A True Hodgepodge Hodgepodge Wednesday....

Joyce asks the questions, we answer then link up with all the other Hodgepodgers. Join the fun by clicking her button below!

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far?  An 8.  Why? (1=eh and 10=best summer ever)  It's been pretty good so far. We traveled to Ohio for my niece's wedding and got to see friends and family we hadn't seen in a long time, which was wonderful.  We spent a few days with some of my immediate family members (siblings and their families) in South Carolina, at Folly Beach, which was also wonderful. While there I got to meet blogging friend, Pam Lofton and one of her lovelies, Molly.  Also wonderful!  Next month, Joe and I have a long weekend reserved over on St. Pete Beach - just the two of us.  The only reason I didn't say it was a 10 is because I came home from Ohio with a terrible cold that took three weeks to get rid of, and last weekend was the stomach bug..... 

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up?  I was blessed with lots of Aunts & Uncles!  Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them?  Growing up, I was close to my dad's brother and his wife (Uncle Bill and Aunt Dot) and also my GREAT Aunt Dorothy and GREAT Uncle Jim.  They were my mom's aunt & uncle.  Loved them so much.  Also had Aunt Chloe & Uncle Den; Aunt Mabel and Uncle Charlie; Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Mike; and Uncle Bob and Aunt Jean.  Are you an aunt?  Yes, I am!! (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).  Oh my goodness, I have so many memories of them all.  So blessed.  I always spent a week in the summer at Uncle Bill & Aunt Dot's.  My cousin, Tom, was like a big brother and my cousin, Peggy, was who I looked up to. She was older and would polish my nails.  I loved it when she paid attention to me.  My favorite memory of Aunt Dot, though, has to do with the mounds and mounds and mounds of Christmas cookies she always baked.  Oh my goodness, where did all those cookies go!!  I remember that we would watch the gospel singers on TV Sunday mornings and that's where I fell in love with close harmony of quartets and gospel songs.  Who remembers the Blackwood Brothers?

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate?  Toffee, but most anything is good covered in chocolate.  Ha!  What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?  If it isn't covered in chocolate, then cover it in cheese. Either makes anything better!  LOL   I'll take something cheese over something chocolate any day, though. Love me some cheese!

4. When were you last astonished by something?  Yesterday!  Explain.  The price of gasoline is down to $1.95 here in Lakeland!!  I jumped for joy!!  (Kind of sad, isn't it?)

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?  Oh my...probably a Pinterest board.

6. What's your favorite story from scripture?  The Wedding at Cana is ONE of my favorites.  Why that story?  It was His first miracle, but He also listened to His mother.  Have you ever thought of that?  She is the one who asked that he 'do something'.  He listened to His mother and that is one of the reasons that we Catholics feel confident asking the Blessed Mother to intercede for us in prayer.  He listens to His mother and also believed in family honor and marriage!!  It is also foretold in the Old Testament. I love finding the links from the Old Testament to the New.  Check this:  “they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD—the grain, the new wine . . .” (Jeremiah 31:12) The Old Testament is full of clues to tell us what is coming.

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?  I've been to New York City and Washington, DC so they won't count.  Indianapolis, Chicago, Waco, Santa Fe, Las Vegas....BUT I really like seeing the smaller towns where the real life in the state happens. I would love to just set out across country with no plans and see the "real" America.  That big ball of twine and some silly hall of fame that makes no sense but you love it anyway.  How about all the little festivals that happen across America. Give me a schedule for those too!

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Joyce, you really got me 'talking' and thinking today! I'll look forward to everyone's answers!!  Happy Hodgepodge and Hump Day!!  Peace & hugs.