Hodgepodge

Can you believe it is that time of the week? Is it just me or do the weeks go by very quickly? But, I do enjoy Wednesdays and doing the Hodgepodge.

1. Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something from your own life as a mother. If you're a mother (or stepmom) tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother's experience.

When I was little Saturday was cleaning day. My mom and I spent the morning cleaning the living and dining rooms. It was my job to dust the lower things (rungs on chairs, etc), and to dust the lower Venetian blinds. When all, and I mean all of our Saturday chores were finished mom would sit at the piano. I was beside her. She would bring out the song books. Stephen Foster and one of American favorites. She would play piano and we both would sing. It was such a fun time. Another thing we would do when I was little was to watch bowling on Saturday afternoons. My mom and I always had a special time together. Even when I became and adult.

2. In May we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has at least one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.

I do not believe there is a nurse or teacher in my family. Not as a chosen profession anyway. However, my uncle taught me teasing, my younger brother taught me how to be a protector, a nasty aunt taught me about harshness, a loving aunt taught me about a gentle spirit, and my mom taught me love.

3. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad...which would you go for if all three were on the menu? On bread or a bed of lettuce? If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich?

If I have tomatoes I would have a scoop of egg and a scoop of tuna salad on lettuce. If I were out of tomatoes I would have a sandwich with a bit of both on a crusty whole grain bread.

4. Do you have a desk? Is it organized? If so, share your secret to keeping it that way. If you don't have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business? Where do you normally sit to blog?

I do not have a desk. On my wish list is an antique drop leaf desk. My husband's daughter takes care of most of our paperwork and business. I have a small filing thing next to my chair that I keep receipts in and  insurance information. I sit in my chair in the living room with my legs up on the ottoman with a cat or 2 on my lap.

5. When I was nine years old....

We took a train from Minneapolis to Colorado Springs. I remember it was such a great adventure. Imagine eating in the dining car while watching the world go by. We spent 2 weeks in Colorado Springs with an aunt. We did all the touristy things. From there we took another train up to Spirit Lake, Idaho. Two aunts lived there. We spent about 3 weeks with them. Then we went into Washington to a State Park. We met up with other relatives. It was my first time camping. I hated it then as I do now. From there (yes,this was a very full vacation) we drove with an uncle to his dairy farm. I think this was the highlight of the trip. We were there about a month. Then we went back...by train to Colorado and spent a couple more weeks. And finally we took a train home. It was quite an exciting summer!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My son is coming home Sunday to help me prepare garden space for 25 raspberry plants a friend is giving me. The plot is an old garden spot, but hasn't been used in 20 years. We have our work cut out for us.

And because I wouldn't be me if I didn't share a photo...

Two pileated woodpeckers looking for bugs in an old dead tree. At least it wasn't my house. It has been in the past.