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. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 662

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (July 15th) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

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

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

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

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? 

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? 

5. It wouldn't be summer without___________________. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It's All Hodgepodge To Me

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. So glad you're here! 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. When someone finds out what you do or where you're from, what's a question they always ask? 

When I was in college in Tennessee Saturday Night Live had a regular skit with Joe Piscipo where someone would say, 'You're from Jersey? I'm from Jersey. What exit?' People thought it was hilarious to ask me the same when I would say I'm from New Jersey. 

Of course I'd reply Exit 4 because everyone in New Jersey knows their exit. 

When people are considering retirement or a move to the lake they often ask what we do to fill all that free time.  I tell them there's no shortage of things to do here, and what to say no to is more of a problem. 

2. Did you participate in 'Greek Life' when you were in college, or have children who did? If so what was your experience like? Taking another tack...have you ever been to Greece? If not, is that a destination on your bucket list? 

I was in a sorority and it was a wonderful experience. I made lifelong friends, was given many, many leadership opportunities, I developed skills I've used in work and volunteer positions all of my adult life, and found joy in helping others too. Philanthropy is a big part of sorority life, and if all you know of Greek life is what's portrayed on television or in the movies, your vision of the experience might be inaccurate. 

I have been to Greece, but haven't seen the whole country. We were in Athens in 2005 and had a fabulous time there. Can you tell it was warm? 

The ancient buildings, the history, the beautiful Aegean, the food...such a fun trip. 

3. Do you like Greek food? If so what's your favorite dish?  

I love Greek food. Who doesn't love a Greek salad? That's probably my favorite, but I enjoy lots of different Greek dishes...gyros, spanakopita, tzatziki, and of course baklava. There's a Greek restaurant in a little town outside of Asheville as you're heading towards Tennessee that is so so good. Whenever we're going that way we try to plan our trip around a stop there. 

4. What incredibly common thing have you never done? 

A tattoo? 

5. What is a telltale sign that you're upset? 

I'm an open book and you can probably tell just by looking at my face. If I'm on the verge of tears (which happens easily if I'm mad or sad) you'll know it.     

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I might have gone down a bit of a rabbit hole trying to find pictures of our trip to Greece. 

Look at those young teenagers there. Gulp. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 617

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (Aug 27th) to share answers with the world wide webbers. See you there!

1. When someone finds out what you do or where you're from, what's a question they always ask? 

2. Did you participate in 'Greek Life' when you were in college, or have children who did? If so what was your experience like? Taking another tack...have you ever been to Greece? If not, is that a destination on your bucket list? 

3. Do you like Greek food? If so what's your favorite dish?  

4. What incredibly common thing have you never done? 

5. What is a telltale sign that you're upset? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Overreacting To The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the person before you, or all the people before you if you have the time. Here we go-

1. What's the last thing you completely overreacted to? 

I know I overreacted to something recently because I distinctly remember hubs finally telling me I needed to calm down about whatever 'it' was. lol. That always goes over well, doesn't it? It's possible it was my first glimpse at the proposal for the backyard, which he knew would be adjusted down. For the most part I don't think I'm an 'overreactor'

2. Your top five snacks? 

popcorn, clementines, a slice of cheese, apples, dried mango 

3. What smell always brings back some type of memory? Elaborate. 

I've asked this question or one similar a few times over the course of the Hodgepodge, and my answer is always the same. While there are many scents that evoke a memory the first one that always comes to mind is freshly mown grass. That smell takes me right back to the Saturday morning summers of my childhood.

Back in the day dads mowed the lawn on Saturday mornings. Or teenage brothers. Maybe there were a few moms tackling this job but I don't remember seeing any. I grew up in a sprawling suburban neighborhood and nobody had lawn services. I still love the smell of mown grass and the Saturday morning freedom feeling it brings.

4. What's something you learned from the last book you read? 

The last book I read was West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. It's based on an actual event, but is historical fiction, set in the late 1930's. When I read books set in this time period I'm always impressed by the resilience of people. How they didn't expect life to be easy, and instead just got on with things. 

I learned a little bit more about the dust bowl too. Last year I read The Four Winds by Kirstin Hannah, another novel set in that same time period, and while West With Giraffes was very different in scope, the challenges people faced were similar. I know I studied the Great Depression in high school, but I don't remember hearing a lot about the dust bowl specifically.  

5. What's the next thing on your to-buy list? Will you make that purchase before the end of the year? 

I have a very long to-buy list, but in terms of large purchases I guess outdoor furniture would be near the top. A new space needs new furniture. I'm also shopping for luggage as my largest suitcase lost a wheel, three birthdays, Christmas, and I need new ear buds too (recommendations are welcome). 

Like a said, the list is long. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A work in progress...

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 565

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

1. What's the last thing you completely overreacted to? 

2. Your top five snacks? 

3. What smell always brings back some type of memory? Elaborate. 

4. What's something you learned from the last book you read? 

5. What's the next thing on your to-buy list? Will you make that purchase before the end of the year? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Goofing Off In The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the 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. Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in some way? If so tell us how. Are you a fan of corned beef? Cabbage? The color green? 

We did celebrate, with a neighborhood get together in our clubhouse. Neighbors take turn hosting these once a month gatherings, everyone brings a dish, and it's a fun way to get to know new neighbors and also catch up with old. We had volunteered to host in March and even though it was a week before St. Patty's we went with a St. Patrick's Day theme. Everyone wore something green and brought an Irish dish to share. The food was so good! 

I made corned beef and cabbage for the event and am a fan of both. I only make corned beef once a year and this is the day. I love the color green, one of my favorites. 

2. March 22nd is National Goof Off Day...will you celebrate? Your favorite way to goof off? Last time you had a whole day to spend 'goofing off'? 

I'm retired so technically I can goof off as much as I want. That being said, I prefer to have some sort of schedule in my week, and am happier with at least a little bit of structure. 

What qualifies as goofing off when your time is really your own? My favorite ways to 'goof off' would be reading a book,  floating on the lake, and sipping iced coffee on the porch with my girls or a friend.

3. Something on your to-do list that has been there more than a month? Will this be the month you finally cross it off? 

There is always a fairly long list of the un-crossed on my ongoing to-do list, and quite a few of those tasks have been there a while. We're nearing the end of the month so not sure if any of the big things will be crossed off before the 31st, but I'm trying to pencil some of the more easy to tackle items into my calendar to be done this spring. Not this month, but this season. 

4. In your opinion, what emotion is the most beneficial? Which one is the least useful? 

Most beneficial-joy. Because it's possible no matter the circumstance or situation. 

Least useful-envy. Contentment is the secret to a happy life. 

5. What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? Elaborate. 

So many things come to mind...riding my bike hands free would be one. Except we didn't say hands free back then, we said 'Hey look! No hands!'. Other favorites were the hours spent playing Barbies, paperdolls, and with our dress ups. My mom kept a big box of dress ups in the basement and we loved to make up plays and also play house wearing those clothes.

There were a lot of kids my age in the neighborhood, plus my sister is just a year younger than me, so always someone to play with. Swinging high on the swings, games of HORSE at our neighbor's basketball hoop, tag in the front yard, roller skating and jumping rope on the driveway. 

Aside from school my childhood was very unscheduled. So many hours to run, dream, and play. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I like to see my grands growing up with imagination in the great outdoors too-

"We could have never loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it."

~George Eliot

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 496

The Hodgepodge is back in action this week. Answer  on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in some way? If so tell us how. Are you a fan of corned beef? Cabbage? The color green? 

2. March 22nd is National Goof Off Day...will you celebrate? Your favorite way to goof off? Last time you had a whole day to spend 'goofing off'? 

3. Something on your to-do list that has been there more than a month? Will this be the month you finally cross it off? 

4. In your opinion, what emotion is the most beneficial? Which one is the least useful? 

5. What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? Elaborate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.