Category: Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s the best thing about growing older?

My appreciation for life, understanding more of life, and becoming a grandmother!

2. When did you first feel like a grown up?

When I experienced my first tragedy in life. It made no sense,  and I had to realize the unfairness in life and that this one thing would affect me for the rest of my life.

3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?

My favorite cake is chocolate cake with white frosting. It has been my request for birthdays and when I married Hubby.

4. What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

Many years ago, when my car was hit by a box van truck, a man who was working on a construction site with a crane witnessed this. He immediately turned his crane toward the accident and it was this selfless act that got Katie and me out of the crushed car. He lifted the truck off the little car, so the jaws of life could be used. I do not know his name, and I never got to thank him.

5. What’s something you learned from your grandparents?

Respect. They were both loving people, but they were strict and you had to be respectful of them and the people around them.

6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11…what’s something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?

I used to breed puppies. There was nothing better than watching a pup go to a new owner.

7. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’ll be off babysitting my sweet Savannah Rose on Friday! Mandy is working, and she needed someone to fill in. Needless to say, She didn’t have to ask me twice! I was just telling Hubby, that I am a very lucky woman to have a daughter like Mandy and a wonderful granddaughter like Savannah!

1. What’s something you’re never too young or too old to enjoy?

Ice Cream! My earliest memories of happiness are those of trips to Dairy Queen, or Friendlies for ice cream. Even now, when I splurge and have an ice cream, it brings a smile to my face!

2. Share one happy memory from your high school years.

I met my first husband there. He made me feel so special and happy and loved. We went on to marry and have two beautiful children of our own. But it all started in High School.

3. A nationwide strike of fast food employees took place in the U. S. last week…they’re calling for higher wages and the right to unionize? Your thoughts?

Be careful. Illegal and Legal Immigrants will gladly come in and work those jobs. Use your fast food job as a stepping stone to a better job. But if you “demand” higher payment and you “unionize”, you may find no job left for you at the end of the day!

4. September is National Honey Month…what’s a favorite dish you make or eat that calls for honey?

Baklava! It is so good, and my neighbor, who is Greek, makes the very best!

5. If you notice someone with a tag sticking out, a button unbuttoned, a shirt on inside-out, or some leftover lunch stuck between their teeth do you say something or do you keep quiet?

It depends on well I know the person. If it was my sister, cousin, or husband, or even a close friend, I’d mention it right off, but quietly.

6. What movie always makes you cry? Or at least makes you feel like crying?

“The Notebook”. I only recently saw it for the first time. I’ve watched it again a few times since and I cry like a baby.

7. ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ was written in May of 1830, and published in Juvenile Miscellany in September of that same year. Now for the fun part…create your own four line rhyme using that same tune.

Greta had two babes,
whose fur was rough as hers
now all are cuddled in a pile
and the snoring sounds like purrs!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby took me out yesterday so I could buy a dress for my mother’s Memorial Service this weekend.

I’m not happy I have gained weight this year. I have so many poor excuses. My mother’s illness, my own cancer. Well, they all stacked up and I gained weight. After finding a nice dress, he found a pair of pretty dress slacks and top for me to wear as well. And he made me feel pretty and not so bad about the weight gain. I’ll get back to Weight watchers when I can, but right now, I need to heal my soul.

1. Labor Day weekend (in the US of A) is approaching…what’s something you’ve labored over this year?

I just laughed! 2013 will be remembered as one of the most difficult years of my life.  Having had cancer, all the surgeries and then the cancer illness of my mother, and her passing have left me feeling completely wiped out!

The biggest blessing in my life this year has been my daughter and granddaughter. Their love has gotten me through all of this.

2. What is one word to describe your ‘job’ or career?

Nurturer.

3. What was your worst or least favorite job ever? Why?

I think it was selling shoes. I did that one summer as a young teen, and all I can say is that people can be very strange when trying on shoes!

4. How do you measure contentment?

I think it is when you can sit back, close your eyes, and all feels so right with the world that you just reflexively smile!

5. Pickles-like or dislike? What is something you eat that requires a pickle? Dill, bread and butter, sweet gherkins…what’s your favorite kind of pickle?

Love pickles and enjoy making my own. My bread and butter, sweet mixed have all come out well, but I am still working on my dill!

6. In your current house-town-state, what is it you like living close to?

I live close to lakes, mountains and nature! I am so blessed.

7. What is one thing on your ‘want-to-do’ list before summer draws to an official close?

I want to have a cook-out! With hot-dogs, hamburgers, chicken, potato salad, pickles and a happy group.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We ordered our stove yesterday and it arrives on Thursday. But…the gas company can’t come until September 3rd! So, unless I can saute it, or nuke it, we will go without!

1. What’s your worst food memory? How about one of your best?

Worst? Well the very first time I went to Germany, Hubby was working still as a pilot and he went off in the morning early, thus leaving me to my own devices. I walked out on the street and I see a vendor with the delicious looking rolls with coffee also available. So I got a roll that was filled with what thought was deviled ham and sat down with it and a cup of coffee.

No sooner than I had finished this strange item, than my stomach began to hurt and I felt dizzy and sick. A woman saw my distress and brought me to a restroom and after I was horribly ill took me to an Apotheke (Pharmacy) where the Pharmacist gave me several things like Pepto Bismol to take.

When Hubby returned that night he found me moaning and groaning with the worst case of food poisoning I have ever had, By the way, it was not deviled ham, but steak tar tar (raw meat) and remember this…never buy it from a street vendor!

My best food memory was the day that Savannah was born. Now this will sound really silly. I stepped out of the hospital and went to get a meal at “Five Guys Burger and Fries” and while I say eating this fantastic meal I thought of all the picnics and cookout we had when I was a kid. The burgers were just like Dad made and I missed him, my Uncle George and all those fun times. It was like a past food memory flashback!

2. Do you appreciate people telling it like it is, or would you rather a speaker temper his/her words and maybe beat around the bush a little? How about when you’re the one communicating…which type are you?

I do like direct speaking, but that doesn’t mean the speaker has to be cruel. Telling it plainly, but with kindness. I would like to think I am a direct kind speaker, but I know that often it is hard for me to be thus.

3. What’s your favorite place to hang out?

My loveseat chair with my dackels! Like I am right now.

4. When do you most feel like you’re a slave to time?

Canning season. There is just not enough hours in the day to get it all done. Like today I need to get three batches of Jam put together to sit overnight and tomorrow the cooking and canning begins!

5. What was the last concert you attended? Who’d you go with? Was it any good?

May 10th we went to see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  I just love them!

6. Reality TV…harmful or harmless? What’s your guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV?

Okay, I think ‘Reality’ TV is pretty harmful. I mean, please, who really wants to keep up with a bunch of spoiled brats like the Kardashians? My guilty pleasure? ‘The Long Island Medium’.

7. What’s something you think is overrated?

The whole movie theater experience. I would much rather watch movies at home, with closed captioning so I don’t miss one word. I also like my own popcorn, drinks and comfy chair with no added cost!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My forehead/nose are killing me. I’m swollen and bruised this time and not sleeping well at all. Wah, wah, wah! I am so hoping that this will be the last surgery!

1. Joyce’s daughter earned her Master’s Degree this past weekend…what’s something you’ve ‘mastered’ in recent weeks or months?

Right now, I’m sort of in a holding pattern. With my Mom so ill, I feel quite unable to even think.

2. What song most reminds you of your childhood?

Music from The Sound of Music. Probably Do, Re, Mi.

3. What do you think about single gender groups and/or events? Should every group/event be open to both genders? If not, what sort of exceptions do you think are appropriate?

I think if we are truly going to be diverse, w should not separate due to sex.

4. What’s your favorite spice? Your favorite dish containing your favorite spice?

I love cinnamon. I love snickerdoodles, and I also love plain old cinnamon toast!

5. I saw this question on Marla’s facebook page and asked if I could steal borrow it for the Hodgepodge…thanks Marla!

Chevron patterns are everywhere! Do you like it or think its just a little too much? Do you own anything ‘chevron’?

Cute, but I own nothing!

6. What’s something you disliked as a child, but can fully appreciate now?

Long stories. I could read short books, but now, I love a good long read. O not a boring one, but I good long tale!

7. What can irritate you very quickly?

Right now everything is irritating me. Starting tomorrow I need to working harder at staying calm.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I just need to hit the hay! My need for rest and sleep is a bit overwhelming right now.

1. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week…what’s one thing you could do this week to qualify as a participant?

Yesterday I took half an hour and wiped the counter tops in the kitchen, spread a pretty table cloth on the kitchen table, and cleared a spot for the dog cookies on the shelf!

2. It’s also National Peach Month…peach pie, peach cobbler, or please pour me a Bellini? What’s your peach pleasure?

Heavenly Peach Jam! I will once again be making it. It is a lovely jam with maraschino cherries and thick chunks of peaches. (Recipe follows tomorrow)

3. Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Agree or disagree…explain.

Disagree. I have had a very scary life, mostly because of things beyond my control. No, for me it is to live life each day and find peace in it!

4. What’s your favorite household chore? Yes-you have to name one.

I love to cook…most of the time! By cook I do not mean bake, I mean prepare a nice dinner for Hubby, me, family!

5. Fodors recently listed (what they’ve dubbed) the ten most beautiful sunset spots in America. Click here to read more and see the pretty pictures, but this is their list:

Four Seasons in Miami FL,  Gay Head in Martha’s Vineyard MA, Mallory Square in Key West Florida.

Have you seen the sun set from any of these spots?

Yes, I have seen sunset from the three spots above. Of those, Key West was spectacular.

If you could choose to watch the sun set this weekend from one spot on the Fodors List, which would you choose?

Hawaii.

Where was the prettiest sunset you’ve ever seen?

In my own front yard.

6. What’s your favorite or most used app? If you don’t use apps how about your favorite or most visited website?

Why Dackel Princess, of course!!! I also use Facebook a lot.

7. We’ve recently passed the halfway mark for 2013…write a seven word sentence that sums up your year thus far.

Many surgeries, nice to be cancer free!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m going down with my cousin, Janet to see my Mom this weekend. I have the slides all scanned in and cleaned up. I am so happy I can show her these. She is fading fast, and I know that she is not long for this world.

Here is Mom and me with Daisy. In the basket is Daisy litter of kittens. I guess I was destined to be an animal lover!

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?

Communications. The Internet, cell phones, etc. The fact that I can talk to friends and family daily, makes my world so much better!

2. How ’bout one way it’s changed for the worse?

I think world politics is very bad. I also think that our country is in a depression, even if no one wants to use those words!

3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks…your favorite ‘star’?

Starfish in a mystical way and Starbucks in a coffee sort of way!

4. Name a song that’s overplayed, but you love it anyway.

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?

There is a place close by that makes their own ice cream. I think we were there two weeks ago. It was sooooo good! My new favorite…Rum Raisin!

6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?

With a whip! lol! No I think when you can show kids or older people the possibilities then they will want to achieve as well. The other day with Savannah, she was fascinated with everything I was doing, and I encouraged her to watch and try too.

7. When was the last time you were without power?

Oh, a few months back. We’re actually fairly lucky as we are on the same power grid as the Fire Station and the electric company gets them up first after a power loss.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We’ve been having such odd weather this summer, but one things for sure, along with this weird weather we have had the most awesome sunsets! So here is a sunset taken the other day from my front door!

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day. Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. What’s something you’ve recently accomplished solo?

I drove all the way down to Cape Cod alone (not so bad) but when returning alone, I was hit with vicious weather, which required me to stop twice to allow the rain to pass. I left the Cape around 9 AM and didn’t pull in at home until nearly 4. Tonight I’m feeling pretty tired, but VERY happy!

2. What’s one product you use that never ever fails?

Oxyclean Washing Booster! It really works! Even on set in stains!!!

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

I think I have. It isn’t necessarily a physical place, but a place in my mind and in my heart. I know who I am, who I love and value, and what life is all about.

4. Worst movie you ever saw?

Oh boy, that’s tough. I’ve gone to movies and walked out. One movie was critically acclaimed, but I did not like it at all! There have also been movies that I will just not go to because I’m not into them. (PS: I don’t want to say what the movie I least like is, as it may be someone’s favorite, and I would not want to hurt anyone’s feelings.)

5. What’s the last fun thing you did?

I went to Cape Cod to attend my cousin’s spur of the moment Beach Wedding! We met on the beach at 7:45 (moonrise). Janet and Dave said their vows, I recited the Apache Wedding Poem, and we all celebrated.

It was a small wedding, but it was perfect! Intimate, full of love and very, very, happy.

6. The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar…ever been to Rome? What’s your favorite Italian dish?

Never been to Rome, but love Italian food. I love Eggplant Parmesan, so that’s it, my favorite Italian dish!

7. What is one piece of advice you’d offer new mom Kate Middleton?

Enjoy every single day of your child’s life. Their childhood will fly by. So, hold your baby, rock your baby, and breathe in all the happiness he brings to your heart and your life!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It was funny to go back to the Cape (Cape Cod). I grew up there, and there is something about the smell of the marshes and the ocean, that bring me right back to my childhood. I found myself closing my eyes and inhaling deeply!

I also had a Portuguese Sweet Muffin! There is nothing like it anywhere. As a child, Gene’s Bakery was owned by a nice Portuguese family and their breads, rolls and muffins were awesome!

Dave, Me, and Michelle. The Bride took the picture!

1. Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid-1800’s and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard?  Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you? Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel?

I don’t collect them, but I love to receive them and I do send them to people. I especially love the old post cards of days gone by.

2. What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?

Ice Cream! We splurged today and had an ice cream and despite popular belief that my favorite ice cream is only Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, we went to a real creamery and had a flavor called pudding. It was very much like Rum Raisin, without the rum.

3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

Are you kidding? I am an open book! I cry easily, I love openly and I am probably too open with my thoughts.

4. Does your town/city/county still deliver telephone books to your home? Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the internet replaced the phone book in your home?

They do mail them. I really do not use them, and go online for most things.

5. Would you rather be first or last?

Last. I get very nervous being the first for anything. This probably comes from being the last born in the family.

6. July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)…where and when were you last in a park?  Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?

We drove through the White Mountain National Park. It was beautiful and I am always amazed at how splendid our country is!

7.  What was one of your worst ideas?

Macaroni and cheese with hot-dogs mixed in. Or maybe it was the meatloaf with hot-dog chunks!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I get my stitches out today! I can hardly wait. The only bad thing is that the temperatures in Boston are supposed to be in the 90’s!

1. What’s something people might ask you for help with?

Usually it is anything dog related although lately it is skin related. Remember that sunscreen and a hat everyone!

2. What’s something you might ask someone else for help with?

Right now almost everything. Between my nose and my foot I am only functioning at about a 75% level.

3. Did your family take summer vacations when you were a child?

No. We lived on Cape Cod, literally 5 minutes from the beach.

If so, where did you go?

One summer we did go to Washington DC. I was very young.

If you’re a parent, did/do you plan summer vacations with your own family? Did/do they resemble those you took as a child?

Yes, we took the girls to Cape Cod often when I was still married to my ex-husband, and also to Canada and Disney in Florida.

4. Pool-lake-ocean…which one is most appealing to you on a hot summer day?

Ocean, but I don’t get there often. We did have a pool for 6 years, when we lived in Florida and I used it often. Now we live across the street from a lake. I love to look at it, but seldom swim there.

5. Have you ever justified using the expression, ‘you gotta be cruel to be kind’? Was it really necessary or were you rationalizing?

More likely joking.

6. The Journal of Psychology recently mentioned the results of a survey identifying the ten most hated foods as-liver, lima beans, mayonnaise, mushrooms, eggs, okra, beets, brussel sprouts, tuna, and gelatin. Of those foods, how many do you actually hate? Anything you’d add to the list?

I don’t hate any of those things. In fact I love them all. Recently, I tried Kimchee and I hated that!

7. What’s your favorite book or movie set in a beach or lake town?

On Golden Pond. It was filmed in the next town over from us. Every time I watch it, I see places I know. I also love the story.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I woke at 5 AM on Tuesday morning. My nose is swollen and sore, but I am not allowing this to get me down! I really cannot believe how much better it looks already!