A Waterlogged Hodgepodge

Hello dear friends.  It's so great to start getting my groove back after spending the past few days in a jet lag fog.  Last night I did not wake up once in the middle of the night looking for a breakfast buffet or cocktail.  That's progress.

So, you know the drill.  If it's Wednesday, it's time for Hodgepodge!

1. When did you last swim against the tide?

The Mister and I felt like we were swimming against the tide when we had to change planes in Paris and had to find our gate in another terminal within an hour.

By the way... four years of French One did not help us one bit.

2. What's the last self-help or self improvement book that you read?

The last self help book I read was not for me, but rather, for  a couple of family members who will remain nameless.  

FYI.. I may have to re-read a couple of chapters.

3.  "Tolerance is a tremendous virtue, but the immediate neighbors of tolerance are apathy and weakness. "  (Sir James Goldsmith)

Agree or disagree?  Discuss.  With civility please, because I think we have a good thing going in our very diverse (in geography, age, religion, political persuasion, ethnicity, marital status, upbringing, and cooking abilities) neighborhood here on This Side of the Pond.

Bette Davis once said..."Old age ain't no place for sissies."  I would add my own twist to that adage. Air travel is no place for sissies.  Feel free to quote me anytime.  Huge amounts of tolerance is the key to a peaceful plane trip.  Forget the apathy and weakness - it's the anger and frustration that needs to be kept in check.

Note to self:  include private plane on my Christmas list.

4.  What is one of your most vivid memories of the kitchen in your childhood?

My Mom did not enjoy cooking, so I can't say I picked up any tips from her.  (I know the Mister will be shocked to hear this little tidbit).  But I do remember enjoying our scintillating conversations while she was in food prep mode.  By the way... she never tackled dinner preparations without a martini in hand.   

5.  How did/do your own children's summers compare with your summers as a child?  If you're not a parent, answer as it relates to what you've observed about the current generation of children vs. your own childhood.

I spent 4 summers at Camp Tegawitha in The Poconos.  I just LOVED every minute of it.  Unfortunately, it was closed when my girls were old enough to attend.  They did go to a church camp for a couple of weeks and enjoyed it.  I still felt badly that they missed out on the fabulous Tega experience, though.

The bored looking chick in the cardigan is Dude, the beautiful height-challenged hottie is moi, and our cabin mate, Stephanie on our first day of camp.  Oh yeah, the over-dressed pipsqueak front and center is Sista.

I met another Tega girl many years later in Texas.  Judy and I both wanted to be a song leader but neither of us made the cut.  
Their loss.

6.  Tell us what body of water you most like to be on or near today, and why.

I grew up going to Fairfield Beach on Long Island Sound.  I have always loved the water and am not particular as to what body of water I am enjoying.  I am very fortunate because now that I am living on the South Shore,  I cannot go very far without seeing water.

Whenever the Mister and I are going out to eat, I always vote for  the restaurant on the water, whereas it's all about the food for the Mister.

7.  Share a favorite song about water, or a favorite song with the word water in its title, or a favorite song to listen to as you sit by the water.

I would have to say Moon River because it was the first song that the Mister and I danced to as husband and wife.

"Don't ye wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" was not written yet.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Three years ago, yesterday, I sat down at my kitchen table in McKinney, Texas and wrote my first blog post.  I was the farthest thing from being tech savvy.  My girls spent endless hours displaying unwavering  impatience tutoring me on downloading pictures, hyperlinking, googling, and Facebook, just to name a few.  I loved to write but the actual mechanics of the blog were mind boggling.  

I'm glad that I stuck with it because I am so grateful to all of you who take the time to read my posts.  I have been blessed with dear friends - whether in person or "virtually" that I would never have met, had it not been for this silly little blog.

Until next time...