Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 670

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (Sept 9) to share your answers. See you there! 

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football. 

2. What's something you currently have a game plan for managing? 

3. Do you like chicken wings? Hot, mild, or some other flavor? What's a must have food for you on a tailgate menu? I know tailgating isn't as big of a thing outside the US of A as it is inside the US of A, but you can also answer the question this way-what's a must have food for you at a sporting event viewing party? 

4. Teams typically have strict playbooks they follow. What is one unwritten rule or piece of advice in your 'life playbook' you think everyone should know?

5. This is the week we remember and mourn all that was lost and changed on September 11, 2001. I always include a spot for bloggers to share anything they'd like to share about 9/11. Share as much or as little as you like. 

6.Insert your own random thought here. 

A Gritty Hodgepodge

Welcome to September and this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. I appreciate all of the kind comments and messages sent regarding my mama. I'm going to ease back into the blogosphere today with the Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

Quite a lot actually. I took a look at my summer bucket list, which is admittedly filled with mostly simple stuff, and there are many things I never got to do that I wanted to do. I've still got three weeks to squeeze it all in, so maybe?

We didn't go peach picking this summer and I missed that. We did have a neighbor gift us peaches from their tree which were super delicious, but I love the view from the orchard when we go for pick-ur own. 

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

I loved school and was a rule follower, so was happiest in the front row. If I were back in high school taking a class just for fun I'd choose French. 

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

Tops on the list would be they must like children. It seems like that shouldn't need saying, but...

Other qualities I'd deem essential would be the more obvious- patience, stamina, the ability to think on one's feet, flexibility, and the ability to communicate effectively. 

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

Have I ever eaten grits? I live in South Carolina so of course I've eaten grits and yes I like them. My favorite way to have grits would be in the form of shrimp and grits which is a Carolina staple. So delicious! I also like grits for breakfast with a little bit of butter and/or cheese. 

Do I have grit?  I think in areas that matter, yes. 

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

Lots of things...a beautiful sunrise, music, going barefoot, dancing, a good nap...

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of the sunrise...

...some are pure gold. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 669

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (September 2nd) to share your answers. See you there-

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today's Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers and others who are reading here. I'm posting today's link below, but will not be participating today. My sweet mom passed away earlier this week and there is a lot to do and feel and think through before I write about anything. I will though. 

In the meantime if you've answered today's questions add your link here, then leave a kind comment or two for the bloggers before you on the list. Life is short and precious. Spread some joy today. 

If you missed the questions visit the post linked here (Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 668)

Summer Weekend Highs And Lows

Hello friends and hello Monday. I have blood work this morning so am operating on no coffee. Not my favorite way to begin the week, but here we go. 

The weekend. It was up and down up and down. Let's recap with Holly(PinkLadyBlog) and Sarah(Sunshine and Books) who are hosting their regular Monday morning link party. 

Friday hubs brother and sister-in-law, along with two college friends of ours who also know the brother and sister-in-law, drove from Knoxville to hang out on the lake. They arrived mid-afternoon and we spent a few hours sitting on the patio catching up, chatting, and snacking on a Greek dip I'd prepared, which is always yummy. 

The Aperol Spritz has been our summer beverage. Pretty and delicious. 

Drone shot-

Ha. Not really. Hubs snapped it from the upper deck. 

Our friend works in the food business and he brought ribs that just needed to be heated and sauced on the grill. They're so good, but are not available in supermarkets so always a treat when they share. I'd made a pasta salad, cole slaw, and baked beans to have as sides and dinner was really good. 

After dinner we opted for a boat ride, and while it was initially a bit cloudy it cleared enough for an absolutely stunning sunset. 

Perfect temperature and a watercolored painted sky. 

Now for the down side...my mom ended up in the hospital Friday night and then had surgery on Saturday. Family and friends who've known you for ever and a day are the first to understand, so Saturday morning after breakfast I headed to the hospital and hubs manned the fort boat at home. I arrived just as she was getting back to her room so perfect timing. My sister, niece, and my nephew-in-law were there too, so she had quite the welcome. We stayed for a while, then left so she could rest. 

I got back to the house about two and did some dinner prep while I waited on the boaters to return. They picked me up at the dock and we rode for a bit, then came back to swim for a while before thunder rolled in. We moved up to the patio and the guys cooked dinner-

Hubs brother and sister-in-law brought steaks for dinner so hubs grilled those and we had baked potatoes and a yummy Caprese salad. 

Somebody is hoping for a taste. 

Question-how many non-lettuce salads can one make in a summer where lettuce is questionable?Apparently quite a few. We've slowly started back eating lettuce, but I buy the whole head, remove the outer leaves, and rinse the rest well. 

After dinner we sat outside and played cards and listened to music for hours. Such a fun night. 

Sunday morning everyone left after breakfast and hubs and I went back to the hospital to see my mom. We visited for a bit, then my sister and niece arrived to take the next shift so to speak. 

I find writing therapeutic. I find putting my thoughts into words brings clarity and helps me give voice to what I'm feeling. Life is rarely just one thing. It's highs and lows, joy and hardship, love and sacrifice and people who walk beside you through it all. 

A little Monday gratitude list because every life needs one: 

~the gift of a mother in every season 

~siblings who love each other through life's easy moments and the hardest ones too

~friends and family who raise a glass to all the years that came before and all that lies ahead

~the beauty of creation reminding me He cares about the details of our lives 

To add your link or read more weekend recap posts, hop on over to our hostesses with the mostest-eses and join the fun. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 668

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (August 26th) to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there! 

1. How do you feel about the transition from lazy summer days to a busier fall routine? 

2. Your favorite cookie? 

3. What's something you've learned from a culture different than your own? 

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic...which hat would you most like to wear? Tell us why. 

5. What's a small, random thing from your childhood that you still remember clearly? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

A High-Flying Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers. Come on in. I've got the a.c. running on high. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go...

1. August 19th is National Aviation Day...do you like to fly? Last time you were on an airplane? The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace)

I don't love to fly, but it is often the best way to get from point A to point B so I deal. The last time I was on an airplane was back in February when I flew from South Carolina to Philadelphia to spend time with my mama. She lives just a car ride away now which makes visiting much easier. 

I've never been to Dayton, but I have been to Kitty Hawk. We spent some of our summer holidays in the Outer Banks when my girls were growing up, and we stayed in Kill Devil Hills one time which is right beside Kitty Hawk. 

The first flight actually took place in Kill Devil Hills but Kitty Hawk was the nearest post office so got the claim to fame. We saw the monument there on one of our trips, but mostly spent our time on the beach, in the water, climbing the dunes, and checking out the little shops. We love the area but getting in and out is always a bit of a nightmare in terms of traffic. 

2. In what area of your life do you tend to 'wing it'? Is this an area you should be winging? 

Lately it's been dinner, or maybe cooking in general. There's been a lot of 'let's see what I can make with what's on hand, is low labor, and won't heat up the kitchen to excess'. Honestly it's been working out okay but come fall I need to get back to better meal planning. 

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way?   

Book-The Huntress by Kate Quinn. The novel follows three storylines across WW2 and into 1950. Nina the Soviet pilot, Ian the war correspondent turned Nazi hunter, and Jordan a Boston teen and aspiring photographer whose father marries a soft spoken German woman Jordan suspects is a Nazi murderess. I like Kate Quinn's writing and this was a good read. 

Song-Watching Airplanes by Gary Allan. He's a country artist I think is underrated. He's had some great songs and I like his voice. We saw him as the opening act for Brooks and Dunn many many years ago and he played without breaks. Really good, and this particular song is one of my favorites of his. 

Movie-Fly Away Home This one is about geese in flight, but also the young girl who helped them 'fly away home'. If you've never seen this film its a really good one, and is based on a true story. 

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream...what's your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge? 

My answer would depend on my mood. I'm not big on frozen yogurt because I feel like it sometimes has a bitterness to it, and the texture is a little bit off for me. I love soft serve and gelato and would say those are my favorite. 

It's hard to choose a favorite flavor but if we're talking ice cream I love strawberry, rocky road, and coconut. If we're having gelato I love the stracciatella, which is a sweet milk or vanilla base with shards of dark chocolate throughout. 

I do like to go out for ice cream, but I never just sit down with a bowl of ice cream at home. 

I eat ice cream very rarely. Hubs on the other hand.... 

5. I never get tired of______________________. 

Seeing our flag flying against a bright blue sky...

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm in the very early planning stages for a trip out west. Has anyone been to the Little Bighorn Battlefield? How about the new Roosevelt library in North Dakota? The Tetons? If so send your travel tips my way. Thanks!