Playing Nice In The Wednesday 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 linking before you. Or all the bloggers linking here today.  Let's go-

1. What's one part of your everyday routine you'd be better off without? 

Facebook. It used to be a much looked forward to part of my everyday routine, but other than linking my blog and sending birthday greetings I am rarely there these days. I won't yammer on about why because surely everyone can agree it's not the congenial little corner of the Internet it once was. 

2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do? 

I baked peanut butter cookies. Does that count? Hubs would say yes. He brought his mom over from Tennessee yesterday (Monday) and what should have been a 3-hour drive took them five. Ugh! Peanut butter cookies fresh from the oven made his day. 

3. What question do you hate to answer? 

These days pretty much anything relating to politics. So much hate and judgement out there. 

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us. In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix) and if so what did you think? 

Y'all.  If you have not watched this documentary you need to, particularly if you're a parent. Prior to watching it I might have answered this question differently, but since I have seen the program I'm going to say technology does control us, and it controls us in ways we might not have considered. Unless you're off the grid, but of course if you're here reading this blog I suspect you're not off the grid. teehee. 

5. What are three small things that make your day better? 

that first cup of steaming hot coffee, a cloudless blue sky, dinner plans

6. Insert your own random thought here.

As much as I hated to say farewell to my beautiful geraniums that bloomed all summer long, these huge mums were too pretty not to buy.

And if you give a porch a mum you need to add a pumpkin. And a pansy. And maybe a baby pumpkin and also a white pumpkin and then another mum in a different color. Did I tell you I love fall? 

On Being Present

Linking up with Five Minute Friday today. Easy peasy. Set the timer. Write. No editing, no second guessing. Just do it.

Today's prompt-present

I haven't participated in Five Minute Friday in several weeks mostly because it tends toward the deep and I've been swimming in the shallow end on my blog of late. I was scrolling through my dashboard earlier which led to the re-reading of some older posts, and I couldn't help but miss the writer I was. She's still around here somewhere, we just need to get reacquainted. I think that's where this word comes in.

As it happens I've had a post in my draft file labeled Present for some time now. The post was blank, but I'd scribbled the word down almost a month ago with every intention of someday getting back to it. And every week I'd open my dashboard, see it sitting there, and think not today.

So why then did I ever put pen to paper (or fingertips to keyboard) and spell out the word present? Here's the short version...

You know how it's kind of become a thing to have a word for the year? I've done it myself the past four years, when a particular word seemed to be everywhere I turned and felt like it had my name on it...joy, love, fearless, seek...

This year though? This year I just wasn't feeling it. I'd see people talking about their 'one word' and I'd scratch my head and say hmmm...what's going to be my word? And then nothing.

Blank space.

Empty air.

I think sometimes we force this kind of thing and I determined not to do that. Not to pluck a word out of thin air and wear it like a badge and call it mine.

We have a lot going on here at the moment, and I know if you read here you're saying 'doesn't she always???', but really, we have a lot going on here at the moment. And without over thinking it I've just let some of the online stuff go in order to be here. In the middle of my life.

Then there's the fact that recently I've become quite disillusioned with social media. Or maybe it's people I'm weary of. People spouting off and taking offense at every little thing under the sun, desperate to convince me their opinion is the right opinion. I might be late to that party, but Facebook for sure has lost some of it's appeal, both in tone and content. I started skimming more, commenting less, reading less, stepping away.

It's easier than one might think.

As I took some baby steps back it struck me that I'm often only halfway present in the present. I began mentally inventory-ing some of my habits and decided I want less multi-tasking. Less checking of the phone and more real listening. Less feeling irate and more praying. Giving less attention to the whiners and complainers in this world and filling my heart and mind with the beauty of the earth and the people I love.

Present. Really really present.

I guess that's why I left the post blank. The longer it sat the more the idea of sharing it felt almost contrary to the word itself. Contrary to why I chose it. Or did it choose me? But today I clicked on Kate Montaung's blog and Friday link up and there it was.

My word.

And I decided to write it all down because when I write I'm present in my own life. It's where I examine and resolve and remember how satisfying it is to truly be in the moment.  I want more of that this year.

Coming Up Roses in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge! I'm glad you joined the fun today, and be sure to add your link at the end of my post.  I  say this a lot lately, but please-only link here if you've answered the questions. Thanks!

Also, a reminder the Hodgepodge is on summer holiday next week (June 11th), so no link party. Look for its return the following week-June 18th.

Here we go-

1. I've read several posts and status updates recently describing end of year school field trips. Do you remember taking school field trips as a kid? Where did you go and do you recall a favorite? For any parents responding today, have you ever chaperoned a school field trip, and if so where?

I definitely remember field trips from my childhood, but those memories are a little fuzzy. Two that came to mind were a trip to the Campbells Soup Plant (I can still see those enormous vats of tomato soup), and a trip to a facility where bread was baked and packaged. It was more of a plant, than a bakery. I remember the smell of yeast and that we each got to take home a loaf of white bread, the soft squishy kind that makes me gag now. I guess I liked that when I was six.  Not even going to mention both of these field trips were food related-ha!

Have I chaperoned a school field trip? Yes, too many to list, and most were enjoyable. The one that stands out in my memory is a middle school show choir trip to Disney. Let's just say that was thirteen years ago, and I think I'm almost over it. I might turn this question into its own post one of these days.

2. What's something you're tired of seeing online?

I'm weary of status updates trying to convince me of the evils of fracking/corporate America/the oil industry/guns/George Bush/blah blah blah, and implying I'm an idiot if I don't agree with whatever opinions are posted. Not saying there's nothing to debate there, but for every 'news' story posted on a social media site, an alternate example could also be posted. Most of the time those pieces only tell a part of story, and the information is often interpreted in a way that's questionable. It's just not what I personally want to see in the social arena, and by that I mean Facebook. I don't mind the occasional blurb now and then, but mix it up people. Don't turn your Facebook feed into a giant rant about all that is wrong with the world. 

3. June is the month for roses. Which of the following expressions would you say could most recently be applied to your life-'everything's coming up roses' 'there's no rose without a thorn' came out smelling like a rose' or 'wearing rose-colored glasses'? 

Well, this past weekend it certainly felt like 'everything was coming up roses'. And I pretty much walk through life wearing rose-colored glasses, although they've been smudged a little by some things here recently-non family related. (I'm gonna leave it at that). Still they are mostly intact, so either of those two would apply. 

4. When grilling outdoors do you prefer gas or charcoal? Who does the grilling at your house? What's the last thing you ate that was cooked on a grill?

I love a charcoal grill, but at the moment we don't own one. We use a gas grill and that's good too.  Hubs is the grill master, and most recently grilled salmon which is always delish.

5. Are you afraid of the dark?

Depends. The dark of a quiet summer night spent stargazing on my patio? No. The dark of an unfinished basement anytime? A little. 

6. Share a favorite song with a number in its title.

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. One of my favorite songs, number or no number. 

7. "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding about ourselves."(C.G. Jung) Do you agree? Why or why not?

This was interesting to consider. I'm not sure it's true in every instance, but it's certainly true some of the time.  For instance, if someone is completely self-centered I find that irritating. So what does that say about me? Maybe nothing precisely, but it does make me want to be more other-focused, and that's a good thing. Chronic negativity gets under my skin too, and when I'm forced to spend a lot of time with negative people I feel grateful for my sense of optimism. Negative people in their own way, make me look for the bright side, they inspire me to hunt for the silver lining in any given situation.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

After we made our dress purchase on Saturday, my girls and I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in a comfy space situated in the center of a condo-retail-restaurant park in the middle of a city. Sounds odd, doesn't it? 

It was really lovely, and I think I've mentioned how truly fabulous the weather was that day.  We'd gotten some coffee, and intended to sit while we drank that, but it was too nice to leave so three hours later there we were. Still sittin', still talkin', still lovin' life.

I need more days like this one with my girls.

Days where we're face to face and we talk about everything and nothing. 

The Wednesday Hodgepodge-A Necessary Luxury

'Twas two weeks before Christmas when all through the Internet, people who should be shopping, baking, wrapping, and cleaning were nestled all snug in the Hodgepodge. So glad you're here! Everyone is welcome to play along...answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post.

Here are my answers-

1. Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so, please share.

We have an Advent wreath this year, and I'm really enjoying Ann Voskamp's book, The Greatest Gift. It's a day-by-day reading designed for Advent and it's wonderful. She shares a passage of scripture along with a brief message, followed by some thought provoking questions to ask yourself relating to the day's message. She also has a suggestion each day for something practical to do to live out what you've read. It has really helped me pause, reflect, act, and focus in these days leading up to Christmas. 

I bought an advent calendar from Naptime Diaries and that sits on my kitchen desk. It's a series of pretty painted cards, one for each day of the season. I didn't hang the cards, because I didn't have a good spot to do that, but I did buy a little plate stand to display the card of the day. Each one is different, but here's a sample- 

Advent is not just a season, but a state of mind (or heart). I'm trying to enjoy the waiting this year, instead of wishing it away.  

2. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, that most famous reindeer of all...so which reindeer name best describes you this week?

Hopefully not Vixen!  I looked up the definition and it said 'an angry unpleasant woman'.  Yikes! I'm avoiding the mad dash thing this year, so no Dasher either.  And I'm healthy so no red nose-ha! 

I'm going with Donner, which in French essentially means 'to give'. I enjoy giving, and that title seems appropriate this time of year. Plus, hello-it's French. I think y'all know how I feel about all things French. Joyeux Noel!  

3. What's worse-too quiet or too loud?  Which have you had more of lately?

What's worse? Too loud. I love people, parties large and small, and socializing in general, but I need my space on a pretty regular basis too.  I think I've had a good balance of both the loud and the quiet so far this month.

4. This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo!

When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

If I know the person is reliable then no problem. I definitely appreciate a great team. What's hard for me is that person who will maybe probably get the job done, but not necessarily in anything close to the time frame I would operate under if doing the job myself. I won't steam roll you, but I might have to bug you just a little. 

For the most part, if you've said you'll do something I assume you'll do it. And  if your pace or lack of detail starts to make me sweat, I'll offer to help...in a nice way of course!

5. What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

Well, if you read my post on Monday, then you know how I'm going to answer this one-setting up my Snow Village. I'd enjoy the job more if I had a better place to display it all.  This is our fifth Christmas here and I think I've done the set up a little differently every year. I'm mostly happy with the end result.  

As far as my most looked forward to task...I know some people will think I'm nuts, but I'm going with Christmas cards. I enjoy the whole process-choosing a photo, selecting a card, addressing cards to friends and family I don't get to see nearly often enough, even buying the Christmas stamps at the post office. I can't wait to check the mailbox every day, and I love looking through the cards we've received all month long.  

6. Facebook has released it's list of the 'most talked about topics' for 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot. Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

I was initially a little surprised, but when I stop and remember that Facebook is a worldwide entity, it's less surprising. And I'm happy the Pope beat out the Harlem Shake and Miley Cyrus (she came in at #7, which is still a little bit distressing)

The most talked about topics in our house in 2013? Not sure I can choose just one, but hot topics around here would include the disturbing state of the union on so many levels, healthcare (hubs works in the field so its always on our radar), retirement planning-the when-where-how of it all, social media in various forms, books, movies, and of course the ever popular-how to get one or all of my family of four from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. Have family, will travel. That's us.  

7. What's something you view as a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

Hmmm...what is a necessity?  In the grand scheme of things we have so many luxuries (we're all on some sort of electronic device here, right?),  but we've gotten to a place where they feel like necessities.  I have a warm home, clean water anytime I turn on a tap, cars that run, and a frig full of food. Those are luxuries in some parts of the world, so this is a tough one to answer.  

If we're answering this in a more light hearted way (and we are), then I'll say half and half in my coffee. A little luxury I'd rather not do without.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I said last week I wanted my random space to make you smile this December....here's a mid-week happy for you...enjoy!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 154

Ho-Ho-Hodgepodge questions are here. Nobody has anything else they should be doing, right? We all need a little breather from the holiday prep, so why not join in this fun meme? Answer the questions on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow (Wednesday, hence the name) to add your link to the party. The more the merrier!

1. Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so please share.

2. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...so, which reindeer name best describes you this week?

3. What's worse-too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?

4. This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo!

When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

5. What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

6. Facebook has released its list of the 'most talked about' topics of 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot.  Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

7. What's something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

South Africa, William Penn and facebook...they're all here

My hubs left Sunday morning on a business trip to South Africa so I went to see my mom for a few days.

When I mention on my blog some of the places my hubs travels for work I always get a few comments asking why I don't go too.

Mostly it comes down to timing and my personal safety.

I'd love to see some of South Africa but he's working and I'd be alone much of the time so it didn't seem like the right thing for right now...hopefully one day.

He did send me this-

No, he is not a game warden.

He had the opportunity to spend a few hours in a game preserve before his meeting began.

It's almost like being there, isn't it?

And hey, who needs a day in a Safari Park in South Africa when you can hang out with your mom and her good friend at Longwood Gardens?

After all, Pennsylvania is very nice too.

When my siblings and I were kids our parents used to have to drag us there...

"Not Longwood Gardens!!!" we would whine say.

But these days we love it...over 1,000 acres of gardens, woods, and meadows and over 11,000 types of plants and trees.

Hubs has the better camera with him and the old camera I had with me would not allow my computer to read all the files so I cannot show you all the fabulousness.

You're relieved I know.

Tuesday was an absolutely picture perfect day so we had a wonderful time walking the grounds.

A friend of mine from the UK moved back to the states this past summer and she lives very near the town where the gardens are located.

It's too bad I didn't have her new phone number with me or I could have called her to join us. And it's especially too bad because when I emailed her later and said I'd been there she said she'd been there too.

The same day.

Drat.

Remember that word?

Does anyone still say drat?

I'm sure my kids will let me know.

Longwood was originally a farm operated by a Quaker family who had purchased the land from William Penn of Pennsylvania fame.

Time for a random side note -William Penn's grave just happens to be in a tiny Quaker church cemetery in a tiny English village just a stone's throw from our house in the UK.

My hubs was out walking our dog one day and stumbled on it.

His grave is not in terrific shape...

England.

Sigh.

History is packed into every nook and cranny there.

Anyway, where was I?

Oh yeah, back to Longwood...eventually Pierre du Pont, founder of the Dupont Chemical company, purchased the land in order to preserve the trees and he created most of what is Longwood Gardens today.

And what it is today is absolutely beautiful.

Really, it is so wonderfully designed and is full of magnificent gardens and flowers and fountains and big tall trees soaring to the sky...absolutely gorgeous.

There's something to see in every season so anytime is a good time to spend a day there.

As we approached the conservatory we noted a very high wall.

My mom and I both laughed at the sight of it and the memory of a trip our church youth group took to Longwood Gardens way back when.

One of the boys in our group hopped up on the wall and didn't realize there was a drop behind it.

Yes indeed there was a drop.

About 30 feet.

He broke his leg.

Mom's friend who was with us for the day was wondering how he had managed to fall because there is a black iron fence and railing running the entire length of the wall.

We told her we were pretty sure it was our youth group's visit that resulted in that fence and railing being there today.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, God bless youth workers!

Also this week... thru the miracle of facebook I was able to meet up with two old friends while I was visiting my mom.

One I'd known since kindergarten but haven't seen in 30 years so we had dinner and a nice long chat.

The other friend I know from the several summers we spent working together as camp counselors.

We agreed that as parents now looking back, we cannot believe people actually left their children in our care.

We also agreed that those summers marked and changed us and are some of the best memories of our lives.

And don't you think catching up in real life with friends you've reconnected with via facebook is every bit as exciting as an African safari?

I'm sure of it.

Okay, who besides me thinks I've had a lot going on here lately?

I feel like I'm popping in to blog a recap and then its on to the next thing.

I'm sure it will settle down soon.

Not this weekend though because, hello, more plans.

Fun plans.

I'll probably be back Monday to blog a recap.

It's what I do.

My very own wonder years

"There was a time when the world was enormous...Spanning the vast, almost infinite boundaries of your neighborhood. The place where you grew up. Where you didn't think twice about playing on someone else's lawn. And the street was your territory that occasionally got invaded by a passing car. It was where you didn't get called home until after it was dark. And all the people, and all the houses that surrounded you were as familiar as the things in your own room. And you knew they would never change."

Kevin Arnold, The Wonder Years

I loved the television show The Wonder Years. It captured in words and music much of what it felt like to grow up in suburbia in the late 1960's and 70's. I've recently reconnected with some friends from my Elementary School days on facebook and its gotten me thinking. I will be honest and say we're going back more than a few years. Decades in fact. A childhood friend posted a class picture from our second grade year, another classmate left a comment and the memories of our own 'wonder years' rolled right into the present.

My mother made a scrapbook for me a while back which included, among other things, all my class photos. She also saved this-

Miss McGee was my second grade teacher and I loved her. Obviously. Even though she did correct my grammar on the note I wrote her.

I loved pretty much all of elementary school. I grew up in a fairly big neighborhood and we traveled around more or less as a group. Kids of all ages would meet in the middle of our street for huge games of kick the can and hide and seek. We played at the duck pond, even skating on it when it froze. We rode our bicycles everywhere. We felt free. We walked to school...it was about seven blocks for my sister and I but there were bunches of us so it felt perfectly safe. And I think it was. We even walked home for an hour at lunch.

We had block parties and cook outs, sleep overs and birthday parties at home. We disagreed but we settled those things amongst ourselves. As kids. We hung out at the pool, caught fireflies in jars and watched Saturday morning cartoons. We built forts and wore bell bottoms and played dodge ball at recess. A war raged a world away yet for us it was still a time of innocence. We knew each other well..knew parents and siblings and family pets...knew whose mom was always up for a houseful of kids and whose mom would shoo us outdoors. We knew strength and weakness. We argued and loved and defended each other. And we learned from one another lessons that we carried out of the neighborhood and on into life.

I haven't talked to some of these friends in close to 30 years. Something very 21st century has brought the neighborhood full circle. We're older (definitely) and wiser (hopefully) but underneath it all we're still the kids from Barclay.

'Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers, the next day you're gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a place, a town, a house like a lot of other houses, a yard like a lot of other yards, on a street like a lot of other streets. And the thing is, after all these years, I still look back, with wonder.'

Kevin Arnold, The Wonder Years

Check out more Flashback Friday posts at Mylestones