July 6, 2016

Yankee Doodle Hodgepodge


It's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Please join in the fun with us.  Find the complete rules and the link to sign up over at From This Side Of The Pond.

1. How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today)  I can't think of anything I did to specifically welcome in the month of July.  As for the 4th, my hubby had a 3-day weekend so one day we went to an arts and heritage festival, one day we exercised our 2nd amendment rights and went shooting, and on the actual 4th we went to see the new Independence Day movie and had dinner with our daughter and her fiance.

2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? white thing? blue thing?  It's summer...my favorite red thing is fresh strawberries, my favorite white thing is a fluffy cloud in a blue sky, and my favorite blue thing is blueberries! 

3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Explain.  Um...I'm not sure I've done any of those, but maybe I've come close to flying my "freak flag," though I'm not 100% sure what that means.  On Sunday I chose to participate in another weekly survey like this one that was LOADED with difficult, divisive questions.  I am aware that of the people who participate I am one of only 2 or 3 conservatives, the rest are extremely liberal in their thinking.  I was the only one of the conservatives who answered and I knew my answers would have the others making judgments about me.  I just didn't care.

4. According to Cond Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-

a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria

If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? Which would you most like to see and why?   Botswanna?  No thanks.  Swim with sharks?  Are you insane????  Yellowstone?  Yeah, I would like that.  Spain? Why not.  St. Petersburg?  Yes!  Japan?  I could take it or leave it.  Austria? Another big...eh.

5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed?  Grilled cheese, please.  I love grilled mozzarella with tomato, garlic, and basil.

6. What makes you sweat?  Heat. 

7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort? Independence Day

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I've really been thinking about/bothered by that Sunday survey I mentioned a few questions back.  I've been asking myself why I keep doing it.  There are a few people participating that I really do like, but quite a few are so liberal it makes my head hurt, but what bothers me more is how cynical, angry, and closed off from God they are. There's also the swearing.  Several of them could make a sailor blush.  I know that if I don't want to be attacked, I have to find a gentle way to say what I think and feel....though that favor is not returned.  So, why do I keep doing it? I guess out of habit or loyalty.  I've been doing it forever.  I'm also rethinking that.  I guess there is a small part of me that hopes maybe something I say will make them stop and think.  Or that they will see something in me as a Christian that will plant a seed.  Some have told me that while they don't agree with me they are at least not offended by how I present my opinions.  Ugh....this business of being a Christian in today's world is a tough one.

25 comments:

  1. Yes, it is just plain tough in today's world to even be able to express an opinion. I loved your red, white, and blue. Berries at this time of the year are the best!! Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

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  2. Thanks for visiting, Paula. Yes, loving the blue berries...my stepdad has a big bunch of them that are just starting to ripen.

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  3. It is a tough business and trying to find that fine line of gently expressing your viewpoint is hard. I think we do have to keep trying otherwise it's just the noisy harsh clanging cymbals that are heard.

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    1. That's what I keep telling myself. Just getting so annoyed with having to tip-toe while they blast through life like an elephant in a nitro glycerine plant.

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  4. I absolutely hate that you have to 'tip-toe' when answering the other survey's questions. It's just not right that you are judged or scolded for what you believe. I've always believed in the saying "live and let live". I'd never blast anyone for their beliefs or opinions, I might not agree, but it is not my place to judge anyone. Good for you for not giving up, your opinion matters.
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

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    1. That's my opinion, too, Lori. Now if you are in my church saying wrong stuff...then we're going to have to talk. Out in the world, you live your life and we'll be fine unless you try to force something that goes completely against my beliefs on me.

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  5. Yes, it is tough, but we have to just keep going with what we know is right. We can't shy away from the truth just because they don't like it.

    Wrong is wrong no matter how many are doing it and right is right no matter how few.

    It is hard to know exactly how to respond in these instances. Sometimes we have to speak up even though we know it is going to make someone mad.

    Best wishes to you on this. Have a blessed day. :)

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    1. Oh, I know we have to keep speaking truth, it just gets so frustrating and discouraging sometimes, that and knowing when we have stopped being loving and started being tolerant.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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    3. You're welcome. I agree. It is difficult to know what to do sometimes.

      Sorry for the deleted comment (David McClendon) up there. This computer was signed into David's account and I didn't realize it when I went to respond. :)
      Have a blessed week!

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  6. that grilled cheese sounds so awesome had moz and tomato before but never on a grilled cheese will try this soon
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

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    1. It is awesomely delish! I put the mozzarella and tomato in the middle and spread the bread with butter, garlic powder and basil.

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  7. It seems that often people lash out at others who hold an opinion because they are under conviction about that very thing. Many Christians will just sit by and not say anything. However, as Christians it is our duty to speak out for God. Often times some of the worst enemies a Christian will have is other so-called Christians. Those so-called Christians are the ones who will be saying "Lord Lord", but will not be recognized.

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    1. Very true words, David. Thank you for the insight and encouragement.

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  8. Ah, Sunday Stealing....I avoided that one this week. I am not a conservative/Liberal, I am one of those dang moderates...I thought the questions were too loaded. I do the Saturday 9 the folks there are less judgemental and there are less questions usually.

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    1. Actually, quite a few people seemed to have avoided it, even some of those who are what I think of as the core group. Yes, I'm starting to get into the Saturday 9. It's a lot like a survey this same group used to have on Wednesdays or Thursdays and it was my favorite.

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  9. So, the running of the bulls seems less dangerous than swimming with sharks? LOL.

    I'm with you, girl, as far as politics. It's hard to know how many pearls we are feeding to swine, which we're not supposed to do. Ugh. Keep feeding them love, that they might see Jesus.

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    1. I have a wee bit of a phobia where sharks are concerned. I remain convinced that if I get in the ocean every shark within 100 miles will turn in my direction and think "Yum, got to get me some of that!"

      Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do.

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  10. You were really brave to answer the Sunday Stealing questions last week. I opted out. I also don't link up anymore, even when I do the meme. I've been reprimanded by one of the participants and decided it wasn't worth linking up anymore. I do enjoy the questions most of the time, however. I enjoyed your HP answers and am happy to have found another conservative on Blogger!!

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    1. I had noticed you never link up, but I don't think I was around for whatever happened. You sure got under her skin, though, as she mentioned how she would NEVER visit your blog again (not by name) in her comment. I think back in another blog life I got yelled at by her, too, and then she ignored me until that blog ended. Wonder what she would do if she knew it was me (I blogged under an alias at the time because I was sorting through some tough family things and wanted a safe place to vent.)

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  11. Your version of a grilled cheese sounds fabulous.

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    1. Thanks and thanks for stopping by to visit!

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    2. Thanks and thanks for stopping by to visit!

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  12. Sounds like a good 4th of July weekend. I'm going to have to try your grilled cheese sandwich!

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