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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Life is Like a Box of Hodgepodge


Hello, dear friends.  How is your week going?  All is well around here.  We are getting some much-needed rain which means I don't have to water the window boxes.  Yay!  There goes my cardio for the day.  I'll have to make it up by squeegeeing my shower door a few extra minutes.

I always like to choose a quote that is pertinent to a Hodgepodge question.  I liked the quote and thought it was appropriate.  I then googled the author to see if he was the same person I thought he was.  Yup, it's him.

Our words of wisdom for the day come from a drug lord.  
A thoughtful one at that.


You know the drill.  
If it's Wednesday, it's time for Hodgepodge







1.  What's surprised you most about life or life in general?




The biggest surprise to me is that as I age and gradually look different from my younger self, I feel pretty much the same on the inside.  



2.  Sweet potato fries, sweet potato casserole, a baked potato, a bowl of butternut squash soup a caramel apple or a slice of pumpkin pie... you have to order one thing on this list right now.  Which one do you go for?



My friend, Mickey made the most delicious pumpkin pie last week for Book Club.  I've been dreaming of it ever since. 



3.  What's a famous book set in your home state?  Have you read it?  On a scale from 1-5 (5 is fantastic) how many stars does it rate?

The following books all take place in Massachusetts.
I give them all a big fat 5.























4.  There are 60 days until Christmas... have you started your shopping? 


I'm about 75% done shopping for...
moi.



How do you stay organized for the holidays?




I hire seasonal help.





5.  October 26th is National Tennessee Day.  Have you ever lived or spent any time in Tennessee?  Is this a state you'd like to visit one day?  The top-rated tourist attraction in Tennessee are: The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Elvis' grave, Birth of the Music Biz, Dollywood, Tennessee's Military Heritage, The Hermitage, The Parthenon, Oak Ridge American Museum of Science and Energy, Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley Railroad, Downtown Knoxville, Lookout Mountain, The Titanic Museum, The Museum of Appalachia, and The Lost Sea Adventure.



How many on this list have you seen?  




I think I spent more time typing the question than I have in the state of Tennessee.



Which one on the list would you most like to see?



Dollywood because I consider Dolly to be my doppelganger.





6.  Insert your own random thought here.



Is Fall Cleanup on your to-do list this weekend?
Calmly put down the rake and read this.





With your newly acquired free time, you can run out and get me a gift.


Until next time...



Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to contact me through comments and email. I love to hear from my readers!

36 comments:

  1. Yep, there is definitely a young woman inside this old body! And that little lady you have there is probably my doppelganger.

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  2. I agree with you about aging Katie...how we feel inside is relatively the same. I do think I am smarter about many things these days. The Book from our state is To Kill a Mockingbird and yes I read it and I am a fan. I would like to know more about the real Harper Lee but she did a good job of keeping her privacy over the years. I have read several of the books set in your state...Defending Jacob reminded me a lot of the book, The Bad Seed, which was written by an Alabama author. Most people remember the movie about a really BAD little girl. I so enjoy your book recommendations...headed to the library today to replenish my supply!

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  3. Katie,

    Your Hodgepodge answers were a delight to read. I, especially found it interesting to know that Dolly is your doppelganger. :) I'd love to meet Dolly someday. She seems super nice. Also, I totally agree with your first response. I very much feel the same a younger me but that blasted mirror...it lies I tell you! That is not me I'm seeing, I promise. It's not me! lol Have a blessed day!

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  4. I am now in a complete panic over the thoughts of 60 days left until Christmas! Off to do some shopping...happy Wednesday!

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  5. Yikes! 60 days? Just got back from NYC with my son! It was gorgeous weather. Denver getting a touch of snow later this week! laura

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  6. Seriously, are you as funny in person as you are here? We need to hang out!! Maybe Dolly can join us. :)

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  7. Another good book from a local author. She has homes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Enjoy!

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1631521888/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508935162&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=eden&dpPl=1&dpID=51l5ZOiS0LL&ref=plSrch

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    Replies
    1. This looks great! My kind of read. Thanks for the tip.

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  8. My husband and I both really laughed out loud at your answers and pics. I think all of us have been surprised about getting older. I still feel 22 inside. I don't know why 22, but that's it. I loved Little Women. I recently saw a movie on Netflix called The Inheritance which was written by her. I had never heard of it.

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  9. Ah aging...we had to redirect our thoughts on this one when my beloved got sick. Now that he is a survivor, we tout that growing old is the goal! Seems to have reminded us that there is more freedom with an "older" shell and the young stud still inside! Florida books....can't remember the author or titles, but here they are all about the aging PD that wants to sit on the beach and retire but always gets mixed up in something with alligators up to his you know what! That's why I count on your recs! Happy Wednesday!

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  10. Yes, I ask myself everytime I look in a mirror or see a current photo of me.......What Happened? In my mind I'm still in my 30s or 40s. The body may change but the spirit seems to stay the same, and no question life just keeps getting better. I wake up everyday grateful!
    I've read some of your book selections and made note of the others. I need more down time to read to keep up with your great suggestions. Nashville is a fun city to visit. Never been to Dollyville, but the chef once ventured that way when in the area on a business trip. He sat in bumper to bumper traffic for miles and miles, turned around when he could and got out of there. ;-)

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  11. I always look forward to your answers, Katie. I am sorry but you are wrong about Dolly being YOUR doppelganger. She is blond...Like I am!!!..get my drift?

    I hear you- I don't feel nearly as old as I look. I can remember hearing 'old people' say that when I was young and always thought----what a crock. Now I get it! xo Diana

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  12. I could eat pumpkin pie year round...just love it! Thanks for another post, another laugh to brighten my day!

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  13. I am another reader who feels much younger than she looks. And the leaf litter ... well, I have seen spiders and slugs in my leaf piles; not too sure I want to provide habitat for them anyway. It's hard to keep up with the leaves; some always get left, so I guess wildlife habitat is semi-secure around here.

    Wondering why you didn't just copy and paste the questions ... certainly would have saved all that typing about Tennessee!

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    Replies
    1. Mrs. T... It throws off my formatting. Have a great day.

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  14. Ok so now I'm definitely going to hire some seasonal help. LOL

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  15. I'm more surprised by how I look in old photos, than how I look in the mirror.

    Live and learn - I thought the Parthenon was in Greece! ;)

    Massachusetts author suggestion - Ann Leary, she's terrific!

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    Replies
    1. Patsy... I’ve read every one of her books!! She needs to release another one soon!!

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  16. Yep, getting older has definitely been a surprise!! Loved the leaf article and I plan to abide by it! haha

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  17. You make me grin from ear to ear! I feel ya, I buy a gift for a family member, then I see something for me and get that too! Merry Christmas to us! Dolly, love me some Dolly. We were married many moons ago in a Little Log Chapel in Gatlinburg, we eloped and have never ever regretted it. We used to go back every year but decided to spread our travel to other locales. Hope to take the boys when they have families of their own. Dreaming of Holdays in the Smokeys!

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  18. Katie, the Pablo Escobar quote credit has had me laughing so hard! When I first saw it, I thought could it really be THAT Pablo? Just shows that we can learn something from everyone. Your posts just make my day. Love to Chow & Chili.

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  19. You are way too kind, my friend!

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  20. Oh, yes, pumpkin pie hands down and Mrs. Smith's isn't half bad and sometimes that's as good as it gets at our house. :o)) You always, always make me chuckle. I'm thinking you would likely be a great stand up comedian. Happy everything Katie!

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  21. Doppelganger!! I actually always enjoy watching Dolly Parton being interviewed. I find her to be quite sweet (and you, too, so maybe she is your doppelganger after all). She seems to be shrinking over the years, she is so tiny (apart from the obvious). Wonderful hodgepodge again! -Jenn

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  22. Hi Katie, I have to mention an all time favorite author from AL, Kathryn Tucker Wyndham, a folklorist and journalist. Since it's close to Halloween a great book is 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery. This is a great time to visit TN, love it there. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is stunning if you enjoy nature. I would enjoy a cup of the squash soup please. And, I feel very young at heart and thankful with every birthday!

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  23. Hahaha, I'm the same way with rain - love it so I don't need to water. Reading the one on leaf cleanup....I cleaned out my containers, but I rewarded myself for the hard work by buying myself a gift. I think I'll clean the house today....there's something else I'd like to buy without guilt. Hmmm...there's a pattern here. Maybe I should just get some seasonal help instead, hehe.

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  24. Always enjoy your hodgepodge answers. I agree there is a younger person inside my aging body. Dolly is a classic. We could all learn a bit from her!
    I haven't even started thinking about Christmas shopping. I think I am shock now.

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  25. BAKED POTATO!
    I do not READ ENOUGH.............and NOT the BOOKS YOU READ!
    I can ALWAYs FIND YOU A GIFT!!!!!!!
    XX

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  26. I am the only one in my family who loves pumpkin pie! You always have some great book recommendations! The Christmas thought is killing me...
    Shelley

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  27. It never fails. Hodgepodge always makes me happy. Great book list. I should do a Little Women re-read before the PBS series begins!

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  28. Literally laughed out loud at your answer to the Tennessee question, Sis.

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  29. Butternut Squash Soup please, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Dolly Parton's body is ridiculous!

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  30. I've read Little Women and loved it! I keep intending to read Little Men, but haven't gotten around to it. I just found it on Amazon for the Kindle, so maybe I'll be reading it soon.

    That is a beautiful dog photo at the end of your post.

    I try to avoid looking in the mirror. That's a scary site looking back at me when I do!

    Have a blessed week!

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  31. When we were homeschooling our kids, we read Little Women. So, I had it read to me 7 different times. I can't remember a single word of it. I don't remember anything about the story at all. Suzanne says pardon the typo up there. That should be "sight" not "site". Have a great week.

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  32. Happy Weekend Katie,

    I hope that show house was beautiful!

    I could not agree with you more, as I age I still feel the same. At 51 I feel as if I am in my 20's. Though older and I hope wiser.

    Love Little Women! And your quote from Pablo.

    Have a great weekend.

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  33. I totally agree with #1 - sometimes it even shocks me when I look in the mirror as I keep thinking I'm younger than I am and yet there's this older person staring back at me. Love your advice about the leaves - I knew there was a reason I prefer them scattered on the ground.
    Hope you have a really lovely week.

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