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. 

On Cloud Nine

Good Monday morning friends. I'm going to save my weekend recap post for Tuesday because today is a grandson's birthday, and you know the drill. 

In case you don't know the drill it's this-all my grands get a letter here when their birthday rolls around, and today is one of those days. 

Dear Mancub, 

Today you are nine. With every candle added to the cake you become a little more man, a little less cub, but you'll  always be the Mancub to me. The one who made me Nana and changed the way I see the world and my role in it. 

Nine years ago today we got the news that you'd arrived. It was a bit comical in hindsight, but on that day we worried your Auntie M to no end as she had been trying and trying and trying to reach us, but could not. We worried her so much in fact, that she was getting ready to phone a friend or possibly the police to drive out to our house to make sure we were still breathing. 

We were. Actually we were sleeping peacefully until your other grandmother phoned about 7 AM, her voice filled with excitement, asking how we could possibly be asleep at a time like this??? She told us she'd been awake since she got the call at 3AM!!

Uh. We didn't know? We're still not exactly sure what happened but my phone was right beside me, sitting on the nightstand with the ringer on and the volume all the way up, and your Pawpaw's phone was right beside him, sitting on his nightstand with the ringer on and the volume all the way up,  yet we slept on, oblivious. 

Apparently Auntie M (who was out in Washington hanging with your momma) had first phoned when your mom and dad went to the hospital, then several times after, then sent a number of texts, and left a couple voice mails too, but we heard nada. Nothing. Not a peep. We had 11 missed calls when we finally looked at our phones. 

We can't explain it still and to this day I say this was God's way of keeping our hearts and minds at peace while your momma was in labor with you. Once we finally woke up and WOKE UP you were nearly here. 

God is good. Hold fast to the truth of that all the days of your life. He shows His goodness in ways both large and small and often in ways we didn't expect, and for that we are so grateful. 

This year Nana and Pawpaw took you out for a celebratory birthday dinner. Just you. Your little brother and sister let us know they would love to come too, but we wanted to have some special time with just you. Don't worry, they'll get their turn, but you're the oldest so you get to go first. 

We went to a fancy place we love, and spoiled you a little with ice cold shrimp cocktail, a platter of your favorite Calamari, and a steak you declared was the best you've ever eaten. The restaurant staff signed a birthday card and left it on the table for you and there was a super sparkly candle on a fudgy brownie for dessert. 

You loved it all. We gave you your gift and told you lots of things we love about you (which by the way, is pretty much everything) and we know this will be a tradition we want to carry forward in the years ahead. 

On the drive to the restaurant I asked you some questions and wrote down your responses, and I know it will be fun to see how your answers change from year to year. 

And they will. Because you're growing up. 

We love having a front row seat to the boy you are and the man you'll one day be. You're smart. You're kind. You're sensitive to the feelings of those around you. You're curious. You're handsome. You're clever. You're the very best parts of your mom and dad and we know God has a plan for your life we can't wait to see unfold. 

Keep reading all the books, keep memorizing God's word, keep solving puzzles and building cool things, keep knocking baseballs out of the park. Keep loving your family, and caring about the feelings of those whose paths cross yours. Keep talking to Jesus and keep being you. The remarkable Mancub God made you to be. 

Know today and always your Nana loves you deep and wide xo 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. " Proverbs 3:5-6

There Is A Young Cowboy...

A letter today for the birthday boy, which is a blog tradition on From This Side of the Pond.

Dear Sweet Baby J-

Today you are four. 

You've been a joy and delight since the day you were born and we only love you more with every passing year. There's so much to love about you but since you're turning four Nana is going to tell four things-

~You're curious. Which is why we know to keep an eye on you lol. You want to know how things work and you like to take things apart to figure that out (the lock on the back fence gate and your bedroom lamp are two that come to mind). 

You want to know how they might go back together too, and you're quick and intuitive about such things. When momma asked recently what you want to be when you grow up you said a construction worker. You like to build and use your hands and you're good at that like your Daddy. 

~You're sweet. Hence your blog name. You love your little sister and she adores and looks up to you. Sometimes she tries your patience, but mostly you are a wonderful, loving, protective big brother and that makes Nana's heart so happy. 

You love your momma, but you're a Daddy's boy too, and when asked what your favorite part of vacation was this year you said, ' hanging out with Daddy'. 

~You have a big imagination. Huge. You love to pretend and you love others to join in the make believe game too. Your little boy big brain is always working and we love watching you grow and discover new things every day. 

~You're adorable. How old will you be when I'm not allowed to use that word to describe you? I don't know, but I think at four it's still okay. You have a twinkle in your eye and when you're happy and excited about something you squeeze your hands together and jump for joy. Your bright blue eyes, your infectious smile, your joie de vivre draws everyone in. 

You love your cousins, 'your boys' as you call the two oldest and your extra special co-conspirator Little Miss who is your same age, who bosses you only a little even though you're three months older, and who you have the best and most serious conversations with whenever you're together. We all would love to be  flies on the wall when you two put your heads together. I pray you're always the best of friends. 

Your cousins live near Nana and Pawpaw now, and we're excited for a cousin party at the lake to celebrate your special day.  There will be swimming, fishing, boating, s'mores and your favorite thing-balloons.

There will be birthday hugs and laughter and a whole lotta love because there always is when you're around. Happy birthday sweet baby J. Being your Nana is one of my favorite things and always know I love you deep and wide. 

xoxo

Nana

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Linking with Joanne today for Talking About It Tuesdays

Note: I'm hosting a Day In The Life link up here on Thursday (6/18)...feel free to join the party

Hey Monday

A quick reminder I'm hosting a Day In The Life linkup for anyone interested on Thursday, June 18

Good Monday morning friends. How was your weekend? Ours was a scorcher filled with fun, family, and livin' the lake life. I'm linking as usual with Holly and Sarah for their weekend recap hop, and here's how ours looked-

My younger sister was in town with her hubs and son for the weekend. Well, nearby anyway. They're here mainly to visit my mama, so staying with my older sister who lives about an hour from me. They had plans to come to the lake for dinner so I spent Friday morning baking dessert, making an appetizer for Saturday's activities which are unrelated to Friday night's activities, and getting the house ready. 

Speaking of dessert...

pre-glaze

This recipe is a keeper. Everyone loved them. They're a strawberry lemon blondie made with fresh strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice. 

The strawberry glaze is made with pureed strawberries and it absolutely takes an already yummy bar to the next level. The glaze is sweet but the bars are not overly so and they're scrumptious. 

Family arrived here about 4 and my sister and her hubs and son immediately jumped in the lake. It was hot and humid with temps in the 90's so the water was welcome. I sat up on the porch with my other sister and we caught up. It was a fun and relaxed afternoon and evening. 

Hubs grilled wings, hot wings and teriyaki both, and they were delicious. I'd made a big pan of baked ziti on Thursday, and I love this recipe. I tweak it a little, but mostly prepare as written. I wanted something I could make ahead so I could hang with my family. The ziti just needed to be baked and then I added a salad and garlic bread to the meal. 

After dinner we went for a boat ride. 

It was still steamy but there was a nice breeze as we were cruising. 

The sky was so pretty, and as they pulled out of the driveway to head home the sunset did its thing. 

Saturday morning hubs and I sipped coffee on the deck and watched a lot of videos of Europeans visiting America for the first time and absolutely loving it. The messaging they get from their home country's news isn't matching up with the beauty, the wonder, and the kindness found in America, particularly the south and the heartland which is where many of these travelers are visiting. What they're seeing with their own eyes and experiencing in their interactions with people is giving them a new narrative and I am here for it.

There's a portion of Americans who could learn something from them, but I guess I won't get on my soapbox today. 

We were invited on Saturday to celebrate a friend's retirement with a ginormous lake float party. They were serving BBQ, but everyone was asked to bring something based on the first initial of their last name which meant an appetizer for us. I made pickled shrimp which is always a hit.  

Friends picked us up on our dock and we motored over to join 100 of our closest friends for an  afternoon of floating, great music and delicious food.

Fanciest port-a-potty ever-

The band was fantastic. Seriously so good playing a mix of 70's-80's and 90's music. 

It was a scorcher too so hanging out in the water was perfect. 

Sunday we went to church, then came home and had lunch and a rainstorm. 

I spent the afternoon catching up on my blog and resting up for Sunday evening when our Vacation Bible School would kick off. I'm doing preschool and kindergarten crafts so it should be fun chaos. VBS always is. 

If you recapped your weekend hop over and add your link to the party. 

The Tender Middle

Linking today's post with Talking About It Tuesdays hosted by Joanne

We've recently moved my mom south, out of my sister's home in PA where she's lived for the past six years, and into an assisted living facility. Safety is paramount when you're in your ninth decade and that was the tipping point for all of us in making this hard decision. By all of us I mean myself and my three siblings. We've had a loose plan knowing this might someday become necessary but not going to lie, reality hits harder than you might imagine. 

I'm not going to talk too much about the process because every family has to do what's right for them. I will just say my younger sister did her homework and knew all the questions to ask. We looked at many places in two different states and between the four of us saw each one in person. 

There are so many factors to consider coupled with a lot of emotion, so if a move like this is on your radar start visiting and collecting information now. Just know that nowhere is perfect and settling in takes time. For everyone. 

I have a mishmash of thoughts I want to put into writing but the mishmash is real. Hubs has asked me a number of times this month, 'What are you thinking? I can see the wheels turning." 

Turning but not really getting anywhere. 

So what am I thinking? 

I'm thinking about how difficult it is to reach a point in life where your decisions are not your own. Not where you live or if you drive or sometimes even what you eat. 

I'm thinking about how every member of a family has feelings about how best to meet the needs of an elderly parent and how emotions run high where love, sadness, and exhaustion coexist. I'm thinking about how much grace is required in those moments. Grace given, and also grace accepted. 

How sometimes we have to do hard things we wish we didn't have to do. 

How giving an elderly parent as much independence as they can safely handle is a good thing, but knowing when too much is too much is maybe the more important thing. 

I think about everything our parents once did for us, and how that memory helps us now do for them. 

How often we frustrated them, tested their patience, wanted our own way, didn't want to be told what to do because we were certain we knew best. Suddenly that gets flipped on its head and now you're the one digging deep for patience and a gentle tone. The one trying to give in a little whenever giving in is possible. 

How you learn the parent you've known all your life is still there inside the person who now needs a walker and some help remembering the life they lived. 

There is also, somewhere in the middle of all this thinking, the unsettling realization that one day you might be that person too. The one needing all the things you're now being asked to give. 

How you will likely buck and dig in your heels because you still feel like yourself, an independent capable person who cannot imagine being anything but. 

Except now you kind of can. 

And it's a little bit frightening. 

I think about the term sandwich generation and how apt that moniker is. I'm the filling and sometimes I feel squished. 

And sometimes completely overwhelmed with love for those doing the squishing. 

I think about how I don't have the energy I had even a decade ago, yet I still have opinions and wisdom and things I want to contribute. I still want to matter. Everyone does. 

I think about how time shrinks and expands at the same time and  how I want my children to have big beautiful lives, but not forget mine as it gradually but naturally will grow smaller. 

Mostly I think about how God holds each one of our lives in the palm of His hand. How He knows the number of our days from beginning to end, and how He walks beside us through every season we encounter. 

We are never forgotten. 

Never unseen. 

We are known and loved by the One who made us. 

A Little Bit Of Always

Less than a quarter of the alphabet remains in our month long A-Z Blog Challenge, so whoohoo! Staying true to my theme of The Things We Keep: Ordinary Objects from A-Z with today's letter. Here we go-

Day 20-T is for Tradition

Remember the early days of blogging and how everyone posted Thursday Thirteen lists full of all kinds of things? Well I'm bringing it back today and we're talking tradition. 

I think by definition traditions are things we keep. Or things we want to keep. Raise your hand if your kids are grown and flown or growing and flowing and you're struggling to hold on to some of your favorite traditions. Or maybe struggling to let them go rings more true? 

My girls are grown with families of their own now, and are intentional about creating special markers and memories with their children. But take heart mommas because I see them also trying to keep hold of some of the traditions they grew up enjoying and expecting, and there's something so comforting in that. 

As I was trying to come up with a list of thirteen traditions our family holds on to I realized most are associated with holidays, Christmas especially, and isn't that part of why we look forward to the season? Traditions call us home. 

I've included a few random traditions we hold dear in our house, but of course every family has their own.  For the sake of brevity (ha!) here are thirteen of ours-

1. When you're asked what time it is the correct answer is 'IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE-GO BIG ORANGE!!  Yes. It must be shouted. 

2. Your picture is taken on the front porch on the first day of school every year. 

3. We will be watching Home Alone on Thanksgiving night. 

4. New jammies will be opened on Christmas Eve.

5. A photograph in said jammies will be snapped on the stairs Christmas morning before anyone is allowed to see if Santa came. 

You will never be too old. 

6. There will be dozens of cookies baked from recipes handed down from my momma and grandma every December. 

7. You'll find a tangerine or clementine in the bottom of your Christmas stocking. 

8. Holiday breakfasts mean a breakfast casserole will be served. 

9.  There will be an ugly egg every Easter, usually crafted by the hubs. It's made by dunking an egg into every dye available, some cups more than once, until the egg is so ugly it's almost pretty. Almost.

10. You'll have new clothes for Easter, but hubs will forever and ever wear the same spring tie he has worn every Easter Sunday for going on 40 years now. He's had this tie so long we cannot remember if he purchased it in Knoxville or Richmond. He dared ask if he should wear something different this year. What??? Absolutely not! 

11. When the song Summertime's Callin' Me is played you have to move your arm like a wave in time with the music. If you're in a car you need to put your arm out the window in order to do the wave correctly 'I wanna sit there in the sand, and watch those golden tans go walkin byyyyyyyyy..' 

12. On the first day of a brand new year a lucky dinner will be served that will include pork, cornbread, greens, and black eyed peas. 

13. There's gonna be a six foot banner on the front door on your birthday.  

I asked my girls to weigh in and one thing daughter2 mentioned was we always watched the fireworks from the Naval Academy sea wall and brought Boston Market chicken with us as a picnic dinner. 

You might have to let some of your traditions go, but know your kids remember them too.

A Circle Of Names

We're a little more than halfway through the alphabet and this is usually the point where I start to run out of steam. I ask my family to help by giving me a word, and sometimes that works. Today I got nothin'. 

As in N is for Nothin'. 

When I really started thinking about things I've kept, or things I want to keep, that begin with the letter N I came up with one thing, and when I told hubs he said it was a little lame. 

But lame is better than nothin', right? Hubs and I agree the object isn't lame, it's just hard to make it a blog post, but of course that won't stop me. 

 Day 14-N is for Nana's Necklace 

My Nana necklace-

Rest assured I will not be posting a picture of my neck here because just because. 

Eight years ago I became a Nana, and for my birthday a couple of months later daughter1 bought me a necklace with two small charms. One was a bar with the word Nana engraved on it and the second was a round charm with the mancub's name engraved on it. I flipped the charms over in the photo because I try not to use their names on the blog. This necklace is such a treasure. 

Becoming a grandmother is just all around grand. 

When baby boy number two was born, aka Max, daughter1 gifted me another round charm with his name engraved there. His actual name, not Max which is his blog name. 

Then along came baby boy number three, and daughter1 shared the charm link with her sister and daughter2 added yet another round disc to the chain with her baby boy's name engraved there. 

A few months later Little Miss arrived and a fourth round charm was added, and then grandbaby number five joined the party and one more charm was added to the chain with her name on it. 

I've told my girls if there are any more babies I'll need a bigger chain. 

I love this necklace so much and wear it pretty much every day. I tend to handle it now and then too, and when I do I say a quiet prayer for these precious little people who have brought so much joy to my life. 

This necklace is a keeper. 

Weekend ReKap

I know I'm supposed to blog the letter K today, but my thoughts on the word I've chosen for that particular letter might run long, so I'm flipping the alphabet on it's head. 

Letter L today, letter K tomorrow. 

It's my blog and I'm the boss of me. 

You'll find my A to Z Blog Challenge entry for the letter L somewhere in this post. I can't say exactly where because it's a blog as you go kind of day.

Linking this post with Holly (Pink Lady) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books) for their regularly scheduled Hello Monday party. Here we go-

Friday morning I spent a few hours with my daughter1 at her house. The kids played quietly upstairs and I conned her into straightening my hair. My girls know how much I love for them to do this for me and she took her time and I think actually enjoyed it a little. We were able to chat about all manner of things while she worked and it was such a nice relaxed morning. Very spa like. 

Friday afternoon I played mah jong at a neighbor's house with about ten other women and that's always fun. I got home about five and hubs and I went for sushi which was delish. 

We came home and watched the Artemis coverage. I was almost hyperventilating waiting on those divers to get them out of that capsule. That felt more stressful than ten days in space to me. All that bobbing 🤢

Did you follow the space story last week? I thought it was exciting and I loved the astronauts boldly pointing to Jesus...'there are no atheists in foxholes and there are none on rockets either'. 

Saturday morning I was up early, got my car loaded, and was on the road by 7:15  to make the drive over the mountain to the Asheville area. I was meeting up with some bloggers for the day, only one of whom I'd met in person before. 

They were staying in a little air bnb and there was supposed to be five bloggers there, but Jenn ended up not feeling well Friday morning so she didn't make the trip. Boo. I met Marilyn in Chattanooga back in September and she mentioned they might come my direction this year. Once the location was decided she messaged asking if I'd like to drive over and join them on Saturday, which was an easy yes. 

Have you met any bloggers in person? I've met about a dozen now and all of these meet ups have been so nice. Everyone was exactly who they seemed to be on their blog and that's reassuring. This weekend it was Marilyn (Memphis Bridges), Joanne (Slices of Life), Maria (Memorable Moments and Modest Missives), and Tanya (The Other Side of the Road). 

All of these bloggers participate in the Wednesday Hodgepodge and it was so much fun to meet in real life. The day was full of talking, and really what more would you expect from a group of people who love words? 

I arrived about 8:30 with a quiche and a coffee cake and we all had breakfast together. The morning flew and it was almost 1 PM before we looked at the clock and decided we needed to get out of the house. We drove just a few minutes down the road, or rather up the road and around and around as the route to the overlook was winding and steep. 

Gotta take in the view when you're surrounded by the Blue Ridge.  

We snapped some pictures, then took a short walk on a path through the woods and then everyone was hot and needed ice cream. 

We went to a spot called Celtic Creamery and the ice cream was really good. The original Celtic Creamery is in Ireland but they have a few shops here in America too, all in North Carolina. After ice cream we walked down main street and wandered in to a couple of shops, including Mast General which is always a fun stop. 

We headed back to the house about 5 and I said my goodbyes and headed for home. Such a great day! 

Hubs had a busy day too, beginning with a sporting clay contest, lunch with friends, and then the grand boys baseball game. Pretty sure he managed a nap right after. I was home by 6:30 and we had an easy dinner of pizza and salad and called it an early night. 

Sunday morning we went to church, then took daughter1 and little miss out to brunch. My son-in-law and the boys went straight from church to the Clemson baseball game so they didn't join us. Hubs and I spent the afternoon watching The Masters which was exciting this year. Going in person one day is still on my bucket list, so maybe someday. 

And now for tomorrow's today's letter in the April A-Z Blog Challenge...

Day 11-L is for Lily of the Valley 

My theme for this year's challenge is The Things We Keep: An A-Z of Ordinary Objects, and today I'm stepping outside my house and into my yard with these-

Lily of the Valley 

These started life in hubs grandma's garden in Bellville Illinois more than 60 years ago. Hubs parents then took some from that house to their home in Kentucky, then later to their home in Tennessee and then to another home in Tennessee and then a few years later hubs brought some of those to our home in South Carolina. 

I love the history, the family connection and the sweetness of these tiny blooms. We'll divide ours at some point and give to our girls to grow in their gardens and hopefully keep the love blooming for generations to come.