
Well, I guess it’s that time of the year. I really don’t keep up with Mardi Gras and stuff like that, so if Joyce says it’s party time, I’ll just go with it!
Either way, it gives us a fun way to title the weekly Hodgepodge post, eh?
Strap on your beads or whatever you put on to celebrate this holiday. I’ll just kick back in my blue jeans.
1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year…do you participate and if so, in what way?
I became a Christian in May 1988. Quite honestly, I’ve only participated in a Lent fast. That was three years ago, and I gave up all drinks except for water.
This year will be different. I will be fasting from television. I actually blogged about this yesterday. I encourage you to take a peek at what I wrote. It came from the deep recesses of my heart.
I am a bit nervous about God telling me to give up one of the main ways that I relax. However, I know that He has my best interest at heart, and I know that He desires a closer relationship with me. The TV is standing in the way.
My church created a Lent Reader for the season. This is no small reader, let me tell you. It is big and thick, and it has a plethora of lessons (probably 40, if there’s one for each day of Lent). I will be studying my Bible and the reader – and NOT watching TV.
2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year). So….butter and syrup? Blueberry? Chocolate chip? ewww, no thanks!! What’s your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?
When it comes to eating pancakes, I really like them to be prepared with chocolate chips in the batter served up with syrup on the top. Butter does nothing for me.
3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What’s your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Two questions I know, but they’re lightweights.
First of all, I could not tell you what constitutes a springtime flower versus some other seasonal flower. A gardener I am not (that would be my mom). So, I’ll just tell you what my favorite flower is.
I love, love, love sunflowers. I have grown them nearly every year for the last ten or twelve years…






Rooster took the next picture from inside the house…

Sorry. I just couldn’t resist my photographic aria to sunflowers.
4. “Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves.” Author unknown. Agree or Disagree? Why?
Deep. I’m doing way too much critical thinking in my classes to delve too deeply with this one!! Ok. Let’s see. I would say that I disagree. My opinion of people is totally dependent on what I see in them. I have learned not to look at outer appearances and make snap judgments. Trust me. As a teacher, this can get you into trouble. I wait to see what’s inside.
With that said, we cannot help but examine ourselves in the light of our experiences with others. Our experiences with people shape who we are and change us. They cause us to look within and see how we can improve ourselves. This is human nature. But, I do not think that my opinion of others is affected by what I see in myself as a result of knowing them.
5. Since it’s “March” and also the season of Mardi Gras….have you ever been in a parade? What’s the best parade you’ve seen?
I walked in two parades this year with the band. It was fun to watch the kids play their instruments and watch the crowds react. However, I’ve never been in a parade of my own volition. Honestly, I just don’t get the allure of parades. Call me a kill joy. Whatever. Being different is what makes the world go round. 😉
6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you___________?
Oh boy. I could fill in that blank with a lot of things!! I would have to say that I would jump up and down if someone told me that I had completed my education certification classes. I am so ready to take my brain on vacation.
7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?
My car is not very clean on the outside right now because it is covered with pollen. I am not about to complain, though, because I have warm weather and you probably don’t (neener neener). The inside is fairly clean. I do not like clutter and try my best to keep things straightened up.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
My school has three more days until Spring Break. I gave my final exams early — a very smart decision (and one that I plan to repeat next term). Spring Break will not involve relaxing, though. I have a lot of lesson plans to work on, and I also have to get a jump start on the assignments for my certification classes. I just started my second round of classes, and they are going to be doozies. I will have to do my field experiences (similar to student teaching) during the next eight weeks, and there are mounds of assignments that have to be done before, during, and after. Life is going to suck.
The flip side is that God will get me through. I know this. Sometimes it is the only thing that gives me hope when I’m up at 1am working on assignments.
Speaking of hope…
I hope all of you have a wonderful week! Let’s get this Lent season kicked off right by focusing our thoughts on our need for the Savior who came down to rescue us from the punishment we deserve – spending eternity separated from God.
Isn’t God merciful?!
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Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: gardening, sunflowers, Wednesday Hodgepodge | 16 Comments »