Wednesday Hodgepodge Vol. 627

November is here, and that means cozy evenings, holiday prep, and of course—another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge! This week’s questions take us from school plays to baffling slang, from pumpkin-spice opinions to gratitude reflections, and even into the wild world of chicken molting (who knew?!). So pour a warm drink—unless you’re a tea-hater like me—and settle in as we chat about what’s making us laugh, think, and give thanks this month. Let’s jump in!

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you’re looking forward to? 

My son is in the drama club at school and the play is coming up later this week. They are doing two versions of Romeo and Juliet.  One as mobsters and one in modern day.  I think it will be hilarious.  

2. Dictionary.com’s word of the year is ‘6-7’. Huh? 

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it’s meaning because apparently I’m old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it’s a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.

What do you think? 

Dictionary. com says it’s selection each year is a ‘linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by ‘6-7’. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.

What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

My kids sometimes say 6-7 but then can’t explain to me what it means. Of if they do, I don’t get it. Guess I am not as rad as I thought. I’m sure there are hundreds of words that would have been a better choice than this. My word of the year would be compassion. It seems a lot of people have forgotten what that word means – especially in light of the unfunded SNAP benefits.

I won’t get into what I do for work or get on my soap box – but, trust me, I know some people abuse the system… and some need the system to survive. I am shocked about some of my friends posting things on social media about how if SNAP recipients are overweight should have their benefits cut off. One person, whom I thought was a good friend, posted pictures of MREs and said that they should give them to SNAP recipients and see how long they “stay on SNAP” then. That so-called “friend” has been unfriended.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and my dad taught me to listen to both sides, which I try to do. But, when you lack compassion for others, I am out. I think this year’s word of the year should be compassion. Many seem to be lacking it these days.

3. What’s a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so? 

I am not into the pumpkin spice coffee trend. If it is the only choice, I’ll drink it.  But normally, I choose something else.  If I want pumpkin flavor, I’ll eat pumpkin pie. 

4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc?

Nope.  I cannot stand tea.  I’ve tried it again recently and it’s a big nope from me.  

5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here’s the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing? 

Family, Friends, and nature.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

When people say chickens molt, I didn’t realize they lost most of their feathers and ran around looking like zombie chickens. Big surprise for me. They look like I don’t take care of them and they have something seriously wrong with them. Every time I go into the run, it looks like a chicken has been killed there are so many feathers. The things I have learned having chickens…

Would you like to join in on the fun? Head over to From This Side of the Pond to grab the questions and link up your own answers!