Back to the Hodgepodge

While away on vacation I took a break from the weekly Hodgepodge questions.   I'm back home, and ready to tackle this week's questions.  Below are the questions and my answers.  Please feel free to comment here or on Facebook.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day. Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  What's something you have recently accomplished solo?

Few things are done completely solo, or alone.  So, I'm having a hard time coming up with an answer to this.  OK.  I recently played my flute in the community concert band for a full season.  (No, I didn't play any solos! It was an accomplishment for me just to be in the band.) I dusted off my flute and went there on my own. I was nervous in the beginning because I had not played in an ensemble or large group for years and years.  I  knew I was "rusty" and I didn't know the caliber of the other players.  I'm certainly not one of the best, but that's okay. It turned out to be fun and I met some new friends.   I took a short summer break but rehearsals start up again this evening for a new season and I plan on going back.  

2. What's a product you use that never fails?

I have my favorite health and beauty products - thank you Oil of Olay!  I also have my favorite cleaning products too. I have learned to love the Mr. Clean bleach scrub pads.  Have you tried them?  I'm also pretty thrilled with the invention of the disposable toilet scrubbers on a wand.  Thank you to whomever invented it.

3. Have you found your place in the world?  Where is it?

Yes and yes.  Geographically and philosophically.   As I have written about in the past, I have lived many places in the US and I have now found a home where the people, the beauty, the weather, the lifestyle all match mine.  I'm very content here in the lowcountry of SC.   The deeper question is whether or not I have found my place - or my reason for being - on earth.  I'm getting there.  It's a life journey.  When I was younger I wondered how I could impact people, how I could make a difference, how I could live my days out serving God.  I now feel content with being a mother, a volunteer, a friend, and a wife.  Believe me, it took a while to get to this point... but I am happy with who I am and my relationships with others. 

4.  Worst movie you ever saw?

The worst movie I ever saw I actually walked out of the theatre halfway through it.  I don't remember the name because it was that bad!   In my opinion there are many bad movies out there all the time.  A good quality movie is hard to find anymore because the movie companies depend on using violence, and car chases, and "shock" language to sell it.

5. What's the last fun thing you did?

Finally an easy question to answer!  It was just last night!  I met a few girlfriends for dinner out at Murrells Inlet, and we timed it to finish eating right when the fireworks display started! 

6.  The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caeser...ever been to Rome?  What's your favorite Italian dish?

I have been to northern Italy but I have never been to Rome.   I can't say it's been on my bucket list but I'm open for anything!  I think of Rome as "Roman Catholic Central" and I am not RC so therefore I don't really care about seeing the Vatican, etc.  I do love art history though, and Rome certainly has that!    My favorite Italian dish?   Pizza.  Of course.

7.  What's one piece of advice you'd offer new mom Kate Middleton?

Oh my!  First I'd say "good luck" because she and the new little prince are going to need it!  Then I'd say to try to keep the boy as normal as possible, and away from the media vultures.  I think Diana did a pretty good job raising William and Harry...so perhaps Kate should use her as a role model.

8. My random thought.

So far it's been very quiet in the Indian Ocean. Thankfully, not many hurricanes have formed and I for one certainly hope it stays that way.  But...unfortunately, we have not even hit the midway point of hurricane season, so there's still plenty of time for conditions to change.   Let's hope they don't!

Have a good week Hodgepodge friends!