Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Have you visited the memorial? Any desire to do so? Have you visited other WW2 sites and memorials? Do you think we do a good job of teaching current and younger generations about the events of WW2? Do you think it matters? Yes, I think it matters. I will ask my grandkids. I had U.S. History in 11th grade, about 50 years ago!

Yes, I have visited it several times. We visited with my dad in 2012 and met a Pearl Harbor Survivor. We also met a survivor in 2009. I was also at Pearl Harbor in 2000.

In January 2020, I visited the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and got to meet a Holocaust Survivor.  Amrom Deutsch.   He passed away a couple of months ago at the age of 98. He was a survivor of Auschwitz. We also got to see a special presentation of the Diary of Ann Frank.

2. Many books, both fiction and non-fiction have been written with WW2 as the setting. Is this a 'genre' you gravitate towards? Share with us a book (or two) you've enjoyed that is set in some way around WW2. If you're not a reader, how about a movie? Midway and Pearl.War Movies like Private Ryan make me sad. I have read the Hiding Place and seen the movie. My grandparents and parents are buried about 25 feet from Corrie Ten Boom.

3. According to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine there are seven popular color trends for the holidays this year. They are- red and white, Victorian blue, pops of pink, rich shades of green, rainbow hues, black and white, and nostalgic retro colors. Are you 'trendy' when it comes to holiday decorating in 2022? How so? Does your tree have a 'theme'? I have 4 decorated trees in the family room. The big tree is Disney. I have another that has Nativity ornaments. The 3rd has Peanuts, and the 4th has various family ornaments like baby's first Christmas and so on. There is a slim line in the kitchen that is full of gingerbread. All the bedrooms have a tree. The master has a simple one with advent ornaments. There is also a champagne pink with antique ornaments and a few pastel ones. My husband's office has a small Charlie brown tree. Did I say I like Christmas Trees?

4. What's a current trend you buck? Buying contemporary furniture. We like comfortable, practical things. If I had extra money, I would probably change a few things, but nothing drastic.

5. What's your favorite chocolate something? Resse's Peanut butter cups.

6. Insert your own random thought here. The days just fly bye! I love to decorate and make it special. I love to look at the decorated trees. Some people get it all done in one day. It takes me days because I take my time.  Saturday is baking day with the grands. Sunday, we have my granddaughters' concert and then my family Christmas party. Most of the presents are wrapped for my family, but I hope to finish by Thursday. I am writing this Tuesday night because I am going to a Christmas lunch at a tea house. I better get going on my Christmas cards!

Tuesday 4

 Hi. Welcome to the continuation of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  Just 4 questions to get you thinking, talking and visiting other bloggers. This week it might be nice to focus on December and its traditions.

1.   The 7th is Pearl Harbor Day when a terrible sneak attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii destroyed many ships in the American fleet and convinced Congress to declare war.    

President Roosevelt said, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."    Yes, it should be infamous forever.    How do you honor the memory of the men who died in this cowardly attack? Do you put out your flag on that day to remember the service men killed? 

It is a date I never forget. I am lucky to have been to Pearl Harbor 3 times. I was able to meet 2 survivors while I was there. I have felt a sense of awe while seeing all the names of those who died.  There is also a list of survivors who requested to be buried there after their natural death. My dad said it was a sad day for him. He was just 7, but he knew it was not good. Just as I did when we were told that President Kennedy had been killed. There are just some things you don't forget like 9/11 and January 6. This question made me sad. So I will focus on the good memories of the season.

2000. The recovered anchor, almost 2000 pounds.

2009

Survivor Sterling Cale  88 years old here. 

On Nov. 29, 2021 he turned 100.

2012

Survivor Alfred BK Rodrigues

Died in 2019 at the age of 99.

2.  Many people begin baking, buying gifts, decorating for the upcoming holidays of Chanukah and Christmas. Do you bake or buy? I only bake once at Christmas, and that is with the grands.  What cookies and cakes are your favorite this time of year? We make gingerbread and sugar cookies.  Got a recipe to share? Our Mexican hot chocolate is always a big hit.

3.   December 15 is Bill of Rights day. The 18th begins Chanukah the Festival of Lights during which the light was rekindled in the desecrated temple in Jerusalem.  The temple was cleansed, and the light reentered it.  The 21st is the Winter Solstice or first day of winter.    What traditions, days, etc. have meaning for you in December?   How about advent... does it hold meaning for you? Yes, I am doing a daily devotional for advent this year. I plan to study the festival of Chanukah too.

4.  Christmas music is being played in stores during these December days.  Does it play in your home? Yes, I have Christmas apps on my cellphone. I listen on YouTube also. We have been listening int he car also. I like CHRISTmas music the most. How excited are you for the upcoming holidays? I am excited. I have several things I will be doing. We were supposed to be going to Disneyland on Friday, but it will be raining. Here is my schedule so far:

November 30, Disney with a friend. Her daughter in law works there.

December 6, Christmas Tea with my Lifegroup friends. 

December 8, help at the Operation Christmas Child Warehouse. 

December 9th, Women's Paint and fellowship night at church. 

December 11th Audrina's Christmas performance. 

December 15, Family Disney Day. 

December 17, Grands Christmas Performance in the morning. Family wedding in the evening in San Diego Ca. and spend the night. Brunch with the family at Old Town San Diego.