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. 





22 comments:

  1. Hi Joyce! I bet you were at a Phillies game right? I heard they aren't doing to well this year. Hopefully they can turn it around. Speaking of hot dogs, if you are ever in L.A. you should go to a Dodger game and try their hot dogs! It's worth it, I haven't had one in a really long time. Well I hope you had a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good Morning Joyce! Great questions this week.I like what you said about our freedoms in this country. Especially on the candy throwing. Our town does two parades a year and it seems like it is about that to the kids. I think you said it correctly, when you step out of where you live and see how the other side lives, maybe then we cn only appreciate what we have here. Hot dogs, I'm with you there. We have one a year, Hofffmann's Snappys. In honor of our roots of living in NY and the famous Hoffmann hot dog stand that still is up and running. We finally can buy them here in North Carolina. Thanks for another great Hodgepodge this week.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love, love , love the little red car!! Glad hub participated. So true-show respect for our country just for a little while and get rid of your sense of entitlement!! totally agree!! Just one hot dog-good for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joyce, I love the picture of your husband in his little red car! And you look just like Michael Kitchen in Foyles War, fly fishing, even if it's not authentic. What a great sport that would be to learn! That is one of like. Thanks for the 10, 2 tip.:-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree about leaving friends when moving. I think that's the hardest part. A lot of my friends from TX have kids in Boston colleges so at least I get to see them once in awhile. Hope all is going smoothly with the move!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for another great Hodgepodge. I really liked #2, also--it seems you live in a small, cute little town. Love the red car. Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  7. How fun to drive your hubby's sporty red car in the parade! One of my best friends from HS had a car like that and we used to put the top down and go cruisin' on Friday nights. I'm in agreement...nothing better than a ballpark hot dog! Makes me crave on right now...with mustard and relish, of course!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So much fun to drive the car in the parade. We have a July 4th parade, sponsored for many years by my local sorority, and we don't allow candy or politicians. :) It's my favorite parade, and all the children participate on their bikes, trikes, scooters, etc. At the end they are given juice and a piece of fruit. Thanks for the HP! Hope the packing is going well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. In our town, the candy is no longer a part of the parade. The city fathers felt it was too dangerous with the kids running out into the street. So now they do enjoy what is on the parade venue. Great comments on the hodge podge today. Fun to drive a car in the parade.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Riding in a car would be the best way to be in a parade for me. I agree with you about the kids at a parade. I always get so filled with pride when I see the vets, I get teary-eyed. And the older vets are so thrilled when the kids salute or wave to them. Is it really so hard to do?! Thanks for another great week at the Hodgepodge :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Joyce,
    I really liked your answer to number 2. Well said! Thank you!
    We also enjoy minor league baseball. We have the Eau Claire Express only 45 minutes from us. The PR group does a wonderful job with games and just a bunch of fun stuff in between innings.
    I also enjoy listening to the Milwaukee Brewers on the radio. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. That must have been fun to have the car in the parade. I haven't seen a town parade in years! I love fishing, very relaxing for me. Yes setting things aside for a trip is something I seem to do in advance too. The further away I travel or the longer I'll be gone on the trip the sooner I start that gathering. Sounds like you had a really nice weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do the same thing on those gondolas! I just want to hyperventilate! I have never been in a parade, but LT has driven the fire truck with Santa on it! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the picture of you fishing. You do look rather intense. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for your visit. SWMBO update - According to her most recent visit she is doing, and I'm quoting the doctor, "Phenomenal." Thank God she is further in remission which means the drugs, the dosage and treatment regimen is working. Thanks for your support! Thanks for the Hodgepodge too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Really like your answer to #2. Good friends like those will stay in touch.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your tinytown sure is cute, like something right out of a storybook. And can I ask, did you plan to wear a gold sweater and blue jeans to match the scenery when fly fishing? I noticed it right away! LOL. I'm totally with you on the respect issue. A little candy at a parade is one thing, but making it a moving Halloween convoy is totally another. Sheesh.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, just hated that I missed the HP again today. We were at Clancy's kindergartner graduation in Texas and I just simply could not work it in. But, sure enjoyed your answers. Love the tiny town parade, how cute is that, especially with the little red car. Enjoy the rest of your week!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Whew! I didn't think I was going to be able to link up today, but I made it with only an hour to spare :)
    I agree with your observations about parades, today. It's all about the candy, unfortunately. Such greed and disrespect saddens me.
    I see that your hubby has decided to grow a beard in his days of retirement. Ed's gone to shaving every other night :)
    BTW, Brad and Jennifer's house is under contract! The closing is set for July 1. They're coming back "home" and this mama is happy :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Both you and the hubs look great in the photos. Spring must be agreeing with you. Kudos to you for even trying to learn to fly fish!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Making my way around on the A to Z Road trip! Stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you again next year, if not sooner!

    Mary
    www.JingleJangleJungle.net

    ReplyDelete