Hodgepodge

 Linking up with Joyce    for the Hodgepodge

1. What's something you're curious about right now? 

I was a political science major in college; politics is something that I've been interested in for a long time! I have much/many curiosities pertaining to politics but here is one I've been thinking about lately (as I gear up for another board meeting where discussions over book bans, the American Library Association, drag queen story hour in libraries, etc. will get political).

From where to those who have strong political feelings arrive at their viewpoint? I mean both overarching (like whether or not one is a progressive or a conservative and single issues like gun rights, abortion, etc.). How can two seemingly good, American loving people arrive at such drastically different conclusions about issues? I think it comes down to many things including:

Religion- Certainly not all Christians are conservative, but many are. Muslims traditionally align themselves more with Democrats but based on what I know of the Q'uran, the teachings of it are more conservative, at least socially. Jewish people tend to be more liberal than conservative. 

Upbringing- Parents' influence likely impacts one's political views- though I know personally of young people who do not agree with the politics of their parents. Maybe a bigger factor is how much parents discuss politics and current events with their kids impacts the kids' views.

From where you get your news- Mainstream news media tends to have a leftist bias due to the preponderance of journalists being liberal. According to Syracuse University, which did a survey in 2022, Republicans account for about 3.4% of all journalists. Perhaps due to the dirth of conservative news coverage (both on TV and in newspapers), many conservative leaning media companies have become popular such as Blaze TV and Daily Wire. 

Single issue voters- for some, a political or social issue is so important to them that they'll vote for whatever party they perceive will advance (or thwart) that issue.

I know there are many more factors, but these are a few...

I find politics very curious!! Especially at a time like now that it's at the forefront of my mind (even more so than usual!)

2. If you could plan the perfect girl's weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months? 

I would like to go to a place that was in or near a beautiful setting but that was also close to restaurants and things to do in a town or small city setting. A few examples off the top of my head:

Helen, GA (I've never been but want to go- the town looks charming and it's near some beautiful places to hike).

Erie, PA- My sister and I met here a couple of years ago. As a town, Erie wasn't that spectacular, but it did offer lots of shopping and restaurants that my sister can't get in Canada, so she was excited to be there. It's the town closest to beautiful Presque Isle State Park where we explored. 

Nashville, IN- this is a quaint small town near beautiful Brown County State Park in southern, Indiana

Frankenmuth, MI- Bavarian charm and the world's largest Christmas store, Bronner's- can you say JA?? I haven't been here in several years but would love to go back. 

These are just place I think would be fun for a girls' weekend getaway! I don't have one planned. Anyone wanna go??

3. What's the most unique item in your refrigerator right now? 

A completely fizzless half consumed can of Big Red Zero Sugar pop. It's my can and I didn't care for the pop flavor. Donnie likes it so I saved it for him. But it's been a couple of days. I'm thinking Donnie would pass on it if I told him about it. I should get rid of the can... 

4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging? 

"Most" challenging- that's a toughie. Plenty of challenging things but to identify the most is tough. I would say walking along side those who are going through a crisis- knowing how to best serve them in their troubling time.

5. Do you collect anything? If so why that? 

I don't collect anything in the sense that I pick up the same "item" every time I go to a store or location that has the item. For instance, I don't collect mugs though I have accumulated plenty over the years. 

But I do collect plenty of things that I don't need but like that are from a bit of a collection. I'm thinking of my two patterns of Christmas dishes. Both patterns contain an astonishing array of products with the pattern on it. I do like to own (/collect) various pieces from the collection.

My kitchen Christmas dishes, Holly Mountain Lodge

These were the pieces I got last year. I already had many place settings; these gave me many more.

In the dining room (/Christmas room), my Christmas dishes called Christmastime are the focal point and they dictate the decor of the room.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Jacob, Alyssa and Donnie are watching the Pacers- Cavs basketball playoff game on TV. They want the Cavs to win while I want the Pacers to win. Pacers are up 3-1 in the series. The Cavs had a better regular season record than the Pacers and the logic of the family is that the Cavs should win the series because they were better than the Pacers in the regular season. My brother is a huge Pacers fan and he's come over to watch three of the games in the series. 

I'm so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open. I have had too many super early wake up times recently. I plan to be asleep before the game ends...

Update Wednesday morning- the Pacers won! And more thankfully than that, I was asleep well before it was over.