Hello Summer Hodgepodge!

Visit Joyce and join the fun!

1. The first day of summer rolls in later this week. What are ten things you'd put on your list of  quintessential summer activities? Will you try to manage all ten this summer?

Swimming in the pool, getting a tan, going to the beach, eating watermelon, watching fireworks, making smores over the firepit, going to Sonic for 1/2 price shakes after 8, listening to outdoor music play live in town, giving myself a bright colored pedicure and eating breakfast on the deck. Yes, I will try to manage all ten this summer.

2. Do you collect seashells when you're at the beach? What do you do with them once you get them home? What's your favorite place to comb for seashells? How many of these 'best beaches for hunting seashells' have you visited? Which one would you most like to visit?

Calvert Cliffs State Park (Maryland), Jeffrey's Bay (South Africa), Sanibel Island (Florida), Shipwreck Beach (Lanai Hawaii), Ocracoke Island (North Carolina), Galveston Island (Texas) and The Bahamas

I sometimes collect seashells at the beach.  I wash them and use them to decorate when I get them home.  I like to look for them as I walk along our local beach.  I have not visited any of the beaches listed but will say Long Island has many beautiful beaches.  I would most like to visit Ocracoke Island.  North Carolina is on my list for future vacations. 

3. At a snail's pace, shell out money, come out of your shell, go back into your shell, drop a bombshell, happy as a clam, clam up...which 'shell' phrase could most recently be applied to some event or circumstance in your life? Explain.

At a snail's pace best describes the completion of our back deck.  My husband has been busy sanding it and we have been getting lots of rain so that has made the process very slow.  We have to finish staining it but need the weather to cooperate. 

4. What summer activity do you dislike? Why?

Anything outdoors during the day that doesn't involve water because I do not like to sweat. 

5. What's something you see as quickly becoming obsolete? Does that bother you?

Hand written letters.  Yes it bothers me.  Texting and emailing are great but there is nothing like receiving a hand written letter in the mailbox. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

                                                                Happy Summer!

                                                                          

Flag Flying Hodgepodge

Visit Joyce and join the fun!

1. The Hodgepodge lands on June 14th this week, Flag Day in the US of A. Do you fly your country's flag at home? Sometimes, often, or every single day? Have you ever visited the city of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia)? Did you make a point of seeing The Betsy Ross House? Have you ever made a trip to Baltimore? If so, was Fort McHenry on your itinerary? (where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner)

Yes, we fly the flag at our home, pretty much every day unless the weather is bad.  I think I went to Philadelphia as a child but don't remember it very well.  I have only passed through Baltimore on our drive to and from Florida. 

2. Red flag or white flag? Which have you encountered most recently? Explain.

Red flag, since we have some issues that need addressing in terms of my mother-in-law's care.  I'll leave it at that. 

3. Are you a stay in the car listen to the end of a song kind of person? What kind of person is that?

Yes, I will stay in the car to listen to the end of a song.  I know you can listen to any song you want anytime you want these days but there is something special about turning on the radio and hearing a favorite song.  That kind of person gets lost in music, remembering a time that is associated with that particular song. 

4. What are some of the traits or qualities you think a good dad possesses? In other words, what makes a good dad? What's an expression you associate with your father?

A good dad is one who is committed to their family.  One who is a strong leader, protector and a good provider.  One who puts God first and teaches their children that God is most important in their lives.  "You do what you got to do" is an expression I associate with my dad.

5. What's one rule you always disagreed with while growing up? Is that rule somehow still part of your adult life? Is that a good or bad thing?

I had to do my chores (which was usually dusting the furniture in three rooms) before going out with my friends on the weekend.  I don't remember many rules but that is one that I didn't like as I would rather be with my friends as a teenager.  I don't have that rule now but I do clean regularly and that is a good thing ;)

6. Insert your own random thought here.

It has been several weeks since I have participated in the Hodgepodge.  A lot has happened since the beginning of April.  My aunt, who was also one of my best friends whom I spoke to every single day, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.  She was the only one who regularly read my blog.  Part of me wants to write about it and part of me doesn't.  For now I would like to thank God for answering her prayer of not having to suffer a long illness or become dependent on anyone else to care for her, for the gift of having her in my life, for the many people whose lives were blessed by her, and for the peace knowing she is with the Lord.  She was the person I turned to for advice and she was the biggest encourager to my children.  She always had a kind word and I don't think anyone was a stranger to her.  She smiled and greeted everyone she came in contact with, no matter where she was.  I remember going to the grocery store with her and how she greeted all the workers by name.  It seemed everyone knew her and that was because she always took the time to invest in other people's lives.  She was beautiful inside and out.  I miss her every single day.