Wednesday HodgePodge

 

Joyce created some more good questions for this week's Hodgepodge so I'm jumping in to answer. Head to her blog to learn more about this weekly meme. 

1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

if graduating from high school (our youngest niece is graduating from HS the last Saturday in June): enjoy every minute of college and don't sweat the small stuff; if you don't care for your roommate, do one thing with her and then decide if you need to switch...she might surprise you....and lastly, don't just study...have some fun too! 

if graduating from college: work at least a year before you decide about grad school (if you know they're in a field that requires a masters eventually like here in NYS with teaching 😁).  Keep in touch with the friends you made and give yourself a few days to get acclimated to life outside of college.  Know that it's normal to miss it! 

I would also say to a college graduate: pray. Pray about your career choice and know that you most likely will not get your dream job right after earning that BS (or BA). Take a full time job, get those loans paid off even if just the interest at  first, and be kind. Always be kind. 

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

Definitely not a trip back home....did NOT like where I grew up (central NYS).  I guess courage.  There's an issue I need to address with someone in my hiking group and I'm going to need patience and love (so heart, too I guess) to deal with it. 

3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

When my oldest daughter and I were back from a week away in the northern Adirondack Mountains last summer. Although we loved our trip and all the little villages and lakes we visited, the hotel we were in was horrible.  As soon as I was home, unpacked and in bed that night, I  said to my husband "There's no place like home...and my wonderful bed". 

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

Yes we own a gas grill. 

I am the one who mainly does the  grilling but Dave sometimes does on the weekends. 

Fave things to grill: Potatoes, corn on the cob, chicken marinated in a garlic-herb homemade  dressing, and Beyond Burgers. 

Last thing I grilled was boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 2 weeks ago. 

5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

this  August camping trip in 2003: Courtney had just turned 10 yrs old  in July  and Claire was 4.5 yrs old.  It was truly one of our best camping trips. (we had a pop up camper)  The photo brings joy to my heart. (they had just finished up washing and drying the camp dishes and were so very happy that Daddy agreed we would make smores. 

Moffitt Beach State Campground on Sacandaga Lake
Southern Adirondack Mountains
August 2003

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Evening Kayak paddles on Long Lake
in the central Adirondacks is so very calming. 
We used to rent a cottage here every summer from 2013-2021
That's Owls Head Mt...to the left of the dip in the range
 in the background...(the tallest peak you see there) 
Dave and I climbed it in 2014.
I was in my kayak taking the photo.  
Summer 2020

Happy Wednesday!