1. ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’  What’s something you’ve seen recently that you thought was beautiful?

OK, this is going to sound ridiculous but at JFK, while in the security line, they brought out the drug dog. He was a bluetick coonhound and he just seemed so happy to be doing his job. He was such a pretty dog too; I have to say I actually teared up a little bit: humans and animals working together for the greater good.

2. Our culture and beauty…your thoughts?

I feel like we might be getting worse about needing to BE beautiful – by whose standards, I’m not sure. I recall going to Universal Studios last year and watching this girl retouch her selfie for a good 10 minutes, adjusting her nose and eyebrows with editing software. I’m not a selfie person to begin with so that right there is a change for people. Then we have all these filters and outlets for showing ourselves off, that I think it’s getting a little out of hand how much value we put on outward appearances. I don’t feel as if people are working on who they are inside as much.

3. Age before beauty, beauty queen, beauty mark, beauty sleep…which beauty-ful phrase resonates with you today? Why?

I guess I’ll say beauty sleep, because I sure as heck could use some!

4. I read here a list of the top ten beasts animals that scare us the most-

alligators, coyotes, black bears, birds (but pigeons in particular), sharks, bats, bed bugs, rats, rattlesnakes, and the black widow spider. 

Which ‘beast’ on the list scares you the most? What is the liklihood of you having an actual encounter with that particular beast? Did a movie contribute to your fear of this creature? Have you ever had a real life encounter with any of the animals listed?

I am honestly not too frightened by those, because I tend to avoid them. The one on there that does creep me out is the black widow because you won’t see that coming. I am bothered by birds as well – mostly the regular types – but because I feel like they’re really gross and dirty. I do not feel the same about birds of prey. 

As far as encounters go, I lived in South Florida so yeah, I saw alligators and they never bothered me. I swam with sharks at a science camp, and I saw bats all the time. My take is always, leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone.

5. Where were you when you last heard a bell ring? Was it alarming or musical?

At the airport, someone kept setting off an alarm and it was definitely one of those that is irritating if let go too long!

6. What’s your favorite carb? How’s that for random?

The first thing that came to mind was a bagel but I’ll also say pizza!

7. Let’s wrap up another month of Hodgepodging and life with an acrostic. Recap your month using the word MARCH.

Myriad things to keep me busy

Allergy season killed me

Ready for beach season

Can’t believe I am now 38

How can it already be almost April?!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I am NOT having a very good day you guys. For starters, I woke up and realized that my normal assignment for my online class should have been in my email last week. I woke realizing that I hadn’t accepted an assignment lately so then I began to panic. Why would they leave me out? I’ve been teaching for this online college since, like, 2009. I worried all morning long and when I got to work, I sent an email. Prayers for a positive response. As the wrestler, Heath Slater, says, “I got kids; I need this job!”

Secondly, it’s gray and foggy out and I really need some sun. I feel like I’ve been in a sun deficit for a while now.

Thirdly, I sent Elliot’s Gizmo Gadget watch to LG a couple weeks ago because one of the buttons was stuck so the thing kept restarting. They repaired it (under warranty) and shipped it back. Well, now it won’t connect to our phone. The whole purpose of this device is to text and call people. They said they’ll set up another return request but their system won’t work and will have to do it later. What the heck?

One small shining moment today is that I’m going to lunch with my husband. I don’t want to spend money but I forgot my lunch at home – of course. because that’s the kind of day it is. Here;s hoping everything turns out ok, right?