WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Volume 192

Thank you Joyce!

1. Are the leaves turning color where you live? Have they begun to fall? Will you have to rake when it's all said and done? Is that a chore you love or loathe?

Leaves don't turn here until later in the year. No raking for us but I do remember it well! 

2. When did you last shake like a leaf?

Probably last Friday having the Angiogram done. I was really nervous about it. 

3. After 20 seasons with the NY Yankees, Derek Jeter played his last official game Sunday afternoon. Jeter has been described even by opponents as a 'class act', both on and off the field. The NFL is back in action this month too, with several players in that sport also making headlines. What are your thoughts on athletes as role models? Should a professional athlete be expected to act as role model or is that going beyond their job description? What responsibility do the organizations these athletes work for have when it comes to dealing with off the field behavior? Discuss.

Didn't even know who Derek Jeter was until I watched a video my friend posted the other day. I don't follow sports at all. One of my pet peeves are all people in the spotlight who think they can get away with things. Yes they should be expected to act as a role model! 

4. What season of the year is toughest for you in terms of your health? Why?

Sorry they can all be bad for me with my COPD. Obviously with what I have been going through I have to say that right now is tough. 

5. The top six healthy food trends of 2014 according to Eating Well are:
clean eating (more veg, less meat, less sodium, limit alcohol and processed foods)
trash fish (you know those fish that get caught in fishermen nets and are thrown back? It seems chefs are finding creative ways to make them more appetizing)
cauliflower (this year's IT vegetable)
kaniwa (essentially baby quinoa, so like quinoa only smaller)
fermentation (think pickling except with twists on flavor we're not accustomed to)
community supported food (farms operating with community support/membership). 

Okay-so how many of the hot healthy food trends for 2014 have you experienced, encountered, enjoyed? Any you've tried and said ewwww? Any on the list you'd liketo try before year's end?

I eat a healthy diet, probably close to clean eating. I stay away from processed foods and eat vegetables and fruits. I probably have meat once a week. I also stay away from carbs and only eat a few complex carbs like oatmeal, brown rice and beans. I stay away from sweets and have a few glasses of wine each week.

6. In seven words or less, bid September adieu.

Thanks for Chicago, it was fabulous! 

7. What's something on your October calendar that makes you happy just thinking about it?

I turn 63 on Friday and I'm happy to be alive! We already celebrated last weekend. I do look forward to next Monday when Amber and I are visiting our friend Sarah to see her new baby girl. She now has two boys and two girls. Can't wait to hold her!!! 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.