Dads and summertime life

I missed a week of Hodgepodge because I headed out to Nashville for the CMA Festival.  The 6th year in the books! I just never get tired of it!  (Well, I get physically exhausted because it's morning to very late in the night for 4 days in a row! My feet were swollen and my legs ached...but it was worth it!))  The caliber of live music and the AMOUNT of music during the CMA Fest in Nashville is just awe-inspiring!  Now, I'm back to reality, well sort of...  our house just went on the market so I know this summer will be somewhat different as we jump up when realtors call for a showing, and then we wait...and wait...and wait for that 'right' buyer. 

But, in the meantime I will get back to one thing that is normal in my life: the weekly Hodgepodge questions!

 1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why? 

I can not think of a specific lake, but I can tell you it would need to be relatively warm water, and free from snakes, and gators, and other slithery things!  So, maybe I will just stay in the boat!  

I live near the ocean and many rivers.  I love boating - but not swimming in them.

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? 

I think a strawberry daiquari is my favorite fruity drink.  I don't make them at home, or order them out very often though.  They are tasty on a good hot day.   As many know, I prefer wine in most situations.  I guess you could drop a couple of grapes in my wine and I would be happy! 

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simplify your life. They were-

clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

Wow.  Easy answer on this one!  Since we have just put our house on the market to sell, and we are downsizing to a smaller place, my goal is to DE-CLUTTER!!!  I am making trips to Salvation Army and Goodwill to give items away - and I have made a pledge to myself to make sure my garbage can is FULL each and every time I wheel it out to the street.
 

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

I'm trying to remember that far back!  ha!  I think it was the summer I worked at a Ponderosa Steak House - as a server, salad prepper, and dishwasher.   I tried to make a little money to take with me  when I went off to college.  The fringe benefit of working there was getting a free meal. And I ALWAYS had a slice of the "dutch apple" pie.  I was addicted to it!   Apples and raisins inside, with a thin layer of icing on the top of the pie.    It was deeeee-lecious!

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? 

It's not anything I have gotten into yet.  And, perhaps that is a good thing!!   I already spend too much time on social media, and now it seems more and more the "Live Facebook" events are popping up and I get caught up in them sometimes!
 

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

Hmmm.  I am not a man or a dad. (Duh)   So, from looking from my perspective I would say they have it "different" now.  Maybe it's a bit harder than in the past tho, because fathers have more technology connections.  Work can come home with a laptop and iphone.  Work sometimes never stops, depending on the type of job a man has.  Finding a way to balance the time to be a husband and dad might be more challenging due to it. A generation before once fathers left the office they could focus on family.

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

I can look in the mirror and see my father!  Yes, physically I think I look like him a lot.  And, as I age the similarities seem to show up more!  When I was younger I saw my mom in me often, but now I think I see my dad more.     He and I are both pretty similar in our political thinking too.  We share the same beliefs about many of the issues in today's world.    Speaking of...

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

As I mentioned on Facebook earlier today, I had a wonderful weekend spent in Nashville among thousands of "friends" who all were there for the same love of country music.  It was a warm feeling.  There was a bond with each other as we went around to the different venues, and saw so many wonderful live musicians all in one place.   Polar opposite to that experience was the distraught-ful news of the shootings of so many in Orlando.  One hate-filled, unstable, and bigoted person turned a music and social event into the unthinkable.   I saw the shooter's father interviewed and I felt so uneasy thinking that the shooter was living a double-life, or un-able to feel love fro his own father, or was raised not open to the freedoms of others.  We may never know what set him off.  But, because he was able to use an assault weapon in killed many young vital lives very quickly.  I am a proud believer of needing tougher gun laws, and limitations.  Assault weapons should NOT be for sale to anyone!!!   I know many disagree with me.  But, EACH life is precious and unique - and each person deserves to live in a land when they can feel safer FROM these weapons!  I pray one day we outlaw them and that we change lives with love.