In the end, it’s not about how much we do, but how we do it.
I’m not stating anything new or profound. Mother Teresa said, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.”
My beginning as a blogger started in March of 2013. It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around the fact that I’ve been dazzling and/or boring you with the written word for almost eight years. Lucky you.
It has been a love of mine. I found a passion in writing that I will never have in math or science or bungee jumping off a bridge. I enjoy the art, but also found I enjoy the comraderie of fellow bloggers. I’ve made friends around the world, even though I may never get to meet most of them, or at least not until this pandemic is over.
Writing about cats, a bicycle, my mother, one-liners, work, people, politics, family and faith, and attempting photography and poetry without much experience has been fun, joyful, cathartic and a way to keep this old brain from turning to Jell-O. It has been both a stress-reliever and an exercise in exploring the thesaurus for impressive, ten-cent, flowery words.
I adore this thing, the writing and blogging and getting to know all of you a little better, the latter of which brings me to an assignment I have from the writing course I started this week.
The instructor of the course hates small talk. He is surrounded by it often on planes, in cabs and at hotels, so he likes to ask unusual questions, like “When was the last time you touched a monkey?” He encourages students to do the same in order to get to know people better – hold a more stimulating conversation than, “Nice weather we’re having.” This is something that could prove difficult for me because I would never ask the monkey question of a friend or stranger. I might ask when was the last time you touched a snake, but not a monkey. That’s too weird.
Anyhow, my assignment is to ask five people (friends or strangers) an unusual question and see how they respond. Write it down. Maybe use it later in an essay or short story. Or I could use this as an excuse to also complete the weekly SoCS assignment and be done with both.
So, I ask you kindly to answer one (or more if you’re willing) of the following unusual questions in the comments field. Do not be afraid. Your answer will not be used against you in a court of law or in judgment or in a snarky MJM post. This is only an attempt for me to get to know you a little better, perhaps start a conversation, have a little laugh and move on. Ready? Go!
- Have you ever eaten anchovies on a pizza? Or something really disgusting?
- Are you afraid of large animals like cows or deer or zebras?
- As a child, did you ever torture spiders or bugs out of curiosity?
- Do you know “kiss my butt” in a foreign language? Which language?
- Outside of breaking the law, what makes you feel guilty enough to want to do penance?
- Do you have any friends named Mary (not me)? Tell me a little about her.
- Have you ever touched a snake or a goat?
- What is the most unusual book you’ve ever read, good or bad?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what is the first thing you would eat?
- Is there anything you really want to do but are afraid to press “go?”
That’s it. Pick one, answer and enjoy your Saturday.
As for writing and blogging, I hope to be around another eight years – make new friends, hang onto old friends, and wave to passers-by. Keep your interest. Make you laugh or smile or think a bit.
It’s inevitable that one day this blogging business will end for one reason or another, but I’m not done yet. There’s much more love to put in the doing, beginning again every day.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday is the brainchild of author Linda G. Hill. Every Friday, Linda provides her followers with an inspiring blogger’s prompt. It can be a word or words and sometimes bonus points are involved (my favorite). Linda asks us to write without editing, other than correcting spelling errors.
Just go with the flow.
Like a babbling brook or rain drops. Click HERE if this type of writing floats your boat or helps with your decision-making. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ““the beginning, the end.” Write about the beginning of something and the end of something. Bonus points if your first sentence contains “the end” and your last sentence contains “the beginning.” <– Read that again. Have fun!“
Mary J Melange 
Hi Mary – Here’s some feedback from a NH blogging friend. 🙂
– Have you ever eaten anchovies on a pizza? Or something really disgusting? NO and definitely not planning to.
– Are you afraid of large animals like cows or deer or zebras? No and never have been.
– As a child, did you ever torture spiders or bugs out of curiosity? No.
– Do you know “kiss my butt” in a foreign language? Which language? No foreign language skills here, sorry.
– Outside of breaking the law, what makes you feel guilty enough to want to do penance? Decadent desserts which I try to eat on a regular basis.
– Do you have any friends named Mary (not me)? Tell me a little about her. Yes, I’m blogging friends with a Mary from Delaware who is an exceptional quilter. Best of all, over the years, she has answered questions through email for me. Skilled and generous in a blogging friend are good things.
– Have you ever touched a snake or a goat? No to snakes and I’ve spent many an enjoyable moment rocking newly born goats. I like goats!
– What is the most unusual book you’ve ever read, good or bad? I read three books a week on average but can’t think of one I’d term ‘unusual.’
– If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what is the first thing you would eat? I’d go back to the Netherlands and first thing would be a tie for a wheat beer and some really good chocolate.
– Is there anything you really want to do but are afraid to press “go?” There are many things that I can’t press ‘go’ on but being afraid is also balanced by my age. Some things have to be let go when you reach a certain ‘mature’ age.
Have a good weekend!
Judy, thanks for answering all of the questions! Just like your friend Mary, you are most generous. It’s normally Linda’s job to hand out bonus points, but I’m giving you extra today for the beer and chocolate answer and not having eaten anchovies on your pizza. You know what’s good and what’s not and you go for it. I understand about not being able to press “go” due to age – so much I might want to do if I were still 30. 😉
Thanks for playing along, Judy, and have a wonderful weekend!
I was trying to figure out how long I’ve been following you. I know it’s been a long time. In my attempt to figure that out, I accidentally unfollowed you (I followed you again, don’t worry). I have a comment from you in March of 2014, so I guess we connected at some point during blogging year number one (for you). Whenever it was, it’s been a wonderful time. I have enjoyed your writing, your poetry, your pictures and your comments, and I look forward to many more years of all of them,
I won’t answer all your questions, but I have had anchovies on pizza. It wasn’t as disgusting as I thought it would be, but I haven’t ordered it since.
I’m probably not as afraid of large animals as I should be. In fact, I find bears fascinating.
I think I could say “kiss my butt” in German. I might get it wrong, but I’m sure the person I said it to would be offended.
I have touched snakes and goats. Goats are better.
I think the most unusual book I’ve ever read is “The Hawkline Monster” by Richard Brautigan. I enjoyed the book. It was fun to read. I once loaned my copy to a female friend who was taking a week off and was looking for something light to read. She brought it back and told me that her religion prohibited her reading such books. Oops.
If I could travel (no pandemic, no wars) anywhere, I’d travel to Syria and I’d eat all the things I grew up eating at my grandmother’s house. Perhaps I’d start with the rolled grape leaves.
Wow, Syria…I never would have guessed, Dan, but I completely understand. I’ve always wanted to explore my German/Austrian heritage in food and drink. Oktoberfest, anyone? (I would learn kiss my butt and “more beer” in German.)
I’m going to check out that book. My faith should also keep me from watching certain TV shows and reading certain books, but I look to expand my world and writing by both. I’m going to check out that book.
I want a baby goat in pajamas. Maybe two. Let ’em loose in a barn with Gibbs. Wouldn’t that be fun? More fun than a bear or anchovies.
Thanks for those answers! After all these years of being blogging buddies, I learned something new about you today. Have an awesome weekend!
Richard Brautigan was also a poet. He had a troubled life and died young. He is more famous for other books, “Trout Fishing in America” “In Watermelon Sugar” and “A Confederate General from Big Sur” – I figure that God gave us creativity, and that he doesn’t mind when we express it. He also gave us a sense of humor.
Baby goats are just the cutest things. Have a wonderful weekend.
Noch ein Bier – at least according to google. Let me know if you enjoy the book.
Vielen Dank, Dan!
By the way, I figured you did something when I saw that you followed me. It’s probably similar to how, on occasion, I accidentally delete comments (fat fingers) and have to go retrieve them before anyone notices. 😉
Yeah, I thought if I clicked on the fact that I was following you, it might show me “Following since…” — well, since 1/30/2021, now.
Better late than never…
Interesting questions. 1) I’ve been a vegan/vegetarian for 50 years now (I was born that way! haha!) so NO to anchovies on pizza. The mere thought of that…..no! Combining #3 and 5) When I was growing up, I used to watch the boys in the neighborhood take a magnifying glass over a bug and have the sun shine directly on it. The poor thing would burn! I should probably burn for that! That’s it for me. Amen.
Ha, Lois, my brother and I were bug burners. Actually, I followed along with whatever he did – burn bugs, drown spiders, climb trees, make snow forts, etc. God is probably going to have a word with me about that when the time comes. :-p
This blogging business is fun. I have come to enjoy getting to know people too. Much easier than in person. Maybe because I’m an introvert at heart. I haven’t read all the questions yet, but will take them one at a time.
1. Have you ever eaten anchovies on a pizza? Or something really disgusting? My mom who was half Italian, used to dissolve anchovies into the tomato sauce which made them less intense. I loved anchovies this way. Since I’m trying to be vegan, it’s been a long time since I ate them.
2. Are you afraid of large animals like cows or deer or zebras? I love large animals. I had a horse in my 20s. As I get older, I do not like cleaning up after them as much.
3. As a child, did you ever torture spiders or bugs out of curiosity? NO WAY!
4. Do you know “kiss my butt” in a foreign language? Which language? No, but willing to learn.
5. Outside of breaking the law, what makes you feel guilty enough to want to do penance? The list is too long for the time we have here.
6. Do you have any friends named Mary (not me)? Tell me a little about her. There’s a pediatrician who goes to my church, named Mary. She loves cats and we have rescued the church cats together. My maternal grandmother’s name was Mary. There are more….
7. Have you ever touched a snake or a goat? Yes. both. I don’t want to talk about the snake.
8. What is the most unusual book you’ve ever read, good or bad? There are probably a few…
9.If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what is the first thing you would eat? I would go somewhere that I could see the Northern Lights. I would probably eat a granola bar while watching the lights. Hot chocolate would be nice, too.
10. Is there anything you really want to do but are afraid to press “go?” My husband is working on getting his pilot’s license again. He loves flying. I’m afraid of heights. It should be interesting.
I’m glad you are one of my blogging buddies, JoAnna, and it tickles me that you are willing to learn “kiss my butt” in a foreign language. It’s such a great phase to keep stored in our vocabulary. 😉
Good to know there are other crazy cat ladies named Mary in this world and good luck with the flying and fear of heights. The heights don’t bother me as much as the motion of flying. I’ve never had to use the barf bag on a plane and hope I never do. I would be sooo embarrassed!
When I was five, my mom and two sisters flew in a military plane to Newfoundland to join my dad at the base there. We were all in a row using barf bags, except maybe my little sister who was 3. If not for Dramamine, I’d be barfing almost every time I fly or go in a boat other than a kayak or canoe I control. I figure the medication will also subdue my fear of heights.
That sounded awful. The last time I flew to D.C. for Thanksgiving, we had a rough landing. I thought I was going to puke in his car after he picked me up, but I held it together until I could plant my feet and be still.
I know that was a relief to get your feet planted on the ground.
Have you ever eaten anchovies on a pizza? Or something really disgusting? I am an an adventurous eater having consumed almost every thing at least once (but not durian fruit). I love beef tongue and and all little fishes!
Are you afraid of large animals like cows or deer or zebras? As a Vet Tech I’ve worked with most animals in the US – done a dental cleaning on a cougar, vaccinated a howler monkey, had my arm in the south end of a north bound cow, al of it. But I’m not a big fan of horses – they can be pretty stupid at times like freaking out because they stepped on the hose.
As a child, did you ever torture spiders or bugs out of curiosity? Nope. I love all animals except spiders which I’m afraid of so give them a wide berth!
Do you know “kiss my butt” in a foreign language? Which language? Latin but it loses something ’cause it sounds like something you’d hear in church. (Osculum super deorsum posit)
Outside of breaking the law, what makes you feel guilty enough to want to do penance? Forgetting to call my mother…
Do you have any friends named Mary (not me)? Tell me a little about her. Yes – several. M. Jean is a soprano and a mother of 5. She witnessed the tragic drowning of her brother in a hotel swimming pool as a child. It marked her for life. M, my niece is smarter than the average bear and talented too – piano, clarinet, drums, not to mention she can sing and dance and is active in theater. Couple that with a scientific mind and a love of nature and a gentle disposition – she will go far!
Have you ever touched a snake or a goat? Yep, lots of times.
What is the most unusual book you’ve ever read, good or bad? Mein Kampf – had to read it to see just what was inside. It was a translation that had been distributed in the US just before WWII. It was drivel.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what is the first thing you would eat? Australia. I think I’d like some seafood…
Is there anything you really want to do but are afraid to press “go?” No. I’ve done most of the things I’ve wanted to do. If I haven’t done them its because I really haven’t wanted to… My credo is one I borrowed from my grandfather, “Never pay to be tortured”!
LOL, never pay to be tortured. Yes to that!
I admire your work as a vet tech. I had wanted to be a veterinarian as a teen, but since I did not grow up with animals (mom was against pets in the house) and was not great at math or science, I felt as though I would have many hurdles to jump over.
Hugs for your friend Mary Jean (that is also my middle name). What a horrible thing to witness, but I hope her voice, husband and children all give her peace and happiness.
You know Latin? Can you also say “mother, forgive me?”
Thank you for your answers. I know you and your fabulous life a little better now.
Answers, we got answers…
1. Anchovies aren’t disgusting per se, but they’re an acquired taste. I’ve had anchovies on pizza, and while not my thing, they weren’t THAT bad.
2. No.
3. No.
4. “Pog mo thon” in Irish, “Besamé culo” in Spanish.
5. I can’t think of anything.
6. My wife of 43 years, and my best friend, is Mary. I love her more than life itself.
7. Yes, both.
8. The Chicago telephone directory. No plot, but a hell of a cast.
9. Probably Australia. They eat pretty much what we eat. I’d go for a can of Foster’s, though.
10. In my current condition, no.
I used to love Caesar dressing, not caring that it contained anchovies because I didn’t see them. When a friend of mine ordered a small bowl of anchovies to put on his slices of pizza, they grossed me out. Not sure why, I usually try everything at least once.
I know besame culo. It’s one of a handful of spanish words I know other than numbers uno through diez.
Awww, John, I love that you love your wife so dearly. You are a good man. 🙂
Have you ever eaten anchovies on a pizza? Or something really disgusting?
I’ve eaten anchovies on a Caesar salad, but not a pizza. I like pineapple and bacon on a pizza, which I think is delicious, but many people find disgusting. 😋
There is nothing wrong with bacon and pineapple on a pizza, Ally. One of our local eateries makes a chicken, pineapple and BBQ sauce pizza. I’ve had it and it’s delicious!
That sounds wonderful. Much better than one with anchovies.
Hi, Mary! I’ve held many snakes. The latest one was a ring snake that came out from under my mother’s bed. I grabbed it behind the head and carried it outside and released it. I’ve not only petted goats, I milked one once. Good questions!
Are you the Snake Whisperer, Marian? 😀
I petted a snake at the zoo once, but otherwise I try not to interact with them. I used to have nightmares when I was young that I lived with snakes – they were in the house, crawling over everything. The last dream I can still remember, I chopped off a snake’s head by closing a door on it. Not sure what that was all about, but I was glad when those dreams stopped.
I’m more scared of the IDEA of snakes than I am of snakes. I’ve known or met people with pet snakes, so I’ve held quite a few. That ring snake was the only one I’ve grabbed in the wild. They’re small and non-poisonous. I think goats are creepier than snakes.
I just celebrated my 7th bloggaversary. Apparently.
Have you ever eaten anchovies on a pizza? Or something really disgusting? I like anchovies and I do not like white sauce on pizza — THAT is disgusting.
Are you afraid of large animals like cows or deer or zebras? Horses, yes ma’am.
As a child, did you ever torture spiders or bugs out of curiosity? No and I disliked when other kids did
Do you know “kiss my butt” in a foreign language? Which language? Yes, in Italian and French, and Spanish, though I couldn’t spell any but the French.
Outside of breaking the law, what makes you feel guilty enough to want to do penance? Not following my gut instinct
Do you have any friends named Mary (not me)? Tell me a little about her.Yes, MB is a fun, funny, playful, generous soul and I am very glad to know her
Have you ever touched a snake or a goat? Yes and Yes
What is the most unusual book you’ve ever read, good or bad? I read a book (an adult book) about adult issues from a little girl’s perspective. It was riveting. I’m quite sad I didn’t think of it first.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what is the first thing you would eat? Unfair question in this circumstance. Florida because mother, and oysters – I do not like Florida, but I love my mother and I wish to squish her – I do enjoy fresh oysters
Is there anything you really want to do but are afraid to press “go?” Yes. We should be able to leave these people unattended for days at a stretch, yet we do not. Again, the circumstances (!!!)
Thanks for all of your answers, Joey. I’m with you on Florida. It’s an okay place to visit and squish a loved one, but I would not want to live there. I hope you get to squish your mom by summer or maybe before then. Whenever most of us can get vaccinated and we can travel and squish to our heart’s content.