Hodgepodge time again.

I've been in a bit of a slump recently, but after reading last week's Hodgepodge, I decided I needed to get back into doing it, so here's this week's Hodgepodge.


1. What's something you could do today to feel more peaceful? Stop watching the news.

2. June 2nd is National Rotisserie Chicken day. Who knew? Are you a fan of rotisserie chicken? You've purchased one at your local market for tonight's dinner. Will you serve as is or make something else using the chicken? I would totally just serve up the chicken. Of course it's just me in my house, so it doesn't matter that much. I go grocery shopping tomorrow, maybe I'll pick one up.

3. I read a list recently (go here to read more) of 20 of the most beautiful places in America. How many of these have you seen up close and in person? Of the sites on this list that you haven't seen, which would you most like to see?
Antelope Canyon Arizona, Kenai Fjords Alaska, White Mountains New Hampshire, Crater Lake Oregon, The Palouse Washington and Idaho, Grand Prismatic Spring Wyoming, Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Oregon, Horsehoe Bend Arizona, Na Pali Coast Kauai Hawaii, Antelope Valley California, Lake Tahoe California, The Berkshires Massachussets, Maroon Bells Colorado, Angel Oak South Carolina, Acadia National Park Maine, Grand Teton National Park Wyoming, Turnip Rock Michigan, Central Park New York City, Niagara Falls New York, and Skagit Valley Tulip Fields Washington My  favorites were: Turnip Rock, Michigan and Angel Oak, South Carolina and Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii. I really like basically anything with water that I can swim in.

4. What's one pretty spot you'd add to the list in question #3? Are there travel plans of any kind on your calendar right now? Does that make you happy, anxious, excited, sad, or relieved? Arnold's Park, Lake Okoboji, IA. My parents had a timeshare there when I was a kid, it was always the 3rd week of August, like our last hurrah before school started. 

I realize it's not a beautiful picture like the others of the other places, but to me, it's heaven.
5. Tell us one un-COVID related thing you're looking forward to in the month of June. There's an estate sale this weekend, that I'm hoping to go to. The person was a huge button collector, supposedly one room will be filled with buttons. I LOVE buttons, they probably won't be in my price range, but I can hope.

6. Insert your own random thought here. My birthday is coming up. I realize it will be very different this year. I bought myself a box full of stuff online the other day. I just want to go to lunch and shop with friends, but I don't know if that's going to happen.

It's Hodgepodge Time

 See you there!

1.  Question day this week lands on Cinco de Mayo. Are/were tacos on your Tuesday night menu?  No. Hard shell, soft shell or just gimme all the tacos?  I'm a fan of soft-shell. Are you even a fan of Mexican food? I do like Mexican food. Do you like your salsa mild, spicy, or somewhere in between? I'm not a big salsa fan, though. Margaritas-Frozen, on the rocks, or no thank you? I don't mind margaritas, though I'd rather have a strawberry daiquiri. Have you ever been to Mexico? No

2. What's something you may do this month? I'm hoping the world will put itself together enough for garage sales to start happening. Or maybe just to go shopping with a friend.

3. Tell us what's happening in your state or town as far as restaurants/salons/parks/beaches/businesses opening up. How do you feel about it? I feel it's too early. I'm fairly certain we haven't even peaked yet. I get why they're doing it, I'm just not sure it's the best idea. Are you out and about or hunkered down? I'm still staying at home mostly. I really want to go shopping, mostly for the social interaction, but I also want to support the small businesses here. Do you wear a mask?  Not much, but then I don't go much of anywhere. If I can be away from people I don't wear it, if I can't distance, I wear one. I have 5, so I'm well set.

4. Mother nature, everybody and their mother, mom jeans, like mother like daughter, soccer mom, mother hen, mother lode, necessity is the mother of invention, stay-at-home mom...pick one and tell us how it applies to your life right now. Mother nature maybe. I found it interesting that now that some things are opened back up, we're getting lower than normal temperatures, highs in the upper 50's, so maybe people will want to stay home?

5. April showers bring May flowers...what's blooming in your yard or garden today? I'm not sure there's much. There were some daffodils, I've seen the tulip plants, not so much flowers, and lots of sedum.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I got word from my dad that my aunt passed away last night (Monday). She had a brain tumor and we knew she would soon. We weren't close, but I'm still feeling it. I'm not sure how funerals and visitations work out with all that's going on. I feel like it's another thing thrown on top of the other stuff going on and I kinda can't deal with it right now.

Hodgepodge Time

Here we go-

1. Expect the unexpected on From This Side of the Pond. Here's my x-ray question...when was the last time you felt like Superman? I don't think I've ever felt like Superman, I don't fly much, or even go up to high heights. I can't see through things. I've never felt bullet-proof. What's your superpower? Not sure I'd call it a super power, but I notice details. Explain. Everyone at work always says I'm really good at noticing details on everything.

2. Are you a fan of the 'superhero' type movies? If so what's your favorite? Is this because today (Tuesday) was superhero day? I like anything that the chick is the superhero or is the fighter. I've always been a big fan of Wonder Woman, the 70's TV show with Lynda Carter and the 2017 movie with Gal Gadot. I liked Black Widow (though I admit my favorite character in the Avengers movie was Hawkeye. I like the X-Men movies, but mostly because I vaguely remember reading the comics when I was a kid, my favorites were Rogue and Wolverine.

3. Have you postponed or cancelled a trip to the dentist in recent weeks, and if so when do you think you'll feel comfortable going back? Nope. My dentist sends me a thing to come every 6 months, but because my insurance isn't that great, I go once a year, which will be sometime this fall. How about other routine medical procedures? I had to go for birth control last week (not really a procedure), they just had me wear a mask. And then they screwed up on dates, so I had to come back the next day. There was next to no one in the clinic.

4. What's something that makes you feel youthful? My clothes, I like my minion shirt and my Kirby shirt and my Toy Story Aliens shirt. I love acquiring cool toys, I'm really into blind bags right now. Something that makes you feel 'not so youthful'? Moving. Some days I'm just walking down the street and my body freaks out and my muscles spasm and my knee pops or my toe hits in the wrong way and I'm in pain. Tell us why. Also it's not a day of work at the library, if I'm not crawling on the floor for something and the floor seems to be so much further away these days. I'm not that old.

5. I feel compelled to include some sort of corona related question in the HP these days. What's the strangest thing you've seen in relation to the virus? Something that really struck you as odd, made you stop and think, 'Dorothy we're not in Kansas anymore?' When I was at the clinic last week, they asked if I experienced losing my sense of taste or smell. That was kinda weird, apparently it's a new symptom. I also read that in a part of New York, they were seeing 30 and 40 year olds dyeing of strokes. They get the virus, very mildly, and it did something to their blood and gave them strokes. I feel like every time it seems they have a handle on it, it changes and they find out something else that's an indication you have it. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Our governor (and others) are telling us to re-open. She said we could open libraries on Friday. We're not opening on Friday. I know we're looking into opening in steps, because we know people love to leave their kids at the library when they can't go to school. We also know people won't social distance unless you make them, I don't know what exactly we're going to do to make people, it's so different than when we moved into our new building 5 years ago, it's a whole different thing. I'm excited to re-open, I miss my people, I miss people in general, apparently I really need the social interaction.

Happy Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time again. Here we go-

1. What's something you resolved to do this year? Have you done it? I don't do resolutions. I have a few goals, I'm sure one was read 100 books, I'm at 25, in the 4th month of the year, so I'm on the right track
2. Where do you go to find quietude? These days, I don't really have a lot of quiet. I live under a 6 year old. They aren't very quiet. Work is more or less quiet, there's way less of us there, no public. I guess I could pick a corner, but I'm there to work, not to hang out in the quiet. I did read my mail on the porch today and that was relatively quiet.
3. A friend asked this question on her Facebook page and said I could borrow it for the Hodgepodge...you're only allowed to buy 5 things at the grocery store, and all must start with the first letter of your first name. Whatcha' buying? watermelon, water chestnuts, waffles, wieners, wontons
4. The television show Survivor, the Gloria Gaynor song 'I Will Survive', survival mode, survival of the fittest...pick one and discuss. I used to watch Survivor, at least for a few seasons. It was fun to see them go through all the challenges, what I found most amusing was that at the end people were so upset that someone tricked them. That's the whole point of the game, do whatever you have to, to win. It stopped being fun to watch one day, I don't remember what changed, but I haven't watched it in years.
5. Share a favorite quote or saying about strength. What doesn't kill you makes you tronger.
6. Insert your own random thought here. It's National Library Week. Today was National Library Workers Day (4/21), our director bought us lunch and balloons. It's nice to be appreciated.

Hodgepodge time

It's Hodgepodge time again.

1. In Monday’s post I mentioned I would incorporate the word I was given for letter K into this week’s questions. That word was karaoke. On a scale of 1-10 how excited would you be to find out there was karaoke happening at your next gathering/outing with friends? 10=gimme that microphone!, and 1=I suddenly remembered there’s somewhere else I need to be. 1.  I'm not a huge fan of karaoke, I think it's fun to watch other people do, though. 
Have you ever actually done karaoke?  Not that I recall, maybe I have, and it was so horrible I blocked it out. If you had to perform karaoke what would be your ‘go-to’song? No idea.

2. How do you listen to music these days? Mostly with my mp3 player, I also listen through YouTube and to the radio at night. Favorite app or do you listen the old fashioned way? Out of all the ones I mentioned, I really like the radio. The two stations I bounce between are classic rock and that seems to be somewhere from the 60's through the 90's. They always seem to be playing music I haven't heard in years. Do you have music playing often in your home? Yes, it keeps me sane. I have it as a background when I'm on the computer a lot, and when I craft. Is there still a CD player in your car? I don't have a car.

3. The HP lands on US tax day this year. Or what used to be tax day before everything including filing your taxes was cancelled, delayed, postponed or extended. FYI- filing your taxes has not been cancelled, only delayed for a bit. Besides staying away from anyone and everyone, what have you found taxing lately? work. I work at a public library, we've been closed to the public since March 17th, and I've been having a hard time finding things to occupy my time. I have to get my hours in somehow, whether it's working or taking vacation.

4. You’re without power so no oven, and you can’t open your frig or freezer in order to keep what’s in there from spoiling. And you don’t have access to take out. What will you make us for dinner? I have a gas stove. The only thing I have to eat that doesn't live in the freezer/fridge and require a stove/oven to make is cereal, chocolate, chips, mini fruit pies and some tuna.

5.  I’ve seen this exercise going around Facebook and thought it would be a good one to include in the HP...what are five things everybody seems to love and go crazy for that you personally don’t care for? face masks, alcohol, decorating planners, distressed jeans, Harry Potter

6.  Insert your own random thought here. I'm working on Day 6 of no Mountain Dew. I've been trying for awhile to give up pop, mostly Mountain Dew and I keep failing at it. I'm trying extra hard this time.

The last Hodgepodge?

Joyce says it's the last one, she also says she'll elaborate tomorrow. I have to participate if it's the last one. Head on over to her blog and see what other's are answering.

1. What has been the highlight of your summer so far? (It's still summer people!)
Nothing. My mom asked me that the other day, and I didn't have an answer then either. Not even my trip to St. Louis, though the zoo and the botanical gardens were rather fun.
2. What do you wish you'd done more of this summer? Less of?
Garage saleing. I had quite a few days where I couldn't convince myself to get out. 
I wish I didn't have to work so much. But, we were short, so that's just life.3. Something you're looking forward to on your September calendar?
Again, nothing, really. I do have a day out with a friend on Friday, so I guess I'm looking forward to that. Oh! I almost forgot, our local art festival is in September. I love going to that.
4. Best/favorite book you've read this summer?
How about Radium Girls by Kate Moore. Interesting and very sad read.
5. Share something positive, encouraging, or uplifting here.

6. Insert your own random thought here
i've been so grumpy lately. I thought it was because I was working so much, but I had Labor Day off and most of today, and I was/am still grumpy. I have a 4 day weekend coming up after tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to that. But, if it doesn't recharge me, I don't know what will.

Hodgepodge Number 356

It's Hodgepodge time. Head on over to Joyce's blog at From this Side of the pond to see other people's responses.

1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list. 
1. St. Louis, I will be there over my birthday
2. Central Iowa Junk Jaunt, that's actually this weekend, I'll be going with my aunt, uncle and mom.
3. I don't have a third item, sorry world. Honestly, I haven't really planned anything past my vacation next week. I want to do something exciting for my birthday, but we're going on this trip, so that's taken care of.
2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime? This was actually an end of the summer hurrah, but going to our time share at Lake Okoboji, some of my favorite childhood memories are from there.

3. Rooftop or backyard? Why? Rooftop. When I was a kid, we lived in this 3 story house with a porch on the second floor. I used to go out on the porch, climb over the safety railing and sit on the porch ceiling and watch the world. I didn't have much of a backyard.

4. Do you read food labels? Place importance on them? Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from? I should, but I don't. Sometimes I'll look at how much of something is in a container and decide if I want to spend my money on it, but that's all.

5. A song you'll have on repeat this summer?

I love this song, the chorus really gives me great memories:
And it's two bare feet on the dashboard
Young love and an old Ford
Cheap shades and a tattoo
And a Yoo-Hoo bottle on the floorboard

This song popped up on my MP3 player when my ex and I were coming back from a weekend at Lake Okoboji our first summer as girlfriend boyfriend, my barefeet were on the dashboard of his Ford truck (not old), I had sunglasses on (not old), and tattoos. I don't drink YooHoo, though.

6. Insert your own random thought here.Like I said, I'm rather excited about the weekend. I actually have a four day weekend, after working more hours than normal the last three weeks. I kinda want to just ignore the world and read all weekend. My family and I are going on a rather long vacation next weekend and I want to return some things to my library before then. 
This Central Iowa Junk Jaunt is a bunch of antique places around central Iowa that are open for this special event. My aunt and uncle are coming down for it, I'm more excited to hang out with them than to really shop for anything, I haven't seen them since Easter.

Hodgepodge vol 354

It's Hodgepodge time:


1.Describe your 30's in one sentence. If you're not yet 30 tell us one thing you hope to accomplish once you hit that particular decade. Halfway through. I turn 35 this year, so better things to come, maybe?

2. Is it harder for you to exercise or eat healthy? Eat healthy, but it's also hard to entice me to get out and exercise. I do arm curls with a gallon of milk every time I buy one, but that's getting light. Most of my exercise is going garage saleing, or when I go shopping since i don't have a car and I don't want to pay to ride the bus.

3. June 7th is National VCR Day. Huh? Anyway this reminded me of something I saw on Facebook listing household items we no longer have and the VCR was on it. I couldn't put my hands on that list, but found another list here of 21 items we all had ten years ago, but which are now obsolete-bookshelves (WHAT!!???), drip coffee makers, alarm clocks, file cabinets, desktop computers, printers, printed phone books, answering machines, fax machines, paper shredders, a Rolodex, CD racks, CD burners, china cabinets, home phones, entertainment consoles, DVD players, calculators, takeout menus, incandescent light bulbs, and cable TV Your thoughts? How many on the list do you still have? Still use? I still have bookshelves (why would those be obsolete), a filing cabinet, (though it holds crafting supplies and not files), a desktop computer (I don't use it, it's sitting in a corner), a printer (also don't use, but mainly because I don't want to buy paper or ink since I rarely use it when I have them). I still have video tapes, but not a VCR, I can't quite part with a few things I taped off TV.

4. What's something you see disappearing in the next ten years? I don't know.

5. How did you celebrate your birthday this past year? Is that typical? My birthday is actually in about a month, we're going to St. Louis for the week. Last year I went to brunch with my friends and then to a historical house in a neighboring town and shopping with my family. It's typical that I get together with family and that people give me presents, but I don't always get to hang out with my friends.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Like I said, we're going to St. Louis for my birthday, I'm excited, but not as much as I was when my parents first invited me. They led me to believe I wouldn't have to pay transportation or hotel fare and then later they told me it would cost so much for transportation. My dad has a convention he's going to, so we signed up for some things for that and those are a bit expensive. Now I remember why I don't go on vacation. I'm working a bit extra at my job, but still.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Hodgepodge time. I haven't participated in awhile, so I thought I would this week. Head on over to Joyce's blog to check out what other people are answering.

1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year. Garage sales. I love going garage saleing, it gets me out of the house, it gets me exercising and I find interesting things. 

2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Neither Clean out closets or clean out the garage? The closet Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Bookcases Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Patio furniture Any of these tasks recently completed? Nope. I should just clean out my apartment, but I probably won't.

3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? I'm simple, I like toasted bagels with cream cheese, but cheesecake is fun, too. Sour cream? tacos Whipped cream? I don't like whipped cream

4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation? Ephemera. I'd never seen the word until a couple years ago when I started doing pocket letters and flip books and all the newer paper crafts. I've noticed I'm not the only one that has issues with it's pronunciation.

5. What's a song you love with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics? Georgia Rain by Trisha Yearwood

6.  Insert your own random thought here. I also decided to join this week because the world is just kinda annoying me. I go out of my way to be nice and helpful to people and they make it so hard. I'm kinda just ignoring the world today.

Hodgepodge Vol 338

It's Hodgepodge time again. Head on over to Joyce's blog to see what other people answered.

1. January 24th is National Compliment Day. Is it easy or not so easy for you to accept a compliment? Share a recent compliment you've given or received.
I'm trying harder to give and receive compliments. I know how great it feels to get a compliment so when I see someone who looks cute, I try to give them a compliment. I honestly don't know the last time I got or gave one.
2. Ten little things you are loving right now.
Time for me, Chai tea lattes, unicorns, pretzels in chocolate, 
I'll have to think about this more and update tonight.3. Would people describe you as a positive person? Do you see yourself that way? I readhere  a list/description of eight things positive people do differently-
Positive people find something to look forward to every day, they celebrate the small stuff, they're kind, they stay busy, accept responsibility for their actions, forgive themselves, know when to move on, and resist comparisons
Which action on the list would you say you do regularly? Which action could you add to your life to give you a more positive outlook? If you're a positive person, what's something you do regularly that's not on the list?
I think of myself more of a realist. I do accept responsibility for my actions, that's what annoys me the most in the world lately, people have excuses for everything, but it seems rarely do they take responsibility for their actions. I think finding something to look forward to everyday, I know that would give me a more positive outlook.
4. Homemade chicken soup, beef stew, or a bowl of chili...what's your pleasure on a cold winter's day?
I like clam chowder. I haven't had any in a long while, but that is my favorite thing to eat on a cold winter's day
5. The best part of my day is....
Today is Tuesday, it's my first day off in about a week and I'm pretty much ignoring the world. I'm tired of demanding people. If you're saying the best part of my normal day, is probably when I get home from work and get away from people.
6.  Insert your own random thought here.
Like I said it's my first day off in awhile. I have hit the end of my 2.5 week run of working 3 jobs. I'm tired of it. I wish I had a job that made it so I didn't have to do this twice a year. I'm getting too old for it.

Hodgepodge Vol 335

It's time for the first Hodgepodge of the year. Head on over to Joyce's blog to read other people's answers.

1. It's that time of year again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, or genera uselessness) in 2018. You can read more about the decision making process and word meaning here, but this year's top vote getters are-
unpack, dish (as in dish out the latest rumor), pre-owned, onboarding/offboarding, nothingburger, let that sink in, let me ask you this, impactful, Cofefe, drill down, fake news, hot water heater (hot water doesn't need to be heated), and gig economy
Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?
I'm going with pre-owned, I've thought it was stupid ever since people started using it. I've never thought the word used was bad.
2. What's something you need to get rid of in the new year?
Stuff. I have too much stuff in my house and I really need to purge and not buy more. I have two boxes full of things to go to Goodwill, I just need to get there.
3. Where do you feel stuck?
Life in general. I don't know what I want to do. I'm happy where I am, but I'm can't really live on the money I make forever. I either need to get a better job or a different one. I'm kinda bored where I am, too.
4. January is National Soup Month. When did you last have a bowl of soup? Was it made from scratch or from a can? Your favorite canned soup? Your favorite soup to make from scratch on a cold winter's day?
I couldn't tell you, but I bet it was either at a restaurant or a canned one. I really like clam chowder, chicken and dumplings and chicken noodle. My work is having our yearly soup celebration on the 10th, so I'm sure I'll have something good then.
5. Tell us one thing you're looking forward to in 2018.
Maybe more excitement. Like I said, I'm just kinda bored. I need to figure out what makes me excited (other than shopping) and do it. I'm thinking I need to read more, too. It's very calming to just ignore the world and escape to a book.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I don't really do resolutions, but again, I think I should do something different. Here are my suggestions for myself:
Read more
Drink more water
Buy less stuff
Find something to do outside the house.

Also, my next day off is the 23rd. I feel I'll be ready for a little sanity by then.

Hodgepodge Vol 333

It's Hodgepodge time, the questions sound interesting, so I thought I'd join in this time.

1. 'Hurry less, worry less'...what's your strategy for making that happen this holiday season? How's it going so far? I'm ready for Christmas, I have all my presents bought and wrapped, all my cards ready to go for co workers. I'm actually very impatient for the holiday to get here.

2. Do you have a list of to-dos that need accomplishing in order to prepare your home and/or property for the winter season? What are some of the jobs on your list? Are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone to accomplish these tasks? I live in an apartment, the only thing I have to do is to get my winter decorations out, and they are out.

3. According to dietitians surveyed, the most popular health foods for 2018 will be -turmeric, sprouted foods (bean sprouts, breads with sprouted grains, etc), veggies in place of grains, dairy free milk, and pulses (lentils, chickpeas, etc).  What's the first thought that ran through your head when you read this list? Of the foods listed which one might you add to your regular diet? Also, can milk really be dairy free? Is it still milk? I don't do health foods. None. I did think that dairy free milk is an oxymoron. I saw on a youtube video that Trader Joe's had people complaining about the term 'almond milk' so they changed it to 'almond beverage'.

4. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet. According to the Pantone site 'Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking pointing us to the future.' What say you? Do you like the color purple? Did you see the movie or read the book-ha!?  Is purple a color you wear often? Describe for us one purple item in your home without using the word purple.  If you were in charge of such things what color would you select for 2018? I do like purple, nothing too bright, I have a couple purple pieces in my wardrobe, but won't go out and buy more just cause it's purple.

5. Favorite book you read this year? Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford by Clint Hill. It's a memoir of a secret service agent's time working with five presidents. Very interesting.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. I was talking to my director the other day, and I'm just bored with my life, I don't know how to make it more interesting, and I'm not sure what I want to do with my life. I want to be somewhere that I can walk everywhere and that it's a little warmer. I think part of my issue is that I never went anywhere, I'm born and raised here, and I've never really been away except for vacations. I just don't know.

It's Hodgepodge time.

It's been awhile, but reading the questions this morning, got me inspired to join in on the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So, head on over to Joyce's blog for other people's answers

1. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.
My first pet, was an albino guinea pig named Miss Piggy, we had her a really long time. We got her at a local college celebration (which has since been cancelled). I had guinea pigs mostly, I had a couple gerbils and a hamster, too. My favorite were the guinea pigs, they sit there and let you cuddle them. Guinea pigs are still my favorite pets today.
2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?
I need to go to the post office and grocery shopping.
3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?
Let's see, I would have been 24 years old in 2007, I had just started dating my boyfriend (now ex) in May, we had just gone on a short little vacation by ourselves and were enjoying life as a couple. I was working in an art store and still living under my parents roof (technically, I had my own apartment, but it was still in their house). 
4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? Apple dumpling, xiao long bao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?
Chicken and dumplings. I've had some really good ones, it's amazing how different they are.
5. 'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon
So which kind are you?
I'd be ok with an adventure, my life is really boring, so going off on an adventure at the spur of the moment would be great. My ex used to do that, we'd get in his truck and just kinda go off in one direction, it was such a nice change from my mother who has to know where she's going. I figure if you don't have anywhere to be, what's the harm in exploring?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
September ends this week. I'm ready for it and also not. I've been really stressed lately, I'm not entirely sure why, and I keep hoping going back to my normal schedule will help, and October takes me back to that. 
I decided last night I'm tired of being that person that gives so much. I'm always putting together gifts for friends and putting more in my art swaps than is required and not getting anything, or not as much back. I'm wondering if that's contributing to my stress as well.

Hodgepodge Volume 313

It's Hodgepodge time again, head on over to Joyce's blog to see what others answers are.

1. When was the last time you chatted with a neighbor? About what? (sharing that last bit is optional) My neighbor had a garage sale a few weeks ago and I found out I used to live across the street from her mother. That was kinda strange. Honestly, I don't talk to the neighbors much, and I'm ok with that.

2. River, lake, ocean, or waterfall...which one are you most like and why? I first read that as which do I like the most, which seems to be an easier question, so I'm answering that one. I like the sea, it has more interesting things in it. The last time I visited it was way back in 2010 when we went to Hawaii
Which one am I like? I don't know.
3. July 13 is National Delaware Day. Ever been to Delaware? Delaware is called 'the first state' because it was the first to declare independence from the British. What's your state's nickname and does that moniker make sense to you? If you were in charge, what nickname would you give your home state? I've never been to Delaware, I've been up in that region, but never there. Iowa's nickname is the Hawkeye State and one of the Universities has the Hawkeye as their mascot. I believe it's a Native American thing, Iowa is a Native American word and I believe Hawkeye is too, honestly I don't know. I think we should have some name that means we're the only state bordered on both sides by rivers.

4. What dish did you contribute to the last pot luck meal you attended? Do you have a go-to recipe for pot luck suppers? I did not take a dish to the last potluck I attended and the last potluck I went to that I did take a dish too was a while back. I probably took dessert because I'm good at that, plus it will stay outside in the heat without going bad.

5. What is your number one tip for a brand new parent? No idea on that.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I'm excited about a shopping trip I have planned for the end of the week. I need some time away with a friend just to de-stress.