Wednesday, May 27, 2015

A Hodgepodge Kind of Crowd

Hello Hodgepodgers! So glad you stopped by here today. If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, then run say hi to the neighbors. Here we go-


1. Did you do anything 'memorable' this past weekend?

Hubs drove his little red car in our tinytown parade, and that was fun.  Not necessarily memorable, but  still fun. Every year he's been asked, but this is the first year he's participated. 



Oh, and I learned to fly fish. 


Ha! Not really. But I did hold a fly rod for the first time, and hubs tried to teach me the ten and two trick and the turn the page trick.  I think we're gonna need to bring in the professionals, but you have to admire the look of determination on my face.  

2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you're a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?

I try to acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms I enjoy.  I think it's good we have some days on the calendar to remind us too. I try to speak to service men and women when I see them, support the Wounded Warriors project, keep our troops and their families in my prayers. My heart is full of love and gratitude for the brave souls who protect and defend this land I love.

My upbringing most definitely contributed to my sense of patriotism. I think most people my age would say the same. I feel like there's so much more complaining in America today.  It's never been a perfect place, but growing up I don't think we expected it to be. It seems we've become very focused on what's wrong with our country, and the sense of entitlement so many feel is greater than ever before. 

I was on the sidelines of our little hometown parade on Monday, and a car came through carrying a veteran of WW2.  I do wish parents would insist kids take their eyes off the candy for a minute to stand still and wave at the veterans, the police officers, the firemen and rescue crews walking the route. I don't know what your town is like, but in ours these holiday parades have become all about the candy. Kids bring sacks to the parade now which just feels wrong to me. Maybe I'm an old fuddy duddy, but can't we take 20 minutes to show a smidgen of respect on Memorial Day and the 4th of July? 

I think as parents, hubs and I have tried to instill in our girls a love of country. We've traveled a lot, have made a conscious effort to soak up the history where ever we are, and to appreciate the staggering natural beauty and differences in food and culture you find from region to region in the US.  We've taught them to be respectful of the flag and to recognize that while there will always be things we can do better, there is much we do right here in the US of A. To be proud of America. 

Living outside of the US for a number of years in many ways made us love it more. You definitely see it through a different lens, but the things you love about your homeland become clearer as you experience other countries and cultures. 

3. Loudest noise you've ever heard?

I stood right behind the face of Big Ben as the clock chimed,  and as you might imagine it was loud. 

Loud and awesome.

4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered 'junk food'? Did you enjoy it?

I ate a hotdog at the ball park on Monday evening. Prior to that I couldn't tell you the last time I had a hotdog. I love them on the grill, but never buy them anymore. Kind of an easy thing to say no to in terms of my diet. 

Was it good? Yes!

5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt 'packed in like sardines'?

Hmmm...what comes to mind would be cable cars I've ridden up mountains because that's when I really notice the confines of a particular space. I mentally begin calculating our combined weight and wondering about the people who inspect such things. 

Oh wait, Macys right before Christmas last year. Ridunkulous! It was hard to walk and I couldn't wait to get out of there. 

6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?

I don't know if I'm organized when it comes to packing, but when I have a trip coming up I start setting aside clothes I plan to take. I usually lay them on the bed in one of the guest rooms and I do make a list of odds and ends I need to bring. Also little jobs around the house I want to remember to do before I walk out the door, like empty the trash, go through the frig, water the plants, etc. 

 I'm not a light packer. I can be if you make me, but I never willingly pack light. 

7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?

We attended opening day at the baseball stadium here in our neck of the woods on Monday evening. The local team is part of the Can-AM league, and it was a perfect evening weather-wise for a ballgame. 


I love the minor league games...tickets don't cost an arm and a leg, you sit close to the field, and it all feels like a little slice of Americana. As a bonus they had fireworks after the game and they were grand. 

Our team won, and sure I care. I think it's been well established here that I'm a teensy bit competitive. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We had dinner with friends on Sunday evening. Friends we met when we lived in NJ the first time around, more than 25 years ago. This is the part of moving that tears at the heart a little.  Our girls went to pre-school together, and now they've each attended the other's wedding. Full circle. 


Thankfully these friends have family not too far from where we'll be in SC, so we know we'll see them again. As they reminded us too, they've visited us in all our homes, including England, so a trip south will be a piece of cake. 





Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 222

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers...see you there! 


1.  Did you do anything 'memorable' this past weekend?

2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."  

Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you're a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?

3. Loudest noise you've ever heard?

4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered 'junk food'? Did you enjoy it?

5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt 'packed in like sardines'?

6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?

7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Beauty and the Beach

Wrapping up our trip to the Evergreen State today because who wants to sort, shred, file and pack up an office when they can look at pretty pictures instead? 


We got a taste of true Washington weather once the weekend ended. I think we had a little bit of rain each day, but we still squeezed in a lot of fun.  Hubs spent some time doing a few things in the yard for the newlyweds because yard work is his love language. I'm not kidding.


Monday morning our hosts both went to work so hubs and I drove in to Tacoma to meet some friends from our UK days. Few things make my heart happier. We met at Starbucks of course, because isn't the PNW it's mothership? We  had such a nice time catching up in person. 


On Tuesday afternoon we were all a little giddy as we drove to the base with Daughter1 to meet the dog breeder for the puppy handover. Oh my stars! There is nothing like a puppy is there? Hunley is a love and we had so much fun watching him explore his new home.  


Thursday morning we took advantage of a break in the weather to see 'the neighborhood'. The Puget Sound sits within walking distance of their home, and the vastness of it, the beauty and solitude you feel as you stand in front of this body of water is hard to put into words.  


The trail to the water begins in a forest my Daughter refers to as Jurassic Park. The trees reach to the sky and all around are ferns and moss and lush green gorgeousness. 


Hunley came too, and he was a trooper. We took turns carrying him, but nobody seemed to mind-ha!


As the forest breaks you enter an estuary, where wildflowers bloom and a gently rolling stream meanders through the landscape.


You walk through a tunnel that does not feel oddly out of place, more like something from Alice in Wonderland, and no the light at the end is not a train...


...it's the Puget Sound and it is absolutely breathtaking.


Such a contrast to the forest you left behind not a minute ago.



This stretch of rocky sand was made for deep thinking and big dreaming.
Just ask the heron.


You can take the boy out of Tennessee...


Rock skipper extraordinaire-


Knowing my daughter lives within a stone's throw of so much natural beauty makes the miles between us easier to bear. 

               
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and we had a plane to catch so it was back to the woods for the walk home.


It's easier to be far now that I've been close. I like to picture my daughter and son-in-law at their kitchen table, walking their sweet dog around the neighborhood, and shopping in the commissary.


To know they stand and marvel at God's amazing handiwork and the path that led them to a rocky beach beside the Puget Sound.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Seattle

I know everyone is moving into Memorial Day Weekend mode, but I'm still over here talking about Mother's Day. Remember Mother's Day? It was sooo last week, but I'm gonna mention it here anyway. 


This is what I'm calling our Seattle selfie. My daughter took the picture which is why we're both in it. Had I taken the picture you might only see half of us. True story. 


Mother's Day is always more of a treat if I get to spend it with one or both my girls. Both would be my favorite but I take what I can get, and this year we were out west on Mother's Day visiting the newlyweds. By the way they are super cute. 


So much to see in this city, and we barely scratched the surface. I forgot the glass artist Dale Chihuly was from the PNW, and am definitely planning to see more next time round. His work is absolutely beautiful.


These 'flowers' are not his, but another artist's work. It's called Sonic Bloom, and is located outside the Science Center. The blooms are solar and light up at night, but they were interesting to see in the daytime too.  


My daughter booked us Mother's Day brunch in the Space Needle and it was lovely. The restaurant (SkyCity) at the top revolves ever so slowly giving you 360 degree views of Seattle and the surrounding area.  


The food was delish and the portions way too large, so we all felt the need for a walk afterwards. Plus after more than an hour spent revolving I needed my land legs. 


My son-in-law works very long hours, so it was a treat to have him with us for the day. I told him a Sunday nap was okay by me too, but he was a trooper and we spent most of the afternoon wandering around the Public Market. 


Pretty sure a trip to Pike Place Fish is mandatory when you're in Seattle, and we got to see the famous fish toss. Here's the pitch (below), look hard and you'll see the fish in mid-air...


...and now the catch-


It really was such an enjoyable day all the way around. Maybe I'll spend every Mother's Day here-ha! Hi Kids! The weekend weather was perfect, there was too much to see and do in a day, and then of course the best part...


...the company. People are my favorite. Especially my people.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Simply the Hodgepodge

Welcome to your weekly dose of Hodgepodge. Thanks for playing along...if you've answered the questions today, add your link at the end of my post then go say hi to your neighbors. Here we go-


1. Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?

I think it's rare I purposely try to make someone laugh, unless that someone is an unhappy toddler or a fussy baby. In that case I might try. Normally though, if I make someone laugh it's spontaneous and unplanned. I was with my brother and sister yesterday and we laughed, but I don't think I was the one who made that happen.

2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer?

Where's home?

3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are any currently blooming in your yard?

Such a hard question because I love them both. When I wrote the question I was thinking of all the beautiful rhododendrons I saw blooming while visiting Washington, so it seemed like I'd have an easy answer for this one. 



Except on Monday we drove down to my mom's house in South Jersey (that would be my mom with the amazing green thumb!) and her azaleas were absolutely gorgeous so now I'm conflicted. Her rhododendrons were also pretty spectacular so how to choose? 

My favorite thing is to see a combination of rhodies and azaleas, but if I have to choose I'm going with rhododendrons. We do have some azaelas, but everything is late this year so not as pretty as in other parts of the country right now.  

4.  May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?

I worked as a waitress my last year of uni. It was a nice restaurant and I enjoyed the experience for the most part. You can never get the smell of food off your uniform no matter how many times you wash it, and that scent also clings to your hair, which I didn't love.  The worst part of the job though would be rude people. I always try to give a waiter the benefit of the doubt. 

5.  What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?

Men...sagging drawers. Come on! Who does that look good on? 

Women...where to begin? Belly shirts and leggings on ladies who should know better are two that spring to mind. 

6. Name a writer who inspires you...now tell us why.

I think all the best writers make me want to write. My favorite modern day writer is Pat Conroy. His words are measured and thoughtful and a little bit like poetry. 

G.K. Chesterton died in 1936, but his writing continues to inspire. He was a man of great wisdom and I'd love to sit with him for a nice long chat over a cup of tea.   

There's also lots of wonderful writers out there in the blogosphere...Lisa Jo Baker is one of my absolute favorites in terms of the way she writes, Kelle Hampton is another. 

7.  What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?

"Don't make change too complicated. Just begin." 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend I want to say a special thank you to the families who've lost someone they loved in service to our country. Husbands, fathers, sons and daughters...men and women who gave their very lives in service to our country. 

If you've never been to Arlington I highly recommend a visit there. It's a place of quiet beauty, a place I always leave feeling a mixture of pride and sadness and deeper love of country. 










Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 221

It's that time again! Here are this week's questions to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there! 



1.  Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?

2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer?

3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are either currently blooming in your yard?

4. May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?

5. What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?

6. Name a writer who inspires you....now tell us why.

7. What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, May 18, 2015

A Capital Idea

I'm back in the PNW today, not literally... just on my blog. Since sunny skies are apparently a rarity here we needed to take advantage of them when we could. Saturday was absolutely gorgeous so we started our day in a little place called Tumwater Falls.


The falls are located adjacent to the old Olympia Brewery, which is currently vacant. They're kind of in the middle of town, but as you follow the trail back you forget that.


There's a fish hatchery here too, and in the late summer to early fall you can watch the salmon run. There's a 'ladder' in the river to help them on their way, and I definitely want to come back one year while that's happening.


I should probably tell you now I'm slightly obsessed with the rhododendrons in this part of the country. They thrive here and grow to be the size of trees in a Honey I Shrunk the Kids kind of way.


They were in full bloom while we were visiting and I have a large number of plant pics to prove it.

 
We did finally peel ourselves away and drove on into Olympia to see what we could see.


There was a Farmer's Market happening and it was packed with all sorts of goodies and also people. I like to people watch and enjoy seeing the trends in different parts of the country.


Also I'm accidentally seeing as many state capitals as I can. Not something that was ever on my bucket list, but I've been to fourteen out of fifty now so I might as well add it. My list is only in my head, so adding to it is not a problem. 


We had a lovely lunch right beside the water at The Oyster House, the oldest seafood restaurant in Washington, then walked over to the capitol building...


... to take pictures of rhododendrons. Ha! Kidding!


But only sort of.


There's a very moving WW2 memorial on the grounds around the capitol. A bronze wheat field containing 4000 individual stalks representing the WA servicemen and women who lost their lives in the war.



We walked through the capitol and I thought it was interesting there was no metal detector at the door. It's also interesting to see the dates out here. We're East Coasters so WA feels young in terms of our nation's history. So fun to see another part of America. It's an amazing place, this country we call home.


Aaaand one more for good measure.