Hodgepodge Number 305

It's that time of week for some Hodgepodge fun. I am thankful to be joining in.

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 305

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Has your April been filled with showers? Do you carry an umbrella, wear a slicker, or make a run for it? Besides rain, what else has filled your April? 

Are we talking weather showers or showers in our lives? In Minnesota,  April is usually a wet month. It could be rain or snow. At this moment it is raining, but it is supposed to mix with snow later today. I have an umbrella I keep  in the car. Problem is I forget to use it. I don't mind if I get a bit wet. I am sweet, but not made of sugar.  I won't melt.

2. What's something you could you give a 30-minute presentation on at a moment's notice and with zero preparation? Lyme's Disease. My husband got it back in 1990 when most doctors didn't believe in it. I had to do my own research. In 1998 I did a research paper presentation on it for a college class. With Lyme's so prevalent here and having a husband with it I needed to know all I could learn. Periodically I still look for new information on it. Want to know about Lyme's? I can tell you.

3. Share with us a favorite food memory from childhood.

Gosh, there are so many! I got one. We were having a holiday dinner. Twenty or so relatives sitting at the table. Some of us were fun loving jokesters. Others were much more serious. My mom's dining room table with all the leaves was 10 feet long. On one side very close to the end was a cousin. He yelled to my mom, "Aunt Marge throw me a bun." And she did! She was at the head of the table on the opposite end as him. Surprised us all. But, mostly the more serious relatives. Ever after that we knew not to ask my mom to throw us anything.

4. What's a song you thought you knew the lyrics to, but later discovered you were wrong? 

The first one I can think of is Kenny Rogers' "Lucille" , I thought he was singing 400 children (which made no sense) when actually he was singing 4 hungry children. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izdBKarvi_o

5. According to one travel website, the most overrated tourist attractions in America are-

Niagara Falls (NY), Hollywood Walk of Fame (California), Times Square (NYC), Epcot (FL), Seattle Space Needle (WA), and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (Boston). How many of these have you seen in person? Did you feel like a tourist? Did you care? Tell us about a place (not on the list) you've visited that might be considered a tourist trap, but you love it anyway.

I have never been to any of the places listed.

Fisherman's Warf in San Francisco. As we walked along the streets you knew the shops and what not were set up for tourists. Tchotchke everywhere. I truly did love it. S.F. was and still is on my list of places to visit. I could not see everything I wanted to in 1 trip. I did get to Haight-Ashbury. That was a must. It is not a tourist trap I didn't think. There are a few  people who haven't moved on since the 60's and others who are new, but have adapted that kind of lifestyle. It was peaceful. So far my favorite place in the world. And for sure the tenderloin is not a tourist trap. That is a sad and lonely and desperate area of S.F.

6. Your signature clothing item?

Birkenstocks. I wear them all year. They make shoes so my feet won't get snow covered. Sandals in winter just don't work. I have 2 pair for winter. And, 11 different styles and colors for summer. It is much more fun to dress in the summer.

7. What's an experience you've had you think everyone should experience at least once? Why? 

Everyone should, and needs to experience God's saving grace. I remember the first time I felt it. It was my cousin's funeral.  I didn't know how I would get through life without him. The bun catching cousin from above. I was heartbroken and was feeling all alone. In church I suddenly felt such warmth, such peace, so much love, and knew God had wrapped his arms around me. He has been with me ever since.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

For Christmas this year my son gave me a ticket to see Neal Diamond in concert. One for me, one for him. He is my date that night. On May 23 I am going to the city, and on the 24th there is Neal. I am so excited. My son said I was giddy. Maybe I am. The only music I listen to right now are his songs so I can re-learn them all. That I might be able to sing with the rest of the audience. It is still a few weeks away, but I am already trying to decide what to wear. Part of the giddiness is because of my son. Neal isn't his kind of music, but he knows how much I like it. He is making a special night for his mom. He even got reserved parking. This is him giving me the look of I can't believe you are my mom. I am always doing or saying something to get this look from him. And I really and truly enjoy doing it.

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I'm Back!

I'm Back!

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

I have been away from the blogging world since before Christmas. It was a computer thing this time, and not me being lazy. I did have the Kindle Fire,  but the point and click method of typing did not work well for me with long posts. But, I am back! And, excited to start with the Hodgepodge.

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 304

1. Tell us about a time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'.

It seems as if I am always flying by the seat of my pants. Everyday. My husband turned 80 last week, and is showing signs of dementia. It's more than your average forgetfulness. It's asking 20 times a day what day of the week it is. It's loosing house keys. It's forgetting family member names (his daughter).It's imaginary  visitors or things in the woods. It's countless other things. I never know what the day will bring, but I can tell what KIND of day it will be by the tone of his voice when he gets up in the morning. So,yeah everyday is a day by the seat of my pants.

2.  When or where would you most like to be 'a fly on the wall'?

You know what? Right off hand I can't thing of anything. I  know that there are plenty, but I am going to try and stay politically clear for a while. I think that the fly on the wall is a fleeting moment. You think it because you know something is about to happen,and then the moment passes, and you don't think of it again.

3. 'Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.'-Henry David Thoreau 

3The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.  Psalm 126:3

If I am having difficulty finding joy I turn to Scripture. What better place to find joy  than in the Bible? Having joy in the fact that we have the greatest love possible. The love of our Father.

4. Share a favorite movie, book, or song with flying in it's title, lyrics, or theme somewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEOEqzfte60
Neal Diamond! I need not say more.

5. What is one task or chore you tend to do 'on the fly'? Is this something that really needs to be done another way?

For me is has to be cleaning the house. I pick up and tidy...sort of, but I can't remember the last time I did a Deep cleaning. I would like my home to be clutter free, cob web free. Twenty years ago I did a deep cleaning several times a year. I was clutter free. A cob web was never seen in my house. Not even dust bunnies. I just don't have it in me right now to clean like that.

6. What was happening the last time you thought to yourself or said aloud, 'Wow, time flies when you're having fun', and you meant it.

It would have to be the first weekend in March 2017. I spent that weekend with my cousin at his house. We had so many outings planned that the time really did fly by. A rough outline of our weekend together: Thursday- Arrive 11:30 Am . Off to the Mennonite market. Lunch. Thrift store. Grocery store. Home. Friday - 9:00 AM  Out the door. Bookstore, thrift store, lunch, thrift store, yarn store, Fleet Farm, Wal-Mart, home. Saturday rest for the trip home Sunday. We don't get together very often. When we are together we make our time together very full. We live about 3 1/2 hours apart (depending on who is driving). In July we are going to take a couple of days away and explore a place we have talked about for years. I am looking forward to that time. Our itinerary is filling up quickly as we think of more things to  do. 

7. This Thursday is National Garlic Day. Will you add garlic to your menu on Thursday? Do you like garlic? What's your favorite dish made with garlic?

I could say spaghetti sauce. However, as much as I enjoy having spaghetti I am going to say Parmesan garlic pasta. An easy to make  last minute side for any main course. And always fresh garlic.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

While my computer was down I wasn't able to edit any photos,but didn't stop me from taking them. I just left them on the camera. I won't share them all today, because there are almost 150 of them. I will share a couple though.

 I take my camera with me whenever I am out and about. I am blessed by the many opportunities for photos. The eagle and it's mate were there in trees on a day when I coming home from grocery shopping.  The cloudy sun I took On Good Friday. I felt truly blessed that morning.