Encouragement
(or maybe Hope)
(or maybe Hope)
This photo is for all of you who live in the northern states and can't wait for spring! It's a 'random' act of kindness from me to you, my blogging friends. xoxo
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1. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?
Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.
If you make an effort to plan and execute, is it still random? Anyway, my random act of kindness on the 17th will be that I'll be pleasant to Mr. C. even though he did not bring me a puppy on Valentine's Day. When I'm the recipient of his random act of kindness, I will be sure to let you know. ;-)
2.What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.
The most encouraging thing is that Christianity is growing rapidly in Asia and Africa. People are coming to know that Jesus is Lord, are putting their trust in him, and are wanting to follow them with their lives. Quoting a newspaper article from a couple years ago: 'Officially, the People's Republic of China is an atheist country, but that is changing fast as many of its 1.3 billion citizens seek meaning and spiritual comfort that neither communism nor capitalism seem to have supplied.' - Telegraph.co.uk
3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?
My favorite on the list is black olives. I'm not sure if I've eaten black currants, but black grapes, black beans, and blackberries are all good. I won't even buy Oreos.
The other black olive?
4. A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before you turn 50. They were-
travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises.
What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?
I think that's a pretty good list. I'd add: Visit the grandkids. Make the chance to travel.
Two of my favorite travelers
5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?
I can't think of any movie involving snow that holds the least bit of appeal for me, except maybe the last episode in Season Two of Downton Abbey where Matthew proposes to Mary during a light snowfall. It was very sweet. And Julian Fellowes should have just skipped Season Three altogether. And hey, what do you think about this season? (Season Six)
6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?
While waiting 25 minutes for an ambulance to show up after dialing 9-1-1. I prayed. A lot. Long Story. But it's nearly an 11 year old story and all's well now.
7. Share a favorite proverb.
Mr. C. and the dog who should have won Best in Show
(I know he reads my blog each morning - Mr. C., not Woodrow Wilson.)
8. Insert your own random thought here.
This made me laugh. And they're posted all over the perimeter of airport property.
'Dear Sir or Madam: May I please have permission to trespass on airport property.'
???
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Oh thank you for that bit of hope!
ReplyDeleteI still need to work on worrying and letting go of what others think of me. Difficult as that may be to believe, lol.
I like the proverb. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like what you added to #4.
Your random is funny!!
Have a great week,
Carla
So much I love about this post. The picture of hope was a wonderful act of kindness. I can almost feel the warm sun as I look at it. I think you should go out and buy your puppy. And thanks for the memory of the proposal on DA! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteGood answers to those questions. I personally was interested in the 50 year thing. As I turn 50 this year - good advice. Also, I am enjoying this season, however, I'm 1 episode behind. Daisy was bugging me...I usually like her.
ReplyDeleteI loved the permission notice! Who writes these things??
ReplyDeleteGreat proverb, Judy! That sign is funny and does kind of make you scratch your head.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED the hope picture that started this post! And I don't even live in the snow... Enjoyed all of this! I've enjoyed Downton Abby soo much, but this season not so much so far...sigh, lol. Daisy is bugging me, and I feel bad for Barrow. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on Downton Abbey - I am going to miss it. Loved the love affair with Mary and Matthew. I also agree about the black olives. And thanks for the tulips - I love tulips.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I agree about Downton. Mary and Henry Have NO Chemistry. Oh Matthew, why did you have to die...were there no seatbelts in your car????Oh that is right those were invented later! I would rather see Mary live as an independent widder woman as we say here in the south. And now I want to hear your ambulance story...25 minutes must have seemed like an eternity
ReplyDeleteWell I am off to clean as I have no Mrs Hughes to oversee things here at Grimm Manor. Have a good day.
I'm going to miss Downton Abby, but it hasn't been the same since they killed off Matthew and Sybil.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get that puppy, eventually :)
Judy, Mr C. and his dog get my vote. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteI agree about the best in show. the only time Bob reads my blog is when I drag him in here and he stands with his arms folded looking bored and i read it aloud to him... I once bought a pair of shoes for a homeless man, that was several years ago. i don't get out enough to do random acts of kindness.. does it count that i don't tell someone at the Y how boring they are? kind of a negative kind act? i smile and talk to everyone and anyone that talks back..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hopeful photo to start off! I'm with you on the black olives and the grandchildren. That's my not so random act of kindness today, offering to baby sit so DIL can get errands done .. self serving actually as I enjoy any time with the grands.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying this season of DA more than others--maybe because there is so much action in it with every single character in some sort of crisis or something going on, that i'm not falling asleep!
Aww, what a cute dog - along with all the dogs and cat on your sidebar. We have 3 dogs, and 3 cats - so I love animals.
ReplyDeleteThat sign? So funny. The first time we went to the Charlotte Douglas airport our GPS sent us on a wide ride. We ended up on a crunchy gravel road. As we looked up there was a wire fence, not that tall and the runway. We scratched our heads and wondered if it's this easy to get over the fence - why are we going through SO much poking, prodding, scanning etc.
Have a great rest of your week.
What a great party idea! I like your answer fo snow and downton abbey. That'smy favorite scene of all time. Downton Abbey has just the first two seasons for me. I watch of course. But it's nothing the same.
ReplyDeleteWow, your first photo is dreamy, with all those lovely tulips! But mostly that stone little cottage, it reminds me of my visit outside London on the way to Dover by train, and something we'd view outside our window, and long to visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You have cheered me up with you "kindness". I can never get enough of tulips, daffodils and spring flowers this time of year! It is sunny here today and the birds were chirping. It made me start singing "His Eye is On the Sparrow".
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed my visit to your hodgepodge post. That snowy proposal is a favourite scene of my own Downton Abbey memories. I am enjoying Season 6 even if it is the final one.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful day...
PS. Oh yes, I like your doggy photo with accompanying quote.
Brenda
That was fun. I like the answers and sometimes the questions seem difficult. The dog looks like he should have been the winner.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't a puppy be fun! Actually I am going out to eat with my daughter and a friend we both worked with at Hallmark 7 years ago. It's been a couple of years since we have seen her and I will most likely treat tonight!! That is wonderful news about Asia and Africa. Those Brookside treats a so yummy. OMG that is a terribly long wait for an ambulance!!! Your random is funny, like they would say okay go for it.....
ReplyDeleteI loved every one of your answers ... Especially number 2. That is most encouraging in light of everything going on. I didn't even think about the Downton snow/proposal scene. One of the best. I have watched every episode of DA (some more than once) and I am enjoying the way things are being wrapped up. For the most part, anyway. Some things trouble me, but that's life. ;-) I hope Julian Fellowes next series will be as good.
ReplyDelete(That dark chocolate looks so yummy. And I hope you get a puppy soon.)
What kind of puppy do you want, Judy? We are contemplating getting another doxie but aren't how Oscar will "share" with him or her....we'll have to see about that one! Those sure are pretty tulips in your photo...thank you...how KIND!:) Yes, I do remember that scene with Matthew and Mary in the snow and I agree that a lot is happening very quickly in this last season...I guess they have a lot of loose ends to tie up in a short period of time...so sad...so very sad :(
ReplyDeleteI have only known one GS dog and fell in love with her in minutes. She just passed away last year weeks before our own dog, Kane, left us. I would love to see a GS puppy join your family. :)
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy reading your hodgepodge...and thank you for the photo. I loved it..I could so see that as a painting.
ReplyDeletePermission to trespass...very funny! And it on a sign, no less! Judy, I enjoyed your Hodgepodge!!
ReplyDeleteAren't some signs just hilarious! Love the airport one. Probably posted by the TSA. Your Hodgepodge is always interesting and funny! ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that sign - certainly made me laugh. We're opposite's on the food choices. I love oreos! Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteI think I recently did a Random Act of Kindness . . .
ReplyDeleteI was "feeling" for my daughter who "gave of herself" to others over and over during the weekend . . .
So I fixed a small bouquet of tulips and took them to her office on Monday . . . and had the receptionist deliver . . .
Feels wonderful to bring smiles and surprises for someone else!
(I am watching the taped Dog Show right this minute!)
I LOVE the sign! We started 'collecting' funny signs when we lived in the UK. With the subtle differences in language there were many. And by collecting I mean snapping a photo. One of my favorites though is a sign we saw in East Tennessee-
ReplyDelete'Antiques made daily' : )
Thank you for that bit of spring Judy...it gives us hope of wonderful things to come.
ReplyDeleteAs for random acts of kindness, they should happen freely every day when opportunities occur.
I don't see how all the loose ends will be tied up by the time DA concludes and I will miss watching the series.
good answers
ReplyDeleteNo puppy for Valentine's Day?! And you're still being kind to Mr. C?! You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteI like your "black food" idea. :)
As usual, a beautiful Hodgepodge...thanks for the smiles. No flowers here yet, nor will be until May or so...have a lovely day, friend. (and no puppy? Come on Mr. C---she needs a puppy!!--giggling)
ReplyDeleteOh there's a big discussion going on in your world. =D
ReplyDeleteNo oreos here either and black olives are my favorite on that list as well.
Beautiful tulips! They are, at least, available in the stores now.
Good answers. I love reading about my blogging friends. My Friday Fill-Ins memes are no longer available to join. I need to find something similar. This is fun & informative. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteLoved the answers. My favorite was the picture of the family and the one of Mr. C and the shepherd.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your random act of kindness, and reading your answers too! That sign made me laugh! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you my darling Judy for that little bit of Spring you presented us as a gift, you're so right, we're waiting for it !!!
ReplyDeleteWith so much gratitude for another wonderful post and for this gift of yours that I've appreciated such a lot, I wish you a most beautiful weekend,
sending blessings to you,
with much love
Dany
Funny sign! I used to enjoy Oreos but I can't stand anything else on that list. Well, I do use black beans in chili sometimes, but I wouldn't just eat them. :)
ReplyDelete