Olympic moments - in life.

Hello to my Hodgepodging friends!   Each week our volunteer leader, Joyce, comes up with 7 random questions and we answer them personally.  Then we all meet back and read each others responses.  Over the years now I have found it fascinating, because we come from different walks in life, from different locations, with different backgrounds.  Sometimes we almost all answer the same, but other times we have completely different insight.  

Play along if you would like.

1. Are you watching the Olympics? Your favorite summer Olympic event? I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history...what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?

Well, my hubby has been teasing me because I told him last week before the games started that  I was not excited to watch the Olympics -  due to all the negative press ahead of time about the water situation, about the delay in getting the city ready, the doping, etc.  I felt sad for the athletes.  I felt like the games had already been so tainted.

But, on Sunday we did have NBC on all day while we were painting at our new house, and I watched some of it then.  Unfortunately, I saw the end of the women's bike event - with the horrible crash of the one rider, and then the loss of the American because she had 'broken away' too soon, and she was beat out in the final seconds.  Those moments just break my heart.  I think about how they train for so long for this one race, one event, and then something goes wrong, or they get an injury - or it just isn't their best day.   Therefore, it's hard for me to watch.

So, yes, I admit I prefer to watch other TV.  My heart just can't take the disappointments.

2. Have you ever been to Rio? How about the place that started it all-Greece? Have you ever been to any of the Olympic Games in person? Is that something you'd like to do? Have you ever met an Olympian in person?

I have not been to Rio or to Greece.  I have been to Munich on an orchestra tour with my daughter some years ago.  It was during a day off from traveling and performing.  The kids got to swim in the pool where Mark Spitz won all his gold medals.

Would I like to go to the games in person?  Hmmm.  Read my comment above.   Plus, the security issues would also make me tense.  


I do not think I have met an Olympian.  Not upclose and in person.  I did see Bruce Jenner speak when I was in college.  Yes, he was Bruce... and it was just a few years after his Decathalon gold.   He was a motivational speaker at the time, still married to his first wife.  Little did I know he would one day be part of the Kardashians, and then become Caitlin!!

3. The ball's in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving), on a roll (gymnastics), out of one's depth (swimming)...which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now? Explain.

Well, I guess as we continue to wait for the right person to come along and buy our house, I will say "the ball's in their court."  It's beyond anything I can do - except to keep the place 'show ready' and pray that it doesn't take too long to find a buyer! 

4. What have you earned a 'gold medal' in recently?

Oh my.  I can't think of anything.  Gold?  No.    Maybe silver or bronze in some thing, but even now I can't think what that would be.  

5. What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what you can to be healthy?

I totally have to give kudos to my hubby about setting an example of how to care for yourself.  He has always been into exercise, and a motivator to stay active.  Now, saying that, I believe he personally goes overboard often, and over the years he has needed surgeries because of it...two hernias, knees, etc.   He also gets into some crazy food and vitamin kicks.  I find for me it's best to live by the motto "everything in moderation" and I pace myself.

Through the years I have also learned that I do not like to eat too much and have that over-stuffed feeling.  Ugh.    I do not like to put on clothes that are snug!  I proudly can say I have not put on much weight since my teens.   Maybe ten pounds.  My weight has 're-distributed' itself though...  and that's just an age thing.   Again...ugh.

6. Are you young at heart or an old soul? Explain.

Oh - I try try try to stay young at heart!  I hope I succeed at it sometimes!  Since my years of raising my daughters is now over,  I feel more freedom to just 'be' and not have to worry as much...and I think it has made me feel young.

I feel young - but I don't look young.   Dang.   That mirror is not my friend!!  

7 It's National S'mores Day (August 10th)...are you a fan? Will you celebrate with a s'more today?

Back to Question 5 - I don't eat much in the way of sweets.   When it comes to s'mores... I like the chocolate, the graham cracker - but I'm not a big fan of warmed up, smooshy marshmallow.  I rarely eat chocolate but I think I would prefer just to have the Hershey's bar, and leave the cracker and marshmallow alone.

I will not be having one today. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I can not believe that the schools around here start in a week already!  Time sure flies!  Summertime especially.   Teachers:  thank you for all the preparing you do, and for your devotion to all our children!!    I know it's an incredibly tough job these days.   It's so much more than teaching the basics.   The bad behavior, neglecting parents, lack of money, fear of disciplining, etc. make it so hard for you all!!    But, you have my back!  I support your efforts.  I know lives are molded when young.   You have my prayers - and you have my vote - always!  I hope it will be a great school year!!