Wednesday Hodgepodge – Vol. 124

Happy Hump Day!  It’s one more day closer to Friday!  It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge… there are some good ones this week– all related to Mother’s Day.  So, read on and link up and have some fun!

1. When the children of today grow up, what do you think they’ll say about this period in time? What do you most hope they remember?

I think my children will say it was a dangerous, unsettled time.  Back when I was a kid you didn’t have to worry about being outside until dark or walking to the store by yourself.  Now, I don’t let my kids out of my sight for an instant.  Its a different world from what I grew up in.  I don’t know if they will think we all dressed weird and had strange hair or not… back in the 80’s and 90’s we thought we were cool, but now looking back on that time– what were we thinking?

The one thing I hope my kids will always remember is how silly their momma is.  I am always doing goofy stuff or tickling them or acting silly to get them to laugh and play.  So, when I am long gone, I hope the one thing they remember most is how fun I was.

2. National Teacher’s Day is celebrated in the US of A on the first Tuesday in May, this year May 7th…share how a particular teacher positively impacted you. 

Julie Grusenmeyer– the choir and band teacher at Tecumseh High School– was the one teacher than impacted me the most.  She always had time to listen and give advice.  We’d go over to her house on the weekends to help with the farm chores to keep out of trouble.  She was always ready with an ear or a hand.  Had the best sense of humor.  Was super kind and loved both her own children and her “kids” that she taught.  I used to volunteer in her class during one of my study halls during senior year and about once a week, she would sneak me off of school grounds to go grab a milk shake and just listen to me talk about everything that was going on. Unfortunately, she recently passed away from complications from a brain aneurysm.  I will always remember her as a great teacher and friend.  She left a large hole in the hearts of current and past students…

3. What’s a dish your mama made, that if set in front of you today would whisk you right back to childhood?    

Okay.  Wait while I laugh.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.  Okay, wait, not done…. HAHAHAHAHAHA.  My mom cook?!  LOL!!!!!!!  Mom, CAN YOU cook? Okay… a meal mom would make.  Hmmmm…. okay, still nothing.

Seriously though, my mom (Nana) would make the best enemies in the dugout.  (Or, birds in the basket).  Everyone calls them something different, but you take a piece of bread and tear a circle in the center and put it in the pan and crack an egg into the hole.  It cooks up and is soooooo yummy.  To this day, I cannot make these to taste like my mom’s.  The last time I was sick at home, she made me some… I don’t know what her secret is.  Mine don’t taste like hers.   I’m thinking its just like Spongebob says secret ingredient is, “It’s love Mr. Crabs, it’s love.”

4. Mother May I was a game we played when I was growing up…no pieces, parts, or plugs required. What games from childhood do you remember loving that were also pieces, parts, and plug-free?

I have thought about this one since I got the questions… trying to think what we used to play without pieces, parts or plugs.  I came up with two– mom (Nana) and I used to make sheet forts and we also used to make the floor plan of a house with leaves while we were raking and I’d play house… but, I guess technically both of those had “pieces and parts.”  We would play I Spy in the car sometimes… so, I guess that’s one without pieces, parts and plugs.

5. Besides your own mother, tell us about a woman who influenced you as a child?

I would have to say our neighbor Treva.  She just recently died at 100.  She was like the grandmother I always wanted.  She was a die-hard Reds fan and I’d go over to her house to watch the games with her some evenings.  We always had milk and cookies and she always had time for the little neighbor girl to stop by and visit.

6. Mamma Mia! What’s the best play or musical you’ve ever seen? 

Wow!  I don’t know if I can choose!  Mom (Nana) and I try to go see one musical a year (at least) at La Comedia.  We are going this Sunday to see Sound of Music.  I don’t know if I could choose one.  Cats was amazing.  So was Happy Days, Grease, Hairspray, Lion King, Showboat, My Fair Lady, Beauty and the Beast… okay, so you get the point.  I would have to say the ultimate was Showboat.  The only reason is because the man who sang Old Man River was absolutely amazing.  It was the only time ever that I have been somewhere for a musical that there was a standing ovation during the show.  He brought tears to your eyes, and actually came back out for an encore after the musical.  Of course, the Lion King was good too… and Cats.  Okay… see, what I mean?  Speaking of Mamma Mia…. I liked that one too…

7. What are three smells that make you feel nostalgic?

Vanilla soft serve ice cream– for some reason, it makes me think of my dad.  But, dad always bought me mint chocolate chip, so I am not really sure why.

Lilacs — (the actual flowers)– I would always take a bouquet of lilacs into my teachers this time of year, so the smell of lilacs always makes me think of elementary school.

Burning wood– growing up, we always went camping and whenever I smell burning wood (which is a lot because I drive through the country to get to and from work) it makes me think of all the times we sat around campfires with family and friends just talking, telling stories, roasting marshmallows and fire pies.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I am out of random thoughts for this week.  LOL.  I can’t wait until Sunday when mom (Nana) and I go to see The Sound of Music.  I am so excited.

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