Naan-existent Energy. But Here's my Late Hodgepodge

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

There's a chance our daughter may fly up for a long weekend from Florida.  Let me be very corny and say I gobble up any chance to have that chicky under my wing.

2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

Easy! My Chinese boss, who paid me for 2.5 hours of tutoring that I didn't do last week because I was sick. Who does that? My goodness, she is so generous! She feeds me every time I'm there (a huge dinner every night), she gives me gift bags of tea on a regular basis, she profusely thanks me for coming to teach her children. (Granted, it's a 90 minute round trip three nights a week, so it's not like I'm just around the corner, but still....).   I've got it so good, and she deserves a thank-you card. 

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?

Of those listed, Naan.  Put another way, "Naan of them." 

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

Fat cells. No. 

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?

I have a redheaded niece  on hubby's side of the family. She's my favorite redhead.

6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

Maryland's most Instagrammed spot is Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It's a good one for sure, a beautiful stadium. 

But I think a close second might be Jerusalem Mill in Kingsville. I can't count the number of engaged couples and families who have chosen that place (about 1/2  hour from my house) for their photo shoots .I'm not on Instagram, but on Facebook there have been gazillions of photos in my feed from family and friends. Here's a scene. 

 

7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?

I've learned to love having much less stuff. I enjoy a game I played in October (made by me and for me, no other players--a solitaire of sorts) that I called, "Get Rid of 80 Things."  I kept a running list of everything I let go of just to see it reach 80.  I'm so grateful that I don't even particularly enjoy shopping as much as I used to. It curtails so many impulse buys and makes the house easier to maintain and keeps more cash available for what IS important. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

How about something light and funny?  This happened at the home of my Chinese students while I was there. (If you're on FB, you've already seen this, but others may need the chuckle.)

Had dinner with two other families last night. While adults were talking about advances in cardio drugs, duck soup, and landscape architecture, one of the little boys interrupted .

Boy 1: Excuse me, Miss Zoanna? (Holds up his hand like a stop sign) 

Me: Yes?

Boy 1: I just wanted to tell you, no matter what, don't EVER lick a frog. 

Me (nearly spitting out my rice) Okay, I'll put that in my book of wisdom. 

(He looks at his mom)

Boy 1: I'm serious, Mom, don't  you ever lick a frog either, especially not on his face!

(By this time I'm nearly choking from laughter)

Me (to his mom) In case you were tempted, right?

Boy 1: I'm warning you because I've licked a frog's face like 50 times.

Boy 2 (one-upping his friend) So? I've licked a frog 100 times !

Boy 1: I really haven't licked a frog. I'm just kidding.

Boy 2: (deadpan). I'm not.