1. The Hodgepodge lands on June 14th this week, Flag Day in the US of A. Do you fly your country’s flag at home? Sometimes, often, or every single day? Have you ever visited the city of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia)? Did you make a point of seeing The Betsy Ross House? Have you ever made a trip to Baltimore? If so, was Fort McHenry on your itinerary? (where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner)

We do not have a flag pole but if I did, I’d probably fly one. Summer holidays always make me feel even more patriotic. I have not been to Philly and it’s been a looong time since I was in Baltimore. Maybe some day.

2. Red flag or white flag? Which have you encountered most recently? Explain.

Hmm, white flag because I give up on working with Ash’s family on this Christmas plan. We were originally driving to Arizona and then his dad’s wife decided she didn’t want to host everyone so they suggested a beach house around here. I have been waiting to get potential dates his brother could make it (so I can book something) and when I texted him today, he basically said he had no idea. His dad said he was going to tell him all about it! And his brother doesn’t think we’d all be on board for this idea, which is funny seeing as how it was their dad’s. UGH!

3. Are you a stay in the car listen to the end of a song kind of person? What kind of person is that?

HELL YES. If it’s a song I really like – the kind that has so many good parts – I will definitely stay. And it’s a sense of completion and perfection too. Because when it’s done and I turn things off, it’s silent, it just feels right.

4. What are some of the traits or qualities you think a good dad possesses? In other words, what makes a good dad? What’s an expression you associate with your father?

To me, dads are the ones who educate kids on a bunch of random stuff. Not that moms can’t; it’s just that’s how I see a dad. My husband tells the kids stuff I have no idea about and vice versa. Obviously dads should be willing to spend time with their kids and get their kids dirty, so to speak, with all that comes with a child.

“Can’t see through muddy water and catfish” or “You make a better door than a window.” he would say these when we stood in front of the TV. And I say that to my kids now!

5. What’s one rule you always disagreed with while growing up? Is that rule somehow still part of your adult life? Is that a good or bad thing?

Hmm, hard to think of one because I was a total rule follower. So even if I happened to be mad, I wasn’t really disagreeing with my parents. They also let me do a lot of stuff – within reason – and I felt they were fair. Some of the stuff I didn’t like was not getting a gaming system until I was older, not getting a TV in my room until I was 13 – that kind of stuff. Now that I am a parent, I am kind of like that. I don’t want my kids to have, say, a phone super early. They just don’t need it. Maybe it’s good but it’ll happen eventually.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I didn’t even realize we’d hit the official first day of summer; it’s been warm here for weeks.

LOL WOW IT IS SO NOT THE FIRST DAY BUT MY CALENDAR AT WORK SAYS IT IS AND I BELIEVED IT!

But I should have guessed by all the rain we’ve been having because that’s Florida.  I get a little depressed whenever we have days and days of rain but I am trying to combat it by remembering that we just took a wonderful vacation. We went to Legoland and I got to see my favorite band, Iron Maiden. My tan is looking good, I’m excited to get back to running, and I have a plan for fixing my lawn. So, happy summer everyone!