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 suggested amount is presented?
I regularly tip in places like restaurants, cafes, hair salons, and for services like ride-shares. In those cases, tipping is often seen as part of the expected etiquette to support workers who may rely on it to supplement their wages.
I think so many American’s today have tipping fatigue. When digital kiosks ask for a 20% tip after a self-checkout or when you’re just grabbing a bottle of water. Especially when you’re presented with suggested amounts that start at 25%, it can make people feel pressured or judged for declining.
There’s a tension between wanting to support service workers and feeling like tipping is becoming a default in situations that never used to ask for one. It can turn what should be a generous, voluntary gesture into an awkward, guilt-laced exchange.
3. I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream…do we? Is ice cream a favorite treat at your house? What’s your favorite flavor? Regular, soft serve, gelato, sherbet, or some sort of non-dairy version of ice cream…what’s your pleasure?
Ice cream is definitely my biggest sweet-tooth weakness. If it’s in the house, I can’t stop thinking about it—it practically calls my name. My favorites are chocolate, chocolate turtle, butter pecan, and cookies and cream. I’m all in for ice cream, frozen yogurt, and soft serve. As for gelato, sherbet, or non-dairy alternatives—they’re not really my thing.
4. What’s your ‘back in my day, we____________________ ‘ story or saying?
Mmm…I don’t really say this too much. If I do, its related to cell phones and internet.
5. Somehow this is our last Hodgepodge in the month of June. Next week’s Hodgepodge lands in July. Wow. Sum up your June using three adjectives.
Productive, heated, interesting
6. Insert your own random thought here.
A few pictures from adventures I’ve had over the last few years….
Hi, wow weeeeee … your adventures… I love the photos. 😉
I love the dolphin and we had an experience like that in the Keys a few years back. I don’t know if I could handle the monkey on my head though. I loved what you said about tipping. I think I hold back when it comes to adventuring these days mostly if I feel like my health might be impacted in some way. Fifteen years ago I bounced back from stuff. Now not so much lol. Have a great day!
Fear holds me back from adventure a lot too these days. I also hate that about myself!
Yes on the tipping fatigue! Tips are being asked for or tacked on to so much these days. It is out of hand, which really stinks because there are restaurant workers who really need those tips. Corporations do not!
I love cookies and cream ice cream. I have some allergies and a lactose intolerance but I will find a way to eat it if I can. I also can’t stop thinking about it if it isn’t the house. As for dairy-free alternatives, I once ate a coconut milk ice cream that was amazing. Other than that, I am not a fan.
Those photos are amazing!! Wow!! Wonderful adventures!
Those are awesome adventure photos! I would say the same thing about adventure being out of your comfort zone. I have similar thoughts on tipping. I like to tip at restaurants etc, but selecting a tip on an ipad when someone has just taken your order for coffee etc seems ridiculous! Have a wonderful Wednesday!
I hold back from big adventures too, I think it’s because I am older and I feel I have more to lose if things go wrong.
That is so wrong, tipping at a self checkout! Madness! I don’t mind declining if I don’t think the tip is earned.
All of my back in the day stories and sayings seem to revolve around mobile phones too!
Fantastic photos!! You really are adventurous!
It looks like you’ve had some wonderful adventures over the years! I’m finding myself getting much braver as I get older, but I’m also cautious because I’m prone to get hurt through my carelessness.
I love all of the adventure photos! SO much fun.
I think you are way more adventurous then you give yourself credit for! I am definitely not adventurous when it comes to animals.. they are far too unpredictable for me. I am the same way with ice cream and rarely allow anyone to buy it for INSIDE the house but I’m happy to go out now and then for a single treat.
Love what you said about the meaning of adventure and about tipping. I like to tip because I want to bless someone or thank them for an exceptional job, not because I’m obligated to do it. The photos of your adventures are wonderful!! No way would I get my face that close to a ray though – nope! I’m late coming round to visit – hope you’re having a great week!