Wednesday Hodgepodge 17/2/16

Wednesday's Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at 

 From this side of the pond

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Have fun!

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.

Not having the benefit of a calendar with all these wonderful dates on it I haven’t got a random act of kindness planned for today.  But I don’t think we should only be doing this on a certain day.  I try and do this when I can but usually they are only acts of politeness and just being nice to people.  One that I do remember doing was getting a mug printed for my Goddaughter.  She has an unusual name that you don’t usually find on the personalised items in stores.  I’d heard her mention that she’d struggled to get  a mug with her name on so I got one made for her and sent it as a surprise.

As for Do Something for a Grouch Day well my hubby can be a grouch so I fulfil that one on lots of days! lol
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.

There is a lot of focus here in the UK at present on acknowledging mental illness.  It’s a small step in the right direction of reducing the stigma attached to it.
3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?

From that list it would be Oreos all the way.  I could tolerate all the rest except the olives.
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?

Well I have done a few of those, the most notable ones being leave a toxic situation and work less.  Unfortunately I don’t have grandparents or parents left now but I could switch that to family and friends.  I’d love to learn a foreign language and be able to use it but that might be one step too far.
5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?  Sleepless in Seattle.
6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?  

I was backed into a corner in my job.  I couldn’t see a good solution to the situation so I walked away.
7. Share a favorite proverb.   

Not great on proverbs but here’s one that I think is true - A stitch in time saves nine.
8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m here on Wednesday!  And I feel a bit better than yesterday.  There is light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for all the messages of sympathy and get well wishes.