1. When the Hodgepodge lands on September 11th I want to acknowledge that. Will you purposely pause to remember, pray, or attend any sort of ceremony on 9/11? Share any thoughts or memories you’d like to share about this day.
Yes, but mostly b/c I heard Kamala say January 6th was the worst attack on democracy since the Civil War. I think she may be forgetting some major event that we commemorate on, oh, this day. Wherever you stand politically, I think we all agree that that day was absolutely horrific. And wherever you stand on the “hows” of that day (because there’s definitely a lot of new info out about how we got there) it is still an awful thing. For me, I was in college, living in a house shared with three other people. We all woke that day to see the news and as I came upstairs (I had early morning classes) we just witnessed the second tower falling. I remember calling my mom to make sure my dad was ok. He was living in Newark at the time because he got a good job there and was flying to and from home. Scary part is that he actually had a meeting in the towers scheduled for 9/11 but it got moved to the 10th! Thanks, God!
2. Growing up, did you spend a lot of time with your grandparents? What’s something you learned from a grandparent?
Yes! More my maternal than paternal. My mom’s parents lived about an hour North of us and we saw them fairly often. We saw my other grandparents maybe twice a year. From my maternal grandfather I learned to be quiet when need be, to keep yourself busy every day, and to work hard. He woke early, exercised, ate a meager lunch, worked throughout each day, knocked off about 4, showered, then poured a drink. Sounds like a life I’d want to lead! Here’s one of my favorite grandparent photos.
3. What’s your go-to breakfast?
I don’t eat breakfast. I started intermittent fasting in 2018 and then when we picked it up again in 2020, I never went back. But long ago, it was not good: calorie and sodium-laden Starbucks things like the bacon gouda thing.
4. Tell us the story behind one of your favorite photos.
Though we have many great photos of the kids over the years, this is one of my favorites. It was early 2014 and I was recovering from carpal tunnel surgery. In these days, we took the boys outside A LOT to keep them busy. Any boy mom knows the level of energy they have! This photo shows how we got those stomp rockets and Isaac, being the kid he is, really got into the stomping!
5. This week Friday lands on the 13th. Are you superstitious in any way? Do you like scary movies, and if so what’s your favorite?
I am actually a little superstitious but not in the black cat/don’t walk under a ladder sort of way. More of a “don’t tempt fate” way.
I used to HATE scary movies but within the last two years or so we’ve been facing the fear (hubs hates them too) and watching some. We really enjoyed the original Friday the 13th and some others. As we come into this season, I really like movies like Sleepy Hollow; creepy and dark but not scary scary – just weird.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I played hooky from work yesterday; emailed my classes and had them do an assignment but I was all gung ho about getting stuff done here. In reference to that superstition question, I told the office when they put the cancelled class signs up, that I wasn’t feeling well. Not entirely true at the time but later after lunch, I did NOT feel well. That sort of full body tired was coming over me. I took a brief nap and woke, still not feeling great. I tidied up the house and then I got in the sauna for 30 minutes. I was feeling pretty good after that and once I got dinner all made (pan seared chicken, southern green beans, mashed potatoes) I was feeling about 95%. Ash and I watched a movie and I was doing much better.
I have a lot to do today and I am still underwater on this one set of classes I teach online. I also want to run but the weather is looking subpar. That hurricane about to hit New Orleans is probably sending bands this far east, to be honest. But I think I need to get a run in for my sanity. There really is something to be said for exercise curing your mental state.
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Enjoyed reading your answers! Thank you for bringing up the absolute disrespect that Kamala showed to the thousands of people who lost loved ones on 9/11. Sometimes blog land feels like the twilight zone where we aren´t living in the reality of how politics impact people incredibly. I mean, I get not going out of your way to offend or say something super controversial, but true statements should be stated. Anyway- I love the pictures that you posted of your grandparents and your son.
These days you have to tread lightly or people will cancel you. But there are still some truths and it is pretty gross how people flipped about the fake insurrection and yet, won’t honor 9/11. I sometimes feel like I’m living in Psychoville.
Wow, can’t believe Kamala said that so close to THE date. And your dad! I bet there are several stories of people who just missed the tragedy. Your grandpa sounds like a smart level-headed guy.
I love the pic of Isaac, great choice!
Right; it just felt a little insensitive. That was a pretty cruddy moment for all America. Ugh.
I love that photo – he is in the air ready to “stomp it.” Oh wow . . .about your dad and 9/11.
That’s a fabulous picture of your son being a boy. They definitely need to move : ) We’re supposed to get rain as a result of the hurricane too, but we need it badly. I’m thankful we got our project in and mostly done (not quite there yet!) before any rain came. I can’t imagine the mess it would have made. More than the mess that already was I mean-ha!
I so agree with you about the politicians that are disrespectful by trying to equate J6 with 9/11. It makes no sense. I love that photo of your son! So much energy and and fun!
oh wow….so crazy about your dad…I agree with your thoughts on the politics of it all and how it is sometimes treated. Loved the photo you share. I don’t mind a crime thriller, but I don’t like ones that are “evil” scary.