Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce, who blogs at From This Side of The Pond.  Each week she'll pose some questions for us to answer. What a great way to journal life.

1. Are you a risk taker? Not really To what degree? I don't think I've ever been a risk taker. Perhaps because I always second guessed myself too much, worried about the loss more than the gain, and now that we're older, there seems to be more at stake when it comes to taking financial risks. I think too much about the "potential outcome". Now, with that said, there are a variety of areas where risk taking can take place, some dangerous, some not so much. I might say "let's take a risk and make that drive and hope we see the sunrise". In the PNW that could be a risk because who knows if the sky will be clear...those are risks I might take. Nothing major or bad would necessarily result in that. Choosing to live in areas prone to natural disasters would be a risk...I don't live in one of those. 

2. What's your favorite candy? I would say Reeses PB cups. I like others too, but that is one I'll almost always choose. Would you say you have a sweet tooth? Unfortunately yes I do. Not a horrible one, but I do like sweet things. Including my coffee...do I even like coffee? I certainly won't drink it black. 

3. Somewhere you've been recently that had you feeling 'like a kid in a candy store'? Hands down our trip to Colorado! I was constantly saying "WOW!" AND I found a few neat bookstores and coffee shops that were super fun to browse through.  

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world? I think we are so divided it can seem daunting. On a large scale, I'm not sure positive change can come unless all parties are willing to sit at the table and have a dialogue. There may be things I don't agree with from another party, perhaps some non-negotiables in some areas, but in the grand scheme of things, we are all human beings and deserve to be treated with respect, rights, etc. I won't go into the non-negotiables. 

On a personal/local level, I can make a positive change by focusing on my corner of the world, starting with my family, my workplace, my community. I can choose to not sow seeds of division and hatred. I can choose what and what not to put on social media...my own posts or comments (knowing it can be interpreted differently than intended). I can evaluate my own lens I see things through and ask if there is something in me that might need to shift. I also don't believe any party should be so devoted to their party that they can't see the flaws. 

5. Do you like surprises? Not really (well unless I were to receive a surprise check in the mail, or a gift or letter). I think I worry too much about my response...will it not be how someone expected me to respond? Will I even like the surprise, and if not how will I react? Yikes. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I'm done helping at the pumpkin patch and while I love it, this year seemed to be a struggle. I only help on weekends but it just felt like a lot this year. I had already committed so I wasn't going to back out. It takes up my whole day on Saturdays and Sundays so that is a lot, especially when I work 3 days a week, and have the grandkids one day. That leaves one day free to get things done. It's doable but not my ideal. By the time I get home, I don't feel like doing much especially since both my job and helping at the patch have me on my feet all day long. We were also gone two weeks before I started helping so it just seemed like so much happening. Now time to chill and enjoy the rest of the fall season. 

Fun pic of one of the gals who worked with me sitting in a canoe in a HUGE puddle because it was such a nasty weather day! 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin