Category: Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you’re looking forward to on your November calendar?

My Birthday!

It’s coming up quickly. This is #57! I am looking forward to this because, I think we should celebrate any and all of our birthdays! Life is so good, and if we embrace it, and love it, then we should celebrate our time in it!

2. If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

My granddaughter, Savannah! Why? Because every day she makes me happy and proud and I feel her love. Last week when we had that day and night together, it was so very special!

3. Of the breads listed, which one’s your favorite…bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?

Okay, it’s a tie between banana and cinnamon, although I also love sour dough. Basically if you take flour, eggs, yeast and any sort of flavoring, I’m there. I am a carbohydrate junkie!

4. What’s something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

Apples. Our trees are so full this year and because our Autumn was so late, we are still harvesting them. In life, I am blessed to have so much love around me.

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who’s your favorite redhead?

Yes. My daughter Katie had the most beautiful red hair. It was thick and curly. I miss it very much.

6. The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state’s #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

They say it is the White Mountains. Yes, we have taken pictures there. Here is a picture I took .

7. I’m going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here’s this week’s question-

What’s something you’ve learned about yourself this year that you’re grateful for?

The importance of being a true and loving self. I have stopped worrying if I am a true and loving person, and just have been.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Tomorrow is another weigh in at Weight Watchers. I’ve had a good week and been diligent weighing and measuring everything. I hope it pays off!

1. Are you comfortable with silence? If you’re home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise? Do you seek out times and places to be silent? What’s your favorite place to find silence/be silent?

I love silence. It does not happen often, though. Sometimes Hubby is out, and all the dogs fall asleep and the TV is off, and I am here quietly, happily, alone. Good times. Sometimes driving in the car, I chose to be silent, rather than have music or the radio on.

2. October 28th is National Chocolate Day. Can’t let that go by without a mention now, can we? Will you celebrate? How? Let’s say you can have one of the following right this very minute… a cup of hot chocolate, a strawberry dipped in chocolate, a bowl of plain chocolate ice cream, or a slice of chocolate pie…what’s your pleasure?

At this time of year, hot chocolate. But really a nice chunk of dark chocolate, is perfection!

3. How do you feel about blue jeans? Favorite thing in the world to wear or nope, don’t own a single pair? How often do you wear blue jeans in a typical week? Do you own a blue jean jacket?

I LOVE jeans! I wear them almost every day. I do own several jeans jackets too. My favorite being one I cannot wear right now, but will one day when I have lost all this weight! Hope lives!

4. Are you superstitious? If so, in what way?

Oh yeah. I am very superstitious. I try not to be, but somehow I look back in life and see all those old superstitions that came true. So I try not to mess with them.

5. If you had to come up with a costume using only things you have on hand right now, what could you come up with?

Ghost, Witch, Not a big Halloween fan.

6. What scares you a little? What do you do when you feel scared?

A lot scares me. But I won’t go into it. When I feel scared I try to retreat to my home and find ways to relax.

7. Perhaps today will be the day I:

Have another good weight loss at Weight Watchers class!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’ve been among the missing the last two days due to Hubby getting a new laptop. Why? You might ask. Well, I am an ace at programming machines and setting them up. So, I managed to move email, address books, and stored files, plus bookmarks and passwords all over to his new super fabulous laptop! Yes, I am having a little computer envy! He has a beautiful machine, that really outshines mine!

1. October 21, 2015 is Back to the Future Day. Did you see the movie? The sequels? In the second film, Doc takes Marty into the future to prevent Marty’s future son from making a mistake. They leave 1985 and land on a ‘skyway’ on October 21st, 2015. So tell us, what were you doing in the fall of 1985?

I did see the movie. Where was in in the Autumn of 1985? Healing after a very bad car accident.

2. If time travel were possible, would you want to go to the future? The past?

Past. If possible I would change one day. Just one.

3. We’re not flying cars, but some of the technology imagined in the 80’s film has indeed come to pass in real life 2015-flat screen TVs on the wall, tablets, fingerprint recognition, video conferencing, online banking, 3-D movies, motion controlled video games, drone cameras, and smart glasses (Google glass). Do you worry technology is growing at a rate so fast we’ll soon be unable to keep up with it’s demands? Do you think the Internet does more harm than good?

I love the internet, and although at times I worry about our safety, for the most part I feel pretty comfortable. There are times I have trouble keeping up with the latest geek stuff, but usually I can figure it all out.

4. Your favorite dish prepared in a slow-cooker? Your favorite fast food?

Pork, apples and sauerkraut. The recipe can be found HERE. It is so easy and very delicious!

5. No time like the present, down time, face time, pressed for time, in the nick of time, make time, mark time, or just in time…which timely saying most relates to your life right now?

I don’t know. Face time? Make time? I’m spending Saturday with Savannah, so I am making time to be with her. (Really, is there any other place I would want to be?) And Face time, because I will be face to face with my sweetie!

6. Tell us about a place you went as a child or younger person that’s no longer there or is now something else. How does that make you feel?

Benson’s Wild Animal Farm. It was here in New Hampshire and it was a nice small, fun, Zoo/park.

There were animals, and rides and it was a fun time. Makes me sad that it is gone.

7. Describe your comfort zone.

A cup of tea, a quiet song or movie and my pups all around me. Yes! That is when I am relaxed. My comfort zone is any time and any place I am with my family!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Tomorrow is Weight Watchers and I am a nervous wreck! I have worked the program so well this weekend. I’ve carefully written down what I have eaten, and weighed and measured all foods. I sure hope I have done well.

1. What’s something that has recently ‘tried your patience’?

It’s been pretty calm and not much has been making me crazy. Now that Lili is walking so nicely on her leash, we go out every day and have a good time. If I could just break her of using her mouth to get my attention I would be very happy. (She will gently grab my hand. It’s not terrible, but it annoys me.)

2. Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you? (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10=I’ve got all the time in the world).

I had to learn to be patient. I used to have a very quick temper. As I have aged, the temper has gotten more under control. I’m probably an 8 now. It takes an awful lot to make me pop my cork!

3. Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

Well, here is my story. I dream I can fly all of the time. I mean, I’m not in a plane or anything, just me soaring up into the skies. It’s such a freeing feeling and I love those dreams.

In life I have flown a lot with Hubby. He was an Airline Pilot, and I flew all over the world with him. I am grateful to both Pan Am and Delta for that opportunity.

4. Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

Hummingbird, by Seals and Crofts. Here it is. Enjoy!

5. What’s in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

People come from all over the world to enjoy the Fall Foliage in The White Mountains of New Hampshire. It truly is beautiful here! Picnic? Well, hot soup and a good sandwich.

6. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping…which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

Electrical. There are so many little jobs I would like to do. Change sconces, wire up some outside lights, and fix a few lamps.

7. What’s something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

A new sofa. Currently Lili and her mouth have done in my 25 year old sofa, but I don’t want to replace it until she is over this gnawing phase of her life.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am off on Friday to meet my new grandniece! April is a month old now, and just a total doll! I can hardly wait to hold her in my arms!!! Here is a sneak peak of her precious little face!

1. It’s October so let’s get this out there first thing…have you jumped on the all-things-pumpkin bandwagon? How so?

Not at all. I’ve never really understood it. I love pumpkin pie, but all the other stuff, especially pumpkin coffee…not my thing at all.

2.  “We have more power than will; and it is often by way of excuse to ourselves that we fancy things are impossible.” Francois Duc De la Rochefoucauld  

What’s something you once thought impossible, but in hindsight see as more a matter of lack of will?

For me, it is dieting. When I turned 50 I worked so hard to lose the weight, and I did. I was fifty and fabulous. But then I got sloppy and tired of dieting. I am today, this morning starting all over again.

3. The rose is America’s National Flower, but every state also has its own (click here to see the list). Are you happy with yours? If you were in charge what would you declare your state’s flower? If you’re outside the U.S. what bloom would you like to see labeled as your country’s national flower?

I wouldn’t change a thing. New Hampshires State flower is the Lilac. And that is my favorite!

4. What have you lost interest in recently?

Dieting. As I said above, I am so tired of it. But I know, it is important, and for my health, I must do this.

5. In your opinion, who’s the best living musician?

Probably, Paul McCartney. He is still writing songs, performing, and he was part of the group that changed the worlds perception of music. At least modern popular music.

6. S’mores-love ’em or no? Ever make them indoors? Last time you sat around an outdoor fire? Are making s’mores and sitting round a fire pit on your autumn bucket list? Do you have an autumn bucket list?

I have not had a s’more in years. Good thing. I’m just having a big problem with food and need to stay away from those too.

7. Your favorite small town? Why?

My own. We have just under 6000 people who live here year round. In the winter, Meredith is simply a perfect little piece of heaven!

8. Insert your own random thought here

Time to do laundry, go grocery shopping, and make healthy meals for both Hubby and I. I need to get back on the Weight Watcher wagon, and work hard to drop these very unwanted pounds.

I caught sight of myself in the mirror at the hotel (why do these rooms have so many mirrors?) and shuddered at what I saw. Yes, time to stop being self destructive, and get back to doing good things for myself!

1. What have you ‘fallen for’ recently?

My granddaughter, Savannah, all over again! This past weekend, at the end of my visit, when we were saying good-bye, she said she didn’t want me to go. It’s the first time she expressed in words, that she didn’t want me to leave. That filled my heart!

2. What’s something you’re ‘squirreling away’ for later?

I have a hot pink and orange bag that I got from Clinique a couple of years ago. I decided to make it into my “OMA BAG”. I like to buy little things for Savannah, and then when I go down to visit she gets one of the things (sometimes two) from the “OMA BAG”. It’s always fun to watch her reaction to something I’ve picked up along the way. This past weekend, it was Rapunzel Barbie Doll!

3. How do you like your apples? Sweet? Tart? Crisp? Cooked? Apples are one of the superfoods for fall…how often do you eat an apple either plain or as part of a favorite recipe? What’s your favorite variety?

  My two favorite apples are not found easily. They are the snow apple (it is believed to be one of the ancestors of a MacIntosh) and the Winter Banana (it was a seedling variety’s discovered in Indiana in the 1870’s). That apple has a sweet taste almost like a banana. Of our apples here at our home, The Mac’s are great as are the Enterprise. Love to make apple pie with Cortland and Jonathans.

4. According to Fodor’s the ten best fall foliage trips in the US of A are-Aspen Colorado, The Catskills New York, The Berkshires Massachusetts, Columbia River Gorge Oregon, Green Mountain Byway Vermont, Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway New Mexico, Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Lake of the Ozarks Missouri, and Glacier National Park Montana. Which would you most like to visit this fall and why?  

Well, we live in New Hampshire and I think we have the best foliage, especially in the Mount Washington areas. Around my little lake we have breathtaking foliage. This picture was from a couple of Autumns ago.  

5. The topic of legalizing marijuana was raised in the most recent televised political debate so let’s wade in too. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Four states have legalize marijuana for recreational use. Your thoughts?

I do not believe in it at all. The man who hit my car and killed my daughter, did so when he was stoned! Legalizing it for medical use only (and we are talking cancer pain control) should be allowed, but tightly controlled. This is a drug. It can and does, impair your judgement!

6. Are you okay to watch a movie already in progress or do you need to always see it from the beginning? How about jumping into a TV series somewhere in the middle? Is that okay?

I like to see everything from the start. But…if I know the movie or show, then tuning in “in progress” doesn’t bother me.

7. Thursday (September 24) is National Punctuation Day. What rule of punctuation trips you up most often? What rule of punctuation, when broken by someone else, bugs you the most?

Comma’s, bug me the most. And I am always thrown by semi-colons.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I went shopping on Monday, and made some nice purchases. Some pretty tops, and one nice sweater jacket. Everything at Talbot’s was on sale, which makes it even better! My girlfriend Laurie, is wonderful to shop with. She is a realist. Not just how things look on me, but also the cost. I had about six items I liked in Talbot’s and she helped me pare it down to three. She also, gently pointed out, that I needed a new supportive unmentionable. She was right. We went to the unmentionable shop, and a lovely young lady helped me to get fitted and then find an unmentionable that not only fit, but was comfortable. I look like a new lady!

1. Last thing you did on the spur of the moment?

I went out for lunch with a friend last week. She called and I said yes, and away we went! It was so much fun!

2. How well informed do you feel about the current Syrian refugee crisis?

Too well informed. My husband is a news junkie and so we watch a lot, read a lot, and talk a lot.

3. What have you changed your mind about?

I used to be opposed to gay marriage. But through my life, I realized that if two people are lucky enough to find love with another person, then it doesn’t matter, they should be allowed to marry and have a family.  I have many gay friends now and I share in their happiness, with no reservations!

4. A medium sized non-poisonous snake found it’s way into the pool trap this weekend. If you’d been sitting poolside would you have fished it out? Gone running? Called for help? Pretended not to know? Continued swimming?

I’d have run screaming from the pool and called 911! I “HATE” snakes! That last sentence should be all in capitals. I cannot tell you the depths of my fear! In fact here is a story of a snake encounter I had.

Many years ago, I was working on Hubby’s Apple Farm. (This is back during the friendship part of our relationship.) I’d gone out to fertilize trees and I looked down and a snake was lying across my boot! I screamed at the top of my lungs, and Hubby’s white shepherd, Britta, came running. She grabbed the snake by it’s neck and shook it, snapping it’s neck and killed it! Then she put it down, sat in front of me, and I swear she was smiling! I patted her, and thanked her for saving me.

5. September 10th is National TV Dinner Day…what’s your idea of a great TV dinner? (Or at least a pretty good one!)

My favorite is Hungry Man Salisbury Steak TV Dinner. I just love all the flavors. It used to be Hubby’s too, but I think he is into the Meatloaf right now.

6. Samuel Johnson is quoted as saying, “Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other.” Would you agree? Where have you seen that played out recently? What’s the second greatest virtue?

I think every day, one must have courage. Some days are just so hard to get through. Courage! Sometimes you need a little, sometimes you need a lot. The second greatest is a tie in my book between Charity and Kindness. I think people should always strive to help others, and I also feel that acting kindly toward all, would help make this a better world.

7. What are three words you have trouble remembering how to spell?

Definitely. Colonel, and Corps. I murder the spelling all the time, especially when I am tired.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m tired. Why, you might ask? Well, it’s not just all the cooking I am doing, but the heat wave we are in. For the last few days we have been in the 90’s each day with high humidity. We do have air conditioning, but every time I go out with the dogs, I simply melt! Come on, it’s September! I want some cool crisp temperatures and leaves turning colors!

1. What’s on your September calendar? Anything fun?

Yes. We’ll be doing a road trip to Dayton, Ohio to go to an Army Aviators Reunion. We have found a nice house/doggy sitter, who will live here full time while we are off. I feel lucky because many people have to go off to work, and she will be working on her college degree from our home.

Anyway, the trip and the Reunion should be a lot of fun. We plan to stop at The Christmas Story House in Cleveland. I can hardly wait.

2. You might be described as a natural born _____________________?

Cook. I love to cook and I seldom have any real disasters. But….to be honest, every once in a while, I can cook up a real dud!

3. September is National Courtesy Month…what one act of courtesy would you most like to see more of in your home, town, or the world at large?

I would like the first words out of peoples mouths to be kind words. It seems now a days the first words are nothing but hate and criticism.

4. Eager beaver, chicken out, clam up, or let the cat out of the bag…of the phrases listed, which one have you related to most recently?

Eager Beaver. I have been enjoying the company of my daughter, granddaughter, and friends. I am so eager to be out and about!

5. What’s your movie theatre snack protocol? Do you chow down on snacks during the previews or wait until the movie begins? Do you buy snacks or refuse to pay those kind of prices? What’s the last movie you saw in a theatre? How many thumbs up would you give it?

Gone Girl. That was the last movie we went out to see. I did not think it was all that great.

6. Henry Ford is quoted as saying, “Nobody can think straight who does not work. Idleness warps the mind.” Agree or disagree? Why?

I think you need to keep active both in the mind and body, if you are going to stay young.

7. What’s the last job you completed or task you performed where you had to ‘work like a dog’ until it was finished?

I made a gallon of homemade Chili from my own garden tomatoes, and a gallon of spaghetti sauce, also from my own fresh tomatoes. Between all the chopping and simmering and then getting ready for the freezer, I worked like a dog all day long!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m still on cloud nine after watching Savannah yesterday. I cannot explain how wonderful it is to be a grandmother. I just love it!

1. Way back when (the Hodgepodge bicentennial to be precise) several of you submitted questions as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I went back to that list for inspiration today and found a question submitted by Marla, who blogs over at Marla’s Musings. Thanks Marla!

She asks-At what age did you feel like a ‘grown-up’? What keeps you young now?

I felt grown up at 26. I was faced with a life changing event. That was when I knew I was an adult. It was sink or swim. What keeps me young now? Easy…Savannah!

2. When did you last buy a vehicle? Was this by design or because you had no other option? Was the car/truck purchased for your own personal use or was it bought for someone else to drive? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being delightful and 1 being ‘pass the Excedrin’) how would you rate the experience? Okay, it is a year and a half ago. We bought our Toyota Highlander. It was by necessity. Previously we owned an old 4 wheel drive Jeep, which was our winter car. That Jeep was really old. Anyway, midwinter a year and a half ago, Hubby and I drove to the grocery store in a snow storm. We got out of the car, closed the drivers side door and all the rusty metal, just fell off!!! We knew what we wanted to buy, but it wasn’t until we saw an add a few months later for a 2012 Highlander, with 8000 miles on it.

The car was pristine, one owner, and around what we wanted to pay. But the dealership nickled and dimed us, and after getting half way home with our car, we realized they’d only given us one key fob! We called them and they claimed that Hubby had lost it! Finally they said that it only came to them with the one fob. Oh, and a new one would be $150.00 and another $100.00 to program. We quickly associated ourselves with a better and more trusted dealership, that got us the key fob for a reasonable price and programmed it for a lot less.

So although we love the Highlander, we detested the experience with the Dealership.

3. Corn bread, corn chips, corn pudding, corn on the cob, cornflakes, corn chowder-your favorite of the corn-y foods listed? What needs to be served alongside your selection?

Corn on the cob. It needs no accompanying dish. Good summer corn is a delight all by itself!

4. What’s something in your life that regularly requires you to ‘put your thinking cap on’?

Meals. Although I love to cook, I get into a rut with meals. Some days I wish we could just go out, as I get too tired to even cook!

5. Share a favorite movie set in a school or classroom, or whose theme relates to school days in some way.

I think I relate to that movie now, because I realize how different we all were back then in school, but how alike we were too. Full of doubt, wondering about our abilities. Yes, The Breakfast Club for sure!

6. Reading, writing, and ‘rithmatic’ are commonly referred to as the three R’s. What are the three R’s in your life right now?

Running around, as I try to can and freeze the produce we have from the garden. Rheumatology, as I am working to find just the right mix of meds to take for my arthritis. Reservations, as we will be attending an Army Aviators Reunion in the Fall.

7. What’s something you’ve learned or tried recently you can say was as ‘easy as ABC’?

We went out to Olive Garden and I tried their Minestrone Soup. I do not like Minestrone Soup, but thought, what the heck. Well, I loved it! Their soup is awesome!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I got my stitches out today and the hand is just a little sore, but really, it is all good. I now have official therapy to do with my hand, and in about 6 weeks I will be better than ever!