Wednesday, July 30, 2025

A Hodgepodge For The Ages

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge, our last one in July. 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...

From this Side of the Pond

1. On July 29th 1957 The Tonite Show premiered with Jack Parr as it's host. This marked the beginning of the modern day talk show. Do you watch any daytime or late night talk shows today? Do you have any thoughts on the hubbub surrounding the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, or are you more in the camp of 'who is Stephen Colbert? 

I don't watch any talk shows these days. Mostly because I find celebrity culture exhausting and not all that interesting. In my opinion the night time shows have become less entertainment, more political commentary and who wants that when they're trying to quiet their mind for sleeping???

Eons ago we would fall asleep to Johnny Carson or David Letterman, but this new crop is too full of their own self-importance for me to enjoy. Sure there are some funny bits now and then, but the overall content is very one-sided. Not everyone shares my opinion and that's fine, but I'm not tuning in and apparently I'm not the only one. 

I paid very little attention to the outrage over the cancellation of Colbert's show. It wasn't making the network money, and there's a merger happening, and entertainment is business so it's gone. Pretty sure it's not the end of democracy as some folks want us to believe.  

2. What's the best part of your day? 

"The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup"....raise your hand if you remember the jingle? I checked to see when that ad first ran and it was 1984. The year I got married. 

I don't drink Folgers but that first cup of coffee in the early morning hours is definitely one of the best parts of the day. Early morning in general is the best part of my day. I like the quiet, the sunrise, and easing in to the day with my coffee and 
what feels like endless possibilities. 

3. What's something your generation does that you actually dislike? 

I can't think of anything I truly dislike. I will say I think it's normal as we age to become more resistant to change...our routines, technology, the way the way the world works...we want those things to stay as we've always known them to be. 

We're all a product of the times in which we're raised, but...the world does change and we have to cultivate some flexibility if we're going to age gracefully. I get it. Sometimes you just don't want to learn how to do something a new way. 

Time marches on with our without us, and we can't always be looking blissfully at what was and criticizing what is. I want to keep learning and growing and that means accepting that the world in 2025 looks a lot different than it did when I was 'young' (er). Some things are better, some are worse. I'm sure my parents felt the same. 

4. When you cook do you clean as you go, or clean it all up once you're finished cooking? What's the last thing you cooked/baked in your own kitchen? 

I don't exactly clean as I go, but I don't save it all til the end either. Hubs is 100% clean as you go. He's been known to wash a pan I'm planning to use again.  If he enters the kitchen while I'm baking it can make him twitch a little. 

I would say I clean as I need to, but save most of it for the end because I like to focus more on the actual measuring-sifting-mixing. If my hubs were answering he'd say I definitely lean more towards the clean it all up at the end side of things. Hi hubs! 

The last thing I cooked in my kitchen was a pesto pasta dish I made for dinner Monday night. I answer the questions Monday or Tuesday usually.

5. Sum up your July in ten words or less. 

An ankle fracture. That's it. That's July. 

I mean there were lots of lovely bright spots too, but if I'm summing it up that's the highlight. Or lowlight depending on your point of view. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

When we added the waterfall to our backyard we asked the guys doing the work to add a few plants around it...

That's it. That was the level of instruction we gave them regarding landscaping which, if you know us, you know this is not us lol. 

Mostly we didn't get specific because we didn't realize at the time how large the finished space would be. 

But no matter because they made it so pretty. There's actually a fair amount of planting all around and we love it. These verbena have been blooming since May and show no signs of slowing down. 


Happy Wednesday everyone! 


20 comments:

  1. I tend to clean as I go; I feel like I spent my life in the kitchen though so our dishwasher is always going.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I share all of your sentiments regarding talk shows. Nobody wants a political discourse thinly disguised as comedy.

    I’m also with you regarding mornings being so enjoyable. Unfortunately, most of mine are spent in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for work, so I mainly relish them during the weekends when life is running at a much slower pace. Give me a hot cup of tea, a sleepy puppy, and a sunrise, and I’m a content gal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your answer to question three is good- I struggled with that one a bit. What you said about generations in general is true. And, yes, I remember the jingle about Folger's! It's funny because I don't remember watching much TV at all when I was younger but I must have watched more than I remember because I do remember a decent bit of the commercials!! Your flowers are so pretty and your ankle will heal. Everyone who has had foot/ankle/Achilles injuries (plus docs like your SIL) will tell you that the healing takes a lot of time. Embrace your Kindle and take it easy! I know it's hard though... Have a great day!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh I am sorry about your ankle. That is no fun at all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The waterfall and flowers are just so lovely! It looks so natural! I agreed with everything you said! Ugh the boot - I hope you've been a good girl so you get it off on time!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh yes! I do like my first cup of coffee or tea on a morning and I agree I hate the changes especially when it comes to technology. Life was simpler when we didn't have to use apps for everything on our phones.
    hahaha! My fella twitches a lot when he walks in when I am busy in the kitchen. He doesn't like the mess I make. Oops.
    The waterfall in your garden is so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree with the point you made in #2 about being more resistant to change as we get older, and I do think that every generation is like that to a certain extent. I don't like when people are outright cranky about change or when the younger generations are mean-spirited towards the older when we/they have trouble keeping up.
    Sorry again about your ankle injury, and I hope it heals up quickly and doesn't slow you down too much! I sprained mine this past weekend and that's bad enough - I'd hate to be in a cast or boot during the summer especially!
    Your waterfall is absolutely beautiful!! I love it! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Now, I am singing that jingle! Praying your ankle will heal soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a pretty backyard space you've had created!

    I'm 65 and i actually have always LOVED change. Change grows us mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I embrace it!! The changes I do NOT like is in our current "leadership" of this country. So...I pray. A lot.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'll be back later today to read your post and catch up with other hodgepodgers! We will be on the road to take my brother and our nephew to the airport in Spokane. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am right there with you when it comes to talk shows! There’s too much politics involved in most things these days! I totally remember that Folgers jingle!! I hope your ankle is healing well. Your waterfall and flowers are absolutely stunning! Hope you have a great rest of the week.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your comment for #1 is spot on. I agree, they are too full of themselves. Raising my hand, I definitely remember that jingle. You are so good at answering these questions. Liked what I read for #3. I think I do a little of each when I cook. Sorry about your fracture. Your waterfall is absolutely beautiful. Have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi, I love the waterfall. I can spy the colorful sign up at top.
    I too enjoy my first cup of coffee.
    Here is to a great August.
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anytime plants thrive in this heat is impressive to me! I do remember the Folgers jingle, although I don't drink Folgers, or coffee :). Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the waterfall plantings. It really looks like a natural area in a forest. I completely agree about the talk shows. It's really a shame that there isn't a neutral comedian out there with some class. That is so true about trying to adapt to the culture and technology of today. I find myself thinking (and trying not to say) "back in my day..." way too often!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do think Nate Bargatze does a good job of being funny, not political so he appeals to 'both sides' and his jokes are relevant to today's culture. I like him.

      Delete
  16. I almost started my answer with the "folgers in your cup" jingle, too haha! I don't drink coffee at all, so it would be the "diet pepsi in my cup." It sounds like we could be cooking buddies - I clean like you do!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for giving this view of the waterfall. It is lovely and I love the way the purple verbena cascades—such a beautiful addition. I could not agree more with your answer to #1. Spot on! BTW, M-E took the job in north Atlanta, has found an apartment, and will be moving next week. We are excited for this new step into independence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations to her! We are just under 2 hours from North Atlanta so close : )

      Delete
  18. I liked reading your answers and I really liked the waterfall

    ReplyDelete