Wednesday, February 25, 2026

A Noisy Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks for joining in here today and every Wednesday as we talk about pretty much everything under the sun. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go-

From this Side of the Pond

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see? 

Of the cities listed I've seen them all. I've visited Boston...

and have lived in or around the others. I grew up on the NJ side of Philadelphia and my sister and her family (along with my mom) live in the city still. 

you have to run up the stairs and raise your fists like Rocky when you're in this spot

I've lived in the NJ suburbs of NYC twice. 

celebrating my 50th in The Big Apple

I also lived on the Maryland side of D.C. for nine years so am very familiar with D.C. 

                                Be still my heart

Daughter1 worked in DC after uni and I enjoyed spending time with her there. And my dad is buried in Arlington which is a really special place. 

I currently live in the Palmetto State, but in what's known as the upcountry as opposed to the low country, which is where Charleston is located. I have been to Charleston though and love it. 

I also lived in Richmond Virginia for a few years and have visited the three towns mentioned here, a lovely corner triangle of the country. 

I'm sure I'll be in Philadelphia this year, and maybe Charleston too. 

We've moved a lot. Can you tell? 

One place I think everyone in America should see? This one-

Arlington National Cemetery. 


If you visit D.C. make a stop here.

2. Three sounds you love to hear? 

children laughing, NANA!!!, and the many sounds of water including a gentle rain, waves lapping the shoreline or crashing along a rocky rugged coast, babbling brooks, and waterfalls including the one in my own backyard. 

3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

chewing, the sound of someone flossing their teeth, and a dental drill

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

I do like tortilla chips and my preference is to have them with a side of both salsa and guacamole. I like nachos but we have them very rarely. I'm good with whatever you want to throw on top. I don't like them soggy so go easy on any chili style toppings. Definitely lots of cheese, tomato, olives, onion, and jalapenos. 

I put a handful of broken (not crushed or pulverized) tortilla chips in the bottom of the bowl before adding my taco soup on top. So good! 

5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

What isn't on my March calendar? Whew. Gonna be a busy one, but I'm looking most forward to a few days later in the month I've blocked to spend with my daughter2 and her kiddos. I'll go there during the week when her hubs will have some work travel, so it will be just us once her little ones go to bed. 

When we're together it's often related to an 'event'...birthday celebrations, Christmas, that sort of thing. It will be nice to have nothing we absolutely have to do. We plan to shop, watch baking, and solve all the problems of the world. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Do you follow The Leighton Show on social media or maybe on his youtube channel?  If you have teenagers this site is a gem. Even if you don't have teenagers you'll enjoy it. Parents send him texts their teenagers have sent and it's hilarious. 

He also has a book out called 'What Time Is Noon' which was a text message a parent received. He's easy to find online but here's a link to his Insta (The Leighton Show). It's one thing on social media that always makes me smile. 

Have a happy Wednesday everyone! 


19 comments:

  1. You have moved a lot! Those are all such fun places to live. Arlington Cemetery is such a sobering place to visit. I went as a kid and then as an adult twice and it makes me appreciate my American history and freedom so much more. I am so glad you will have that uninterrupted time with your daughter this month. Well, any interruptions will be with sweet kiddos :). Thanks for hosting and enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You really have lived all over! I didn't realize that you have a Richmond connection. We have family in Richmond- we've only been out there once to see them. Since all of their family is this way, they come out here a decent bit for visits. You've lived all over the East Coast! I'd like to see Arlington and all of DC. Your throwback pictures are all so good! You've been to (and lived in!) many great places. It will be so nice to spend time with your daughter for no special occasion- just because. Have a great Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh yes I love the sound of water (as long as it's not leaky pipes). I don't like the sound of snow/ ice storms though so no frozen water forms please.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You always come up with great questions! When I saw your picture of the Rocky steps, I realized I have been to Philadelphia. We flew into Philadelphia when we were going to our nephew's wedding in Delaware and we did a driving tour of the city!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I forgot to say the sound of rain! Yes!
    You have been or lived everywhere! I'm not sure I know the story of how you and hub met and how you decided to settle in S. Carolina. I should poke around your blog to see if it's there.
    I have been to Arlington several times with my family or origin and then when we took our kids. It is such a stunning sight to see.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love that you'll be seeing your daughter soon and having quality time with her! I know you'll both love that. Thanks for hosting us once again!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love all the photos from the different cities because you and your family are featured IN the photos! I didn't take the time to find shots of me in any of the places. As many times as I've visited DC area sites, Arlington is one place I've never been. I would like to though.
    Sounds like you have some wonderful plans ahead for March! Enjoy that time with family!
    I follow The Leighton Show and it's so funny! Makes me wish I'd submitted some of the funny texts I've received from my kids over the years. So many of the text messages he features are especially hilarious because I could picture my own kids saying similar things!
    Thanks for the link-up and have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fantastic photos of your travels!
    Children's laughter is the best sound and I love the sound of taco soup but I have never had it!
    How lovely to have some time with your daughter planned.
    I have seen The Leighton Show on social media. So, so funny!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I grew up close to NY so I was there often. But I've never been to Jamestown, etc. I have been to Arlington cemetery though!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! You have lived in a lot of places. I used to live on Long Island, New York then came to Pennsylvania. My first visit to Philadelphia was on Thanksgiving. I have been to Arlington National Cemetery a few times when my son and the cub scouts did a wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - that was definitely an amazing site to see.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You have definitely travelled. Good luck with solving the world's problems although you and your daughter would probably have better ideas than most of the current leaders!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You have certainly lived in several places and how awesome to share all of those photos. I would definitely visit Arlington Cemetery if I went to D.C. Those are beautiful choices on what you like to hear. Also great answers on what you don't want to hear. Yes, no soggy chips for me and a great idea to add them at the bottom of your soup. How nice that you will spend time with daughter #2 and the grandchildren. No, I haven't seen that show. I will check him out. Enjoy your day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good Wednesday to you!
    Thank you for sharing all the photos today. I enjoyed them. :-)
    Ha... the sound of flossing. ;-) For me, it is the little things that fly out of ones mouth while flossing. That may have been too much information. Hee Hee!

    I love that you will be spending time with your daughter and her little ones.
    xo
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love all the photos. I have visited Arlington Cemetery many times. My late hub had never been so in 2011 I took him. He was mesmerized and so solemn. Enjoy your time with daughter#2.

    ReplyDelete
  15. my sister Joy is taking a train down to Charleston next week for a week with her bff. I've never been but Boston is our city!! (hubby is from south shore Boston area). We liked it MUCH better than NYC which is only 2.5-3 hours south of us. We feel it should be a separate state :)

    LOVE LOVE LOVE your hair in the NYC pic!! Stunning and makes you look younger. Very professional. LOVE it.

    How fun to spend time with your grands.

    I'll play later...been a busy day but I should have free time later today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I actually was a lot younger in that picture : ) I liked my hair short, but I live on a lake now and am in and out of the water all day long, boating, etc. Longer can go in a pony and doesn't have to be done every day. Short hair needs to be done so for now I'm keeping it on the longer side.

      Delete
  16. You have lived in so many interesting places and saved pictures to boot. Thank you for sharing these - I love seeing them. You do have a busy March, and I'm sure there will be some fun times to share, especially time with your girl and kiddos. It's hard to beat that!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wonderful pictures! I can't stand listening to people chew too! Yikes! I have never been to Arlington Cemetery, but it is on my list.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's really cool that you and your daughters enjoy baking together, both when you are together and apart. That just sounds like a fun way to connect (and so tasty, too!).

    ReplyDelete