Hodgepodge & Photo-a-day!

 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 661

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Play along by clicking 

HERE!

1. What's something you enjoy now that your younger self would never have appreciated? 

This is hard and I really had to give it some thought.  I was always on the go as a young person; I wonder If I would have appreciated this slower life I live now.

2. What was peaceful about today? 

Most of my days are peaceful, thank You Lord. I have so many things that bring peace to my world.

3. It's National Blueberry Day (July 8). Will you celebrate?  You can have one of the following right now-a slice of blueberry pie, a warm blueberry muffin, or a stack of blueberry pancakes...which do you choose?

No, I won't be celebrating, I don't care for blueberries.

This or that-blueberries or raspberries? blueberries or strawberries? 

None of the above.

4. Do you need a break? From what? 

I would like to take a break from COPD, a very long break!

5. What has surprised you most about getting older? 

"Older" has come so gradually I don't remember any surprises along the way.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Growing older may add a few creaks and quirks, but goodness, it also brings the sweetest kind of shine. It’s the sparkle that comes from knowing what matters, letting go of what doesn’t, and choosing joy anyway. And tucked inside all of it is the steady truth that God has walked with me every step, shaping my days, softening the edges, and filling each season with purpose. Maybe that’s the quiet gift of growing older: realizing His faithfulness has been the thread holding me together all along. So as I step into another week, I hope to laugh a little more, trust a little deeper, and rest in the gentle confidence that God is still writing good things into my story.

Photo-a-Day from Christy T

July 8

Today's Word: Drink

I love to drink my coffee from a teacup🩷

Until Next Time

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 652

 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 652

1. What's something you may do this month?

I have nothing, after our family lunch on Monday my next scheduled event is the doctor on June 3rd.

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option? 

We love Mexican food and eat it often. I have several favorites, the Summer Special is oh so good, and I love breakfast tacos, and enchiladas are good too.  I can eat a bowl of guacamole all by myself and I'm not ashamed to say so! Sometimes we do take out, mostly we eat at the restaurant.  Our favorite places, Gringos and El Ranchero.

A Summer Special:

1 enchilada, 1 taco, 1 chile con queso tostada

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember? 

I'm sure they'll be like the generations before them, rolling their eyes when they are young.  As for all generations, I hope they walk with God.

4. What advice would you give a new mother? 

I like this from Proverbs 22:6, 'raise up a child in the way he should go.'  And, hang on, you're in for the ride of you life!  lol

I love this from Irma Bombeck: When kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out.

5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children?

My mother always said, 'money doesn't grow on trees'! I don't have a specific memory of saying that to my kids, but I'm sure I did somewhere along the way. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Another thought from Irma Bombeck:

Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.😊

Join in the HodgePodge fun by clicking HERE.

Until Next time

Wednesday HodgePodge

 

1.    Egg on your face, putting all your eggs in one basket, a good egg, walk on eggshells, nest egg, or a tough egg to crack...which eggy idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain

I really had to think about this one because none of the choices jumped out at me. After much pondering, I finally chose “a good egg.” Mostly because I live with one, Mr. D. He’s the best good egg around, and I’ll take him however he comes… scrambled, fried, or just sitting across the table while we share a good cup of coffee and great conversation.

2.   April 7th is National Beer Day...are you a beer drinker? If so do you have a favorite? Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats...which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these?

I’m not a beer drinker, although years ago I was anemic and had to take B-12 shots for a while.  During that time my doctor told me to drink one beer a day to help my body perk up. What?  So I did, but I didn’t like it.  I found that if it was ice cold I could tolerate it better.  As for beer battered fish, I’ve never cooked it but I do love it.

3.    Do you have siblings? What's the best thing about being your sibling? If you don't have siblings, what would you say are the pros and cons of being an only child?

I had 2 older brothers and have one younger brother.  Because I am the only sister, I am the best sister. 😀

4.  How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favorite?

Sometimes they can be too strong and overwhelming. If it’s a soft, light scent, I like it just fine. My favorite scent isn’t floral, it’s apple cinnamon.  Apple cinnamon has such a warm old-fashioned and cozy scent, I like my home to smell that way.

5.    What's one thing in your home that begins with the letter G that you would say is a keeper, something you'll hold on to? Tell us why.

Gifts – if someone thinks enough of me to gift me with something, I consider that a treasure, I’ll keep it forever. Unless it’s candy, I eat candy!  Flowers, when they wilt, I toss them and if they came in a nice vase, I'm sure to save it.

6.   Insert your own random thought here. 

Sometimes I think God gives us squirrels just to remind us that even the most chaotic little creatures still find time to stop, sit up straight, and enjoy a snack. If they can pause in the middle of their acorn‑hoarding, tree‑hopping, tail‑flicking busyness… maybe I can pause too. Maybe today’s victory is simply finding a cozy spot, taking a deep breath, and nibbling on whatever small joy is in front of me.

Until Next Time

 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 643

Here are the questions to the first Hodgepodge in the merry month of March.

Play along by clicking HERE!

1.     As the saying goes, 'March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.' Did your March come in roaring or like some other animal? Every month carries with it certain feelings, which is why some people love and anticipate December and others dread it. How do you feel about the month of March?

Other than my son’s birthday, March is just another month.  I do like that it starts porch-sitting days and new growth around the yard.  The bird's tweets sound merrier and the wasp are already nesting nearby - YIKES.

2.    Where in your life are you a lion? Where are you a lamb?

I think I was a lion years ago, working and taking care of a family, I had to be ferocious!  Now I’m a lamb loving my grandbabies, retirement, and MrD. 😊

3. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pound Cake day. Do you like pound cake? If so do you have a favorite flavor? Let's play this or that-

pound cake or layer cake

pound cake

pound cake or cheesecake

cheese cake

pound cake or angel food cake

pound cake

pound cake or brownie

both

pound cake or pie

pound cake, what flavor of pie?

4. What makes you feel childlike wonder right now?

Bible archeology and prophecy being fulfilled. It delights me like nothing else can do. He is real folks, and He's coming again.

5. What's one thing you need to add to your wardrobe to get ready for spring? If you're in the southern hemisphere, then answer for fall?

I need a new pair of white tennis shoes. I love grasshoppers but haven't found them in white yet. I might just go for a pair of Keds.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may those who love you be secure.  

from: Ps. 122:6

As we lift that prayer today, may we also remember every man and woman standing watch in dangerous places. May God surround them with His protection, steady their hearts, and bring peace to the places they serve. May He shelter every person in harm’s way beneath the mighty covering of His wings, holding them close and keeping them safe.

Until Next Time

Mary

 

 

HodgePodge Wednesday

 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 639

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge.

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th...on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What's your favorite Winter Olympic sporting event? 

I'm not a big sports fan and I wouldn't miss the Olympics if they weren't televised.  Since they are, I might watch the figure skating.

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football's championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us...what's your superpower?

After giving this considerable thought, I don't think I have a superpower😳!

3. Are you a romantic?

I am 💙.

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what's a dish you like that calls for one of these? 

Nay and nay.

5. What's more important-doing what you love or loving what you do? 

That sounds like the same thing to me.  I think it's important any way you look at it.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'd like to see the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills
For peace throughout the land

That's the song I hear
Let the world sing today
A song of peace that echoes on
And never goes away

 You can link up and play along by clicking HERE.

Until Next Time

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 635

Here are the questions to round one of 2026

 (round 635 for real).  

1.   What are three words you would use to describe your 2025? 

I’m sorry to say that even though I always try to follow the rules, I simply couldn’t come up with three words to describe our year. Instead, something settled quietly into my heart:

His Mercy Endures Forever.

Those four words say it better than anything else could.

As some of you know, Mr D and I both have health issues. We know God has had His hand on us, guiding us through each and every day.

 

2. I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how we shouldn't be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along : ) 

Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness (go here to read about how the words are chosen). Here's the list for 2026- 

67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted  • my bad • reach out 

Which one (if any) do you use most often?

cooked

Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word you think should have made the list? 

67, I don’t know or understand it, so I went to co-pilot and this is what I got . . .

“Six Seven”: When Kids Make Nonsense Make Sense

Every generation has its secret handshake — a little phrase or gesture that makes adults tilt their heads like confused golden retrievers. Lately, the kids have latched onto something new: “six seven.” Not sixty‑seven. Not math. Just… “six seven.”

And they say it with such confidence, as if it’s the most natural answer in the world.

Ask them a question? “Six seven.” Tell them to stop? “Six seven.” Ask what it means? A shrug… and “six seven.”

There’s even a little hand motion that goes with it — palms up, alternating, like they’re weighing invisible marshmallows. And somewhere in the background, a rapper’s voice from a TikTok edit is chanting “six seven,” and the whole thing becomes a cultural snowball rolling downhill.

Maybe that’s why this trend makes me smile now. It’s a reminder that childhood is supposed to be a little absurd. A little loud. A little baffling. And a lot joyful.

And maybe — just maybe — the next time a kid answers me with “six seven,” I’ll smile, shake my head, and let them have their moment.

So, with all that info, I don’t think it needs to be an official word of the “Queen’s English.”

 

2.  What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your 'ideal' nightly ritual? If so what's your ideal? 

Brush my teeth and take my meds and lights out!

3.  January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favorite? Last thing you ate made with beans? 

We just had pinto beans last Saturday evening and leftovers on Sunday, compliments of Tammy.  The meal was completed with cornbread on the side and glass of sweet ice tea. Yummy

4.  Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate. 

Maybe years ago when I was young, thankfully I’ve learned to roll with the punches and laugh at myself.

5.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Sometimes I think God must smile at the way we humans treat ordinary moments like they’re nothing special, when really they’re the tiny stitches holding the whole day together. A warm mug, a kind word, a breeze that remembers your name—none of them loud, all of them holy in their own small way. Maybe the secret is simply noticing. It reminds me of the verse, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) A whole invitation tucked into a single sunrise.

Sunrise at Sylvan Beach, La Porte, Texas.

(not my picture)

 

Until Next Time