Hodgepodge of Squashy

I am again joining Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for this week's,

Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Click over and either join us or read others' answers to the questions.

1. Let's do our gratitude question first this week...what's the best thing about your home, and have you taken time to enjoy it lately?

There are several things I like about my home - its location, safety, convenience to everything we need access to, (our church is 5 min.) size, etc.  However, my favorite thing is the sunroom.  This is where Dick and I spend our mornings together and where I sit to read or do computer work, during the day.  It is where visitors gravitate to because it is so bright and comfortable.  Besides, God gave it to me.

2. Do you like squash? Of the varieties listed, which one's your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Is squash of some sort on your Thanksgiving menu?? 

acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti, zucchini, crookneck (yellow squash), patty pan

Yellow squash and zucchini are my favorites.  We prefer it simply stewed down with onions.  For many years, our family favorite was squash casserole, but I haven't done that in quite a while.  Another family favorite when the kids were small was "Squash Boats."  Yellow squash sliced lengthwise, covered with cheddar cheese, and baked.
  No, it will not be on the Thanksgiving menu.

 

3. Last time you were 'squashed in' somewhere, or felt squashed? 

That would be returning from South Louisiana a couple of weeks ago on I-20.  The traffic was horrible, and 18-wheelers were dominating the highway.  I won't mention how fast I had to go to get out of their way a time or two.

4. Have you ever played squash? What about other 'racquet sports' such as racquetball, tennis, pickleball, badminton, table tennis (ping pong)? Are these sports something you enjoy?

I attempted to play tennis in high school, but no one wanted to play with me.  I hit the tennis ball like I was batting a softball, which I played with much greater success.  My sister, though, was quite the tennis player.  I also played a bit in college, a tiny bit better in order to pass PE.  We often played badminton with the kids and attempted table tennis.  My eye-hand coordination just wasn't what it needed to be to prevent embarrassment.  Definitely no squash!  I could, however, run, speed-walk, do palates, and lift weights.  Does that count?

   

5. Something in today's society or culture that feels like a 'racket' to you? If you don't like that one, tell us about a place you've been recently where there was a lot of 'racket'.

Politics!  We watched the Netflix movie series, "Death by Lightning", the story of President Garfield, this past weekend.  Dick and I commented on the fact that corrupt politics have always been a reality.  For so many politicians, their careers have been one long racket to advance only themselves.  We also reminded ourselves that this corruption is as old as the Old Testament.

   

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

We may actually see some fall weather later this week and next week for sure.  To us, temps in the 50's and 60's are enough to at least make us think it's fall.  As I write this on Tuesday, we are breaking records for high temperatures this time of year, with a high of 89.  I look around at my few Fall decor items and think I should have beachy stuff instead, and can't imagine putting up Christmas decor.  And yet, they are everywhere.

  I don't decorate for Christmas at all since we leave mid-December for Northern Indiana and don't return until after the New Year.

 Knowing that, a sweet friend sent us this Fresh Cut Pop-up paper tree this week, so it will be my only decoration, and easy to fold up and put away when we get back home.  So, I'm not altogether a Scrooge!

Happy Thanksgiving!