Summer thoughts in this week's Hodgepodge - time for graduations and weddings

This week the Hodgepodge questions deal with thoughts of early summer, i.e. graduations and weddings.  It's the time of year we dress up and celebrate! 

Here are Joyce's questions, and my answers.

1.  How many students were in your high school graduating class? Did you know most of them, if not all of them?   I had a rather unusual circumstance for my last year of high school and graduation.  My family moved the summer right before my senior year.  We moved from Ohio to Maryland, from a rural town to suburbia near a large city, and from a small high school to a very large one.  Now, I know many of you think I should have been pretty PO'd at my parents for doing this to me.  But, I remember thinking it was a fun adventure.  I guess I was ready for a change.

So, the senior class that I graduated from was very large. I want to say there were over 700 kids in it. But, I don't remember the exact number.   I certainly didn't have time to get to know many of them.  I met a girl who lived near me, and we got on the bus at the same corner. Her name was Joelle and she was friendly and helpful.  I also knew a few others my age from church.  

My old high school kept me on their books and have continued to invite me to class reunions and I appreciate that. I have only made 2 of them, but they have been fun - mostly because I got to see my two best girlfriends from high school, Paula and Terri.  We called ourselves the "3 muskateers".  We were best buddies - and did most everything socially together.  They are the ones that I think of when remembering the good times in high school.

2. What was the last thing you photographed?  I carry my digital camera in my purse and am really into taking pictures - all the time.  So, the last pic I took was this past Sunday evening.  My hubby and I met up with my sister-in-law and her fiance' at a restaurant hosting a special thai dinner, sampling sake to go with it.  We had fun, and I took a pic of them having their first sips of sake.

3. Pickles.  Love 'em or loathe 'em?  If it's love, what's something you eat that needs a pickle?   I like pickles.  Most kinds.  I don't crave them (didn't even when I was preggers) but I do like them occasionally.  I like a pickle with a burger and I also liked chopped up pickle mixed into my chicken or tuna salads.

4. What's a stereotype you seem to perpetuate without meaning to?  That I am my mother's daughter!  ha!  The nut doesn't fall far from the tree.  I joke, but I am pleased to be like my mother in many ways.   She was a sweet, caring woman.  She was mild-mannered.  She had a beautiful smile.  So, if I have those attributes then that's good.  But,  I also know as I age I say things and think things that she did - and thought I never would! ha!

5. Ever been horseback riding?  If so, is it something you enjoy?  If not, do you have an interest?  Did you watch the Kentucky Derby?  Will you be watching the last leg of the Triple Crown this weekend?   I went horseback riding once, when I was with my hubby on a company trip. It was a "reward trip" in New Mexico with others from the company and their spouses.  I was VERY frightened, and was put in the front of the line, right behind the professional leader.   I think I would have enjoyed it more had it been a riding experience through a meadow or on the beach.  But this outing was a horseback trip along the rugged mountainous terrain of that area.  Think back to old black & white western movies.  That's what it was like.  I must say my favorite part was arriving at the campfire site at the end and having a big glass of wine.

I did not watch the Derby this year, although sometimes I do.  And I will not be watching this Saturday because I will be in Nashville for the CMA Music Fest (Fan Fair) and will be busy enjoying all it offers.  I suppose if we happen to be somewhere with a TV nearby we will watch, especially since a Triple Crown winner is possible. 

6.What's your favorite "wedding" movie?  I think it's "The Wedding Date" with Debra Messing.  I have watched that movie over and over.  It's funny, kooky, and sweet.  I like the music in it.  It seems to be a movie that pops up on TV on evenings when I can't find anything else to watch.  I'm quite content to just watch it again!

7.What is one tourist attraction in the USA you'd like to see in person?  I would like to see the Grand Canyon.  I can't imagine how huge it is!   (Guess that's why it's "grand"? ha)  

8. My random thought:  I leave later today and will be attending the CMA Festival in Nashville for the next 4 days.  Hubby and I went last year and surprisedly loved every minute of it!  I knew I would like it because I love "live" concerts, and country music speaks to me.  But hubby liked it alot too.  We also toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, and took a tour around the Franklin area (home of the stars), and went to the Grand Ole Opry and to Ryman Auditorium.  This time we have tickets to attend the celebrity softball game for the City of Hope.  I also signed up to hand out Josh Turner postcards one afternoon.  He's a "local" South Carolina country singer with an awesome deep voice.  We will of course go to the concerts each night at the LP Field, and enjoy some of the daytime ones too.  We have some friends coming this year - friends we haven't seen in awhile.  I look forward to seeing them and sharing the country experience together! 

Have a great week everyone!