Wednesday, September 28, 2016

I've Been To The Hodgepodge on A Horse With No Name

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered the questions, please share by adding your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because comments beget comments. Also I'm posting this from a hotel computer and the spacing looks wonky to me. If it looks wonky to you that's why. 

1. Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert? What did you think? Travel and Leisure lists the 'coolest' American desert towns as-

Palm Springs CA, Virgina City NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT, Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac AZ

Have you been to any of these? Would you like to visit a desert town? Which on the list would you most like to see?

I've been to the desert a few times...my grandparents lived in New Mexico and Colorado and us East Coasters always enjoyed visiting and the change in topography. 


I love the beauty of the red rock formations around Sedona Arizona and I've also been to Dubai which was a desert of a different sort, and really interesting. 

Of the cities listed I choose Bend OR because I've heard it's super cute and it's also within driving distance of my Daughter1. Moab is another one on my list because the pictures people post from out there are stunning. I'd like to see Arches National Park.

2. What's a plan or project you've deserted in the past year?

Blogging-ha! Not really, but it kind of feels like it. I am missing it in the worst way, but I know I need to muddle on through this season we're in and eventually I'll get back to writing about something more than house building and hodgepodging. Not that those things aren't fun, but I need more. I'd explain further, but I can't now. I need to muddle. 

3. Desert-dessert? Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling.

Necessity and cinnamon are two that popped into my head. I'm a pretty good speller, but those words sometimes trip me up. 

4. High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house...which phrase can you relate to currently? Explain.

How about watching paint dry? Because we are literally watching paint dry. 

5. How often do you frequent the dry cleaners? Starch or no starch?

We have always frequented the dry cleaners frequently. So much so that on a visit to Maryland two years after we'd moved to England we dropped something off at our old dry cleaners and he remembered our phone number. 

Yes, we send stuff to the cleaners even when we're traveling. Doesn't everyone? 

When hubs was briefly retired I enjoyed a break from the weekly run to the cleaners, but now that he's once again wearing dress shirts we're back at it. What can I say...hubs loves a good starched shirt and I love a man in a good starched shirt. I could never reproduce with my iron at home what the dry cleaners does so well. 

6. What's a food or beverage you enjoy that's named for a place?

Far too many to name so let's go with a Cornish pasty, a Bakewell tart, and a Yorkshire pudding. My love affair with England definitely extends to the foods named for her beautiful countryside and coast.

7. Do you need solitude?

Yes! I'd put that in all caps, but shouting would ruin the word. 
You should know I'm whisper shouting it though. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've been traveling, helping my mom with a family member's difficult health situation so haven't blogged since last week's Hodgepodge. It's been a tough week and I have some thoughts about it all, but those thoughts will have to keep. For now here's a snapshot of the lovely scenery surrounding us in desert town-


"What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well."
Antoine deSaint-Exupery

30 comments:

  1. Interesting you would use the word "muddling." I hadn't been able to rightly define where I find myself right now, but that's it. A period of muddle! This too shall pass I'm sure, but probably not without some mud grips to get me going. Here I am at 2:25 AM, sitting outside listening to the sounds of early morning and feeling pretty sure there will be a lot of muddling through this day.

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  2. The linky tool doesn't work because there is only the htlm code on your post and now linky
    I'll come back later

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  3. Must have been very nice to have grand parents living in such nice places !
    I love cornish pastry too, and cream tea !!

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  4. Prayers that this week will be much better for you dealing with a member of family's illness can take a toil on one.

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  5. It appears that the linky isn't working. So... here is my hodgepodge:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/09/wednesday-hodgepodge-92816.html

    Colletta

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  6. Thanks, Joyce, now that song is stuck in my head. Lol So interesting about the cleaners. And that they knew your phone number! You may feel like you're not blogging much, but the work you put into the Hodgepodge questions week in and week out while tending to construction on a new house is much appreciated. And on second thought, I might like to visit Bend, OR. Just for the record.

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  7. I love your post title and that song too. Sorry for the situation you are facing now. Glad you can be there to help your mom :)
    I don't see the link up this morning so will check back later.

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  8. Good morning Joyce. I hope your family member is on the mend soon. I'll check back to see if the link is set up. Have a good week.

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  9. Ho-ho on watching paint dry.

    The Linky Tools gadget isn't showing up properly for me right now--I'll check back later.

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  10. Sorry to hear you've had a tough week. I hope things are getting better. I think I'd go mad without some solitude in my week.

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  11. Joyce, I'm so sorry to hear your news about the family health situation. I hope everything works out.
    I agree with your thoughts about a good starched shirt :)
    I couldn't see that darn linky, today, but don't worry about it, since you're obviously busy with important things. Maybe I'll be able to see it next week.
    Take care,
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  12. I'm sure people have already said but the linky thing isn't working! As always, thanks for hosting.

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  13. Oh, my Joyce, sounds as though you are one busy woman. I well remember watching the paint dry and thought it never would. Praying that your family member's health is better, that's never an easy journey for sure. Thinking of you this Wednesday!

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  14. Thoughts and prayers to you and your loved ones Joyce. Sounds like a hard situation.

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  15. Good morning! I don't see the link up but I'm commenting anyway. I do not look forward to having to deal with the health issues of family members. I helped my mother when she had a little surgery a couple of years ago and learned quickly that I am not a caregiver. Any patience I have goes right out the door in this situation. The food list could have gone on and on but was able to narrow it down. For once. LOL Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  17. Daughters who are computer savvy even when their mom texts them at a ridiculously early hour for the win! Link appears to be working...thanks Daughter1 xo

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  18. Watching paint dry....like waiting for water to boil! I remember the early years of our marriage when I pressed Mark's shirts. Sorry to hear about the family issue you are dealing with. Praying for peace....

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  19. Thank you so much for hosting this blog hop! This is my 4th or 5th week and I'm really enjoying getting to know the other bloggers. I love your desert photos this week and I'm getting very hungry reading about everyone's food choices. For lunch I'll need cheesecake, black forest cake, bavarian tarts, chicago style pizza, etc. etc... Have a good week and safe travels home.
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

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  20. Sorry you have a family member with health issues. I know how stressful that can be. I'll keep you all in my prayers.

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  21. When our son was over in Kuwait for a few months, he shared a video of a sand storm. No thanks!! I'm sorry that you and your mom are dealing with a health issue for a family member. Never easy and it usually hits us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Prayers lifted. Thanks for this week's HP!! I enjoyed reading your answers!

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  22. Don't forget Salisbury Steak. When my cousin brought her fiance to meet the country cousins, her future husband was trying to explain to me where in England he is from. He asked, "Are you familiar with Salisbury?" I said no, but I love their steaks. He did not get it.

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  23. I laughed when you said cinnamon, because it's one of those words my sister (bless her) cannot SAY and it's hilarious to listen to her try!

    Hope your paint dries quickly!

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  24. I'm sorry that your family member is having a difficult health situation. I am praying for their healing and for strength for all of you through this time.

    It looks like you're staying in a beautiful area!

    Have a blessed week!

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  25. If you get to Bend, you will also be within driving distance of me! And it's only a couple hours from Crater Lake, which is well worth a visit.

    Thanks so much for hosting this meme. I am enjoying being part of it. Your questions are so fun, and they give me a chance to think about things I would probably never otherwise think about.

    Blessings,
    Patti @ Joy in the Middle

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  26. Just another quick comment to let you know the linky finally became visible to me, so I linked up.
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  27. I hope your troubles with the relative soon find a good ending!

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  28. I could not link up....here is my post.
    http://stillmagnolias.blogspot.com/2016/09/last-hodge-podge-of-september.html

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  29. Paint drying! That sounds like you are getting close!
    Praying for you and your mom, so glad you were available to help with her situation. I give you credit for blogging at all!
    I have an old friend who is passing away any day now and I can't seem to find the enthusiasm to blog. She knows the Lord so I rejoice in that.

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