Happy Wednesday….and what is quickly becoming happy Hodge Podge day. Hodge Podge is Joyce’s weekly link-up. I do not typically join every week (why? I have no idea) but I thought it would be a good way to keep this “return to regular programming” going with the blog. It was so nice to see so many stop by again after my return on Monday. And I enjoyed hearing about the ones who have chosen a word for the year. There were more than I thought….and so many good words! But, let’s jump right into this week’s questions…..
1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2025? heartbreaking, challenging and long (I know, not exactly encouraging so I will just move on.)
2. I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how we shouldn’t be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along : ) Some words just need to be banished:)
Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they’d like to see banished from the Queen’s English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness. Here’s the list for 2026-
67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted • my bad • reach out
Which one (if any) do you use most often? Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word you think should have made the list? Before I answer, can anyone please explain 67 to me?? It is not a word but, besides that, what in the world does it even mean?? Definitely needs to be off any and every list. I also will not be sad to see “my bad” gone. Good grief. As far as words I use from the list…probably cooked. Not that I say it that often but when I hear it in conversation, it usually fits!
3. What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your ‘ideal’ nightly ritual? If so what’s your ideal? After I head upstairs for the night, I shower (for years I was a morning shower kind of a girl…but, now, I love a shower at night!), read a short devotional and then read just a bit (maybe a chapter) of a cozy fiction before going to bed. I turn out the lights at the exact time each evening. Is it my ideal? I suppose I would really like to watch YT videos rather than read a book. But I am determined to break that habit. So far, so good.
4. January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favorite? Last thing you ate made with beans? This very day was Bean Day? Who knew. And I had black beans on my salad at lunch. I love beans. I love all beans (lima beans are yummy!), but I suppose black beans are my favorite. However, when I was in Nicaragua (on a missions trip), we had red beans (and rice) every day. Every day. And at every meal. I did not mind one bit. I have no idea how those ladies fixed those red beans but they were ah.maz.ing. One morning, the ladies who were making our meals decided to make (American) pancakes as a treat for us. Which they served with red beans and rice!!:) So very special!
5. Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate. My family would say yes…but that is because there are so many things that I find embarrassing. As in, “I cannot believe she/he would ______________. That is so embarrassing.” And, according to my family, whatever I am referring to is really not that embarrassing. In their opinion. For instance, being too quick to ask for help in public. Or asking a server to choose which entree you should order. Or sending an email to all of your son’s teachers that he has a scratchy throat – and he is 15! (A family member did that one recently.) Or crying in public. I actually get embarrassed for people who cry in public. But do I actually get embarrassed? Not too often. I am extremely careful not to do/say/be in a position of doing embarrassing things. And I can choose for myself what I want for dinner.
6. Insert your own random thought here. Sincerely, I hope my answers do not sound snarky. Sometimes, as I re-read them, I do wonder. But, as Joyce said “this is all fun and games” and I try to keep this link-up lighthearted. And fun. But I am not always the funniest person and, so, I can sounds snarky. If you enjoy asking the server for detailed recommendations, no worries. A lot of my friends do (as I hide behind my menu). No offense is intended with my answers. Just having some fun! And I saw this on Pinterest the other day…..
Probably true. But I’m going to keep on trying. Eat more salads. Get those steps in!! Thanks for stopping by……..
I think your fun sense of humor shines through your writing but I can sort of see how you´d worry that it comes across differently. Like I said, I don´t think it comes through as snarky at all. I like all kinds of beans except lima. They´re too squishy for me! 67 means absolutely nothing- that´s ONE thing about it that is frustrating. How awful to have a word in lexicon that no one knows why it´s being said?? It´s almost like eating food that doesn´t taste good and isn´t nutritious. WHY would you do that? Speaking of eating, love the meme at the end. So true!! Have a great day!
It means nothing! Oy vey. Like you said, then why?? I am glad that at least one (maybe two) can see, maybe appreciate, my sense of humor!!:) Thanks, Maria!!
SNARKY! That was the word I was looking for and had to go back and add it, smiles. Wishing you a lovely day, Jennifer. smiles
Ha ha! Thanks much, Linda!
2025 was not a great year for me health wise but because of it I have a new team of doctors that I hope will make 2026 much much better.
Here’s to a healthy 2026! Thanks for stopping by, Karen!
I don’t think you come across as snarky. I’m always surprised when someone interprets something in a way I didn’t intend, but that’s one of the downsides to technology I guess. I hope this year is better and brighter for you. I love the hippo graphic lol.
Phew – thanks, Joyce! I appreciate that…and thanks for continuing the link-up. Always enjoy it!!
I don’t think you were snarky at all, but if you were, then those offended should just keep moving on. I loved the graphic at the end with the hippo. Too true! I like green beans and that is all on the bean front. I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, Jennifer.
6 7 was started by a rapper in one of his rap songs and kids everywhere began chanting “6 7” It means nothing, although if you look it up in the Urban Dictionary it says it refers to a woman as a “ho” (sorry, that’s what it says). My husband read an article that explained that this rapper is a satanist and wanted to make children chant the same word and he definitely succeeded. The kids in my school van say it all the time and I had to explain that I had enough. We don’t allow our kids to say it, although my son, thankfully, thinks it’s stupid anyway. And I have to say, I don’t think you come off as snarky at all. I enjoy these Hodge Podge posts.
Our son Sam, his girlfriend says “my bad” it does drive me nuts. But I just chuckle at her. 😉 She has younger siblings, she told me 78 is a thing that is coming next. HELP US ALL!! Hee Hee!
I do not think you are snarky, I enjoy your honesty.
xx oo
Carla
There are so many times when I express myself in an email or on the blog that it would be better understood if I could express it in person so my expressions and words can be softened or given more emphasis where needed. Like Joyce, snarky wasn’t my response to what you wrote. I do hope this new year will be less challenging for you and heart healing. Blessings.
I don’t think your answers come out snarky at all but I do think it’s a riot that you get embarrassed for other people over seemingly rather mundane things… I don’t often get embarrassed for other people unless it’s something really over the top like being so inebriated as to make a complete A$$ of themselves kind of thing.
Loved your answers, Jennifer! I read a post late last year that described the whole 67 thing, as in 6 7. But I still am not sure exactly what it means. I’m still too busy trying to figure out all of the abbreviations that people use in texts! lol
Loved the graphic at the end. Oh…how I could relate!
Oh…and I don’t think your answers ever come out snarky. I love your sense of humor!
Sorry about 2025. ((Hugs)) I thought 6/7 meant maybe, maybe not. We shower at night now. It works out well and you go to bed clean. Black beans are my favorite but I forgot about green beans. I would ask some of those questions. That hippo is funny in your random. Take care.
Your hippo made me laugh!!