It's The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. For bookkeeping purposes...last week was Volume 665 and next week will be Volume 667. 

Also, I don't actually keep books here. 

Anyway...if you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you before you run off. Here we go...

1. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-'The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while." 

Time is crazy isn't it? So...what were you up to in the year 2002? 

I'm going to show great restraint in how many pictures I post. But we need a few, right? 

Living in Maryland. We had a boat and were out on it every weekend. We had friends with boats and we'd all raft up together. Lots of fun! 

I was working as the Director of a church Preschool and Kindergarten, and our girls were in grades 7 and 9. I have to say that makes me feel a little bit ancient. 

We got a puppy that year. A Gordon Setter we called the supermodel, the life of the party, and the absolute sweetest pup ever. 

Hubs and I went to St. Lucia for a reward trip with work colleagues. 

We took a family vacation to the Outer Banks of NC and rented a big house in Duck with four other families. 

We went camping a couple of times. Tent camping which we loved. 

We had a really fun family trip to St. Thomas for Thanksgiving.  

And it was another tender Tennessee Christmas spent with hubs family. 

2. "Me? I'm scared of everything..." What's something that scares you that you'd like to try anyway? 

I feel like this kind of question wants bungee jumping or sky diving or some other physical kind of crazy feat as an answer, but those are not things I've ever had a desire to do. 

How about camping with toddlers? Is that scary? I think it would be the fun sort of scary. 

If I dig a little deeper I'd say being bolder in speaking the truth with courage, and sharing my beliefs without holding back.

3. Watermelon-yay or nay? Which melon is your favorite-watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew Of the watermelon food/beverages listed which would you say yes to...

watermelon salsa~watermelon feta salad~watermelon sorbet~

a watermelon Jolly Rancher~a watermelon margarita 

I love watermelon, all melons really , but especially watermelon. Of the food/beverages listed the only one I'd pass on is the Jolly Rancher. As much as I love watermelon I don't love watermelon 'flavored' candies. 

4. August 12th is National Middle Child Day. Are you a middle child? If not, where do you fall in the birth order in your family of origin? Do you think this has influenced your personality? Elaborate. 

There are four children in my family of origin so no real middle. 

Except I do consider myself a middle because three of the four are girls and I'm the middle girl. I have an older sister and a younger sister and then an older brother, but as the only boy and king he doesn't count lol. 

I have a lot of the traits typically associated with middle children which include being "adaptable, easygoing, and independent people who excel at compromise". Middle children are often the peacemakers and that is very much me. Middle children are said to have high self-reliance which can be both good and bad, but my most uttered phrase as a child was-"I can do it myself" so you be the judge. 

I have a 2-yo granddaughter about whom I think you could say, 'the apple does not fall far from the proverbial tree', ahem. 

5. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time, or have a significant conversation with two people? Explain. 

Probably the second, significant conversations with a couple of people. Huge parties aren't really my thing, but give me a dinner party for 6 or 8 and I'm a happy hostess (or guest). 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of time passing...

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

This Week's Hodgepodge Questions

Last week was Volume 665 and next week will be Volume 667. You're welcome : ) 

And you know the drill. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (August 12th) to share answers. See you there-

1. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-'The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while." 

Time is crazy isn't it? So...what were you up to in the year 2002? 

2. "Me? I'm scared of everything..." What's something that scares you that you'd like to try anyway? 

3. Watermelon-yay or nay? Which melon is your favorite-watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew. Of the watermelon food/beverages listed which would you say yes to...

watermelon salsa~watermelon feta salad~watermelon sorbet~

a watermelon Jolly Rancher~a watermelon margarita 

4. August 12th is National Middle Child Day. Are you a middle child? If not, where do you fall in the birth order in your family of origin? Do you think this has influenced your personality? Elaborate. 

5. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time, or have a significant conversation with two people? Explain. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Pearl Of A 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 leave a comment for the blogger there before you. Here we go-

1. What's something on your August calendar you're looking forward to? Or dreading if that's easier to answer. 

Time with my Tennessee grands, friends and family coming to hang out on the lake later this month, and dinner with friends at a Michelen Star restaurant where we were finally able to snag a reservation. 

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day...do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? 

I like oysters and we have them on occasion. We don't fix them at home, but will order out if we're in a place that serves them. My son-in-law grills them and those are good too. True story- when we visited friends on Prince Edward Island  we went out with an oysterman and he pulled one out of the water and popped it into my mouth before I knew what was happening. 

I love pearls. They're one of my favorite gemstones and I have a set hubs bought for me in China and another set he bought for me in Japan. In the south pearls go with everything and I wear mine as often as I can. 

3. Tell us about a time when you felt like 'the world was your oyster'. 

There were those golden years when I was just out of university, just starting out in my career, just starting out in marriage, where it felt like so much was possible and the world was my oyster. 

In more recent years I'm going to say a road trip somewhere new. 

I love getting in the car and driving with perhaps a final destination in mind, but not rushing to get there, and having no real specific agenda for what we'll see and do along the way. Oh, there might be a few highlights or popular points of interest we don't want to miss, but I love the idea of enjoying the ride, stopping if something peaks our interest, and being open to getting off the beaten path to see what we can see. Those sorts of trips give me the feeling I think this saying implies. 

4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). If you're answering today from outside the US you'll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let's pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month...which one do you choose and why? 

Catalina Island California~Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii

I've been to Key West more than once,  but not to any of the other islands listed. I love the Keys but prefer Marathon to Key West. The sunsets in the Keys are spectacular. 

Hubs and I had a really fun trip to Duck Key which is near Marathon one year. It was the start of lobster season and hubs went diving and brought back dinner. A local restaurant cooked them for us. 

Plus I got to do this which was exciting.  

As far as which one on the list I'd most want to see I'll take the all expense paid trip to Mackinac Island please. I've never been and it's a spot that's on my want- to-see list. 

5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following- 

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time."

Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? 

Growing up August was firmly planted in summer and there was no confusion about that. School started after Labor Day and we were still squeezing in all the summer fun we could in August. 

Today maybe that's not so clear, but on the lake it's still summer. The lake is less busy too because schools start so early, and kids are back into all their sports practices, so the gentler weekends on the water are nice. 

Come Labor Day I'll shift into all things autumn, even if the thermometer says otherwise. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I read a thought provoking post on Instagram recently which I'm linking here-The Slow Death of the Beauty Of The World.  I think it's worth a read if you can access it. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 665

Hello Hodgepodgers. I have a very busy week ahead where I’m responsible for tiny humans, so there likely won't be much blogging here other than the Hodgepodge. Can't miss that now can I? Here are the questions to this week's random. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (August 5th) and add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. What's something on your August calendar you're looking forward to? Or dreading if that's easier to answer. 

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day...do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? 

3. Tell us about a time when you felt like 'the world was your oyster'. 

4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). If you're answering today from outside the US you'll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let's pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month...which one do you choose and why? 

Catalina Island California~Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii

5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following- 

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time."

Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Hodgepodge. It's Grrrrreat!

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 leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What was the last thing you celebrated? 

My oldest grandson had a birthday a few days ago and we've had fun celebrating him big. There was a special dinner out with Nana and Pawpaw, a birthday party at home with his friends, and then his dad took both he and little brother out for a day on the river on his actual special day. 

Go big or go home is our birthday motto. 

2 July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what's the first  person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind? 

Well I live near Tiger town so the first thing that came to mind was the local university sports team mascot. There are tiger paws painted on the road in to college town, tigers on hats, shirts, Tervis tumblers, flags, and pretty much anything that's not nailed down and even some things that are. 

The football team has what's been dubbed the 25 most exciting seconds in college football with their run in down this super steep hill. The whole team flies down this hill after they've touched the rock up top, and every time I see it live I ask hubs if anyone has ever been injured here before the game even begins. He reminds me they're elite athletes as opposed to say someone like me who struggles to walk without falling on flat ground. 

He doesn't say that exactly but pretty sure that's what he means. I filmed it once but it doesn't really show how crazy steep it is. So fun though! 

3. The expression 'eye of the tiger' describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to?  

If the question had been what area should I be bringing that energy to I'd have several answers. But right now I am not bringing a lot of focus and energy to anything. 

4. What was the last meal you cooked? 

Let's use the term cooked loosely. Honestly I haven't done a lot of cooking this summer. I mean I have but not the every night thing. For the past month or so we've either hosted dinner parties with a full menu, been at a dinner event or eaten out, or we've put cheese and crackers on a plate and called it a day. 

It's been hot and I'm not super hungry for dinner when it's really hot outside. 

Monday night we cooked. Hubs grilled the most fabulous burgers and also some long hot peppers we were gifted by my daughter's mother-in-law. She gave us lots of jalapeños too and some pepperoncinis, but we added the grilled long hots as a topping to our burgers and they were delish. 

I made a quick cucumber tomato salad and some corn on the cob so if you call that cooking I guess I cooked. 

Thursday night we'll have ten friends here for dinner so there will be cooking then for sure. Although everyone is bringing something so even that won't require an excessive amount of work on my part. 

5. Describe your July using exactly five words. 

road trip • wedding • houseguests • celebrate 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

So, couple of things...if you're in the USA are you eating lettuce? How about eggs? What's happening? 

I don't know if you saw this amazing rescue, but this 16-year old lifeguard on a California beach is absolutely committed to getting this 10-year old drowning victim to safety. The waves are insane and I admire his heroism so much. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 664

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (July 29th) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. What was the last thing you celebrated? 

2 July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what's the first  person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind? 

3. The expression 'eye of the tiger' describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to?  

4. What was the last meal you cooked? 

5. Describe your July using exactly five words. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

When The Hodgepodge Gives You Lemons

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. Do your goals and dreams energize or exhaust you? Elaborate. 

I tend to set smaller, more manageable goals these days, so I wouldn't say they exhaust me. In this season I want to live with intention and focus my energies on what's going to matter for eternity. I would say I do feel a greater sense of urgency about some things because time is a tickin'. For all of us actually, but once you hit a certain age you're more aware of it. 

2. July 23rd is national lemon day. Are you a fan of this flavor? What's a favorite dish or beverage you enjoy that calls for lemons? 

I love lemon flavored anything. One of my favorites. I make a lemon pasta with shrimp, a lemon garlic shrimp, sweet iced tea with lots of lemon (gotta have the lemon here!!), lemon crepes, chicken piccata, lemon bars, and good old fashioned lemonade. 

Oh and let's not forget icy cold limoncello made with lemons from our lemon tree-

3. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"...is this something you're pretty good at managing? Have you had to do this recently? If so tell us about it. 

I think I'm pretty good at this. I mean we don't usually have a choice, right? I'm normally that person looking for the bright side in every instance, which I think fits here. 

Now. I did have a situation not too many years ago, where I wish I'd been a bit better at making lemonade right off the bat, but will confess it took me a while to get there. Let's just say it was a learning experience and leave it at that. 

4. Something you love that is lemon yellow in color? 

The sun. Italian pottery. A bowl of lemons sitting on the kitchen counter. Daffodils.  A NYC taxi. 

5. How would you describe your attention to detail? 

Excellent if we're talking the written word. Something less than that if we're talking house cleaning. Hubs is a 10 in this department so I don't have to be. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Who's watched  I Will Find You on Netflix? We're more than halfway through and it's good. I love Harlan Coben's books and the television adaptation of this one is well done. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 663

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (July 21st)  to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Do your goals and dreams energize or exhaust you? Elaborate. 

2. July 23rd is national lemon day. Are you a fan of this flavor? What's a favorite dish or beverage you enjoy that calls for lemons? 

3. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"...is this something you're pretty good at managing? Have you had to do this recently? If so tell us about it. 

4. Something you love that is lemon yellow in color? 

5. How would you describe your attention to detail? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Guilt Free 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 leave a comment for the blogger before you. Don't be lazy now. 

Here we go...

1. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." Sam Keen

Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate. 

Why does rest make us feel guilty? In this season of life I'm taking time to relax guilt free. We're not lazy people and while work is important rest is also essential. I enjoy having things on my calendar, both fun and commitment related, but I also love seeing some blank space to do nothing in particular. 

2. What's a telltale sign you're upset? 

I'm not someone who hides their emotions very well.  I cry easily and if I'm upset while talking I might cry. I try hard not to, but...

At other times I might go quiet, and since I tend to talk a lot going quiet is noticeable. 

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposely used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative? 

Well it's here to stay so I want to think about it at least a little bit. It's already tucked in to so many things we use every day so there's no avoiding it.  I listened to an interesting podcast recently on the topic and have linked it here (What Every Christian Should Know About Artificial Intelligence). 

A lot of people ask if I use AI to come up with questions every week. So far no, except in all likelihood something has slipped through the cracks. We just don't know (or always think about) all the spaces AI now inhabits. I come up with most questions off the top of my head. But I also have a book of questions Marilyn gave me, there are websites with questions, and I google topical issues to inspire questions, so it's a mix. 

I'd say AI is both exciting and worrisome. Like all technology there is the potential for misuse and actual evil and I'm sure we'll see that with AI too. Also I want to think and I guess the biggest negative I see is the temptation to become lazy in that department. I am rebelling against it as much as I can. 

Positives? I think if a summary is needed for something AI can be helpful and a real time saver. While it doesn't actually think it does consolidate a lot of information in a short amount of time and that's useful in a lot of instances. 

We want to take a trip out west and I was struggling with how to combine a couple of destinations without excessively long drive days so I popped my locations into AI and he/she/it? came up with a plan.  Since I'm not familiar with the geography in this particular part of the country I needed help and AI gave me a place to start.  

4. You're invited to a summer pot luck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing? 

Depends on my mood, and possibly who else I know will be there. I would likely go for dessert because I like to bake and desserts hold up well in transport. 

5. It wouldn't be summer without___________________. 

A tomato sandwich, made with homegrown tomatoes right off the vine, slathered in Duke's Mayo. Yum! Haven't had one yet this summer, but it will happen soon. I need my daughter to share some of her larger tomatoes with me as we only grew cherries. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

So one of our state's senators passed away suddenly this week, and people are just vile. Sadly this is no longer surprising. 

I don't know how we've gotten to the point of celebrating the death of another human being in our country, but here we are. Lindsay Graham was from our local area and hubs and I met him in person once. He was really funny. Did we agree with everything he said and did? No. But he served our country in the USAF and raised his sister upon the death of their parents when she was just 13, and both of these things I do admire. 

I read a quote by Matthew Hennessey with the Wall Street Journal who said, "The best thing you can do when someone dies is say a prayer. If that isn't your thing, find something nice to say. If neither of those options works for you, there's a third option: Shut up." 

You don't have to agree with someone's politics to be decent in death. We need to do better. 

Peaceful Easy Hodgepodge

Hi friends. Long time no blog. We've been out of town, and only arrived home Monday night. We've hit the ground running here with a full week and then company starting on Friday. I want to recap our time away, but that won't be quick (probably not short either, just sayin') so will save that for Thursday's blog.  I think? 

Today let's Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions answer on your own blog, then hop back here to share answers. Before you rush off, be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you! Here we go...

1. What's something you enjoy now that your younger self would never have appreciated? 

A great nap.  Another thing would be a vegetable plate. I wasn't crazy about vegetables as a child, but I could make a meal off of them now, especially in the summer months. 

2. What was peaceful about today? 

Early morning sunrise and that first cup of coffee...

3. It's National Blueberry Day (July 8). Will you celebrate?  You can have one of the following right now-a slice of blueberry pie, a warm blueberry muffin, or a stack of blueberry pancakes...which do you choose? 

A slice of blueberry pie please. I made one a couple of weeks ago for some dinner guests and it was delish-

This or that-blueberries or raspberries? 

blueberries or strawberries? 

My answer is blueberries. 

I love blueberries. Also blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and boysenberries. Not sure I can pick a favorite berry, but blueberries are near the top of the list. 

4. Do you need a break? From what? 

I've just been to the beach so right now my answer is no. 

Gulf sunsets carry the stress right away. 

5. What has surprised you most about getting older? 

Probably the way I  feel on the inside not matching up with what I see on the outside. My mom used to tell me she didn't like people to know her age because once they know they sort of discount what she has to say. I get that now. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today this beauty turns 96 years young. 

Happy birthday to my mama who is loved more than words can say. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 661

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (July 8th) to share answers with the universe. See you there!

1. What's something you enjoy now that your younger self would never have appreciated? 

2. What was peaceful about today? 

3. It's National Blueberry Day (July 8). Will you celebrate?  You can have one of the following right now-a slice of blueberry pie, a warm blueberry muffin, or a stack of blueberry pancakes...which do you choose?

This or that-blueberries or raspberries? blueberries or strawberries? 

4. Do you need a break? From what? 

5. What has surprised you most about getting older? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Three Cheers For The Hodgepodge

Welcome to July and to our weekly Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go...

1. What do you love most about your country? 

Her resilience, her optimism, her beauty, and maybe most of all her hard fought freedoms. 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

America The Beautiful

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

I like red, white, and blue alone, two of them together in some combination, or all three together. My favorite I guess is blue, but it depends what we're talking about. I like striped tops, striped fabric, striped umbrellas, candy canes, and the Clemson tigers : ) I like stars in the night sky. 

Something besides a flag with those colors or decorations? I have a patio pillow that fits the description-

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

While they all appeal to some degree, I'm going to choose connection. I want to be intentional about reaching out. I want quality time with the people I care about. I want deep conversations, shared meals and conversations, and memories made with friends and family. 

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid?  

Definitely swimming, and yes I still swim and I still love it. In some ways it can make me feel like a kid. Diving into deep water and swimming across a pool without coming up for air definitely takes me back to my childhood. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Have a safe and happy 4th everyone! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 660

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday July 1st to share answers with the universe. See you there!

1. What do you love most about your country? 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid?  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sum-Sum-Summertime Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Grab your shades and your pool noodle and jump on in! Be sure to add your link at the end of my post, and don't forget to leave a comment for your neighbors there. Here we go-

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? 

What do I love most about summer? 

Evening daylight that stretches past 8 PM, then turns a golden hue which somehow makes you feel like anything is possible. 

My biggest pet peeve? 

I dislike being hit in the face with 100% humidity when I open the door at 6 AM. I like cooler (or at least reasonable) temps in the morning and want the day to warm up gradually. That doesn't usually happen in in the summers here.  

2. What song always reminds you of summer? 

I have a whole summer playlist of favorites but beach music tops the list. If I hear beach music I think summer and one of my favorites is Summertime's Calling Me by The Catalinas. We all love that song in our house. 

There's a lot of country music on my summer playlist. Kenny Chesney's Anything But Mine is probably my favorite song of his and definitely a summer favorite. 

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate. 

There were all the simple pleasures of childhood like riding our bikes to the swim club, big games of neighborhood hide and seek, chasing fireflies in our backyard, homemade ice cream, family picnics with family friends, Barbies with my sister under the big tree out back, etc. 

Mostly though, when I think of childhood summers, I remember less the specific moments and more the feeling of freedom that surrounded them. The idea that there was nowhere I needed to be, and the way time felt so spacious and carefree. That carefree feeling is linked to childhood in my mind, and somehow I think we as children sensed it and so we savored it all the more. 

That's me in the yellow top and the blue keds with my two best friends coloring on our porch on a sunny summer day. I can feel the freedom from here. 

Do kids get to enjoy summer the way I did as a child? 

I think so, if parents help make it so. I see my grandchildren enjoying a carefree summer in much the same way I did. They spend their days outside, swimming, playing games in their backyard, riding bikes, staying up a little later than normal and enjoying family time and time with their friends. They're not carrying adult sized problems and worrying about much more than being a kid. 

4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa. 

My sisters and I were always told we favored my dad in looks, while my brother looked more like our mom.  I think we're all four a combination of both parents. 

If I had to describe my dad in a single word it would be solid.  He was a hard worker, a man of deep faith, someone who lived with integrity. While he wasn't a big talker we all knew we were loved and we could count on him. 

I think I wanted that same quality in a husband and I have it. My hubs is solid. And so are my sons-in-law. They're all excellent providers, strong in the ways that count, faithful, and they love their families well. 

My hubs is not a man of few words though lol. I'm glad. 

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

• flip flops or sandals~sandals
• beach or pool~beach
• watermelon or peaches~watermelon
• shorts or sundress~shorts
• iced coffee or ice cold lemonade~lemonade
• amusement park or water park~water park for sure...this is the only question I didn't want to answer with 'both' 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

This post is a lot of words and almost no pictures. Grands are in the house this week and I'm enjoying having our tiny cousin crew all together.  

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 659

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (June 24th) to add your link  to the party. See you there! 

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? 

2. What song always reminds you of summer? 

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate. 

4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa. 

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

• flip flops or sandals
• beach or pool 
• watermelon or peaches
• shorts or sundress
• iced coffee or ice cold lemonade
• amusement park or water park

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hodgepodge Fever

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 leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go- 

1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

What a crazy day that was. Watching the super slow police chase of a former NFL standout. So sad for those families and all that was revealed after. 

In June of 1994 we were settling in to our new home in Maryland, having closed on our house there at the very end of May. Daughter1 had celebrated her 6th birthday a little bit early, with her NJ friends just before we moved and Daughter2 was not quite four. 

And now let's pause and give these neon track suits on tiny people their due. When my girls see photos of themselves in this sort of 'fashion' they always ask, 'But why were we wearing track suits?' 

Good question. I guess they were all the rage, they came in pretty colors, and they were comfy. Also swishy. Not a single natural fiber to be found but they do look awfully cute. 

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?

I love all salads, but one of my favorites is a Caprese-red ripe tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil  topped with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a splash of balsamic. 

I like fruit in salads and often add Craisins to a regular tossed salad. There's a salad I make that we all love that calls for apple and pear. I like a watermelon and feta salad, a spinach and strawberry salad, and a peach and burrata salad too. 

3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? 

Is chivalry dead? Not quite. 

Should it be? I vote no. I mean technically it might be dead because I think the original definition of the word applied to a knight's code of conduct, and there aren't many knights around in 2026. The word has taken on a more commonly used meaning in modern times, and 'typically refers to an honorable and polite way of behaving, especially by men toward women' (Websters). 

If that's the definition we're using then it's not dead in my house and I'm grateful. My hubs is considerate, opens doors, brings the car to the curb when it's raining, holds the umbrella, carries heavy luggage and bags, kills creepy crawlies, investigates strange noises, and brews me afternoon tea. I appreciate these gestures. 

Am I helpless? Not at all. But I love feeling cared for and cherished and I'm glad there are areas of life I can trust he'll take care of and manage. I don't think men and women were designed to serve the same roles within marriage and I appreciate our different giftings.  

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? 

Hawaii I think.

Maybe it's in my DNA? 

I've never been to Alaska, and it's become a really  popular tourist destination it seems. I'm sure I'd enjoy a trip there, but it's never been high on my bucket list. I'd rather have sun, sand, and the sea or ancient cities and beautiful architecture. 

As far as the 'state foods' go...I won't order a Hawaiian pizza, but will eat it if that's what the group wants. I don't hate it, but there are far better pizzas out there than one topped with pineapple. 

 I've never had Baked Alaska but would love to try it. 

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why. 

We're watching. I love the patriotism on display by all the countries represented. I love that everyone is singing their nation's National Anthem with hands on their hearts. I love the enthusiasm for American culture that's had a light shone upon it thanks to the visiting spectators from around the world. I like the matches best where someone scores -ha! 

I never played soccer and my girls played only when they were very young. There were other sports/dance they'd rather be doing. 

If I have to pick a city from that list I guess maybe Toronto, mostly because I've never been. Also, I have a friend who lives not far from there, and I've heard it's a foodie city which appeals to me. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A quick reminder I'm hosting A Day In The Life linkup tomorrow-June 18th for anyone interested in playing along. 

If you need details you'll find them in my random thought here (Nom de Hodgepodge). Feel free to screen shot the graphic. See you there!