It’s time for a new set of questions from Melanie’s Share Your World.
Questions:
On A Scale Of 1-10, How Strict Were Your Parents?
This is relative. My parents were not strict in the sense that they never used corporal punishment (except one of the few times that my dad got angry, he chased me with a hairbrush! But he never used it). They ruled by consistent expectations. There were certain things we were obliged to do – not just chores, but for example, we all had to take seven years of piano lessons. We were obliged to call other adults that were not relatives by their title and last name (e.g. Mrs. Smith), especially friends of my parents. Still, being the youngest of five, I was spoiled and so was my brother, who was the only boy.

Their expectations were that we should live up to their values of respect, courtesy, civility, speaking clearly and correctly, getting an education, etc.. Just a scolding was often enough to stop an inappropriate behavior, but if the behavior was more serious, and many times when my brother and I got into fights, my mother would lock us in our rooms. There was a little metal hole attached to the doorframe and a hook attached to the door. Sometimes they would just tell us to go to our rooms.

What Wastes The Most Time In Your Day To Day Life?
Playing games on my phone, especially Words With Friends.

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).
I really don’t know. I’ve never seen it, but then I try to avoid looking at a corpse in a coffin. The only young person I know who died around the time he might have had braces (age 12) was my nephew, and he didn’t have them. That was either because his teeth were straight or because he’d been battling brain cancer for two years and braces were the last thing on his parents’ minds.

Why Does A Round Pizza Come In A Square Box?
Have you ever seen a round box? OK, hat boxes used to be common, but now it’s very rare to see a round box, especially one as wide and flat as a pizza. I imagine round boxes are more difficult to make as well as to dispose of. A rectangular box can be broken down and flattened, making it easier to store as well as to recycle.

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.
I am grateful for all the people who help in any way to alleviate or combat the coronavirus pandemic. That includes those on the front lines – doctors and nurses – as well as people who can sew making masks. I’m grateful for anyone with the ingenuity and courage to do what they can to make others’ life easier. I’m grateful for people like my husband who always have an encouraging remark for everyone they encounter during this crisis and who remember to call family and friends just to check in.