1. What does freedom mean to you? Wow! When I hear this question it evokes so many emotions. Across the country, conversations about freedom are emotionally charged—whether it’s the right to vote, bodily autonomy, what books kids can read, or how history is taught. These aren’t abstract debates; they shape people’s lives and futures. America is a place where “freedom” has meant radically different things to different people. That contradiction—between the ideal and the reality—can be frustrating or heartbreaking. And when the word is used as a shield or a weapon by those with opposing views, it can feel like…

1. What does adventure mean to you? Adventure sparks personal growth by pushing you out of your comfort zone. It builds confidence, adaptability, and resilience through real-world challenges. You gain broader perspectives, discover hidden strengths, and often redefine what you’re capable of. Growth happens in the stretch. As I grow older, I find myself holding back from adventure out of fear—and I really can’t stand that about myself. 2. What are your thoughts on tipping? What businesses or service providers do you regularly tip? Do you resent being asked if you’d like to add a tip? What about when a…

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)…what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now? I loved swimming and since we didn’t have a pool at home or somewhere to go swim, I always swam on vacation. With that being said, I also loved to travel. My Granddad (who raised me with my Grandmother) was a traveling salesman, so I often went with him. We also went on family vacations most summers. 2. Something you’ll celebrate this summer? Not sure, we’re celebrating anything…

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper, what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What’s a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper? Garlic powder and red pepper flake are my go to spices. I also use a lot of basil, onion powder, and cayenne. I am not a big fan of fennel seeds. I make a taco soup that calls for taco seasoning, which I typically just make my own and that has a lot of seasonings…

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? Birthdays now are usually dinner at a place of our choosing and for the boys we come back and open presents and sometimes have cake. Here’s some photos of my boys on their birthdays. And to clarify bc I have new people visiting today…I have 2 boys. These are them at different ages. My birthdays growing up were always fun. In upper elementary and middle school, I usually had friends over for a spend the night party. I think…

1. What’s your favorite room in your house and why? Now that we redid one the larger of the 2 kids rooms last year, it is my favorite. Even though I’m not in there much. I love it because with the new paint and new crown molding makes it feel ‘clean.’ There’s also no clutter. It’s not ‘lived in.’ 🙂 2. What’s something that will instantly annoy you? Bad drivers… 3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day…will you celebrate? How do you like yours? If you’re not cooking at home is there a favorite place you like to go for…

1. May 20th is World Bee Day…what’s something that’s kept you ‘busy as a bee’ lately? This past Sunday we got to have LA at our house for most of the day while her parents went to the lake with her sister. With a baby around, you are busy as a bee, but I couldn’t have been happier. It was lovely. She’s out of her fussy stage, which is nice. 2. Do you like honey? What’s something you make or enjoy that calls for honey? Although, I haven’t made this in years much to my husbands chagrin, this is a…

1. What’s something you’re curious about right now? I recently started playing around with ChatGPT and I’m curious about more productive ways to use it. I made my dog into a human…so that was fun. 2. If you could plan the perfect girl’s weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months? I’ve always dreamed of having a girls’ weekend in Key West (because Rob hates it and I love it.) I think its a great place to just hang out at…

Can’t believe I haven’t done a Hodgepodge post since last April >>> Wednesday Hodgepodge 4.2.2024 1. Let’s compare this May to last May. What’s changed? What remains very much the same? Oh wow! Let’s see last May I was playing catch up on the blog because I had had shoulder surgery in April. Monthly Digest from May Now, I’m healed from that surgery, but still don’t have full range of motion/strength back yet, but close. It’s probably on me for not continuing to do my exercises. It’s a very difficult recovery. Last May I didn’t have a granddaughter. We celebrated…

1. What’s a talent you wish you had? I remember my Grandmother always wished she had a beautiful singing voice and now I have the same wish. 2. In one word, what’s your state of mind right now? Scared 3. What’s the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? I can’t think of a ‘purchase’ but I do know we have lots of things we need to do to our house, repair/maintenance. We’re currently getting quotes to figure out what it will all cost to see how soon we can do it. 4.…

1.What do you love about your life right now? I am loving the days when it’s cool (not reaching the 80’s and not going below 60). That’s my kind of weather! 2. March 26th is National Spinach Day…are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? I like raw spinach and I love my Spinach dip. I actually try to eat less spinach now though because it has high oxalates which contribute to kidney stones. I have never passed a kidney stone, but during a CAT scan for something else my doctor mentioned I had a kidney…

1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any ‘spring cleaning’ on your to-do list? What’s your most dreaded task? I am in total nesting mode more than normal. I can’t remember if I mentioned it yet, but I decided to move my shoulder surgery up. Today is my pre-op appointment, so I’ll share more after that. So I think with the knowledge that I will be very limited for the next 6 weeks and even for months afterwards, I’m trying to get as much cleaning/organizing/purging done…

1. Thursday is National Pi Day…are you good at math? What was the last thing you had to calculate? Did you use your head or technology? Last slice of pie you ate? I’m decent at math. I often have to calculate hours for my student workers. I use my head and then check it with the calculator, usually. The last slice of pie I ate…I honestly can’t think of when I had pie last. I am about to make a strawberry pie that I’m looking forward to. 2. What makes a house a home? Personal touches (family photos, art, etc)…

1. Has March come in like a lion where you live? If not a lion then what animal would you use to describe the weather in your area this first week of March? Does the weather affect your emotions? When did you last feel ‘under the weather’? It has been a bit windy/breezy the last few days, so I would say it has come in like a lion. The weather doesn’t usually affect my mood/emotions unless we have a long stretch of rainy dreary days. I think I do tend to anger more easily when its super hot outside. I’m…

1. February is coming to a close. Give us a two-word phrase that tells us something about how yours went. “Many appointments” …I have had I think 4 drs appointments and 3 physical therapy appointments this month. They get old. 2. If you had to describe how you’re feeling right now as an amusement park ride, what ride are you on? Explain. Hmm…I haven’t ridden on a roller coaster in a long time. The roller coaster threw me all and round and now I feel like I’ve been put through the ringer. 3. What’s something on your desk or a…

1. What kind of thinker are you – doer (concrete thinking), analyst (analytical and abstract thinking), orator (logical thinking), inventor (imaginative thinking), or original thinker (creative)? What makes you say so? You can try this little quiz (link here) to help with your answer. concrete (The Doer), analytical or abstract thinking (The Analyst), logical thinking (The Orator), imaginative (The Inventor) and creative (The Original Thinker). Before doing the quiz, I said I would call myself an orator. I’m a pretty logical thinker. Depending on my mood or the subject, I can be an original (creative thinker) as well. Then, I…