It's a Red White & Blue Hodgepodge!

Thank you, Joyce, for hosting another fun episode of Hodgepodge!

1.  Security or freedom?  Can you have both?  Explain.

I wholeheartedly believe we residents of the United States are blessed to enjoy both security and freedom.
   
(Aside) Despite growing up in what was arguably the safest (non-military) town in the nation, both of my parents were super vigilant.  I remember my dad phoning home from his security job each night:  "Are the doors locked?  Are the windows secure?"  

Much to Tom's bemusement, I still carry that philosophy with me!

(Aside #2)  Just a suggestion ….. please don't think I'm nuts! 
When was the last time you expressed thanks to a TSA agent?  

2.  If you could visit any historical American site what would it be?  

Even though it's changed dramatically - some say not for the better - I'd like to revisit my hometown.  

 "Almost normal lives?"  This caption cracks me up!

Why?

To quote Lillian Hellman (Pentimento), "I wanted to see what was there for me once, what is there for me now."  

3.  Free as a bird, free reign, be free of, free enterprise, free trip, walk away scot free, free for all …. what "free" phrase can best be applied to your life in recent days or weeks?  Explain.

"Be free of" … I'm still thanking my lucky stars to be free of the stress and unnecessary drama at my former workplace. 

4.  Something in your refrigerator that is red?  V-8 Juice.

Something in your house that is white?

A few years ago, but this still cracks me up

Something in your view that is blue?   Our sunroom's chair cushions.  (I'm not especially fond of blue, but the price was right!)

5.  July 27 is National New Jersey Day.  Have you ever visited the Garden State?   If so, where did you go?  I'm sure my parents probably drove us through New Jersey, but I've no recollections.
Are there diners where you live?  No, I don't think so.   Have you tried Taylor Pork Roll?  Until a few minutes ago, I'd no idea what you were talking about.  Thanks, but I'll pass.   Do you like to play Monopoly?  Not really.  Salt Water taffy - yay  or nay?  That sounds good!   How do you feel about shopping at the mall?  About as appealing as a root canal.  Springsteen, Sinatra or Bon Jovi?  You have to pick one.   Sinatra!

Raise your hand if you know why these add on questions are appropriate on National New Jersey Day?   I don't have a clue!

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Does anyone else experience dry eyes/allergies?  When we first moved to Alabama I blamed it on the pollen, but my eyes keep growing worse … to the point I'm ready to try Castor oil.   Yep, Castor Oil.  When my friend cited putting (organic) Castor oil in my eyes I shrunk back like she'd suggested I jump off the rooftop.

Still, there's compelling evidence.  Has anyone else tried it?

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Thanks so much for visiting!

Keep cool … have fun … be safe! 

Hugs,

Myra  

Summer at the Hodgepodge

It's that time again!   Joyce poses the questions and we gather 'round to answer.   Won't you join in?

Summer is upon us this week in the Northern Hemisphere.  Tell us three things on your bucket list.

1. Road Trip to Florida next month!!!  I can't wait to break bread with some of my favorite people!
   
2. Taste the lemonade at Toomer's Corner.
   
3. Hear Sean of the South speak in August.  

  

Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime.

During my grade-school years, Mother and I'd take the train from Lamy to visit her folk's farm in Minnesota.   Gathering fresh eggs was great fun, driving the tractor a Big Deal ...but what really rocked my boat was hanging with my grandfather and uncle as they tended to their cattle, their hogs.    'Imagine most folks would wrinkle their noses over the 'aroma' but I remember them as being oddly pleasant.    

Later my parents sent  their horse-crazy daughter to camp in Colorado.   (Geeky me stands second from the right.)

Roof top or back yard?  Why?

Roof top!  (Except if there's thunderstorm activity anywhere in the surrounding counties.)   Why?  No snakes, no creepy crawlies.

Do you read food labels?  Place importance on them?  Make an effort to find out/care about where you food comes from?

Friend Diana would be aghast, but no I don't.  Aside from sodium content or carbs, not so much.

A song you have on repeat this summer?

Just one?  My musical tastes are all over the board, but the first one that comes to mind is Chad & Jeremy's Summer Song.

It's 1966 (and '83) once more!

Insert your own random thought here.

I'm never been one to impart Good Advice … but can't help but caution young women - should they marry - not to 'lose' their maiden names … even their former married names!    I've no-one to blame but myself, but I'm having a dickens of a time selling a little parcel in northern Arizona.   It was undeveloped in the 60's when my parents bought it … and remains so to this day.    

Unfortunately, I never had the deed changed from my mother's name, and just paid the nominal taxes.  Now, I'm jumping through all sorts of hoops to prove I am who I am, because my last name differs from that shown in her Will.   Perhaps the proceeds aren't even worth the hassle, but I don't want my son and DIL to face any of this nonsense someday.   

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I hope y'all are enjoying a nice week?

Have fun … and be safe!

Hugs,

Myra

    

... and that's the way it is

Oh my goodness!  Does anyone else agree, the calendar needs to pull over and take a break?  :)

In between waiting on appliance repairmen, resurrecting old recipes and copious naps … well, life in the slow lane seems to be going pretty dang fast.    More about that later.  Maybe a Foodie Friday? … is that even a thing?    

Meanwhile …

When was the last time -- or should I say, have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night, suspecting a break-in?   Even when the tree toppled onto my car, our dogs slept throughout the storm.   Normally, I swear they can hear a mouse piddle on a cotton ball but all that squirrel sentry business is taking its toll.  

Except.  Near 3AM last Tuesday Macie and Grace commenced to jump off the bed growling and barking … racing down the hall, while I'm still desperately patting inside my nightstand for the gun. Doing a pathetic imitation of Police Woman (remember Angie Dickinson?) I crept about the interior to discover … NOTHING.   Of course.  Save two dogs staring at me like I'd grown a second head.  

No where to run (across the street)

Were it not for the great folks at Trees, etc. who worked all day to remove trees and that nasty kudzu, I'd have really been a basket case!

 Parking pad, before and after

West side of the back yard, before and after

Naturally, Tom never stirred.  But he got an ear-full the next morning.   Maybe he's not watched enough True Crime episodes, but I don't think the poor soul has a smidgen of "what if?" in him.  All the same, I've begun keeping my car keys on the nightstand.  See, after employing the car alarm + the siren on our weather radio I figure there's time to get out the window.   No, I've not yet tried the latch, but it sits only a few inches off the floor, so there's little likelihood I'll break my neck.   

Have you a plan?

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Guess I'd better wrap this up before I talk your ears off.  Except. Well.  May I share a few tidbits first?

Our Pastor Janet (left) has begun facilitating a Thursday morning walk the park.  I was sure grateful the rain held off … my kneecaps cooperated … and (best!) I'd the opportunity to make new friends!

What a bummer, come August I won't be able to join them anymore

… on account I just accepted a new part-time job!  

I'll be supporting a one-woman graphics design office + help proctor test candidates.  I'm pretty nervous, but excited, too!

Before doing so … drum-roll, please?

With Tom's blessing, I'm going to take the Camry on little road trip next month.  There are two or three of you I can't wait to meet.  

… finally, prayers are appreciated for Grand #1 and her sweetie as they drive home from Virginia following Josh's graduation.   Aren't they cute?

Thanks for visiting … be good … be safe!

Hugs,

Myra

There's no Getting Over Saturday 9!

Welcome to Saturday 9: 

(There's) No Gettin' Over Me

Sam says ...

What we've committed to our readers is that we'll post 9 questions every Saturday.  Sometimes the post will have a theme; and the other times the questions will be totally unrelated.  Those weeks we do 'random questions,' so to speak.  We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment.  Because we don't have any rules, it's your choice.  We hate rules.  We love memes, however, and here is today's meme.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune?  Here it here.  

1.  Ronnie Milsap sings about how worrisome it can be when you realize you forgot to pay a bill.  It's happened to all of us, hasn't it?  Tell about a time you accidentally missed a payment.

I hate to lead with a non-answer … but I can't recall ever having missed an obligation.

2.  He also references a dream that keeps him awake.  Do you have any recurring dreams?

Save a few variations, I'm searching for a bathroom in uninhabited, unfamiliar places … to no avail.  Strange rooms keep unfolding before me.  When/if I discover the 'facilities,' they're all disgusting and overflowing.  (TMI … ya.)

3.  He sings about a face you see in a crowd.  Tell us about someone you see regularly but don't really know.    

Since moving across the country, we've not been out and about that much.  Still, there are a few uber-friendly ladies at church.  In fact, Pastor Janet and her husband joined us for dinner last Sunday.  Nice, down-to-earth folks!

4.  He mentions a book you just can't put down.  What's the last book that you finished?   

Karen Slaughter's Pretty Girls.

I'd little expectations ... and in fact, I supposed it would be a light, 'bubble-gum-for-the-eyes' sort of read.  

Whoa, nooooo!  I'm giving it a solid 4-stars. 

5.  Ronnie Milsap is a big fan of new technology, and believes the advancements make both his professional and personal life easier.  What about you?  Do you embrace new technology, or do you long for the good old days when we weren't so connected to personal devices?

Seriously? I'm the biggest technophobe this old world's ever seen!

On the other hand, were it not for the Internet and social media I'd have missed out on many amazing opportunities and friendships.  I'm not - and never have been - an extrovert, one to mingle unnecessarily. 

  

6.  As a child, Ronnie used to surreptitiously listen to late night radio, especially gospel broadcasts.  When you were a child what rule did you break again and again?   

For more years than I'd like to recall, I was made to take piano and violin lessons … which I loathed.  I'd fib about having practiced while my mother was at work, which, of course, caught up with me.   In spades.

7.  Country star Blake Shelton says Ronnie Milsap was a big influence on his music.  Do you watch Blake on the Voice?

I'm not a big fan of 'new' country music, but I adore Blake's personality.  Yes, we watch The Voice regularly.

8.  In May Ronnie appeared at the Choctaw Casino in Grant, Oklahoma.  Do you enjoy games of chance?  

Not so much, no.  I've nothing against gambling per se, but personally I don't get the point.

9.  Random question:  When did you last "do it yourself" and repair something around the house or yard?   

Ha!  Tom's begun extending the walkway behind our sun room to the parking pad.   I didn't really mean it.  I was just trying to be nice when I asked yesterday morning, "Would you like help?"

Next thing I know, my new pretty gloves are getting all filthy and I was second-guessing my decision to have quit my day job!  In the end, we mixed 600+ lbs. of that stupid quik-crete.

So glad in real life there aren't any 'thought-bubbles' floating over my head!

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Th-th-that's all, folks!

Have a great day …. be safe!

Hugs,

Myra