Just back home and it's Hodgepodge time!

Tuesday?  It's Tuesday already?  What a week I've had!!  (This is a tease...you have to read about it in my #8 Random thing question.)

1.  What do you think makes a good Dad? 

A good dad is one who gives time to his kids, and who shows them genuine love.  It's simple really.

2.  What's something you learned from your own Dad? 

Just one thing?   My Dad was a Lutheran pastor - so I learned from him to care about other people, and to make my belief in God central in life.  I learned from him to accept all people, and that it's not the things in life that mean anything.  I learned from him how a family unit is to be.  He was a faithful husband, and a fun Dad when I was growing up.

3.  It's your birthday - what kind of cake will we be having?

Chocolate cake, chocolate icing.   Again, it's simple really!! ( :

4.  When you are faced with a big decision are you more of a go with your gut type of person, or are you someone who reasons it all out, weighing the pros and cons? 

I am definitely a person who reasons a decision out.  I don't like surprises, and I don't like living "on the edge". Too stressful!  I prefer to make a list and write down pros and cons, and actually see it on paper.  Seeing it written out can give clarity and can also re-affirm a decision.

5.  June is National Dairy Month.  What's your favorite dairy item?   Most often purchased dairy item? 

My hubby has worked in the ice cream business for many, many years - so ice cream is definitely my favorite dairy product.  It's been the source of our income!  Thank goodness everyone LOVES ice cream!  ha   And, yes, I love ice cream, but I probably have to say that cheese is my favorite dairy item.   I like wine & cheese and crackers a lot!

6. Explorer Jacques Cousteau was born on June 11, 1910... what's something you've recently explored or something you'd like to explore? 

I have recently become a volunteer turtle walker here on a part of the Litchfiefld/Pawleys Island beach, to look for mama loggerhead turtle's tracks to where she laid her eggs.  This is the time of year when the mamas come up on the beach at night to find a good spot near the dunes.  Walkers go out early each morning (the first light of dawn) to look for her tracks (which look like large tire tracks) and when one is found we report it and then other members come and cover it with mesh to keep fowl, animals, and people away.  It's then roped off and a sign goes up so vacationers know what is happening.  The eggs will hatch on their own in August.   Most vacationers do not know about this process...so here's a reminder to ALL beach goers:  do not leave beach furniture out, or make holes and not fill them up!  Mama can't make it to the dunes if she has things that get in her way.  Also, do NOT use beach lights at night because the turtles rely on the moon's light to lead on back to the ocean!

7.  Are you typical of your generation? 

Hmmmm.  I'm not sure what is typical of my generation.  I have come to embrace technology, and I enjoy the finer things in life...   but I also think I am caring of our world as a whole, and want peace, and want to take care of our home, planet earth.   Is that typical of our generation?

8.  My random thought. 

I'm home from Nashville and the CMA Festival.   I just got back yesterday from 4 1/2 days of  non-stop live country music at various venues and stages - along with lots of other activities up and down Broadway (Honky-tonk central).  I attended the CMT Music Awards Wednesday night and went to many, many concerts the following days.  I got to enjoy the whole thing this year with my daughter and boyfriend!  It was awesome!  I heard it was the largest crowd in attendance ever - and yes, it was jammed!  But, for the most part everyone got along really well because we come together as one big happy country music loving family!  People you may not think of talking to elsewhere can become your friend there - and the love of music & the fun atmosphere makes it open to acceptance.  I met people from Oklahoma, Long Island, Tennessee, and even Switzerland!!  I know some people don't understand country music, but when you attend an event like this festival, you realize it's a bond with the music, the values it stands for, the "way of life" it represents.   I'll be back next year!!