Happy Hodge Podge Day! I hope your week is going well. The heat has returned. Actually, the humidity has returned. I mean, it is August but the break last week was so nice. I will admit, everything is still green outside my windows. It is usually toast by now. I suppose that means it has not been a “dreadfully hot, dear” type of summer. All things are relative, no doubt. But, enough rambling….let’s get started with this week’s questions. Find all the answers here🙂
1. What’s something on your August calendar you’re looking forward to? In two weeks, I am going to a friend’s house for a week. A girls’ week away. Well, away for me. We will be at her house. Which has a pool in the backyard. Just sayin. I’m not much for getting in the pool (aka…putting on a swimsuit) but it will be just me and a bestie. Pool or no pool, I am looking forward to just spending several days with her. She just retired in June. Typically she would be heading back to school, but not this year. Her schedule and agenda are her own. She’s making time for fun. And friends. I like it. I think this could be the start of something good:)
2. August 5th is National Oyster Day…do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? Partake? As in, eat oysters. Absoultely not. My grandparents LOVED them. Raw and sucked out of their shell. Yes, I’m turning green even now. I do not like, or eat, any food that is still in its shell, attached to a bone or includes its bones. No thank you. Moving on. Pearls are pretty. In my 20s, I had a strand of pearls that I wore every day. Well, nine days out of ten. They were a bit of a signature piece for me. Until they broke. And, now, I don’t think I would even look good wearing pearls. Life is funny like that.
3. Tell us about a time when you felt like ‘the world was your oyster’. I debated deleting this question. That phrase is “a trigger” for me. In the worst way possible. I hate that phrase. Well, at least the memories associated with it for me. I will leave it at that.
4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). If you’re answering today from outside the US you’ll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let’s pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month…which one do you choose and why? Catalina Island California~Martha’s Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii
I have to admit that I had no idea about this. These islands require passports for non-citizens and/or even do checks of citizenship. Really? I am so intriqued by this new information. I guess you really do learn something new every day. An-y-way…:), I have only been to Key West and that was just last year. It was a cruise port for us and I only spent a few hours there. I have to say, those few hours were enough for me. Been there, done that. My husband and I would love to visit Mackinac Island but, I suppose if all expenses were paid, I would choose Kauai. I would love to visit Hawaii but Hubby has no interest. What is wrong with him??
5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following: “August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.” Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? I would not say the best of summer is gone. But, August does make me think the end is coming. And that makes me sad. I want to hold onto summer as long as possible. Please don’t go, summer!!
6. Insert your own random thought here. I read a question the other day about skills that I consider basic, but that many people don’t seem to know. Answers to that question have been coming to mind for days. Too many answers. What has happened to basic skills? I’m not judging because 
there were (too) basic skills that came to mind because I do not know how to do them. Change a tire. I think that is basic. Maybe some would not think so, but for sure getting gas is basic. I know a teenager who had to call home recently because they were driving their new (to them) car and they were at a gas station, but had no idea how to pump gas. Really? That one completely flummoxed me.
But, back to me. I do not know where the emergency water shut-off valve is in my house. Hope I never need to find it. I do not know how to set a mouse trap (and do not want to learn), open an avocado correctly nor can I text with two hands. I know..shameful. But I still text with one finger. I can however, write in cursive, sew on a button, write a check and address an envelope. All things that I have been asked (by people in the 30s) how to do. However, if I had to give just one answer, I think it would be: put a full meal on the table. Honestly, there are so many that simply cannot cook. Much of anything. But I think we have (almost) an entire generation that cannot imagine planning, preparing and putting on the table a complete meal. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me so many of the basics. She probably would have shown me that emergency valve but I’m pretty sure she had no idea where it was either!
Enjoyed reading your answers and your thoughts provoking random thought. It would be interesting to know how many people possess all or most “basic skills” and even what constitutes those skills. For instance, for the young, it would likely be technology based skills, while for us not so young, it’s more traditional life skills like setting a table. Learning how to gas a car seems like something that a new driver should be shown by a parent. It’s not complicated but if you’ve never done it before on your own, I can see how there would be questions. I remember taking my kids out to get gas and explaining how to do it. Water valve shut off- I’m pretty sure I know where it is. Changing a tire- nah, I can’t do that. What an interesting topic! I could do on and on but I won’t :). Back to you! A week with a friend sounds like so much fun, especially with a rectangular hole filled with chlorine water in it in her backyard…
For sure, those types of questions do need parameters. What is basic to one, is not necessarily basic to all. When I read the question, a lot of answers involved reading, while one said tie their shoes. Two completely different “catagories,” if you will. Anyhoo, all for fun on the Hodge Podge! Yes, lead me to the chlorine:)
It was hot here but it has cooled down and left all the grass scorched and burnt. My plants are still surviving so it’s not all bad.
Have a fab time with your friend.
I feel exactly the same about oysters! Yuck!
I said the same for question 4 that I always learn something new from the Hodgepodge!
It is funny how those basic skills have changed over the years. I think I know where our emergency water shut off is. Phew!
Double yuck, Kim! Oysters are just a no! Glad the plants are still hanging in there! Happy Hodge Podge!!
Enjoyed your responses, Jennifer! Just no to raw oysters or seafood of any kind. I do like fried oysters, but again they need to be cooked fully. The grass looked like toast in March, April and May. It seems to have made a bit of a comeback, but know it won’t last. I think basic skills are lacking and I also think each junior/senior in high school should have to take a life skills class (i.e., budgeting, grocery shopping/fixing meals, laundry, writing a check, changing a lightbulb, basic sewing, etc.). If expenses were no object, I would pick Mackinac Island. Happy Wednesday!
I really hope Hubby and I can make it to Mackinac one day!!
My husband was the same way with Hawaii! We had to drag him there and while he enjoyed it he says he’s content to never go back. We only saw 2 of the islands and Kauai wasn’t one of them so I’d LOVE to go back! Your girl’s week sounds great and I hope you have a lovely and relaxing time. I can’t change a tire nor do I know where the emergency shut off valve is… though I do know where to turn off the water for each of our sinks individually so I guess that’s sort of a step in the right direction. I did make sure my boys knew cursive at least well enough to sign their names and read it. I made sure they can sew simple things with needle and thread but didn’t make them learn how to use my sewing machine (heck, most in my generation are amazed I even HAVE a sewing machine!), and they all know how to meal plan and cook. I *think* they could even budget the meal planning they were grocery shopping for… I think only my oldest has ever had to write out an actual check and only to pay the property tax on his truck so he double checks he did it correctly each year but you don’t even get paper checks when opening a checking account anymore!
I know everyone (every parent) considers what is basic and/or necessary different…but, in a large part, I think these skills are up to the parents to teach their children. Good job, Mom, getting your boys prepared for adult life!! I do wonder why only one of the Hawaiian islands requires checks/passports?? I hope I can drag my hubby there one day!
Oh my, your random is so good. I am happy to know I am in GREAT company, because I text with one finger as well.
My husband feels the same about Hawaii. My sister worked in Hawaii for several years in the months of January and February, she actually did not like it all that much. I would need to have a cup of coffee with you to explain. But the free range chickens are no fun … and a lot of feral cats.
That does not sound ideal. Sigh. I’ve known others who lived there and they were ready to get back to the mainland as well. Sigh again. I tell me myself, it must be a nice to vist (not to live), right?? The vacation I have pictured in my head is ideal. And beautiful!!
Gee, I never realized how many in the younger generation don’t know the things you mentioned. One thing that comes to mind that I don’t know how to do is operate all the controls on the sprinkler system. They just turn on and off automatically. I know how to shut the system off, but I don’t know how to water certain parts of the yard separately from the grass. I keep asking my husband to write it down so I can learn, and it really bugs me.
The sprinkler system definitely sounds like it would fall into “his” category at our house!! LOL Good for you, at least, wanting to know!:)
My hubs teases me because I’m a one handed text-er too. I think if you worked in business in the era of the Blackberry you are skilled at the two handed text. I never had one and do just fine with one handed texting. I grew up in NJ and you weren’t allowed to pump your own gas so I did need to learn that before heading to university in a different state.. You should learn where that water shut off is : ) It’s been so hot and humid but also lots of pop up rain showers so it’s hard to plan outdoor activities. Your week with a friend sounds wonderful!
Your random thought brought to memory a recent conversation with our widow neighbor, aged 84. She told us that her husband spared her of any responsibility or knowledge of running the house. She loved that arrangement until he died and left her bereft. She didn’t know of their assets, much less how to pay a bill. He had put his secretary in charge of everything, under his supervision. Thankfully, he left her very well off, and her daughter has taken over much of the obligations with her mother’s assistance. My husband has always insisted that I know all about our household obligations and how things are done. I even know where the water valve is. LOL! The more prepared and independent we are, the less traumatic being alone will be.
I’ve had to learn a few more “basics” since my Joe died (almost six years ago, now). But we do what we have to do, including learning where the main water shut-off valve is!! Joyce gave us another fun Hodgepodge, and I enjoyed your answers! Blessings!! xo
Lol – I too text using one finger and I do it fast!
Thanks for the smiles and I agree on the oysters, ewwwwwwwwww. LOL Have a great day, Jennifer.
I enjoyed your answers. Giggled a few times.
I’m with you on oysters! Yuck! (and also allergic)
Oysters- a big no from me! However I do have a pearl necklace that belonged to my mum which is very special. I wouldn’t wear pearls myself though.
August is the busiest birthday month here so I don’t have time to think that Summer is waning. Anyway at the moment Summer is in full sunshine and heat with no rain respite in sight.
I’m also with the one finger text brigade. 😂