Tuesday, June 25, 2013

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers!

1.  Summertime is the season of reunions, weddings, and other family celebrations and gatherings...are any of the above on your calendar in the next two months? 

Yes!  Several in fact!  We host a 4th of July party and have a bunch of family and friends come to it each year.  This year is no exception!    Then, after it, our family heads to a place in Ohio on Lake Erie, called Lakeside, and we spend a week together.  My Dad actually built a cottage there back in the 70's.  Some stay there but we also rent another cottage to house everyone.  Lakeside is a Christian Chatauqua town that has fun activities like shuffleboard, crafting, nightly entertainment, movies, etc.  And sometimes we just sit around, play board games, drink wine, and talk!

2.  June is National Ice Tea Month... are you an iced tea drinker?  If so, how do you like yours (sweet, flavored, etc.)? 

I did not drink iced tea as a kid growing up in the mid-west, but now as someone living in the south, yes, I occasionally drink it.  "Ya'll" know...It IS the drink of the south!  I like mine sweet... no other flavors.  I also like sweet tea and lemonade mixed together, which is sometimes called an "Arnold Palmer" because he likes to mix the two.

3.  When were you last nervous?  Looking back, was the event nerve-worthy? 

I am not real comfortable speaking to large groups so I think the last time I got nervous was when I was the guest speaker at a Kiwanis Club meeting here.  I organized and  now oversee a charitable program through our church that collects newborn baby items for new, needy moms.  I put together baby layette baskets and deliver them to a local hospital.  The Kiwanis asked me to speak about it, which I did... and they totally supported me and the program!  Yes, I was nervous BUT it wasn't worth the jitters because I spoke from the heart about this project.

4.  The bristle toothbrush was invented in China June 26, 1498 - not sure how that date was pinned down so precisely but, on a sale of 1 - 10, with 10 being sick to your stomach and 1 being not at all, how nervous do you feel when you're headed to the dentist? Do you see the dentist twice a year? 

Another question about being nervous!   But, on a scale of 1 to 10, I would say I am a 3 when it comes to going to the dentist. I have a little anxiety, but really I'm not too nervous or worried.  Thankfully I haven't needed many major dental procedures.  I have had a few cavities filled, and had 2 wisdom teeth extracted but they were not impacted.  1 crown.  Here's something weird though: I still have a couple of baby teeth!  There were never any permanent ones formed to push them out.  So far they are hanging in there!  I try to go to the dentist often to keep my teeth in good shape...but it's not every six months.

5. What's making news in your town this week? 

I love this question beause I can't wait to read what other Hodgepodgers write about!  Here in my hometown the recent talk has been about the Dept of Transportation wanting to put barriers in on our main drag (Highway 17) and getting rid of the "suicide lane" in the middle.  Some are for it, but others worry that it will look ugly, and merchants are concerned it could hurt business if people can't turn easily into their driveways and parking lots.   There have been a couple of open town hall - style meetings about it along with Letters to the Editor in our local newspaper.

6.  Curtains, drapes, blinds...  your window treatment of choice?  Are there any bare windows in your home?  By choice or because you haven't gotten around to covering them? 

First, I must say I live in a "Lowcountry-style" home, which means the living space is built up a level.  Most homes of this style were built so if there is a flood the rooms and important stuff are up & safe from water damage.  Our house had been finished off down below before we moved in.  For those windows downstairs I have plantation shutters.  The bathrooms have plantation shutters.  But, that's basically it.  I have NO drapes or curtains. I do not like them.  People can't see in the upstairs windows.  And, I love the sunlight to come in!  I am one of those people who doesn't like it dark indoors...and get sad/depressed walking around in a dark space.   So, many of my windows are bare and I let the outside shine in!!

7.  Summertime is officially here - what one song is a must-have on your summer playlist? 

Easy answer!   "Summertime" by Kenny Chesney!!

8. My random thought. 

I'm still walking the beach each Monday morning hoping to see a mama loggerhead turtle's tracks up to the dunes where she lays her eggs.  I haven't seen one yet, but the nests are being found up and down the South Carolina shore now.  As I walk I pick up trash.  It's amazing what is left behind on a beach!  I know sometimes children forget and leave toys, and sometimes the wind blows a candy wrapper....BUT there is so much stuff out there!   I know people on vacation are not always thinking about the long term concerns, and many certainly don't realize that big stuff left out can block the turtles.  I'm not a crazy environmentalist, but I do want people to realize that the beauty of the beaches and the lives of sea creatures depend on us all caring a little.

Enjoy this sweet, sweet summertime!




9 comments:

  1. Summertime is definitely on my playlist too. Lots of Kenny in fact : ) I'm always surprised at the amount of junk on a beach too...my hubs says some of it washes up from boaters too. Why can't people just pick up their empty water bottles????

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  2. Oh, yeah! That is a GREAT summer song!!!
    I don't get why people are so nasty and disrespectful. So sad.

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  3. I'm SO with you on the sunshine coming in ... the first thing I do when I get up in the morning is open the blinds ... and I'm always reminding DH to re-open the blinds after he gets dressed. ;-)

    I'm always saddened by the amount of trash we see when we walk the beach. I'd LOVE to see turtle tracks - or a nest (from a respectable distance of course!!) when we're on the beach.

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  4. I like iced tea and lemonade mixed too. We call it half and half when we order it at a deli here. I can't stand finding garbage that people leave behind. I don't understand what is so hard about finding a garbage can or using a bag and taking it with you!

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  5. I'm SO with you on the needing lots of sunlight! We had an apartment once that was surrounded by pine trees - beautiful, but oh, so dark in that apartment. Ugh! Good for you, turning your beautiful ocean walk into a trash pick up... seeing litter like that drives me crazy as well. Seriously, how hard is it to simply clean up after yourselves?

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  6. First, yes, I do think that God probably had to scratch His head when Wallenda walked across the Grand Canyon. I mean really!

    Sounds like a fun family gathering next week.

    And, I love tea and lemonade too, but just never drink it.

    We should all take more responsibility for our own trash and keep it picked up. How easy it would be if everyone would do their part.

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  7. That sounds like some BIG news in your town. ;-) I remember the first time I ever heard the term "suicide lane" was in Arizona many years ago. Now I see them everywhere. I can see how the local business would worry about people not being able to turn. Have a great week!

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  8. I also had two baby teeth (on the bottom) without second teeth to push them out. And I thought I was the only weirdo ;-)

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  9. Hello and thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. So you are having a busy summer - so am I. And I love iced tea. I don't like to speak in front of crowds either! And I like Kenny Chesney - are you a new blogger? Are you interested in following one another? sandie

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