Showing posts with label balance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label balance. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

An Uncomplicated 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 go say hi to your neighbor there. 

From this Side of the Pond

1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be? 

Perhaps a better question would be what DON'T I complicate? I know there are a number of shortcuts my girls have shown me on the computer/phone that I still do 'the long way' aka the less simple way, because old habits die hard. 

2. What impresses you? 

humility, courage, bold faith, quiet acts of generosity, and the sunrise

on a less serious note-raw musical talent and the Rockettes kick line

3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you?  (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose? 

How picky am I?  I'm a 10. Not picky at all.

There's almost nothing I won't eat. In fact the only thing that comes to mind is liver and I think my dislike of that goes back to my childhood. My mom would occasionally make liver and onions for dinner and I could not handle the smell at all. I do like liver pates which are nothing like liver and onions. 

My girls, their spouses, and my grands are not picky eaters either, which is really nice when it comes to meal planning. 

If I had to eat a meal made entirely of one color I'd probably opt for red-

apples, cherries, strawberries, watermelon, red peppers, red potatoes, tomatoes, red onions, beets, red meat...I think I could cover all the food groups if I chose red, but I'd definitely miss the greens. 

I'd like a Christmas plate please-red and green. 

4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel 'balanced'? 

Hmmm...I'm not sure life can be in balance every minute of every day. I think we're always making adjustments both large and small, to keep life on an even keel. For me balance means I have an overall sense of well being (physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally).  Sometimes I need more physical activity to regain my balance, sometimes more quiet space, coffee with a friend, or a good cry. 

Do I currently feel balanced? 

Not exactly, but like I said in my answer to the first part of this question, I'm always tweaking things and this season is no different.  I mean I'm not tipping over but one side of the boat is a bit heavier than it should be and I'm working to level out. 

5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination? 

I think I'd start in New Zealand because it's so far from my current location and that's a place I'd like to see. I could work my way this direction without a lot of backtracking. 

Sounds good to me...when do we leave? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

'And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property, I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company...

And I'm thankful for those thankful for the things I've done, I can rest in peace, I'm one of the chosen ones...


I made it to Arlington...' 

This weekend we pause to honor and remember those who gave all. 
Let's be grateful. 

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 654

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (May 20) to add your link to the party. See you there! 


1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be? 

2. What impresses you? 

3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you?  (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose? 

4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel 'balanced'? 

5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Striking A Balance

If you're looking for today's Wednesday Hodgepodge you'll find it here- A DIY Hodgepodge

Day 2...I'm on a roll lol...

#AtoZChallenge 2025 badge B

B is for Balance 

'a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportion' 

When you're in the heavy lifting years of parenting, or when you're carrying the heavy mental load of launching teenagers into young adulthood, life can easily and often feel out of balance. Maybe more out of balance than in balance, and there's not a whole lot you can do about it. 

Children are needy and you are the need meet-er. Their needs and your own desire for space, time, and silence don't always line up, but of course their needs almost always take precedence, and you do what needs to be done.  

High fives to moms everywhere. 

When you leave those seasons behind you free up some brain space to contemplate who you are now and what you want your life to look like. 

I'm a person who likes my space. If I don't have enough of it I get cranky and if I have too much I feel frustrated, restless, and unproductive. I cannot have a completely blank calendar, nor do I want one where there's no room for spontaneous fun, travel, hobbies, or daydreams. 

As I've gotten older I've learned to recognize what I need in order to have balance. When life feels like too much or not quite enough I remind myself of a few simple truths and a few practical helps too...

  • Too many days in a row of unproductive activity can leave me feeling out of balance.
  • Going and doing and seeing all the people too many days in a row can also leave me feeling out of balance. 
  • I hate feeling unproductive.
  • I don't have to be productive all the time.
  • An activity that on the surface sounds unproductive can in reality be good for my mental health and emotional well-being. 
  • Simple pleasures add to the richness of life. 
  • Don't procrastinate on tasks that might fall under the heading of 'business'. 
  • Make time for things I love that might sound frivolous to other people.
  • Feel no guilt for doing so.
  • Admit when a full calendar is about to spill over and just say no to adding one more thing.
  • When it occasionally spills over anyway, practice gratitude for all the many good things that fill my days and make life full and interesting. 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1