Hello friends. I am glad you stopped by today. I am joining the Wednesday Hodge Podge group. After you read my answers, I would love to know if you have visited any of the museums or other presidential homes/birthplaces in or around the nation’s capitol. When things are “in your backyard,” you don’t always appreciate (or visit) them as often as one would think. Nor do you view them like a tourist would. Have you been a tourist in DC?? Today’s questions have a bit of president’s influence.
1. Many of our earliest presidents created words or expressions widely used today. Teddy Roosevelt is credited with mollycoddle, pack rat, frazzle, and loose cannon…which of those words/phrases currently relates to your life in some way? This one I really had to think about. I am definitely not a pack rat. I have, more than once, been guilty of throwing something away “because it wasn’t tied down!” And I don’t think I have been mollycoddled since I was three or four (thank you, Grandma!) Loose cannon? I don’t think so…or certainly hope no one would describe me that way. I guess that leaves frazzled. One definition said, “physically or mentally exhausted.” Although this year has started off better than the whole of last year, I have to agree I still feel mentally exhausted. Sigh.
2. Have you visited many (or any) of the US Presidents homes, monuments, libraries or related sites? If so what’s been your favorite? Living close to the nation’s capital and its surrounding areas of history, you would think I would visit these special places more often. I have been to many of the monuments – especially the presidential ones – and to Mount Vernon, Monticello and Ferry Farm (Washington’s boyhood home). We visited these places more often when our children were young and one of our favorite afternoons was spent at Ferry Farm. I think my husband and I both very much enjoyed a day spent at Montpelier, the home of James Madison. I suppose I would call that one our favorite and I would highly recommend it – if you are ever out and about. (I even took photos on that afternoon!)
3. February 20th is National Cherry Pie Day…will you celebrate? Given your choice of cherry pie, cherry cobbler, cheesecake with a cherry topping, or black forest cake which would you choose? Now that I know about it, I think I just might celebrate! Why not?? I’m not a fan of cheesecake but I know it would be my hubbie’s first choice. (I just asked him and confirmed cheesecake for him!) I’m also not a huge lover of pie. Go figure. Black forest cake sounds amazing but I do not imagine us celebrating with that yummy dessert.
4. Last time you worked a puzzle of some kind? Something that had you puzzled recently? I do the NYT games (puzzles) every day. The crossword puzzle, of course, and Wordle but, for some reason, the Spelling Bee is my favorite. I want to be a fan or (jigsaw) puzzles. I try to do them and try to enjoy the process. But I find it frustrating, if not stressful.
5. Of the early blooming flowers, which one’s your favorite? I love pansies. As, in LOVE pansies. They are probably one (of my top three) favorite flowers. We definitely have them on our porch every year. As soon as we possibly can. I am already looking forward to getting some planted!!
6. Insert your own random thought here. This is a question taken from this week’s Bible study. After reviewing the story of the rich, young ruler who was asked to sell all that he had in order to follow Jesus, this thought was raised. “Think of an item you like and use daily (but can survive without). What would it be like to give it up for a day? For a week?” I would love to know your thoughts. I have to admit, my answer was not so much an item but something I do not think I could do without. Just something to consider. If you would like to share, I would very much like to hear your thoughts. I will share my own thoughts on Friday.
Have a wonderful day ahead! And, thanks again for your visit!
I would love to believe I could give up internet for the day but it would be a struggle since that’s how I keep in touch with my family!!
I hear you on that one, Karen. How did we survive before the internet??:)
Such a great post, Jennifer. I didn’t realize there was a national cherry pie day either, but it sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate. We love pies here and I have some cherries in the freezer. 🙂 Hmmm.
I enjoyed your answers to this week’s Hodgepodge. You are such a good writer.
One thing I couldn’t do without. It would have to be my Bible. In case that ever comes to pass…when I was not able to have it in my possession, I guess I need to commit more of it to memory.
That has always been a strong motivation to memorize more scripture….what if they took my Bible? Thanks for sharing your answer, Dianna!!
I love all of your answers. I love cherry pie but am not eating desserts this winter. I”ve put on 8 lbs since retiring from teaching and I want it off!! 🙂
I would love to get down to Virginia one day. On my bucket list for that state is Williamsburg, hiking in the Blue Ridge mountains, visiting Mt Vernon, among other things.
We used to do puzzles when our girls were younger …..they loved the 1000 piece ones. But now I don’t have the patience for them. I MUCH prefer Wordle, Letter Boxed, Strands and Connections via the NYTImes. Love those..they wake up my brain before I get time with my Redeemer and the Word 🙂
That’s a good question: I could denitely live with out the internet for a week. ANd have! When we went to Paris and Rome we had no internet. No need for it! We did use our maps programs for getting around though.
And when we head to the mountains, there’s no cell service and I don’t bring a laptop obviously so we are without internet for a week. It’s heavenly. I should take a week off here at home!
Faith, isn’t interesting the things we “can’t live without” but used to do just that – a not too terribly long ago!! So glad you stopped and shared an answer! I hope you are able to do some of those Virginia bucket list items one day!
I like the NYT puzzles too. I think my favorite is Connections. I have been to most of the monuments in DC!
Dara, I really like Connections as well!!
Oh dear, I hope you feel less frazzled soon.
I am really fancing cherry pie now but I would never so no to Black Forest cake. Yum, yum!
I forgot all about Wordle when writing my blog post, I play that every day!
I agree, Kim, the cherry desserts sound quite delicious just now!
I’m definitely FRAZZLED! My parents live down the street from President James Buchannan childhood home. They toured it once but I never did although I’ve thought my kids would enjoy it. We only toured where President Washington lived during his time at Valley Forge. I’m not a lover of cherry pie but my husband is. I’ve always enjoyed crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles but it’s been awhile since I’ve done either of those. As for what I could give up for one day, as a family we decided to not look at our phones every Sunday. It’s sad to say but it’s not easy to do.
I sympathize with your being frazzled, Dawn. Here’s to some extra peace in the days and weeks ahead! Thanks for leaving a comment!
My late husband was transferred to the Washington DC area when our children were in grade school. We did our best to see and do as much of the DC area as we could in the 4 years we were there.
National Cherry Pie Day has caught me by surprise and that is my favorite pie! We’re due to get heavy rain this afternoon, so I won’t be running to the store to buy a pie nor the ingredients to make one.
I do enjoy jigsaw puzzles as long as there are 500 or fewer pieces. The 1,000 piece puzzles wear me out.
Those pansies developed for winter fascinate me. I planted some in Colorado years ago and enjoyed seeing their cheery colors against the snow.
That is fun, Barbara, that you lived here for several years. And even better that you had opportunity to move on!:)
Beautiful photo of the Lincoln Memorial. When we were there in May of 2011 the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was drained and looking real ugly. Maybe I’ll stop by and get a cherry pie for hubby tomorrow. I love pansies, too. On to your question to ponder. One of the things that would be hard for me to give up is independence. I like to come and go as I please. I need to realize more and more just how much my life and comings and goings are dependent on God and His providence in my life.
I know many who would agree giving up our independence is worrisome and challenging (for those who had to do so for different reasons). Thankful that we can still come and go as we please!!
I’m too attached to. my phone that’s for sure. Having the grandchildren in the house has helped because I don’t want them to see me on it and also I’m tired lol. I enjoy visiting historic sites. I love pansies too. They are happy flowers that seem to have sweet little faces. Have a nice day!
Pansies do have faces, don’t they? Sweet, cute faces! Thanks for having the link-up, Joyce. It was fun!
We lived about an hour from DC for 25 years but I barely scratched the surface of all the historic sites and museums and art galleries. I homeschooled my kids so I gave it a really good effort, but I’m disappointed we didn’t get to more of the sites in northern VA especially. I don’t like jigsaw puzzles either – my husband works on them throughout the winter months but I never help. It’s overwhelming to me and I’d much rather do word puzzles. Hope you’re having a great week!
Thanks for stopping by, Kym. Word puzzles over table puzzles any day:)
Enjoyed reading your answers! I would love to see all the DC monuments! Hopefully one day I will get to see them. All three of my kids have been to DC (in 8th grade on a school trip) and have seen most of the monuments (albeit quickly… and in large groups, lol). I feel the same way about jigsaw puzzles. I really don’t get the allure… Black forest cake is awfully good- I haven’t had that in years. I hope you celebrated on Wednesday :). Have a good one!
I do word puzzles almost daily and I go through spurts of working lots of jigsaw puzzles and then don’t touch one for months. I’ve got one sitting on the table waiting for me to start it. Maybe I’ll get to it later today. Lincoln’s Monument in DC is my favorite and I love your picture of it. Probably scrolling Instagram and FB would be what I would give up. I think I spend a little too much time there. lol
Hello Jennifer, this is a truly magnificent photo of the Jefferson Memorial, the lighting is perfect! Delighted to read your Hodge Podge. I have visited many of the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC over the years as we are only 25 miles away from the city. I have been on a tour inside the White House with relatives and friends, and had a meeting, along with all our relatives from North Dakota, and saw North Dakota’s Governor at the time but that was many years ago at the Capitol Building. It was a wonderful experience and he was such a lovely man. I agree though, that when we live so close to these places, we don’t tend to visit them. We’ve been fortunate to have many relative and friends over the years and we have played tour guides to them, so it was always a great pleasure to go sight-seeing with them also. We still enjoy going to lunch at the inn tavern and restaurant at Mount Vernon occasionally. Have been to Mount Vernon with every visitor and there have been many in the 35 plus years we have lived here. Loved all the phrases and words you mentioned from the various presidents. I loved how you equated all those words to yourself going back to your Grandma. What could I do without for a day? I’ll have to give that one some thought. I am thinking of several right now. It would be hard to give up my camera but I could do it. My camera is a stress reliever, the more photos I take the more stressed I have been. My taking photos calms my spirit. I am about three quarters of the way through a puzzle, and I have had the dickens of a time trying to find one piece. What helps me is if I just leave it for a few hours and come back when I’m ready to pursue it again. I more often than not find it. Thank you for a delightful Hodge Podge with these lovely photos. I’m glad your year started off better than the last, and I hope you will get the peace you deserve. Enjoy the rest of your week my friend.
I apologize, I did not realize this was as long a comment as I see it is. That’s why there is rambles in my blog title 🙂
While we visit lots of museum and historical places, I don’t think I have ever been to any of the presidential sites/birth places. I have always wanted to visit DC and take in the monuments and the museums but we haven’t made it there yet. I don’t enjoy anything made with cherries though I enjoy eating fresh cherries when I can find them.
I enjoyed your answers and liked your question in #6. Good food for thought. I love jigsaw puzzles…for me, I just work on it when I can and don’t stress over it. I have a portable board that I can move when I need too.
I also love doing the NYT puzzles each day as well as a jigsaw puzzle from time to time. As to what I could do without for a day? Definitely television or my dishwasher. Not sure I could go a whole day without my phone thought. Maybe I need to work on that one lol.
We have a new puzzle that has been waiting patiently to be opened for 2 months. I need to open it this weekend because PC would say we are moving out of puzzle-working weather as we approach spring. We also have kitties, though, who like to ‘help’ us work our jigsaw puzzles so we have to cover them up when we aren’t sitting at the table working on them.
Like you and Dara, I play the NYT games and like connections very much. Makes me think. PC and I usually compete to see who can work Wordle and the Mini fastest.
Something I use daily but could do without. Hmmm. Would the TV count? I could turn it off for a day, a week, I think. My coffee maker? I could pass on coffee or at least on making coffee with my little K-cup maker.
I am a fan of jigsaw puzzles but would love to complete daily puzzles like you, I have never even tried Wordle.
The photo of your Pansies is beautiful, I love the yellow and purples, and I have one solitary one that keeps growing back year after year.