On A Scale Of 1-10, How Strict Were Your Parents?

As a kid I’m sure I’d have said 10. They’re so annoying! I’ve got a curfew and they want to know where I am and they wouldn’t even let me go on that date! Now that I’m a parent I’d probably rank them more along the lines of a 7, i.e. typical for parents their age. Some of my friends had younger parents who were a little more roll-with-the-punches in their ’70s parenting; mine were definitely of the I don’t care what your friends are doing, THIS is how it works in our house variety. They did let me play sports, date, have a job, and hang out with friends, though, so we’ll go with 7.

What Wastes The Most Time In Your Day To Day Life?

This is probably a toss up between Facebook/Twitter and fur babies. Some days I zone out and scroll social media way more than I really ought to. Then there are days like Saturday when I sat down to have coffee and a KIND bar, fully intending to shower and get started thirty minutes later, except the cat parked herself on my lap and there went the next three hours. Phoebe snuggles probably take the largest chunk of my time but they pay off in lowered blood pressure.

Do They Bury People With Their Braces* On? (* “braces” in this scenario are those metal bits they put on people to straighten their teeth. I realize “braces” are also some item of clothing that I believe men wear to keep their socks up or something. I’m talking about the teeth option.)

Here’s one where I’m wildly speculating but as someone who’s had those metal braces taken off after a few years of teeth straightening I can’t imagine a funeral home taking the time to yank each bracket off the deceased’s teeth. Then again, I think this is an area where they do everything they can for you so if you want your loved one buried with their pearly whites showing I bet they’d remove the braces before burial.

Why Does A Round Pizza Come In A Square Box?

To fit in the square insulated delivery pouch?

Gratitude:  Share something you are grateful for right now. I know that’s a tough question. It helps to share those bright bits with folks though, because many of us are seeing through an increasingly dark glass.

Today is the blog’s four year anniversary so I’m pretty darn grateful for this writing space. I’m grateful my kids are teenagers because while twenty-four hour a day togetherness can still be a challenge I know I don’t have the temperament to gracefully handle a preschool or K-2 kiddo around the clock. I’m also grateful for music, our pups and kitty, texting, and even (yes, I’ll say it) particularly good TikTok or Twitter content like this. (Volume up!)

Sparks from a Combustible Mind hosts Share Your World.