Hodgepodging by Degree and Amish Bowls

Knitting and Tinking and Ripping Again

Starting on another of Lillie's Little Sweaters pattern. I was almost done with the hood when I realized that when I shifted from the front part of the hood to the back, I was off. But just a bit. I kept hoping it would go away, but of course it looks terrible and I'm having to rip out several rows and start again. I've done this twice now. I've also been getting practice on How to Pick Up A Dropped Stitch and UNknitting, also known as Tinking. This is what happens when you don't pick up knitting needles for two years. Let it be a lesson.

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1. When did you last have to interact, either by phone or in person, with someone in a government run agency? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the experience? (10 being fabulous and 1 being pass the Tylenol)

I think the last time was a phone conversation with someone from the county extension office. I find them very helpful, so probably a 10. On the other hand, I have had the experience of being frustrated by the multi-menu phone call where I never get to talk to a real person, but instead try to converse with a computer. It's horrid and I'd say a -8. That's the phone. In person, I find that these days the hospital becomes an extension of the government with all the paperwork they now have to fill out regarding healthcare. It's becoming a burden too great to bear and I'm afraid will put out of business some of the good hospitals (and doctors) we've had in this country for so long.

2. The current governor of Wisconsin is considering a run for President next time around. Walker attended Marquette University, but never graduated. In terms of any candidate running for the office of President (not asking here if you agree or disagree with Scott Walker's politics) would the lack of a college degree influence your vote or no? Would that be a factor in your support of any candidate running for public office, even a role less weighty than President?

I've known brilliant people who didn't get a college degree and stupid people who did. A college degree isn't the best indicator of intelligence. In some cases, a college degree is little more than a record of attendance. Intelligence is evidenced by an inquisitive mind, a teachable spirit, determination, and perseverance. I've heard of Rhodes Scholars who spent time trying not to inhale and graduates of Columbia University and Harvard Law School who managed to become President and spend as much time as possible on the golf course while ignoring the greater issues going on in the world, and getting in as much vacation time as possible at taxpayer expense. So, I think it's obvious that a college degree is no guarantee of an effective presidency or any public office. Or should I say at least effective in the direction that most Americans would want from their leader. Maybe as voters, we should base our decision on actual experience in leadership and qualifications in the real world, rather than a piece of paper that means little, except for club membership.

3. When did you last visit a place or site named for George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, and what was that place or site?

The Lincoln Oasis on I-80.

4. February 16th was President's Day in the US, but did you know it was also National Almond Day? I didn't think so : ) Do you like almonds? If so, what's a food/dish/recipe you enjoy that contains almonds? 

No, I did not know that, but I should be celebrating, for I love almonds and eat them almost every day. I'm sure that at least 10 pounds of my weight is due to almond consumption.  I like KIND bars that have almonds in them and love a chicken or pork stirfry with almonds sprinkled on top.

 Pork, Apple, Almond Stirfry

Five Spice Pork and Apple Stirfry Recipe

 Okay, I think this chicken stirfry actually has basil pesto on it,

but just imagine it with almonds. I make it that way a lot too.

5.The television program Saturday Night Live celebrated it's 40th anniversary this past weekend. Were/are you a fan of the show? If so what has been your favorite (or one of your favorite) skits, sayings, or characters that came out of the program?

I've never been a big fan of SNL, but I did watch a few episodes back when it used to be funny. That would have been about 40 years ago.

6. Anything purple within ten feet of you? What is it?

The only purple thing I see within 20 or maybe even 50 feet of where I'm sitting is a watercolor pen.

7. Back in December I asked you to submit a question for a future HP as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I grabbed this one from those entries, submitted by Zoanna who blogs over at Penchant for Pens. Thanks Zoanna!

She asks, "How often do you make your bed, and how do you like to make it-pull the covers all the way up over the pillows, tuck the covers in around the pillows, or place all the pillows on top of the covers?" 

Wow, this is a bit invasive, isn't it??  When I'm in the mood, I'll make the bed with everything nice and straight and pillows on top with more pillows on top of those. Otherwise, in a rush, it's pull up the covers, and mostly so that the cat has a nice place to lie during the day. You'll notice that I never put up photos of our bedroom. There is a reason (besides the fact that it's a bedroom, which should be reason enough.)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I told Mr. C.'s cousin, who is a good friend of the Amish in the Westby area, that I would put his ad for the Amish-made bowls on my sidebar. The bowls are beautiful. I have two others, one a small nut or candy bowl and one large lazy Susan bowl. The craftsmanship is amazing.

Workshop

I can't remember if I took this at Raymond's or Daniel's

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Simple Saturdays Blog Hop and Saturday's Critters