October Hodgepodge

It's October! This is the time of year when I would like to be able to slow things down and just enjoy each and every day. But we're missing the seasonal change down here, as we usually do, so it's been a bit of a struggle. 

Luckily, the Hodgepodge is around and it's never a struggle. Well, unless Joyce puts in those questions that hurt my head to think about them. :) 

1. Are the leaves turning color where you live? Have they begun to fall? Will you have to rake when it's all said and done? Is that a chore you love or loathe? No. No. No. It's never very pretty here in the fall. But that doesn't stop it from being my favorite season. I just go inland a bit or up to the mountains. We seemed to get quite a lot of leaves changing colors before hurricane Hugo. I guess those were the trees that damn storm took out. 

2. When did you last shake like a leaf? Probably last winter if you're talking about from being cold. It's always so cold in our house in the winter. I just don't like paying the electric company so I keep the heat low and use infrared heaters. I can't use the fireplace because of my allergies. :(

3. After 20 seasons with the NY Yankees, Derek Jeter played his last official game Sunday afternoon. Jeter has been described even by opponents as a 'class act', both on and off the field. The NFL is back in action this month too, with several players in that sport also making headlines. What are your thoughts on athletes as role models? Should a professional athlete be expected to act as role model or is that going beyond their job description? What responsibility do the organizations these athletes work for have when it comes to dealing with off the field behavior? Discuss. Oh I don't think y'all want to hear my take on this whole thing. I will say that I believe that pride no longer matters. They don't seem to take pride in anything more than their stupid bank accounts whereas back in the way day, they seemed to take pride in sportsmanship and teamwork/spirit, in being role models and in taking on the role of leaders. I have about a thousand more pages of opinion about this topic. But I shall spare all of you. I will suggest that you go to The NBC Archives and listen to the great Vince Lombardi and you will get a clear picture of what I think about this issue. It is well worth the listen. 

4. What season of the year is toughest for you in terms of your health? Why? Autumn. Because of allergies. But that doesn't stop it from being my favorite season either. 

5. The top six healthy food trends of 2014 according to Eating Well are- 

clean eating (more veg, less meat, less sodium, limit alcohol and processed foods)
trash fish (you know those fish that get caught in fishermen nets and are thrown back? It seems chefs are finding creative ways to make them more appetizing)
cauliflower (this year's IT vegetable)
kaniwa (essentially baby quinoa, so like quinoa only smaller)
fermentation (think pickling except with twists on flavor we're not accustomed to)
community supported food (farms operating with community support/membership). 

Okay-so how many of the hot healthy food trends for 2014 have you experienced, encountered, enjoyed? Any you've tried and said ewwww? Any on the list you'd liketo try before year's end? I do all of it except the trash fish, kaniwa and fermentation. And I'm satisfied so the other stuff is not on a liketotry list. 

6. In seven words or less, bid September adieu. Loved your sweet memories, hated your heat. 

7. What's something on your October calendar that makes you happy just thinking about it? Birdie's birthday!!! And Halloween! 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. My allergies have been in full force for 10 days now. Hayfever is a force to be reckoned with. Nasty thing. And right during MAP testing at school which is a force to be reckoned with in its own right. So I'm tired. And maybe grumpy. 

We're getting into the meat of the current football season and I am still having trouble getting on board with my Panthers. I find it difficult to continue to back a team who throws money at an overrated, cry baby quarterback and who cuts Steve Smith because Cam Newton cried about not being able to lead the team with Steve being a leader in the locker room. Seriously? Grow a pair, Cam Newton. If you were a true leader, it would not matter who was in the locker room. I wish Vince was around to clean your clock you whiny baby. And I was thrilled to see the Ravens (whom I do not pull for) beat the Panthers and to see Steve Smith score the first TD. I'm not on board with the coach either and I think that it's YEARS past time for Jerry Richardson to sell the team or at least shut the hell up. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying college ball on Saturdays and just watching on Sundays without having to get all worked up over my favorite team. Of which I have none at this time. And that's all I'm going to say about that. I know, it was enough. Ha!

Have a great week, y'all!