Question Of The Day

During my teen years, I collected matchbooks. Do you (more mature friends) remember those? They were everywhere back then since so many people smoked. I must have had almost a hundred, some of them really cool looking, that I kept in a box in my room. At some point I got it into my head that they could light up, start a fire and burn the house down. I'm not sure how this thought developed but once it did, there was no shaking it. I got rid of the matchbooks.

I figured I'd try something 'safer' after that, so I collected business cards for awhile. But it was an on-again/off-again thing that didn't really stick. Even though some business cards were really nice, they didn't hold my interest as much.

Fast forward many years later and I began my shot glass collection, which is still going on. I only pick up shot glasses from new destinations. Whenever I travel somewhere I've never been before, I bring home a shot glass with the name of the area on it if I can find one. My family is aware of this obsession fascination and when they travel they are kind enough to bring me back a shot glass. You gotta love that.

What about you? Do you collect anything?

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Question Of The Day

Animal cruelty
Nosiness
Snobbishness
Discrimination
Bullying

What about you?

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Question Of The Day

Yes. Even with people I don't want to share the universe with. In fact, I could be seated right next to or across from someone that gets under my skin and not bat an eye. I've actually been in these types of situations and survived them. I am able to ignore people I am not very fond of, taking no notice of them as if they are literally not there, even looking right through them if need be. There are rare occasions when I step out of that cocoon and voice an opinion or take a swipe at somebody, but that's only when that individual is saying something completely inappropriate or extremely offensive. I always choose my battles carefully. Otherwise, Mr. or Mrs. annoying just doesn't exist.

How about you?

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Question Of The Day

We once had a landlord that was �a person of interest� in a murder case. Yeah.

Your turn!

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Question Of The Day

(1) I studied Russian in college and after only one term I could read, write and speak the language, although to a basic level. I never had anyone to practice with, so it's all forgotten, save for a few words.

(2) A very close friend and I wrote a book together in high school. It fell under the Young Adult Fiction (YA) genre and it was so much fun developing it. Sadly, we lost it over the years.

(3) I have spent time in a psychiatric hospital ward. (Aren�t you just dying to know what this is all about? I will post about it in the future...for all you snoops!)

Your turn!

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Question Of The Day

...a container of mixed nuts. At a ridiculously high price.

Here's the story:

Yesterday evening our doorbell rang and when I opened the door a young girl was standing there with a box full of containers of mixed nuts. She was a first-year engineering student, she told me, at our local university and she was going door to door fundraising. I also learned that she's not from around here; her hometown is almost three hours away. She was sweet and adorable and very polite. I would have said "no, thank you" if she didn't remind me so much of my daughter who is attending university in another city. And so I caved. I'm such a sap.

Your turn.

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Question Of The Day

I suppose I could choose my camera but I'm not going to. Because no matter how much I love it, it can be replaced. What can't be replaced is a sweater that used to belong to my dad that he offered me a few years before he died. I'm so happy I accepted it. And even happier that I've kept it over the years.

It has a zipper in front and it's thick and warm and perfect for those brutally cold winter days when you need something to cozy up with while you sip a warm cup of tea. Not only does it remind me of the greatest father anyone could have ever had, but every time I put it on and wrap it around me, I feel like I'm being hugged by him.

Your turn!

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Question Of The Day

Empathy

I think it would solve a lot of the world's problems.

Your turn.

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Question Of The Day

About two weeks ago, I went for a routine blood test and was asked this question, which I've been asked many times throughout my life.

"No" I answered. "They don't bother me at all." And they really don't. I can watch the needle being stuck into me and even watch as they draw blood. What I can't do is watch when it's being done to someone else!

What about you? Are you afraid of needles?

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Question Of The Day

I see...
Are you serious?
Anyway...

(I actually had trouble coming up with some.)

Your turn!

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Question Of The Day

Okay, this is actually questions of the day...

So, the most amazing man in the world and I live in Kingston, Ontario. We've been here for the past 7 years. The city has about 123,000 people residing in it. Up until our move here, we lived in Montreal, Quebec, one of the biggest cities in Canada with a population of about 1.6 million.

How about you?

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Question Of The Day

Although I do have pessimistic moments, I tend to go through life with a fairly good level of optimism. This not only helps me cope with stressful situations, it also motivates me and fuels my persistence. Yes, there are bad things in the world going on and life can certainly throw curve balls, but I prefer to invest in the belief that things will turn out okay in the end.

What about you?

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Question Of The Day

This used to be so easy to answer before one of my brothers died. When asked, I'd simply say "Yes, I have two older brothers." And that was the end of it. But after I lost the younger of the two, it became quite awkward. Still is.

My answer now depends on the situation. Sometimes, I may simply say that I have two older brothers and not mention that one died. Or I might answer that I have one older sibling and leave it at that. Because mentioning death brings out uncomfortable silence or questions that I don't feel like answering. Other times I'll just tell someone "I had two older brothers; one of them died a few years ago" or "There used to be three of us but one died awhile back" and let the chips fall where they may.

How about you?

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Question Of The Day

An old friend of mine used to go to psychic readings regularly and swore up and down that these visits were bang on every time. So, out of curiosity and because I thought it would be fun and because I'm game to experience new things as long as they're not very risky or illegal, I decided to give it a try. I booked an appointment with the woman she went to for these readings, a no-nonsense elderly lady that read palms and cards. And I kept an open mind.

While I was there, I volunteered nothing (as far as I'm concerned), and she didn't ask any questions or push me to contribute to what she was saying. She was perfectly happy doing her thing while I sat quietly as she talked and talked, telling me a whole bunch of things about my past and present. And everything was accurate and true. Then she spoke about the future, which I'd find out as the years went by, happened pretty much as she said.

Before I left that day, she told me that I had a strong aura and an old(ish) soul (there were things I still needed to learn, perhaps in this lifetime) and the ability to "see". "This is a special thing" she said that I should "embrace and develop". And right as I was heading out the door, she called out "wait a minute!" and ran into a room in her home. A minute she returned with some books that she handed to me about palm reading and souls and auras and chakras and stuff like that there. I was startled and told her I couldn't take them, but she insisted "I want you to have these. They will help you open yourself up to these abilities."

This was almost twenty years ago and I've never done anything like it since. And I've had no interest to. But it's an experience I'll never forget.

How about you? Have you ever done something like this?

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Question Of The Day

I love homemade food (there's nothing quite like it), so I don't mind putting in the effort to be able to enjoy that. In addition, I like finding new and interesting recipes, and then going out to shop for the ingredients.

Speaking of which, here is the most awesome lentil soup recipe in the history of awesome lentil soup recipes. Very easy to prepare and extremely delicious. Lentils are something I wouldn't touch as a kid but have grown to really enjoy as an adult. Maybe because I found recipes that work for me.

FAST AND FILLING RED LENTIL SOUP

Ingredients:
4 cups water or vegetable broth
1 (796ml 28oz) can whole or chopped tomatoes
2 potatoes cubed
3 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 cups red lentils
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon sea salt
Pepper to taste
Handful of fresh cilantro, minced

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a large pot, cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Add minced cilantro and serve.

** Here are some things I change/add: **
- Instead of three carrots, I often use 1 carrot (chopped) and 1 sweet potato (cubed). Yummy!
- I use fresh tomatoes (chopped) instead of canned (a noticeable difference in flavour!).
- I add additional broth to make the soup more watery (1/2 or 1 cup at a time until it's exactly how I like it).
- I usually skip the rosemary or just add a pinch (that's a bold flavour that not everyone likes).
- I also just add a pinch of thyme instead of a whole teaspoon or skip it altogether.
- I have never added cilantro to the soup.

Enjoy!

So, do you like to cook?

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Question Of The Day

* Receiving a letter, card or package in the mail
* A quiet spot by the water
* Freshly washed sheets
* The sound of crickets at night (and cicadas during the day)
* A big bowl of watermelon chunks!

How about you?

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(Holiday) Question Of The Day

Where does one begin with such a question? I like so many that it�s almost impossible to pick one.

But.

There is one that rises to the top because it takes me back to my early childhood and brings to mind so many wonderful memories. I first discovered this song in a Christmas television special that was produced in 1968 and continues to be aired so many years later. The song, which is also the title of this television classic, is �The Little Drummer Boy�

�The Little Drummer Boy� has been performed by many very talented individuals over the years but my all-time favourite version is by Bob Seger. Here�s a video of him singing with scenes from the beloved television special.



I fell completely in love with this tune the first time I heard it, and it continues to be a top choice.

What�s your favourite Christmas song?

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(Holiday) Question Of The Day

What is one of your most cherished holiday memories from childhood?

When I was about five or six years old, my parents left me and my two brothers in the care of a cousin so they could go out and do some Christmas shopping. When they got back, they hid all the gifts and we had no idea what they�d purchased. When Christmas morning finally arrived, I opened up one of my presents and SURPRISE! there she was: Dawn; the most beautiful doll I�d ever seen with long silky hair that was so shiny it looked like spun gold.

Isn't she adorable? Maybe just a little too heavy on the mascara.

Dawn made her debut in 1970. She was smaller than Barbie, and not as well made, but she was quite charming. She came with a world of accessories, an assortment of brightly-coloured clothing and quite a few friends. And most importantly of all: she was much more affordable.

Dawn and all her pals.

Even so, we were a working class poor family and spending money on toys � expensive or not - was a huge luxury. In order to purchase Dawn and surprise me on Christmas morning, my parents scrimped and saved over a long period of time. And that�s what makes this memory so special.

What is one of your most cherished holiday memories from childhood?

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Question Of The Day

How do you cut your sandwich?

More often than not I choose method 'B'. Because many people choose 'A'. And I like to be a nonconformist. First world style rebellion. *snort*

How do you cut your sandwich?

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Question Of The Day

Does it bother you if different foods on your plate touch or overlap?

This question came to mind when the most amazing man in the world and I were putting together our dinner plates recently and I was once again reminded how differently we go about doing this.

He makes sure that there is a safe difference between each food item because under no circumstances must they touch. And I simply don�t care. Foods touch, overlap and spill over. My plate is always a holy mess.

How about you? Does it bother you if different foods on your plate touch or overlap?

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