Hugs for the Hodgepodge

Welcome to Wednesday and another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. It has been a nice way for me to ease back into blogging, and I appreciate Joyce for faithfully providing questions to encourage us to think and to write. Be sure to click on her button below to visit her blog.

Now for her questions and my answers:

1. Ever played the game Farkle? Are you a risk taker? In games only or also in life?

I played Farkle for the first time on my first trip to Haiti in 2007. It wasn't my favorite game, as I don't really like math, and I'm not a risk taker. I volunteered to be the scorekeeper while watching the action. That year, on our last day in Haiti, there was a hurricane which caused flooding, mudslides, and delayed flights out of the country. After climbing up the mountain in the mud (because the road was impassable), washing our feet, finding a ride to the airport, and changing into dry clothes in the airport restroom, we passed the time in line for our flight by playing Farkle on our 'luggage table.' Well, the rest of the group played Farkle. It looks like I was keeping tabs on what flights would actually be leaving that day. Turns out, our flight was not leaving, and we spent an extra night in Port au Prince.

As for being a risk taker? Do you remember the show "Deal or No Deal?" I would say "Deal" every time. ;)

2. What's your favorite thing about your yard or whatever outdoor space you may have?

We got these chairs assembled last weekend, and set up this little spot at the lake. I think it will be an enjoyable place to relax, and I'm ready for some warmer weather!

3. Tell us about the most interesting building you've seen or been in.

The Greenbrier, located in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia is a National Historic Landmark and an amazing resort that has been welcoming guests from around the world since 1778. It has hosted 27 presidents, countless celebrities, and my Saints held their training camp there a few years ago.

But the interesting thing about the building is what you don't see. "Hidden in plain sight" is the now declassified U.S. government relocation facility for Congress. This once top secret facility, The Bunker, is carved into the mountain under the West Virginia Wing of the hotel. It is now open for tours, and provides a fascinating look at the Cold War fallout shelter which remained fully operational and a secret for more than 30 years. Construction began in 1958, and it is said that even the company building it had no idea what they were helping to create. To think that it was stocked and ready for immediate occupancy at a moment's notice - for 30 years - is almost incomprehensible.

From the Greenbrier website, a list of some of the features of The Bunker:

• Four entrances; three to The Greenbrier's grounds and one to the main building
• 25-ton blast door that opens with only 50 lbs. of pressure
• Decontamination chambers
• 18 dormitories, designed to accommodate over 1,100 people
• Power plant with purification equipment and three 25,000-gallon water storage tanks
• Three 14,000-gallon diesel fuel storage tanks
• Communications area, including television production area and audio recording booths
• Clinic with 12 hospital beds, medical and dental operating rooms
• Laboratory
• Pharmacy
• Intensive care unit
• Cafeteria
• Meeting rooms for the House and Senate, the Governor's Hall and Mountaineer room

It is a truly interesting and amazing tour, especially for those who enjoy history.

4. In this current season of social distancing, what's something you've come to realize you take for granted in more ordinary times? Do you think you'll make a conscious effort to appreciate whatever that 'it' is once normal life resumes?

I'm missing quite a few things that I have previously taken for granted... gathering with our family, worshiping together in our sanctuary, eating in a restaurant (there has been WAY more cooking going on here than usual). We also had a couple of trips canceled, and I missed March Madness and the Masters.

What I hope to appreciate more, and not take for granted are hugs - Hello hugs, goodbye hugs, birthday hugs, joyful hugs, hugs of comfort, hugs of friendship, and the exuberant hugs of our grandchildren when they run to me with open arms.

Group hug!

5. Share a favorite song with a springtime flower in the lyrics somewhere.

On a recent visit to my son and daughter-in-law and family (outdoors, with proper social distancing), I noticed lily of the valley growing near their porch. It always reminds me of the sweet song from Brownie, Girl Scout, and summer camp days:

White Coral Bells upon a slender stalk
Lily of the Valley deck my garden walk
Oh don't you wish that you could hear them ring?
That can only happen when the fairies sing

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Have you heard? Hamilton THE MOVIE is going to be released on Disney+ on July 3! Filmed over three performances in July 2016 at the Richard Rogers Theater in NYC, the movie features Lin Manuel Miranda and the original Broadway cast. The plan was for it to be released to movie theaters in October 2021, but we will now have the 'best seat in the house' even sooner! No need to 'wait for it'!

In case you can't tell, I'm a huge Hamilton fan, and have had the opportunity to see it and share it a few times now, including an unforgettable performance in Puerto Rico with Lin Manuel Miranda reprising his role of Alexander Hamilton. It. Was. Amazing.

With theaters dark until fall, you should not throw away your shot! It's an unforgettable show, and I can't wait to see it on the big screen. Or at least on my tv screen.