Coasting Into The Hodgepodge

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 your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Monday, August 16th was National Roller Coaster Day. Are you a fan? Did you celebrate? Last place/time you rode a roller coaster?

Not a fan and did not celebrate. Honestly I'm okay with never riding another roller coaster ever. It's just not something I enjoy, and it's been a long time since I was coerced into riding one. I think it was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Paris in 2007.

2. Tell us about a time in your life where it felt like you were figuratively riding a roller coaster. 

Maybe planning a wedding during a pandemic? The rules seemed to change on a daily basis in terms of what was and was not permitted or even wise, and the guest list was in a constant state of flux up until the day of. But it all worked out in the end and was a beautiful day and event. 

3. Favorite treat to eat at an amusement park or state fair? 

cotton candy

4. Are you easy to get along with? Elaborate. 

I think so. I suppose hubs might disagree ha!, but overall I am easy to get along with. I'm pretty low maintenance and dislike conflict so am generally happy to go along with things that are minor in terms of life's big picture. 

5. Something on your calendar to see-do-read-accomplish or just enjoy before month's end? 

I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter's new house. They are mid-move and we are helping in whatever way we can. Excited to see them settled and making a home in a nearby state. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed with all that is going on in the wider world right now, are struggling with how to pray, you might find this site helpful-5 Prayers to lift up for Afghanistan. 

"This is my Father's world:
O let me n'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong, 
God is the Ruler yet."

Follow your heart to the Hodgepodge

The blogosphere tends to get a little quiet in the dog days of summer, doesn't it? If you're in a slump, or you're just hot, tired and not quite ready for summer's end why not play along today? Once you've answered the questions on your own blog add your link to the bottom of my post and then go visit the neighboring countries.

That Olympic theme refuses to die. Sorry.

Here are my answers to this week's questions-

1. In an effort to combat obesity, the mayor of NYC has plans to ban the sale of large sugary drinks (anything over 16 oz.), initially in restaurants, movie theatres, and street carts. Corner stores would also be affected if they are defined as food service establishments. You can read more here. Your thoughts?

I understand his motivation, but I don't think it's up to the government to tell us what and how much we can eat and drink. Slippery slippery slope. I mean in reality people can just buy two 16 oz drinks but I suppose this ban would discourage that.

Here's the thing-people make bad choices in this regard (and hundreds of others) every single day. Will we next regulate how many bakery items you can purchase? How many pieces of fried chicken you're permitted?

I think the government has a responsibility to educate the general public in matters of health but beyond that, it's still a free country. When it comes to what we eat and drink I believe the government's role is to ensure food safety and to regulate/monitor/enforce the laws concerning the sale and distribution of drugs and alcohol.

Should people drink a 32 oz. Dr. Pepper every day? No.

Should they be able to decide that for themselves? Absolutely.

2. Art festival, music festival, food festival...which would you most like to attend?

Tough call...I'm going with music.

And maybe there could also be some great food available?

3. What are you irrational about?

Hmmm...did you read my post on Monday?

4. Do you feel confident you'll have a comfortable retirement?

This is a hot topic in our house these days as we inch ever closer. Given the current economic climate I'm not sure anyone can feel completely confident about their future financial well-being.

We've got children, hobbies, and a love of travel so actually filling the time won't be a problem. When it comes to our health we're doing our best to keep up with our 50-something selves. Let me just say that between the eyes, the teeth, the joints, the back, the heart, the colon, and the waistline it's a whole lotta work.

5. What's been your favorite Olympic moment so far?

(Not ever, just in the 2012 Summer games.)

I just love the US swimmers...not sure I can pick a single favorite moment but that 4 x 100 women's relay team is adorable. Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt, and Rebecca Soni...you're all invited to dinner at my house!

6. What would you label as the messiest room in your house?

My house isn't messy. I live with a neat freak and a messy house would send him right over the edge. If I had to declare one spot the 'messiest' I guess I'd say my office. It's not messy but since there's always something that needs filing-shredding-dealing with, it's the closest thing to messy that I've got.

7. Do you follow your heart or your head?

A few years ago my next door neighbor had a party. He put tags with a celebrity's name on each guests back as they arrived and you had to walk around and ask questions to figure out who you were. Most people were given names of living musicians, actors, etc. but I was having trouble guessing mine. My neighbor said he chose it specially for me because when he sees me this is who comes to mind.

It was Cinderella.

I'm going with my heart.

I've got hubs to be the voice of logic.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubs and I went to the State Fair last weekend. Piglets that leap squealing from a platform to compete in a swim race make me smile.

What are they racing for you ask?

An Oreo of course.

Fair to partly fattening

This was the first weekend in a while we have not packed a suitcase to travel somewhere and it felt good.

Really good.

We stayed in Friday night, grilled out and watched Pillars of the Earth.

Is anyone watching the mini-series? It's good!

Saturday we did our usual breakfast out which is typically followed by a trip to the hardware store.

Like most homeowners we have an ongoing to-do list around here but guess what?

You need to stay home if you want to actually check anything off.

We managed to knock out a few chores and then decided to spend the rest of the day at the NJ State fair which was in its final weekend.

The last time we were at the NJ State Fair we were accompanied by this...

Sigh.

Big huge giant sigh.

Back then we patted the baby goats and rode the merry go round...

And I'm sorry about those turquoise socks daughter1.

I really have no explaination other than to say it was 1992 and I was probably ignoring the laundry pile in order to take you to the fair.

In 1992 when we headed to the car at the end of the day

we would have this sack of sugar to buckle into a car seat...

Time where did you go?

And what have you done with my babies?

A lot has changed in our home in the intervening years, but the fair?

Not so much.

Let's start with the food...

holy moly!

I had kind of forgotten about the variety and quantity of food available at the fair. You can get absolutely everything including this...

Yeah.

I gotta say that when I think filet or lobster dinner, state fair is not the first thing that comes to mind.

Luckily the surf and turf stand is right beside this one...

That's more like it.

And I'm proud to say I did not indulge in a funnel cake.

I'm watching what I eat, remember?

Hubs however may have had one of these...

How could he not???

It's also possible I had a bite
or five but I definitely did not have funnel cake.

So, besides the food what else is happening at the fair?

Well, we wandered thru the livestock arenas and here's my favorite-

a chicken with some crazy hair and a perfect name...

...meet Rod Stewart.

Does Robinson's Paddling Porkers perform at your state fair because apparently they are a favorite attraction at fairs all across the US and Canada?

The Paddling Porkers are pigs who race on a track and then do the pig version of a biathlon. They march themselves right up a ramp and into a pool for the swim across.

They are adorable.

Yes, pigs swim.

What do you imagine is the incentive needed to make a pig race and swim?

Turns out it's oreo cookies which makes perfect sense to me.

Of course little Lindsay Loham would run and swim for an oreo reward.

I mean it sure beats working for Jimmy Dean.

And that's the pig's real name people...I did not make that up.

In other exciting news I saw my first tractor pull...

The drivers all wore helmets but they didn't go fast...hmmm....

I guess maybe sometimes they overestimate their ability and pop a wheelie?

It was actually kind of fun to watch.

Or maybe the diesel fumes just got to me.

We also watched some of the show jumping...

saw a world champion chainsaw carver create a bear out of a stump...

skipped right on by this...

thankfully.

Also skipped right on by this...

regretfully.

Wondered about this...

And all in all had such a nice day we never gave this a single thought...

Okay.

Maybe one.