Category: Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What does retirement mean to you? Are you planning for it, not thinking about it, looking forward to it, or dreading it?

Hubby’s been retired now for almost 18 years. The first two years were tough. Being married to a pilot, I had my own life going on, and suddenly he was home, wanting me to cook three meals a day and sort of cater to him. This took a lot of adapting to.

Now I miss him terribly when we are apart. We do almost everything together, and yes, I am still cooking all his meals.

2. It’s International Guitar Month…do you play? Does anyone in your family play? What’s a song you especially like to hear played on the guitar or a favorite song featuring the guitar?

I don’t play, but my cousin, Dave plays beautifully, and his grandson, Isaiah is learning to play!

3. What’s your comfort food?

What isn’t? I guess chocolate in almost any shape or form. Although, home made bread warm from the oven, with real butter does it for me too!

4. What’s one activity or area of your life where you absolutely never procrastinate?

Is there one? Well, going to see my grandchildren. Never procrastinate. Life is too short. I spend as much time as I can with my darlings! How blessed am I, to be the Oma of two happy, healthy, and beautiful grandchildren!

 

5. Who does the grocery shopping in your house? Does your local store bag the groceries for you or is it a do-it-yourself kind of place? Do you like someone packing your groceries?

 

We both do. Hubby is great picking out meats and vegetables. I am great at all the isle stuff. I am almost to the point where I want to pack my own, because I have had grocery baggers squash my bread, load the bags to 50 pounds(!) and put my tomatoes in a bag under my canned goods!

 

6. What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen in nature?

 

The birth of Anneliese’s first litter, back in 2009. Everything went perfectly and four beautiful pups came into this world!

 

 

 

 

7. Share a favorite quote about home.

 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Mother Nature was pretty screwed up yesterday and we had snow falling almost all day. In the end only a couple inches fell, but now we will have to go through mud season all over again!

1. Has spring sprung in your little corner of the world? Other than the calendar how would I know? What’s your favorite thing about spring?

My favorite thing about Spring is the longer daylight hours. In many ways Spring has sprung. The ice is off our Lake, the snow is gone from our yard, and there are buds on the trees!

2. Besides the weather, what’s put a spring in your step recently?

A new little grandson, Quinn Wallace! He is such a sweetie and much loved by his entire family.

3. How does Easter impact you?

It’s the day our dear Lord rose from the grave, and gave us eternal life. Jesus, his life, his work and his very being, gives me hope.

4. I saw this somewhere on Facebook and thought it would make a fun Hodgepodge question. Which of the following would you find most disappointing…

a just stuffed taco shell breaking open and spilling out before you take the first bite? dropping a just-purchased Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts coffee? opening the peanut butter jar and finding it empty? upending onto the sidewalk a just-purchased ice cream cone? a burnt bagel popping up in your toaster when you’re rushing breakfast? or cutting into an avocado and finding out it’s rotten?

Oh now Joyce, those are all quite a conundrum! A broken taco shell, an empty peanut butter jar and a burnt bagel would not ruin my day.

However, the loss of a coffee, ice cream cone, and a rotten avocado have been known to move me to tears!

5. What’s something held together with tape at your house? Or a paper clip? Or a wing and a prayer?

An old Clipper Ship Plaque that we have above our fireplace. Hubby loves that thing. So it is held together on a wing and a prayer.

6. Do you feel underappreciated? In what way?

Not really.

7. What’s something you’d build if you knew how?

A cell phone charging station. I know what I want, but I refuse to pay the outragous price that is being charged. I know I can do it for less!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Once again I am appalled at the carnage and brutality of the radical Islamic attacks, which took place in Belgium. I believe that we must all band together to fight ISIS, or we shall all suffer at their hands.

1. February ended with an extra 24 hours in 2016. What did you do with your bonus day?

Tended to two sick dogs. Both my dackel girls have urinary tract infections. They’re now on antibiotics and hopefully will be better soon. These middle of the night walks, and cleaning my carpet three days in a row is more than I can stand!

2. What’s something in your life that’s grown by leaps and bounds in recent days, weeks, months, or years? I’m giving you lots of room to come up with an answer here, so no fair passing on this one.

As we await the birth of my grandson, I have to say that what has grown the last few years in Savannah. Here she was as a newborn and now, nearly 4 years old!

3. Do you read reviews about a film before deciding if you’ll see it? Did you watch The Oscars this year, and if so your thoughts on the program? How many of the Best Picture nominees had you seen prior to the broadcast? (Spotlight, The Martian, The Big Short, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room, and Brooklyn) If you watched The Oscars who gets your award for ‘best dressed’?

I did not watch the Oscars. I hadn’t seen many of the movies. Frankly, I am sort of tired of many of the spoiled brat Hollywood types.

4. When did you last have overnight house-guests? Give us your top three tips on being a good houseguest.

About a year ago my sister and brother in-law came up. It was great to have them here for a visit. Key to being a good house-guest, help with everything!

5. March 2nd is Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. Will you be celebrating? If so, would you prefer a home made peanut butter cookie, a Reese’s peanut butter cup, an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or shall I just hand you a jar and a tablespoon?

Yes! I plan a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich! My favorite. I would have fluff, but if I buy a jar of that I will just eat it!

6. Why is failure important? Or isn’t it?

Failure teaches you a number of things. Dealing with disappointment, and accepting things with grace.

7. Share with us one fun thing on your March calendar.

My grandson’s birth!!! Woo-hoo!!! I can hardly wait!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Cleaning carpets are hard on ones shoulders and neck. I sure hope I can get through tomorrow without having to clean the carpet, yet again!

1. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you’re so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.

Many years ago now, Hubby and I were on a cross country camping trip. We’d stopped in New Mexico to buy groceries, and as I was looking at the meats, when an old woman suddenly collapsed to the ground and began to convulse. I dropped my things and ran over and got her on her side and carefully placed my grocery pad into her mouth to keep her from biting her tongue. Meanwhile, I yelled for someone to call for an ambulance.

I stayed with her, holding her, until the Paramedics arrived. Several months later, we got a call from the woman, thanking me for what I had done for her.

The thing is, this was sort of an extreme case. I try, each day, to do things to help people, animals, etc.

Hebrews 13:2 King James Version
2. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

2.What’s the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

Forget the world. Too many very heavy things happening in the public world. I chose to think of this. My grandson will be with us sometime in the next 19 days! A new gentle soul to watch grow, to love and to share my life with!

3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos…your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?

Favorite black food? Gee, let me think, dark chocolate! Least favorite? Very tough, you see that’s why I am a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers!

4. A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before you turn 50. They were-

1. travel when you have the chance,
2. take care of your skin,
3. learn a foreign language,
4. make exercise a habit,
5. leave a toxic situation,
6. stop caring what others think about you,
7. stop worrying,
8. volunteer,
9. spend time with your grandparents,
10. pledge to work less,
11. learn to cook an amazing dish,
12. and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you’re over 50, have you done all 12? If you’re not yet 50, have you done any at all? What’s on the list that you haven’t done, but would like to do?

I would love to learn to speak German, but I simply do not have a knack for languages. Sadly, my grandparents are all gone. I wish they weren’t and I could sit down and have a good long chat. Especially with Grandma Honey.

I do need to stop worrying so much, but that is a tough one. This year I plan to seize as much time as possible spending time with Savannah and my new grandson.

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what’s your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?

There are a few. Dr. Zhivago is the classic. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the acting is as well.  What an amazing movie! And for the comedic part of the winter equation, “Ground Hog Day”, with Bill Murray.

6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

Just before they diagnosed my cervical disc problem. The pain was incredible, and I was so scared. I think not knowing in a situation like that is the hardest part. Once I met my Neurosurgeon, and he knew exactly what to do to make me feel better, I breathed a sigh of relief! And today it is two months since my surgery!

7. Share a favorite proverb.

I don’t know if this is an official one, but it’s the one I use all the time. I think I got it from my former husband, and it’s just stayed with me all these years. “Sometimes chickens, sometimes feather”.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My suitcase is packed, and all I need to do is toss in my toiletry kit and hit the road. Where am I going? Well, once I get the call from Mandy, I am off to be with Savannah, while Mandy and Matt bring their baby boy into this world!

1. Create an acrostic using the word LOVE. If you’re unsure what an acrostic is click here.

Love is in my heart

For all that I hold dear

All who know me will agree

Family means the world to me.

2. Does love really conquer all? Why or why not?

Now that is a slippery slope, Joyce. Normally I would say yes, but having gone through a very traumatic time, which led to my divorce I would be a hypocrite if I said yes. Still I do believe in love and it’s ability to get you through the most difficult of times. So perhaps a good answer is yes and no.

3. Tell us about a time recently, where you really put your heart into something.

I recently found some picture of Hubby and his first wife, and their farm. Also pictures of their newborn baby girl.

I wanted my (step) daughter to have these and I worked to scan the old pictures in and then send them to her. I’m still not 100%, so sitting at a desk and doing the work was not easy, but it was very important to me that she have them.

 

4. What’s your favorite fictional love story?

Currently they are Tim & Mary in the movie About Time. I love that movie. Their love starts out slowly, and grows into a wonderful, sweet, devoted, love-story.

Rachel McAdams plays Mary and Domhnall Gleeson plays Tim

5. Do you generally wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your cards close to the vest?

 

My family will tell you I am an open book. I wish I weren’t. However, I love deeply, and care so very much, so unfortunately, most people (at least the ones who know me well) will tell you my heart is open to all.

6. What food says love to you? Why?

Champagne and  Chocolate, served on a table with flowers!!

7. When were you last ‘tickled pink’ over something? Explain.

When my daughter came into her kitchen last summer and was holding a pink+ positive pregnancy test! And now, the time is passing so fast and my little grandson will soon be here!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I looked up at the shadows I saw on my ceiling the other day. What I saw shocked me! The dist on my curtains was rather heavy and the curtains looked rather dusty. I kicked off my shoes and climbed up on my chair and the sofa and pulled down all the curtains. Then I put them into my fabulous washing machine (an LG, now a year old) and put them through a soak and wash cycle and then into the dryer. I pulled them out and carefully put them back up. Now this washing machine did an amazing job, and now they are back up I am thrilled (and exhausted).

Now I usually wash them twice a year, but this year things got messed up due to the neck. Once I finish the office, which should be done by weeks end, I will pull down those curtains and wash them up as well!

You know, for curtains that are 16 years old, they look pretty darn good! But I will tell you, in a year or so, I will actually have to break down and get new ones.

1. Describe love using all five senses.

I love the softness of your touch, I love the glow I see in your eyes, I love to hear you call my name, I love to say your name again and again, as we share a glass of bubbly champagne.

2. February is Canned Food Month. What’s your favorite food that comes straight from a can?

Oh my. Not a big fan of canned foods. However, the thing I do buy in a can (that I do not make) is B&M Boston Baked Beans. Love them!

3. A principal in a UK school recently sent home a letter to parents requesting they (the parents!) dress appropriately when escorting their children to/from school (basically saying please don’t wear your pajamas) You can read the letter here. It’s gotten a lot of publicity, both positive and negative. Your thoughts? And do/did you ever make the school run (or hit Starbucks, Walmart, etc) in your pjs?

NEVER would I go out in my pj’s. I was called on for Jury Duty a few years back, and a woman showed up in her pajamas, and fuzzy slippers. Needless to say, she was not chosen to serve. I worse a suit and low heeled shoes. I felt it was an honor to serve my State.

4. Crew neck, V-neck, turtleneck, scoop neck…which is most prevalent in your wardrobe?

Oh dear, turtlenecks. And I am still having trouble wearing them since my surgery. Consequently, my neck feels cold a lot of the time.

5. I read here recently a list of four things to avoid so you wake up happier. They were late night snacks, hitting the snooze button, social media just before bed/upon waking, checking emails.

Are you guilty of any of these behaviors? Which on that list do you need to work harder at avoiding?

I gave up late night snacking. Bad habit. I do not use an alarm clock, so forget the snooze button. Social media before bed and first thing? Guilty. However, it’s interesting to note that I try very hard to limit the negativity I read on FB. Not always possible, but I try.

6. Share something you remember about a house you lived in as a child? Of all the homes you lived in as a child, which did you love best?

I loved my house on Clipper Lane, in Falmouth, Massachusetts the best. It was a short walk to the ocean, and was a great neighborhood.

My summers were always full of sun, sea and soft, cool, cotton sheets after a long day at the beach. I ran barefoot all summer long through the sweet grass, and the scent of lilacs and roses and the ocean were always there. (Or so it seemed) Sunshine and happiness, visiting with relatives who flocked to our house and the beach. Summers at Clipper Lane, are full of some of the best memories in my life!

7.Your favorite movie based on a true story?

The Kings Speech, The Blind Side, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Zero Dark Thirty,  Argo, The Queen. These are just a few.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The few times I have ever said anything political, on Facebook, I was flamed, called vile names, and told I was a hater. Now this is simply because I said I liked this or disliked that. In fact one person flipped out so badly, that they publicly called me out, and then also publicly humiliated me by a grand de-friending! So since then, I keep my feelings to my self. I simply do not need the grief. Locally, I am very active and being in New Hampshire, I try to see all the candidates speak.

But this also got me thinking. As I was reading Facebook the other day, I noted that many people that have claimed to be open minded, are the same ones who are cruel and say terrible, hateful things, about people who don’t agree with them. My question here is…do you allow people the right to their views? or do you attack them?

If we are to make our country great again, my belief is that we must all work together as Americans, and leave the hateful speeches behind us.

1. Share one thing that really makes your day.

Savannah Rose, my granddaughter. A pictures, a smile, a story. Almost anything to do with Savi, just makes life worth living.

2. Lots of these kinds of lists out there, but one found here says the fifteen most colorful places on earth are:

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy~Burano, Italy~Havana, Cuba~Rio de Janiero, Brazil~Chefchaouen, Morocco~Balat, Istanbul, Turkey~Menton, France~Jodhpur, India~La Baca, Buenos Aires, Argentina~Guanajuato, Mexico~Capetown, South Africa~Valparaiso, Chile~Wroclaw, Poland~San Francisco, California~and Pelourhino, Salvador, Brazil.

Of those listed which would you most like to see up close and in person? Of all the places you’ve seen or traveled in your own life, what would you say was one of the most colorful?

I have been to a few of the above. But for me the most colorful, beautiful, was the Grand Canyon! It is too spectacular for anyone to miss!

3.”Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” Jack Canfield In general, would you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?

Disagree. It is only true if you allow fear to rule your life. I chose long ago to go fearlessly into the world!

4. Imagine you’re stranded on a desert island and dessert appears…what do you hope it is? Do you ever struggle to remember which spelling is desert and which is dessert?

Sometimes! Let’s see, dessert, on a desert island? Well, it would have to be ice cold ice cream!

5. What song almost always makes you cry?

6. January is National Soup Month. Everything from soup to nuts, in the soup, thick as pea soup, souped up…which saying most recently applies to your life in some way? Explain.

Thick as pea soup. Why, you ask? Well, when I came home after my surgery, I ate a lot of pea soup! If went down really easily!

7. Write a two word note to your younger self. What does it say?

Be Kind

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The office is coming along. I imagine it will take me a couple of weeks to actually get it pulled all together. But my goodness, it is coming right along!

1.What’s something you wish you knew how to do, but feel like it’s too late to learn?

Not necessarily too late, but I would love to learn to quilt. In fact I’m thinking it would be fun to find a quilters group in 2016.

2. Your least favorite thing to shop for? Why?

Bathing suits. Why? Surely you jest! Every woman over the age of 30 hates to do this. And now in my 50’s, my late fifties, nothing seems to be where it was when I was in my teens and twenties!

3. How has the celebration of Thanksgiving today changed from when you were growing up?

I think it is less about being thankful, and more commercial. Many people, myself included, will not shop on Thanksgiving. However, many people literally eat and run to the Mall!

4. What’s something that when other people see it, reminds them of you? Explain.

A dackel. Specifically, a wire-haired dachshund. I get pictures from friends and family when they see a dackel like mine.

5. If you could guest star in a TV show, what would it be and why?

Oh, Blue Bloods. I would love to play a cousin of the family who comes to visit and then get embroiled in some tense crime spree! LOL

6. Have you ever farmed or spent any time on a farm? Are there farm stands in your little corner of the world and do you make it a point to shop there? If so, what item do you particularly like to buy from a roadside stand or farm shop?

I have lived on a farm. When Hubby and I first married. He owned an apple farm, complete with a barn full of animals too. I loved it there. Currently we supply apples, peaches, plums and grapes to a local farm stand. The owner’s wife bakes the best lemon squares ever!

7. What’s something you’ve experienced recently that made you feel a sense of awe or wonder?

Well, a few things. First, spending my birthday with Savannah, and the rest of the family was special. What left me in awe, was how sweet, and loving Savannah is. Her parents are doing such a great job raising her. It was fun to share my birthday dessert with her.

The second thing that leaves me in awe, is Amanda’s new baby boy! I can hardly wait for him to arrive (February-March 2016!)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It is nearly Thanksgiving! My favorite time of the year. Today I will be baking a few things, and then tomorrow I will do the prep work on the vegetables and make the stuffing.

1. What’s surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

I guess the fact that life is not fair. As a kid, I grew up believing that if you were good and kind, life would treat you well. Unfortunately that is not the case.

I’ve been lucky though. I have a wonderful family, and I am loved dearly. So, it sort of makes up for the thing

2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year…awesomesauce, beer o’clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable.

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?

Most ridiculous, Mx. Come on, really? What word would I never say, awesomesauce. And which word, have I actually used? both butt-dial and skippable!

3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you’d rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy…which one on the list is your favorite?

I make my own gravy, but I only like gravy on turkey meat and stuffing. Not on mashed potatoes or beef or anything else. Very picky on what I put on my food.

4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.

Oh, I’d like to think that I plan things out, but I have had my best laid plans blow up into smithereens!  Still, I sometimes think plans are good.

5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you’ll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

We have an original game. But I have not played in years and years. Yes, I have been to Atlantic City!

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

7. In keeping with this month’s theme of gratitude….what is something you’re taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you’re grateful for?

You are talking to a woman who takes nothing for granted. I’ve learned through bitter experience, to value every person I love and all that I have.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday was my 57th birthday. Mandy, Matt, Savannah, Janet & Dave all joined Hubby and me at a steak and seafood restaurant for a fabulous meal and a visit. There is nothing better than sharing my birthday with those I love.

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran’s Day means to you?

Grateful to all the men and women who have served our country. Also grateful that my Veteran Hubby came home alive from Vietnam.

2. What’s your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

Patton. George C. Scott! Fabulous, fantastic move. The acting was superb!

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

Okay. I got the flu shot and all was well. Then it was recommended that I get the Prevnar 13 pneumonia shot. It did not hurt immediately, but oh my goodness, it’s a week ago and I have so much pain in the arm and shoulder.

Yes I have had the flu. The first year Hubby and I got married, he was off flying for Pan Am, and I was at home,running a high fever, and praying for death! (Not really!) I was so sick. After that I recovered, I have gotten a flu shot every year.

4. I’ve seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

Too soon to think about Christmas. I’m thinking Thanksgiving. (Although I admit to buying a Christmas gift today!)

5. What ‘critter’ are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

A Fisher.

Fisher is the common name for a largely arboreal, North American carnivorous mammal, Martes pennanti, of the marten genus (Martes) and weasel family (Mustelidae), characterized by a long body with short legs, dark fur, long and bushy tail, five toes with retractable claws on each foot, long and tapered muzzle, and low, rounded ears. The fisher is agile in trees and has a slender body that allows it to pursue prey into hollow trees or burrows in the ground. Despite its name, this animal seldom eats fish; the name may originate from the French word fichet, which referred to the pelt of a European polecat. In some regions, the fisher is known as a pekan, derived from its name in the Abenaki language. It also is known as fisher-cat. Martes pennanti is found in forested areas of northern North America.

With its speed and agility, the fisher is a remarkable predator that captures a wide diversity of prey: Rabbits, hares, squirrels, mice, grouse, and so forth. Even the well-protected porcupine is captured by the fisher, using a unique technique designed to tire the porcupine until the fisher can kill the large quilled rodent.

6. Do you like building things? What’s the last thing you ‘built’?

My garden fence, and pea plant fence.

7. In keeping with this month’s theme of gratitude…what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

My family. All of them. From Hubby to my newest grand-niece, and everyone in between!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

First, my eye doctor saw that my optic nerve does not look good. Although my eye pressure is ok, he believes I am having trouble with my optic nerve. He said it is showing damage. So I will be seeing a specialist in January for evaluation.

He also didn’t like the stye on my right eyelid.I saw the special surgeon who handles these things and next Wednesday I will be getting it operated on.