Energized By The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for your neighbor there. That's how the blog world rolls. Here we go-

1. What gives you energy? What takes it away? 

What gives me energy? Sunshine. Ticking to-do's off a list. A good night's sleep. Time spent in nature. 

What takes it away? Complainers and negativity in general.  

2. How often do you shop for clothes? What accessory do you always wear? 

We live in a small town, so I mainly shop online these days. It can be done at my leisure, and most places have made returns easy. I will shop for specific events I know are on the calendar, and I generally add a few things each season as needed too. I just did a pass through my closet last week and have three bags to donate. I didn't get to the drawers but that's coming. 

Accessories I always wear? My wedding and engagement rings on my left hand and a ring hubs gave me for our 15th anniversary on my right. I wear earrings every day, and my iWatch too. And glasses. Are glasses an accessory?  

3. What's something free that you feel grateful for? 

God's grace if we're going deep. Something less deep? the sunrise, music, a starry night sky, and library books. 

4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner...which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What's your go-to comfort food?

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I mean a real breakfast, not a grab and go meal. I love to have breakfast out, love brunch which is always breakfast for me, love sharing it with someone, love lingering over coffee, love the beginning of a new day and the meal that marks it.  

My go-to comfort food? Homemade chicken soup... it's good for what ails you, mind and body both. 

5. This week the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way? How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges?

It seems like it shouldn't still feel fresh, yet somehow it does. I don't know if it's because we lived outside D.C. on the day and knew people whose lives were directly impacted, or because we've lived outside NYC a couple of times and the city is a part of the landscape of our lives. 

Sometimes I think it's just that bright blue September sky, so achingly beautiful, that gives me pause. We will remember the day. We'll listen to the names read and will say a prayer for the families who lost so much, for the bravery of so many on that awful day, and for our nation which has been in turmoil of one kind or another ever since. 

I think if you're of a certain age you remember where you were on the day,  and you can't help but think about it when the date comes around each year. 

As far as how historical events shape my perspective when I face personal challenges? Well I suppose they make so many of my own problems feel small in comparison. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Happy birthday today to this little sweetheart...

This picture y'all! 

She was a baby and so was I. She's a momma now, but still and always my baby girl. 

Time is a thief but also a gift. 

I wrote a post yesterday in honor of her special day because that's what I do every year on her birthday. (you can read it here if you're so inclined-The Carousel of Time)

Happy birthday Daughter2...what an absolute joy and privilege it is to be your momma xo