave the past behind us!"

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

On Sunday, I had such a God-ordained surprise.  My plan was to drive to Silver Spring (between here and DC) ,  after church,  to purchase fabric from a man whose late wife had been a quilter for 25 years. Bless his heart, he was selling her entire studio.   I didn't want to go alone, but didn't know anyone on the spur of moment who might share my desire. When I got to church,  I  locked eyes and smiles with a woman named Susan who asked if I remembered her. Of course! We took our quilting class together in the fall. I didn't know if I'd ever link up with her again, but I had a burning desire to hear her testimony. All I knew is that she had grown up Jewish and became a Christian 10 years ago. 

She said she had started visiting churches after leaving her current church, and remembered the name of the one we attend and like.   

One thing led to another and I asked her if she was spontaneous and would she like to ride down with me to look at fabric? She's single and she offered to drive since my van's tire was low (again). 

I got to hear her testimony as we rode down to Silver Spring.  At first she said, "My testimony really isn't all that spectacular."  To which I had to pipe up and say, "Susan! You were dead and now you're alive! How much more spectacular can it be than that?"

She grew up Jewish, but going to synagogue was empty for her. Hebrew prayers meant nothing . Festivals were lackluster to her teenage spirit.  As an adult, she felt "something was missing." Two ladies in her office in 2004 had something she wanted: love, namely the love of Jesus. They witnessed to her; "I knew what they were doing and I assured them they were NOT going to make a Christian out of me!" 

One night Susan lost control at the wheel of her car and almost crashed, but was able to make it home somehow. The next morning at work, her co-worker said,"I was praying for you all night, but I wasn't sure why."  Susan was convinced that her life was about to change.  After a few visits to her co-worker's church, she gave her life to the Lord and was baptized by that same woman.   

Just had to share that rebirth story!

(Oh, and I ended up getting a lot of fabric, while she found none. The man wasn't much older than us, so I feel his wife died young--early 50's.  I choked back tears as I expressed sorrow for his loss, and assured him that I would use the fabric to bless children and other people with quilts. His wife had excellent taste and did splendid applique' quilting. I could feel his sadness and also his pride. Susan remarked when we left, "He was clearly of my tribe." We Jewish-blooded girls know what that means. If he doesn't know the Messiah, I hope and pray that he, like Susan, finds what (who) he is missing.