Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?

Start drinking orange juice, hot decaf tea, and other fluids. I usually get a flu shot when my kids get one.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?

Avoid the situation! If that's not possible, pray like crazy and just do it!

3. Share two good things about your life right now.

I have a home. With air conditioning! And I am loved by God, family, and friends.

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?

I didn't like the styles in the sixties the first time around and I'm not happy to see them come back! The only style listed that I would go for is the tunics and pants. And please tell me the psychedelic designs and weird color combos are not coming back!

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?

I was a Bluebird for one year. (That's the Brownie equivalent of Camp Fire Girls.) Other than that, no scouts for us. We were too involved in church activities. I helped with my girl's Girl Scout troop. I was involved a bit in Cub Scouts because it's very family-oriented, but I left Boy Scouts to the guys. Sadly, too many moms get itoo nvolved in Boy Scouts and can't let those apron strings loose.

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor?

Apple. With plenty of cinnamon, preferably in a pie or cobbler with a delightful crust. Warm, with Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla on top. Calorie-free, of course!

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?

Love for the students and for teaching and learning. Patience. A sense of humor.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This is not a picture of the dead of winter when snow is on the ground. This is what used to be beautiful Bastrop State Park, filled with pine trees. Now they are burned and ash covers the ground. All but 100 acres of the park's 6000 acres are burned or charred.



In Bastrop County itself, more than 1500 homes were destroyed and 33,000 acres burned. The fire is now 70 percent contained. It is heartbreaking to see the devastation.

Only the driveways and rubble indicate that houses lined this street two weeks ago.

Please pray for Central Texas as folks begin the slow process of cleaning up and rebuilding.

Oh, and the temperature has been back over 100 ever day since Saturday.

Meanwhile, I see on the news that the Northeast is about to float away as a result of all of the flooding from the hurricane and tropical storm! Anybody want to mail me some rain?!