Flying High on the Hodgepodge

In 2014 we took an extensive road trip from our home in Shreveport, LA to Maryland where we attended our niece's wedding, Niagara Falls, Canada, and drove along Lake Erie in Ontario to Dearborn, MI. This is the link to the 9-12-2014 blog post that tells about this last leg and relates to a portion of today's question #1.

Blog post of trip to Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village

Thank you, Joyce for asking the questions that we so enjoy giving answers to.

1. August 19th is National Aviation Day...do you like to fly? Last time you were on an airplane? The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace)

I don't mind flying, but the takeoff is always a bit unnerving.

The last time I was on a plane was returning home from South Bend, IN to the DFW Airport in early February, 2023.  This is memorable because we flew home into the renowned Texas freeze that literally shut down the state.  We were the final plane to land for an extended period of time.

I have not been to either of the places mentioned in the question; however, we did visit the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI, which houses many of the artifacts related to the Wright Brothers.  My blog post above gives a pictorial account of that visit.

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

I highly recommend this extraordinary look at a world gone-by.  We actually spent two days going through it.  Once you are inside, you forget the 3rd world outside the fences.

You can surround yourself with the sights and sounds of a Wright brothers’ flight, or you can sit in the fuselage of several classic planes and helicopters.

This is an authentic reproduction of the Wright Brother's Flyer

The Wright Brother's Cycle Shop

This is the actual room behind the shop where the pieces for their flyer were made.

Wright Brother's Family Home

2. In what area of your life do you tend to 'wing it'? Is this an area you should be winging?

 About the only thing I wing is meal planning.  This has never been something I enjoyed even though it was necessary while rearing a family.  These days, we just kind of wing it and don't make meal plans too far in advance.  Should I be winging this?  It suits our life style, so sure, go with it

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way?

The old Southern Gospel Hymn, "I'll Fly Away" will always be a favorite.

and Frank Sinatra singing "Fly Me to the Moon" is also a favorite.

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream...what's your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge?

It is difficult to substitute for good old fashioned ice cream.  My favorite?  A mix of chocolate, caramel and lots of nuts.

5. I never get tired of seeing pictures of my great grands. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I know I'm behind the hype of these two books, but I just read them both and hated to see them end.

Memories & Blessings

Joining Joyce for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-'The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while." 

Time is crazy isn't it? So...what were you up to in the year 2002?

 

Our retirement celebration picture

We both retired in August of 2002, and moved from a small town where we had lived for over 33 years.  Where our children were born and grew up and many lifetime memories were made.  We moved to one of the largest cities in our state to be near our son and his family, and closer to our daughter and family in Dallas, TX.  There were a lot of adjustments to be made, but neither of us stayed retired long, and ended up retiring again in 2011 after we both had productive careers, before moving to Plano, TX in 2020.

2. "Me? I'm scared of everything..." What's something that scares you that you'd like to try anyway? 

The only thing that really scares me at this point is falling, and definitely do not want to try that again.  So my answer would be nothing.

3. Watermelon-yay or nay? Which melon is your favorite-watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew. Of the watermelon food/beverages listed which would you say yes to...

watermelon salsa~watermelon feta salad~watermelon sorbet~

a watermelon Jolly Rancher~a watermelon margarita

Watermelon is my favorite summertime fruit.  Of the items listed above, I would choose watermelon sorbet, but the best way to eat watermelon is by itself.

4. August 12th is National Middle Child Day. Are you a middle child? If not, where do you fall in the birth order in your family of origin? Do you think this has influenced your personality? Elaborate.

Oldest Child Birth Order

I am the first born of three girls and am quite typical of this birth order.  It is said that our traits exists mostly because our parents are new to the parenting role and expect a lot from themselves and thereby these expectations are exhibited to the child. By the time #2 child comes, the parents are more relaxed and therefore the child is as well, and with the 3rd, all rules go out the window.

“Firstborn children can be goal-oriented, outspoken, stubborn, independent, and perfectionistic,” 

I am all of these.

 

5. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time, or have a significant conversation with two people? Explain.

I am not a mingler, and don't really like large crowded parties, but when attending such, I much prefer to sit off to the side and watch.  Should someone care to join me, that is fine, but holding a significant conversation is not necessary.  Intimate dinners with special friends and family is my chosen social gathering.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

From my Bible devotion this morning:

Psalm 3

1 Samuel 13-18

When David is being threatened by his son, Absalom and forced to leave his city for his own safety, he first told the Lord what was going on - many enemies among his own leaders, many were attacking him, many were saying God could not help him.

Then David acknowledges who God is and what only He has done:

I love these few words - "But you, Lord!"

"But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me;

you are my glory and the one who restores me.

To the Lord I cried out, and He answered me from His holy hill."

Lesson?  Things are never as bad as they seem when our confidence is in the Holy Lord God Almighty!

All About Summer

Thank you for joining us for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge where Joyce gives questions to ponder and then share with fellow Hodgepodgers.

1. What's something on your August calendar you're looking forward to? Or dreading if that's easier to answer.

 Our handsome son, John will celebrate his 57th birthday on the 22nd.  He is our first-born and only son of whom we could not be more proud.  He is a faithful and devoted husband, father and grandfather, but most importantly a man-of-God and strong in his faith.  He and Michelle will celebrate 31 years of marriage on the 13th.  They are a blessing!

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day...do you partake? How do you feel about pearls?

I do not eat oysters but do love my pearls.

 

3. Tell us about a time when you felt like 'the world was your oyster'. 

I personally have not felt like that in a very long time; however, I do feel that way about my grandchildren and greats.  My grown grands have nothing but bright futures ahead of them as they grow in their chosen professions, and as they face the daily challenges of marriage and parenthood.  Who knows what lies ahead for my soon-to-be eight great grands.  I pray God's direction, protection and blessings on each of them.

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

We have driven around on Padre Island, Texas, but did not stay there.  The only island on the list that we have actually visited is Mackinac Island in Michigan.  We have been twice and loved both experiences.  At this point, I don't have a desire to see any of the others, free or otherwise.

Our favorite place to stay is Mission Point - 2017

A favorite memory was cycling the island and enjoying all the sights close-up - 2017

The Grand Hotel as seen from the ferry 2024

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?

Disagree!  In the south, August can be the hottest summer month.  Here in Texas, there is rarely a day below 100 degrees and no rain.  We don't see "the best of summer gone" until October.

In other words, I dread August and try not to plan any outdoor activities.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The first Wednesday Hodgepodge of August, 2014, I wrote the following:

"Ahhhh, the summers for us southern country kids of the 40's and 50's were wonderful lazy days spent playing and imagining; creating and pretending; getting into trouble and having to select your own personal switch; spending time with friends; picnics; fishing.  I loved not having homework, but instead doing creative projects that Mother and Daddy always seemed to provide.  Yes, life was good!"