Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Totally Tubular Hodgepodge Vol 78

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Everyone is invited to play along. Answer the questions on your own blog and then add your link at the bottom of my post. Here are my answers-


1. What's something you miss about the 80's? If you're too young to miss the 80's how about the 90's?

I am definitely not to young to remember the 80's. Ha.

What do I miss? The ability to eat anything I wanted anytime I wanted, college friends, summers as a camp counselor, my hometown church and the people there, scratch n' sniff stickers (hey, I used a lot of them when I worked in public schools), the early John Hughes films that captured the sweet-funny angst of teenage life, videos on MTV, the blissful naivete of life as a newlywed, my first taste of motherhood and an infant in the house, better manners, less political correctness, M*A*S*H, Ronald Reagan, the absence of cell phones in restaurants and everywhere you go, and most especially my dad.

2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit?

I do have a library card...I've always had a library card I think. I still love libraries but don't visit as often as I did pre-kindle. I read quite a few books electronically now, but I still need to hold a real book in my hand on a regular basis. I'm probably in the library once or twice a month.

3. What's the secret to success?

Philippians 4:11-13 "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances....I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."

4. This is National Backyard Games week...what's your favorite backyard game?

Croquet.


We played quite a bit when we lived in England because our backyard was kinda perfect for the game.


It was kinda perfect for lots of things. We have a nice flat side yard here, but those girls went and grew up and got their own apartments.

The Hodgepodge has been quite the stroll down memory lane for me today.

5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table?

A short stack of four coffee table books from guess where, a couple of magazines, and of course-fingerprints. Who thought glass was a good idea?

6. Do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy?

We have bikes here somewhere. Actually I know where they are but I haven't ridden mine since we moved back to NJ. Just getting out of my neighborhood would be a feat...it's hard enough to do it on foot. Gently rolling hills are okay but it's steep here and there aren't shoulders. I love to ride but I'm not hardcore.

7. What's your favorite cheese?

I've yet to meet a cheese I don't love but if I have to pick a favorite I'm going with a nice soft Brie. Preferably bought and eaten here-


... en France. Avec des amis. This little fondue restaurant in Strasbourg supposedly has the biggest cheese board in the world.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday morning at my house-


Always an adventure getting the rubbish bin to the curb here in the wilds of NJ.

47 comments:

  1. somehow I don't equate NJ with wildlife - but that just shows how little I know about NJ!! :)

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  2. Oh I LOVE Philippians 4! Good choice!! What a wonderful picture of the deer in your yard as well - does your doggy bark at them, or cower?

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  3. Awww the deer is cute. Though I wish they'd NOT venture onto roads or eat stuff from our garden, lol.

    Croquet looks like lots of fun! Enjoyed the pics :)

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  4. I almost opted for croquet as my fav backyard game, and look at your front yard. I love that sort of thing.

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  5. You and I play the same game in our yard[s]. And oh my gosh....those deer were awesome.

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  6. I loved the 80's and I'd go back in a heartbeat...for a little while, at least! Your answer made me remember some things I'd forgotten about. Wow...your backyard in England was AMAZING! Definitely the perfect place for a game of croquet! Enjoy your Wednesday, Joyce!

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  7. I forgot about MTV videos, being a newlywed and new mama! I couldn't see beyond my former thin self!
    I like your Bible verse :)

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  8. #3answer was perfect! Wish I had thought. Of that. Love the deer in your front yard as well. How beautiful to see them in the morning.

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  9. Yes, I also need to hold a book! Love the Bible verse-and here lately have seen this on license plates-phlp413 just the other day.
    Hope your backyard friends will not tary long.

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  10. Joyce, I went blank on my decades! ha! But, I really like your list. I too remember the days of MTV showing videos, and I loved M*A*S*H. It was a well written comedy, funny but still always showing that war is hell.

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  11. Brie cheese is my favorite too! What a beautiful backyard you had in Englad.

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  12. WOW...I'm guessing it's the rut where you are right now. That's a lot of deer! You have herds! I LOVE the pics of your time in England...oh, croquet takes on new meaning.

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  13. ps....when you DO post your birds on the beach photos, let me know okay? I love to view birds, I go birding about two times a week if at all possible. I just this past week made up a new blog with nothing but bird photos [link on my sidebar]. I would LOVE to see your birds!!!!

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  14. Good answer to #3. I thought about croquet too, but it's been even longer since I played that game than the one I chose.

    Love your last picture!

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  15. I love my library, and because of it, I don't buy books. It's another way to recycle.

    My son just earned his masters of library and information science, so I guess that's one thing I instilled in him--the love of libraries and research!

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  16. Good to be back at Hodgepodge, I've missed you. :o) And, so funny we both mentioned croquet. Oh, how I loved that game as a child.

    Oh, Philippians,what wisdom and guidance we can gain from our brother Paul.

    Have a lovely Wednesday my friend!

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  17. I loved all your answers, especially #8! lol!

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  18. The croquet set reminds me to get ours out and set it up for the weekend when the grandkids come out. And I love the wildlife in NJ. They must have missed the sign that read, 'This way to Wisconsin's northwoods.' :-)

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  19. Loved your list of things you miss from the 80's! It was a simpler time, for sure!

    Your deer don't appear to be intimidated at all. So far, ours don't seem to like my "garden dolls". I hope it lasts! (Kathy)

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  20. With a yard like that, I would always be on it! Beautiful! Thanks for the trip down memory lane with this week's!

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  21. You had five deer on your lawn? Wow! That's amazing!! We like croquet, too. It's been a few years since we've played. We use to play often at my DH's parents. His dad loved to play with us and is the reigning champ of the sport, but with age comes difficulities such as arthritis and he has it in his shoulder.Maybe, one day we can play with our kids and grandkids. Thanks for hosting!

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  22. Yeah, glass tables of any sort are not that great of an idea. I found that out the hard way. LOL To me, those deer in the yard are so lovely. But, to you, are they a menace? In some neighborhoods around here, people view them as menaces because they eat the landscaping. I just tell them that's what they get for destroying their habitat. LOL

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  23. I also love croquet. We played it often when I was young. Not so much now.
    I think the deer were just stopping by to visit the little fawn on your header. Lol.
    Have a great day.

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  24. I forgot about MTV. It was good back then ;) What a stunning yard that is!

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  25. No linky? Is it misbehaving again?

    I almost put croquet, but since I haven't played it in 40 years when I was a child. . . .! LOL

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  26. I can't seem to get the linky to work, but I'm here! John Hughes movies are the best. Gorgeous yard. When I do get my bike I can only go for a short ride over and over again. We are steep rolling hills and I would never get home. The deer are beautiful.

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  27. Am I blind? I do not see where we can link up at the bottom of your post. :-(

    I'm so glad that the Hodgepodge is back. Thanks for hosting it for us.

    I love your answer to #3 - PERFECT!!

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  28. My first Hodgepodge, I had fun, thanks for hosting! Your '80's list is way more fun than mine! I miss all those things too! I guess I will have to think harder next time :0) Love this Hodgepodge!

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  29. i love croquet and that is an amazing verse to take to heart!

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  30. I am itching to send that verse to someone who needs it right now but shall refrain as I don't believe it would be well received. :) Instead, I shall pray it for them. Thanks for providing today's perfect nugget.

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  31. It looks like the one deer is walking on only his hind legs. LOL

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  32. I miss the positive energy (and physical energy) I had in the 80s. Nothing slowed me down and I was always up for an adventure.
    I use my library card at least once a week. It is the best way to check out new music and explore books before spending money on a personal copy.
    The library also hosts some amazing special programs.
    Secret to success? Never quite!
    Learn from mistakes and setbacks and try something different.
    I grew up with JARTS and croquet. Would love to get a group of people over to play either.
    On any flat surface in my house you would find books and crafting materials.
    I own several bicycles in various forms. Those with tires have flat tires. I'd ride more if the seat was more comfortable.
    Cheese! It is in my blood.
    My favorites are the soft white cheeses, and marble jack.
    I enjoy most others, but some in smaller doses, and not seasoned too hot.

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  33. I had the same problem with fingerprints on my all black lacquer furniture too. That was in the 80s! LOL

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  34. Hi Joyce, yes I really am one of those McCoy's! I just got new living room furniture - with glass top tables and am learning how hard it is to keep the fingerprints off of them.

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  35. Ummm... regarding your last photo.... Didn't know that was a group activity with deer. [awkwardly looking away...]

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  36. I forgot about the "eating all I wanted to" in the 80's. I sure do miss that too!
    Your answer to nr. 3 was so well put. I agree!

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  37. what a great Monday at your house.. I love it.. Have a great day..

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  38. Love your 80's answer so true! Your England back garden holy cow it's gorgeous!
    Happy Wednesday!

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  39. My nephew loves cricket! My old yard was pretty big but not as big as yours in England. That would be a fun place to live for my dog!

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  40. What a gorgeous sight to take the trash out to!! Love that backyard you had as well but oy, what a mowing job!!

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  41. I loved reading these. I certainly got to know you better. That yard was quite the thing. I hope you had a gardener, or at least someone to mow the grass.

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  42. Ah yes I forgot about the blissful naivete. Yeah, those were the days, weren't they?

    Who thought glass was a good idea, indeed! ugh.

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  43. Being able to eat whatever you wanted! That's a good one! It makes me think of Big Daddy, when he says something about drinking a milkshake now, and it going straight to his a$$, haha! Oh, kids don't appreciate their metabolisms, do they? :)

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  44. WOW!! What a yard you had in England.
    Beautiful!

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  45. Wow so many questions and answers! I love your blog.... Your garden photo was gorgeous, ours is quite tiny in comparison. I am with you on the 80s answer! i do have a library card and my son has had one since he was 9 weeks old :) Our coffee table has books on it, whichever books my husband and I are currently reading plus a kindle that belongs to number 2 son. Number 1 and number 2 sons don't read much any more as they are too interested in sports and girls (not necessarily in that order).

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  46. Look at your and your 45+ comments! Holla! Sometimes, I miss the age of no cell phones, too.

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