Wednesday Hodgepodge

 It is a new year but we are still doing the Hodgepodge on Wednesday.

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2025? 

Frustrating, scary, trying

2. I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how we shouldn't be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along : ) 

Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness (go here to read about how the words are chosen). Here's the list for 2026- 

67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted  • my bad • reach out 

Which one (if any) do you use most often? Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word you think should have made the list? 

I really do not use any of these words often. I am not quite sure why perfect is on the list but I am not really up on popular culture so there maybe a reason I do not know about. None of these really bother me so I do not have a specific one I would ban. The only words I would like to have banned are any form of hate speech.

3. What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your 'ideal' nightly ritual? If so what's your ideal? 

My ritual is pretty simple. Preston and I go upstairs, he takes his vitamin, brushes his teeth and picks out his clothes for the next day (if it's a school night). The we turn on You Tube videos and set the sleep timer for an hour. Then I take my meds, brush and floss my teeth and wash my face. Then I lay in bed with him and read or doomscroll until the TV goes off. I am pretty happy with the routine but we should probably add in some reading time for Preston as well.

4. January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favorite? Last thing you ate made with beans? 

I am not really a bean fan. I have tried to like them because they are cheap and healthy and the only ones I can really stand are chickpeas and cannellini beans. I really can't remember the last time I ate a bean though.

5. Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate. 

Not really. I am clumsy and socially awkward so I learned a long time ago to not let much embarrass me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Mother Nature is off her meds around here. Last week we had bitterly cold temperatures and now it is in the 40s. The snow is melting though and my face doesn't hurt when I am walking outside so I won't complain too much.