Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm joining Joyce From this Side of the Pond for the Wednesday Hodgepodge, as I do each week. We're inching ever so close to the centennial version; this is week #98!

1. Noah Webster was born this week back in 1758....besides the online version, do you own a dictionary? Do you ever use the hardback copy or is your hunt for a definition strictly online these days?

I'm sure those who have read my blog any length of time would not be surprised to know that I do have a dictionary! But I mostly use an online version these days, primarily because when i need it, I'm generally at the computer.

2. Should public schools ban Halloween celebrations? What about other holiday celebrations currently under fire?

We never had Halloween celebrations at school when I was growing up. I'm not opposed to the "fun" aspect of Halloween, but I don't really think it belongs at school. And certainly not in today's environment, with so much disparity in the type of costumes that kids wear. When I was little we had a ghost costume that my mom had made from a sheet and I think our witch costume was homemade, too. They were so innocuous; there was nothing like the sinister and grisly costumes you see now.

Regarding other holidays, I think there should be Christmas parties. (Fine, call it a Winter party; but don't toss out everything related to Christmas. It's way too extreme not to allow Christmas trees.) And a Valentine party. And pizza on the last day of school. Those are essentially the traditional "parties" for school, and I think that's plenty. The purpose of school is to learn, not party!

3. What's your favorite 'dog' movie?

Oh, I've always loved Benji! Especially because much of it was filmed in the little town in north Texas where some of my relatives lived.

There was also an old movie I remember watching on TV when I was a kid that I really liked called, Lad: A Dog.

4. When were you last somewhere you'd describe as 'too quiet'?

Probably at home when my girl was off spending the night with a friend!

5. Are you a neat cook or a messy cook? In other words do you clean as you go or make a big mess and then deal with it later?

Neat cook. My mom always made a huge mess and it took her forever to clean up the kitchen.

6. Did you hear about Felix Baumgartner, the skydiver who broke the sound barrier via parachute? Was your first thought COOL! or was your first thought CRAZY! Are you adventurous?

Mostly crazy. Not only because of the high risk that he wouldn't survive but becuase I HATE the downward sensation of falling. I'm fine with heights - take me up to the top of a skyscraper or in an airplane, but don't ask me to jump off a diving board! Of course, I'm glad folks have done some crazy things so that we have technological advances like cars and airplanes, etc. But I am not adventurous, so I'll let others live on the edge!

7. What's not a word but should be?

Ginormous. Fantabulous. And absotively posilutely.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've always said you could put my name "in the hat" nine times and another person's name once, and they would win the drawing. That came to a screeching halt last night at my girl's orchestra concert/dinner when I won a generous gift certificate to a really nice restaurant in our area. Date night coming soon!