Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 547

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. What's a skill you think everyone should have? 

2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping? Do you still buy 'real' cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc? 

3. It's National Banana Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you're not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

5. What is your idea of fun? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Patiently Answering The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

We fill out an organizer and send it on to the professionals. To be honest I find just completing the organizer 'taxing'. 

Something I've found taxing lately? Nothing springs instantly to mind. How about this...hubs is vehicle shopping and while he thoroughly enjoys the process, I find the whole thing taxing. 

2. It's spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? 

Hiking. 

I could definitely enjoy planting a garden if I had the right spot for one here. And if we were home for more than three days in a row to manage it.  I like to hike and there are lots of nice trails nearby that we still need to explore so I'm going with hiking. 

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person? In what sort of situation is patience not desirable? Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? 

I would say I'm a very patient person, although sadly not as patient as I was when I was younger. I asked hubs if he thinks I'm patient and he said "definitely".  Impatience rarely makes a situation better and in general winds everyone up in an unhelpful way. 

When is impatience a good thing? Well, the opposite of what I said a minute ago could also be true. Impatience can sometimes motivate me to get things done that need doing. 

Mostly though, in my mind, patience is a positive trait, and impatience negative. 

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what's your favorite something made with cinnamon? 

I love cinnamon, probably one of my favorite flavors. I make a sour cream coffee cake that's really more like a pound cake and it's definitely one of my favorite cinnamon foods. In the non-food category, I like a cinnamon scented candle in the kitchen. 

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate. 

Depends what we're learning, but mostly I'm a learn by doing person. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Whatcha reading? I just finished Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano for our neighborhood book club happening today (Tuesday). I thought it was just okay, but I know people who loved it. I thought the story held promise but the character development was weak. 

I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar, historical fiction based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law. Enjoying it so far, but I've only just started this one. 

I recently finished Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, which is also historical fiction. Based on a real event, a plague that struck the English village of Eyam in the mid-1600s, the tale follows the story of a young woman named Anna. A really interesting plot line, but I have to say one of the weirdest endings to a book ever. 

I'm also reading Are We There Yet ?: My Journey From A Messed Up to Meaningful Life by the comedian Jeff Allen. I heard him interviewed on a podcast and am enjoying now reading his story in book form. 

If you're reading something great I want to know! Happy Wednesday everyone!

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 546

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

2. It's spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? Flowers, vegetables, or a bit of both?

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person? In what sort of situation is patience not desirable? Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? 

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what's your favorite something made with cinnamon? 

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Heavens Declare

The sun rose with quietness and great beauty on this springtime Monday morning-

Later the skies did their thing. We were not in the path of totality for this particular eclipse like we were back in 2017, but we still popped outside and wore our special glasses to take a look. The sky grew darker than normal, but not complete darkness like we experienced seven years ago. 

Seven years ago. 

Is it just me or has our nation gone crazier? Nuttier? Meaner and less harmonious than ever before in a quick seven years? I mean I imagine 1775 was rough, but there was no social media, no internet in fact, so news traveled slower and civility amongst strangers was a thing, even though there was a literal war going on.  

I remember in 2017 how excited we all felt for the big event. There was a real buzz in the air, parties were organized, the media was it's usual over-the-top self, but in an upbeat sort of way. This time around there's been a lot of doom and gloom in the reporting. A bit of fear mongering about what this particular eclipse might mean. 

2024 America is exhausting. 

While our country may not be in a literal civil war it certainly feels like we're in the middle of something more than a quarrel. When I sit down to blog I find myself thinking about what areas of our lives remain untouched by anger and friction, and I'm hard pressed to come up with a single one. This weighs heavy on the minds of almost everyone I talk to. Most of us are longing for less conflict while struggling to see how we as a nation get there. 

Then today happens. The intricacy and design of the heavens remain mysterious and unfathomable. 

As the moon passes into the path of the sun I'm reminded once again that God is on His throne. Still master of the universe He created and set in motion. Still working out His plan for this tired troubled earth and the people He loves.

Which is all of us. 

Keep looking up.  

What's Up?

Hi. It's been a while. I say that a lot here, but I always feel the need to explain that it has indeed been a while. Nearly a month if you don't count the Hodgepodges. Which I do appreciate because that weekly link up keeps me tethered here when life pulls and tugs. 

So what is up? Well for starters, my odometer. I've logged some miles here in the past month y'all, mostly revolving around our mamas. 

My mother-in-law had a birthday in early March and hubs and I drove over to TN to spend the weekend with her. We took her out for a celebratory dinner, then drove her to daughter2's the next day so she could meet her newest great granddaughter. I posted this pic on a recent Hodgepodge but am adding it here too because its cute and it fits. 

The next week my mama came to town and I also drove her to daughter2's so she could meet our newest little love-

Then came Easter. We had a wonderful day starting with church, followed by lunch with some friends here right after. 

I love a pretty spring table. 

Spring in the neighborhood too. 

The day before Easter my mama, my sister, my niece and I all met up at a university about an hour from me for a special Easter program they have every year. Works of art relating to Jesus life and death are brought to life by actors who hold so very still you're not sure if they're real or not. There's music and narration and its beautifully done. 

The day after Easter daughter2 drove here with her crew to spend the week. Her hubs had business in our area, and his grandparents live in this general vicinity, so it was their turn to meet baby girl. 

Four great grandparents. What a blessing to be loved and prayed for by so many. 

We had a grand time all week with sweet baby J and his little sis.

 Hubs took him for his first kayak trip around the cove-

He absolutely loved it. We also read books, stacked blocks, raced cars, and we watched the birds and the sunrise too...

J caught his first fish-

With a little help but still, he was here for it. His favorite part? 

Holding the worm lol. Snips and snails and puppy dog tails...

In case anyone is wondering, today I sipped coffee in my pjs until 11 o'clock. 

It was very necessary. 

April Showers Bring The Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go- 

1. What's a talent you wish you had? 

Singing. I've always wanted to sing well, or at least in tune lol. 

2. In one word, what's your state of mind right now? 

buzzing

3. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? 

We need a car. Probably two cars, but we'll start with one (hubs). It won't happen this month, and while we'd love to wait until next year, I think it will probably end up being sooner. 

Have I told you car shopping is my least favorite kind of shopping? 

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day...did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What's your favorite kind of jelly? 

I did not celebrate. I like peanut butter and jelly okay, but I very rarely have it. I can't remember the last time I made a pb & j sandwich. I prefer peanut butter on toast, no jelly. 

What's my favorite jelly? It depends on what I'm in the mood for, but apricot is probably my fave. 

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

Easily? Hmmm...I hate conflict, but I wouldn't say I'm easily intimidated. I'm pretty comfortable in groups and in places where I don't know anyone, and I don't mind speaking in front of a crowded room.  I know some people find that sort of thing to be intimidating. 

Bullies. I cannot abide them and yes, there are still grown adults who act like bullies. I suppose dealing with them can be a bit intimidating, but I think that's mostly because I know there will be unnecessary conflict. I avoid interacting with a bully when avoidance is an option. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Enjoying a couple of days with daughter2 and her two little cuties in the house. This little guy had a big time kayaking with his Pawpaw...

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 545

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. What's a talent you wish you had? 

2. In one word, what's your state of mind right now? 

3. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? 

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day...did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What's your favorite kind of jelly? 

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.