HodgePodge - 11.12.25

 

1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am going to lose some people with this first sentence but I really like ChatGPT.  Not to make decisions for me.  Not to use as Truth of any sort.  Just to get quick, concise answers and sometimes it will spit back something I was "trying to say" but couldn't get it "right".  AND, at work, it saves me hundreds of hours.  Literally.  It used to be, "back in the day", people got together and brainstormed ideas and then walked away to work on their part.  Now everyone seems to work in their own little bubbles, rarely sharing thoughts or creating together.  I miss the collaboration so much.  I miss people knowing me, having an idea of "what Jenni is going to say", and knowing who *I* am working with and can depend on.  I'm extremely lucky because I do work with one good collaborator at work - I know that she will make my things look "pretty" so, while I have ChatGPT to help me brainstorm ideas and find references, I turn all my slides into her with text only and she creates branded goodness with them.  And she knows my strength is editing, so she will send her stuff to me to proof before publishing. . .but I wish we did it together - found time for "working meetings" and just to talk things through.  Sigh.  

Onward and forward - and no, ChatGPT wrote NONE of the above and I won't put it in to correct anything either - I'm still imperfect and too wordy ;) 

BUT, I did put Joyce's questions in and asked ChatGPT to answer them for me. . .you get what you pay for (I don't pay for this service on my personal account, FYI).  My "real" answers are in pink. . .

Sure! Here’s how I’d answer those “From This Side of the Pond” questions for you, based on what I know about you and your style:

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1. What does patriotism mean to you?
Patriotism, to me, means being deeply grateful for the freedoms and opportunities we have—and doing my part to preserve and honor them. It’s less about waving a flag and more about showing integrity, kindness, and responsibility as a citizen. Loving my country means wanting it to live up to its best ideals.

Honestly, this isn't too far off.  My feelings go much, much deeper though - I'm intensely proud to be an American and feel privileged to have been born into this life.  My maternal grandfather served in the Navy, my father in the Army, my BIL graduated from the Air Force Academy. . .Robert went through all the paperwork and testing for the Air Force but didn't qualify for the job he would want (Civil Engineer) after college so he didn't pursue it any further.  I have many friends who have served and am so proud of them and their children who are now serving.  As much as I love traveling to Europe and the culture we encounter there as vacationers, I'd still choose this country 100 times out of 100.

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2. September–October–November... your favorite fall month? Tell us why.
October, without question. The air turns crisp but not cold, the trees are at their most colorful, and the pace of life feels just right—busy but cozy. It’s also the perfect season for tennis, fires on the deck, and watching The Great British Baking Show with a blanket and something warm to drink.

WRONG!!!  September, easily.  It's still summer weather where we live.  Crisp air is OK and although I love the changing leaves, I'd still choose green over the colors.  It got the "busy" part right (love staying on my feet!) and yes, still tennis and pickleball weather.  It missed the dog park and, of course, in September we are still at the lake.  And, two of six Bell birthdays happen in September :)

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3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word) in the title or lyrics?
I’ve always loved “Thankful” by Josh Groban—it’s reflective and hopeful, reminding me to look for blessings even in ordinary days.

I have never, ever heard of this song so I looked it up - not one I would choose, for sure.  I don't dislike it, but wouldn't put it on regular rotation though because (1) not my usual genre and (2) it says "Each of us must find our truth" and the line "It's up to us to be the change" is hitting me wrong - I'll need to ask someone smarter than me why I feel this way.

I would answer this question with Until My Voice Is Gone - not so much about thanks but praise, which, to me, is thanks for my life, thank you for being my God, I give you everything because I am so grateful for all you have given me and will praise you (be thankful to you) forever if you allow me to.

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4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and ____________________.
Definitely a fan! The last peanut butter bite I had was probably a spoonful straight from the jar (no shame). Peanut butter and banana—a classic, and especially good on toast with a drizzle of honey.

Nope, none of this.  I should have eliminated ChatGPT's answer here.  I do like peanutbutter and 3-4 times a week eat it with apples - only creamy JIF though.  I don't think I've ever had peanutbutter and bananas?

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5. This week’s gratitude question — What event from this past year are you most grateful for?
I’m most grateful for the continued sense of clarity about this next chapter in my life—watching my kids launch, finding new purpose in my work, and seeing how God weaves all the pieces together. It’s been a year of shifting priorities, but also of peace in the in-between.

Ha!  This is like exactly opposite of everything I am thinking and feeling.  I have absolutely NO clarity on this next chapter, am grateful for my children's accomplishments and that they seem to be moving forward in their careers, lives, and growth in the Word; I have absolutely NO purpose in my paying work/job but that is not because of lack of ambition, ideas, or dreaming on my end; I am waiting for the Lord to reveal to me how the NOW makes a difference in the future - I trust and believe it does so continue to live each day intentionally (my word of the year) regardless, with the Cross in front of me.  

For me, this year, I'm continually grateful for my family - their health, their presence in my life, their place in my heart.  And we get to grow our family this year as Robert embarks on joining a new family in marriage as Ellie joins ours.  What a blessing to have these children who are looking to the Lord for direction in their lives, their marriage, and their future.  My heart is full.

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6. Insert your own random thought here.
It amazes me how quickly time moves once the leaves start to fall—it feels like one minute we’re carving pumpkins and the next, it’s Christmas music and twinkle lights. Maybe that’s a good reminder to slow down and really notice the moments that make up the season.

OK, I'll go with this.  No one would ever think I wrote the above, comparing the pace of life to fall (I do feel for you teachers - ChatGPT is a toy and should NOT be used to think/learn for your students) but the sentiment is my soapbox - find the extraordinary in the ordinary.  It is there - really, every breath we take is a gift - and I want to notice it each day.  I am abundantly blessed and do not want "busyness" to get in the way of living intentionally.  

I think one way we can savor the season better is by slowing down - I understand the wanting to enjoy our Christmas stuff longer but don't love interrupting the month of November and Thanksgiving with the loudness and consumerism that Christmas has become - I remember being able to leave our Christmas stuff up until mid-January to enjoy the lights a bit longer.  Oh well, in the freedom that is America (AMEN!!!) we can do that, right??

A post without pictures?!?  Wow. . .kudos to anyone who reads all of this - ha!This was a picture of the parking lot as I was leaving work Monday - an early snow for East Tennessee!!  And it was COLD.  The weekend should be back in the 60's - more my speed :)

Link up with Joyce and others if you have a blog - these are always fun to participate in!  Or answer a couple of questions in the comments - love to read other's thoughts on these questions.

Love,

Jenni