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A hodgepodge is a jumble or assortment of things that might not appear to belong together. Joyce at From This Side of the Pond hosts a weekly link-up called Wednesday Hodgepodge that is a little collection of questions for bloggers to answer just for fun and to get to know each other. I always look forward to chatting with friends over coffee, so pour a cup of your favorite and let's visit for a few minutes!
Here are this week's questions - and my answers - for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.
1. What's one piece of advice you would give a recent or soon-to-be graduate?
Choose your college or career path based on what you feel called to spend your life doing, and don't feel pressured to go to college just because that's what's expected of you. And don't feel rushed into making those decisions if you're not sure yet. Now is the time to really "guard your heart" as you're starting to strike out on your own, and that doesn't just mean to be careful who you're dating! It's about guarding your mind and thought patterns and influences, because that's what will shape your life choices.
2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain.
I could use some courage to fortify me for the task of packing up and preparing for a move. It's not that it's scaring me, but it seems overwhelming. And I'd always be up for a trip back home, but at the moment, I'm just over a month away from being together with all my kids and my parents, and the move happens first, so courage it is.
3. "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?
Probably on our last trip "back home" to Maryland. It's so good to be there in the house where we raised our family, and where our son is now raising his family. So good to be with the family that we love so much and wish we lived closer to. But it is also good to come back home to where we live now, which is also home. It brings to mind another oft repeated line: "Home is where the heart is" and is a reminder that home is more than just a place, and can be more than just one place too.
This is home . . .
and so is this, for now . . .
4. May is National BBQ Month . . . do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled?
We sure do own a grill, and generally we use it quite a bit during the warmer parts of the year. My hubby is the grill master, but we tag team on a lot of the grilled meals. I prep the food, marinate or rub the meat and then hand it off to hubby to actually throw on the grill and tend while I do any meal prep that needs to be done in the kitchen. Ours is a pellet grill that is also a smoker, so we very often smoke meat as well. My favorite thing to do on the grill is burgers, because they're quick and foolproof, and I think I could eat cheeseburgers every other night and be perfectly happy. Don't get me wrong, I love steak, and kebabs (especially lamb kebabs) and brats or dogs; and I love smoked meats, but you just can't go wrong with a simple cheeseburger. I'm pretty sure burgers were the most recent thing we did on the grill, actually. We haven't had a whole lot of nice days for grilling so far this season.
5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy?
I don't know that I have one specific memory I keep going back to, but happy memories like having the whole family together for a special occasion or at a vacation house doing something fun. In keeping with the theme this Hodgepodge has, the potential bittersweet of savoring those happy memories is that it might also make me a little homesick for my people.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
This past weekend the family here let me choose our Saturday adventure in honor of Mother's Day. We went to Glen Helen Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs and wound up on a slightly more challenging hike than we'd anticipated, but it was a lot of fun, and I think there was a sense of accomplishment that we did all that climbing and stream-fording. We wished there would have been a spectacular view at the apex of the trail, but that wasn't the kind of route we were on. Dinner was at Ye Olde Trail Tavern, which I'm told is the oldest restaurant in Ohio.
What does "Home" mean to you? Leave a comment and let me know!
This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
We were placed on earth to fulfill a purpose, and that purpose is what gives meaning to our lives, you were sent to the world to make an impact and make a difference. ~Myles Munroe
As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself . . . Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility. ~Nelson Mandela
I think every player should think that he's a difference maker. ~Brett Favre
If you want to make a positive impact, no matter how far-reaching, start at home. Treat your family members like treasures. ~John C. Maxwell
John C. Maxwell had quite a bit of wisdom on this topic - here are a couple more:
It is hard to feel bad about yourself when you are doing something good for someone else. There are a lot of ways to lift your self-esteem, but making a positive difference in another's life has got to be my best leadership guidance. Serving others and working to add value to them will lift your spirits in a way that nothing else will. ~John C. Maxwell
If you don't love where you are right now, you won't love where you are going. Here is what I know: People who are passionate about what they do every day and love where they are in life are the fortunate ones. They have discovered their purpose. They are the difference makers who fully understand the gift of adding value, and yes, they can't help but love where they are going on their journey. ~John C. Maxwell
You are the light of the world―like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
~Matthew 5:14-16~
Be a fountain, not a drain. ~Rex Hudler
How are you making a difference in your world? Leave a comment and let me know!
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Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.
Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive.
Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me.
And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking.
If you want to develop courage, do the thing you fear and keep on doing it until you have a record of successful experiences behind you. That is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear. You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind. ~Dale Carnegie
I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
That sounds like it might work, but there are a good many things I fear doing or being part of for valid reasons. For example, I'm somewhat afraid of heights. I could conquer that fear by going up in a tethered hot air balloon or stepping out onto the balcony of a tall building. But it would be foolhardy for me to attempt to conquer my fear of heights by going rock climbing or skydiving! I'm not fit to safely do either of those things at this point. All the same, I appreciate the sentiment, and I do agree that facing things we fear and stretching ourselves to master our fears has great value for our personal growth.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. ~Nelson Mandela
One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do. ~Henry Ford
Our greatest fears are usually of the unknown, of evil, or of death and loss. These are the things we don't have control over, and are hard to prepare for. The good news is that we don't have to face these unknowns by ourselves. God loves us so much that he will walk with us and even carry us through any circumstance that terrifies us. His son Jesus has already conquered sin and death, and he offers us eternal life so that we don't have to be afraid.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~Romans 8:37-39~
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
~I John 4:4~
There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them. ~Andre Gide
What fears have you overcome? Leave a comment and let me know!
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Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.
Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive.
Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me.
And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. there you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
~Matthew 28:5-8~
They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
from the west they acclaim the LORD's majesty.
Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD;
exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel,
in the islands of the sea.
From the ends of the earth we hear singing:
"Glory to the Righteous One."
~Isaiah 24:14-16~
Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Many of us look back with nostalgia on "simpler times" or talk about how good a more simple life would be. And it is probably true, but ironically, it seems that it isn't quite that simple to get there! In many ways, simplicity does remain my goal.
Our life is frittered away by detail . . . simplify, simplify. ~Henry David Thoreau
Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. ~Charles Dudley Warner
Straightforwardness and simplicity are in keeping with goodness. The things that are essential are acquired with little bother; it is the luxuries that call for toil and effort. To want simply what is enough nowadays suggest to people primitiveness and squalor. ~Seneca the Younger
Yes, on one hand we do sometimes think negatively of very simple no-frills living, but when it comes to elegance, it's also true that . . .
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo da Vinci
It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. ~Thomas Moore
It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
When I have a childlike faith and a humble, teachable heart I am able to trust God and be joyful and at peace in any circumstance. This is the good and simple life.
The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
~Psalm 119:30~
These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
~Proverbs 1:1-4~
The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised. ~Norman Vincent Peale
Teach us delight in simple things,
and mirth that has no bitter springs.
~Rudyard Kipling
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Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.
Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive.
Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me.
And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking.
A hodgepodge is a jumble or assortment of things that might not appear to belong together. Joyce at From This Side of the Pond hosts a weekly link-up called Wednesday Hodgepodge that is a little collection of questions for bloggers to answer just for fun and to get to know each other. I always look forward to chatting with friends over coffee, so pour a cup of your favorite and let's visit for a few minutes!
Here are this week's questions - and my answers - for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.
1. St. Patrick's Day lands on March 17th. Do you believe in luck? Are there things you do thinking they'll bring good luck or things you avoid because they're considered bad luck?
I guess I believe in luck to a certain extent, because sometimes things happen that seem so randomly fortuitous, like the chances of it just happening seem so unlikely. And yet it did. So yes, some things do just happen the way they do because of random chance. But we all experience that, and I think it's how we respond to those lucky (or unlucky) coincidences that determine real outcome. I'm not superstitious so I can't think of anything I do that is to try and bring good luck my way or avoid bad luck.
2. Forest - lime - sage - mint - olive - emerald . . . what's your favorite shade of green?
I'd say forest green, although I like sage and mint greens as well.
3. In Ireland the meal on this day is often a hearty beef or lamb stew served with colcannon (mashed potato mixed with cabbage and leeks). In the US corned beef and cabbage is the more typical St Patty's Day meal. Will you/did you mark the day with one of these dishes? Baked - fried - roasted - mashed . . . what's your favorite way to eat a potato?
I really like corned beef, but I loathe cabbage. I'd been so busy that I wasn't sure what we were going to have for dinner on St Paddys Day, but then we got LUCKY and a friend gave us club level tickets for the Blue Jackets game. Which includes the buffet, and the buffet included corned beef and cabbage, shepherds pie, and bangers and mash. I had the corned beef (and gave the cabbage to my hubby) and the bangers and mash, and it was all so good! Hubby said the shepherds pie was quite good also. Baked potatos are my favorite, but I don't have them very often.
4. What color of the rainbow best represents your personality/mood today? Tell us why.
I'm finally getting around to writing this late Wednesday so I'm going with mood indigo. I'm tired and kind of overwhelmed with the stuff on my to-do list, but I'm not sad or down. That deep blue is a pretty good representation of how I feel, and it's a color I love. And a song I love too, and now that it's on my mind, I have to share it. You're welcome.
5. Which 'lucky' quote resonates with you. Elaborate
'Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.' ~E.B. White
'Diligence is the mother of good luck.' ~Benjamin Franklin
'Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.' ~Seneca
I like the Seneca quote best, because what good is your "lucky break" is you're not prepared to make the most of it, or willing to put in the hard work to capitalize on it. I think it might have been Mark Twain that said something about people missing opportunity because it's dressed or disguised as hard work. We do make our own "good luck" by working hard and taking advantage of opportunities, right?
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Once again, due to the lateness of the hour, I'll keep my random thought short. It's been another super busy week. We met with a realtor on Sunday to get our house hunting started in earnest so there are a lot of tasks to look after related to that. I had a doctor's appointment Tuesday morning, and very nearly passed out after my blood draw for lab work, so that put me behind the eight-ball for the rest of the day. I did manage to find the energy - just barely! - to get to the hockey game after we were given those tickets, and once I was there I had a great time and got a little more energized. And we have hockey tickets for Thursday's game as well, so that's another evening this week that I can't get much done with those house-hunting tasks. I'm doing my best to fit things in wherever I can. Wish us luck!! (And please be patient with me, as this looks like another week where it will take me a couple days to drop by and visit some of my fellow hodgepodgers!)
Have you experienced good luck lately? Leave a comment and let me know!
This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
