Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? 

What I love most about summer is having more daylight hours.  I love waking up to the sun shining through the windows; it just makes me happy.   I also enjoy sitting outside on my deck.  It is so peaceful except for the occasional hum of the heat pump. 

My biggest pet peeve would be when a beautiful day can become uncomfortable because of the high humidity.  Thankful, this hasn't happened yet!  Another pet peeve is seeing ticks!!

2. What song always reminds you of summer? 

"Kokomo" by the Beach Boys 

This got me thinking...Kokomo is an actual place in Indiana, but a fictional Caribbean place in the song lyrics, although the sound does mention Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate. 

My childhood summers were great!!  My neighborhood was a tight knit place.  We all were like family.  We all would pitch in and help each other with chores so we could head outside.  We would play till dark...kick the can, catch fireflies in a jar, hide-n-seek, just fun times.  When I got older, I would go to Baltimore and spend the summer with my grandmother.  I loved going crabbing with my uncles!  I miss those Maryland Crabs!!

I don't think kids enjoy much of their summer.  My grandson, who I love dearly, played baseball until just a couple of weeks ago.  Now he is in basketball camp and football camp!!  Summer is supposed to be fun and I love sports, but too much of a good thing isn't fun anymore.  AND most kids would rather stay inside and watch TV or play video games.  I keep the grandkids on Tuesday, and I have taught them how to play volleyball without a net and badminton.  Do they grumble when I say time to go outside, YES, but once outside I hear those giggles while playing.

4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st.

 Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa. 

Many people say I favor in my dad in looks, I just can't see it.  This was on my wedding day, which if hub would have lived, we would have celebrated 45 years together on June 20th!

I do have my dad's temperament.  

My dad was a hard worker.  Family was very important to him.  He was kind, thought of others before himself, set clear boundaries, and was very supportive.  My dad passed away in 1984 at the age of 47.  I miss him dearly.

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

• flip flops or sandals
• beach or pool 
• watermelon or peaches
• shorts or sundress
• iced coffee or ice cold lemonade
• amusement park or water park

Flip flops, pool, watermelon, shorts (sundresses when school begins), cold lemonade, and amusement park

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I just don't understand people.  Saturday evening, I was at a friend's house eating dinner.  My phone kept pinging and pinging.  When I looked at my phone, I was in complete shock.  My step-son had honored his dad (my late hub) by posting the most ugly post about him.  My hub has been dead for 8 years, so why post something like this now?  I was so mad and hurt.  The comments I were receiving were wondering the same thing.  

Anyway, I waited till Tuesday to reach out to the insurance agency my step-son works for which was previously owned by my husband. I sent a nice letter explaining how disappointing this was and how the people in the community was just as upset as I was.  The only response I heard from the owner, was not an apology but the situation has been addressed and the post deleted.  

Anyway...it is what it is.  People love drama and want to hurt other people.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

In 1994, I was raising a 7 year old and a 5 year old girls.  My late hub and I were living in the house we had built.  My late hub was coaching Pony League baseball and I was dragging the girls to all the games! I do remember the famous Bronco chase!!

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?

 

My favorite is Cowboy Caviar..black beans, black-eyed peas, corn,bell peppers, tomatoes and vinaigrette.  I also enjoy a Watermelon Feta Salad.

I do like some fresh fruit in a salad.

3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? 

I am in the middle on this one.  I think they can be practiced as courtesy and respect for all.  It shouldn't be a set of rules applied to just a certain group.

Integrity, respect, and kindness are worth keeping.

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? 

Spend my summer in Hawaii.  I have been to Hawaii, but not Alaska; my brother lived in Alaska for about 4 years. I would like to go back to Hawaii one day.  I stayed on the island of Maui.   When it comes to pineapple on my pizza, I am a pizzaholic!!!  I have eaten Baked Alaska, but not a fan.

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

I am not a soccer fan, even though one grandson played the sport for two years.  I never played soccer. 

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why. 

I chose Philadelphia.  First, I have never been.  I would love to see Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall.  I have never cared about going to Mexico or Canada.  New York would be my second choice.  I love visiting New York!!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Don't ask my how, but I completely lost my blog!!  After a couple of weeks, it was restored!!  Yay!!

My oldest grandson's All Star Baseball Team won their Division!!  They lost in Sectionals, but the team improved the more they played together.  A great season!!

Accepting his medal!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!!