A WORDY Hodgepodge

 

1. At the end of every year (or at least since the mid-1970's) Lake Superior State University posts a list of words they think should be banished from the Queen's English for misuse, overuse, and/or general uselessness. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's list includes-

cringe, game changer, era, dropped, IFKYK (If you know you know), 

sorry not sorry, skibidi, 100%, utilize, and period. 

Which of these words/phrases do you use regularly or even just every now and then? 

cringe - I use it occasionally, but it is not part of my everyday vocabulary.

game changer - same as above

era - Only when I’m actually referring to the word "era." I don't understand why they want these words banished.

dropped - I probably use this a lot because I drop things.  

game changer - same as above

era - Only when I’m actually referring to the word "era."

IFKYK (If you know you know) never

sorry not sorry - maybe once or twice only to be cute when texting with my sons

skibidi - never heard of this

100%, 💯 okay is 99.9% acceptable?

utilize, again, a word that is used in certain conversational situations 

period. - it’s what we use at the end of a sentence - do they want us to call it a dot?

I guess my “years” are creeping up on me, and I’m totally out of the loop. 

How many did you have to look up? 

Zero. 

Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? 

None

 Is there a phrase not on the list you'd like to add? If so do share, then tell us why. 

Leaning in - and 110%

but don't worry  - I wouldn't support a ban on it even if it does irritate me every time I hear it.

2. Your favorite soup? Do you make this one yourself or is it from a can? 

I’m a soup person, and don't care for canned soup. I do like the red pepper tomato soup in a box. And when I am sick, I like Lipton chicken noodle soup.

The easiest soup I make and my favorite is potato soup. I can always adapt it—throw in caramelized onions, add some corn for a chowder, or throw in some broccoli. Sometimes, I add a lot of garlic, and other times, I top it with crispy bacon and minced green onions. Leftover ham is good, too, topped with melted cheddar cheese. Such a versatile, easy soup to play with. 

3. How do you feel about winter? 

As a Californian, I don’t have an issue with winter. It’s when we get our annual rain and snow in the mountains, and we know that means WATER. I never hear people complaining about the winter here. Sure, we all love the dry months, but in the last few years, we've had such devastating fires, smoke and horrific heat that winter is like a reprieve from all of that.! Appreciate winter while it's here - because the Hot weather will be here soon enough. 

What's one winter activity you look forward to? 

In my younger days, going to Tahoe to ski or sledding. My folks owned a duplex and we went up every other weekend and on spring vacation. Although I didn’t always enjoy it because it took me away from my friends. And I always got car sick. 🤢 

Now, I'm taking the dog to play in the snow. Depending on the snow level, it's usually under an hour to drive there. 

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2025 is mocha mousse (sample pictured here). What say you? The website describes it as 'a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nourishes us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort'. Is this a color I might find in your home or wardrobe? Is it one you might add in some big or small way in the year ahead? 

Ohhh, I like! Similar to these boxes of tissue? I’ve always liked this color. I prefer a neutral home with seasonal pops of color. With the exception of the kitchen where I like a lot of color! 

In a similar, but not really vein...if I were to offer you a choice right now of either a cup of mocha or a cup of mousse which would you say yes to? 

Right now, I'm sick of anything remotely sweet. I do enjoy both, but it looks like I’ll need to take a rain check! 

5. Which of the following winter related idioms can best be applied to your life in some way right now? Choose one, then tell us why you chose it.  snowed under, on thin ice, tip of the iceberg, chill out, break the ice, snowball effect, not a snowball's chance in hell, get cold feet, the cold shoulder 

The cold feet and the cold shoulder 

Cold feet—When I feel the tug to share the love of Christ with a stranger. I often hesitate. It’s a struggle I'm not proud of. My heart truly cares for those who are lost, and we must remember that simply donating to a ministry to do the evangelism is not enough.  We must always be ready for the opportunity to share. It might be the only time for that person. 

Then...

After I finally muster the courage to connect,  I sometimes encounter a cold shoulder the next time we meet. I shouldn’t allow that to hurt my feelings because It's not about me. But it does make me sad. 

I then reflect on how many who opposed Jesus  - may have turned away when facing Him again. He and his disciples endured great suffering and many cold-shoulders in order to share the good news; my moments of hesitation and rejection pale in comparison to His sacrifice and those of His followers. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The supernatural is the natural -

 Expect God! 

A couple of days before my Wednesday Bible study, I send out a reminder about our lesson and the chapters in Revelation we're covering, along with any updates, prayer requests, etc. Rene, who bravely underwent 8 hour-brain surgery on December 11, replied that she would see me on Wednesday.  

I responded with awe, asking, 

“Are you serious? It hasn't even been a month yet! You’re amazing!” 

to which she humbly replied, “Not me - we have an amazing supernatural God!”  

Indeed, God is supernatural. As the Bible beautifully states: “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever” 

(1 Timothy 1:17).

God certainly answered Rene's prayers!

Another Hodgepodge is in the history books. Until next week...

Debby