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| Internet illustration |
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| Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (internet photo) |
1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Williamsburg-Yorktown Virginia.
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| Internet photo |
Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit
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| as a 6-year old I climbed to her crown with my family and we looked out at the city and harbor |
I have been to 5 of the cities listed (Boston, New York, Washington DC, Charleston SC and Williamsburg) and lived in 2 of the cities listed.
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| from our trip in 2023 |
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| an example of Charleston, SC charm from our trip May 2023 |
Let me amend that. I have lived in New York City and just outside of Washington DC in a Virginia suburb. My husband commuted into DC in a carpool.
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| George Washington's home, Mount Vernon (internet photo) |
I would like to make a return visit to Boston and much of New England but I have no plans to travel that far any time soon. Visiting the sights of Florida keeps me busy enough!
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| Old Ironsides in Boston Harbor |
Everyone should see Washington DC. The Smithsonian Museums and surrounding historical sites are wonderful.
2. Three sounds you love to hear?
1) I love the sound of my husband's voice because at least 25 percent of the time, whatever he is saying makes me laugh!
2) Christian hymns played on the piano and sung in a cappella harmony.
3) hard rain on the roof while I'm sleeping
3. Three sounds you hate to hear?
1) gunshots out in the distance
2) the chirp of a smoke alarm when the battery needs to be changed
3) profanity
4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips?
Yes, I'm a fan of tortilla chips in any form with any of the dips listed. Yes, I like nachos. Melted cheese is enough, but if chili is added, that's even better. I like a taco casserole that calls for tortilla chips. Here is what I made for lunch today:
In a shallow pasta bowl for each serving, spread Fritos or tortillas, etc.
Brown 1/2 pound ground beef. Set aside and keep warm.
Combine in a saucepan over medium heat 1 can of Campbell's Cheddar Cheese soup with 1/4 cup milk. Heat until it simmers.
Top the Fritos with the hot cheese sauce, ground beef, and chopped tomato. Sooo good (and quick and easy!).
5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile?
My husband has made some REALLY NICE PLANS to celebrate my birthday and I'm definitely smiling about that!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
For the first 2 years of my widowhood, a family member took care of my bookkeeping. Then the duties became mine alone. Embarking on that big responsibility was an unknown "wilderness" to me.
Dealing with finances, accounts, usernames, passwords, and all that goes with it was scary terrifying. In retrospect over 3 years later, I have learned A LOT and am able to navigate through that "wilderness" with surprising capability, even a fair amount of confidence.
A little song I learned as a teenager in youth choir has been a wonderful encouragement to me when despair tried to overtake me...
"My Lord knows the way through the Wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.
Strength for today is mine alway
And all that I need for tomorrow
My Lord knows the way through the Wilderness
All I have to do is follow."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9w-n6D_im0
How thankful I am for the Lord's help in the worst of times! May we all take advantage of the abundant grace and help the Lord has for us when confronted with frightening challenges. He is there for us.
Until next time, grace and peace.
Barbara
http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2026/02/hodgepodge-questions-volume-642.html
15 comments:
I've visited each of the listed cities, but some were as a young teen and I'd love to go back.
Your lunch sounds very good. I'll have to try that one.
I'm excited to hear about what Gary has planned for you.
Oh my goodness! Your birthday is in March? Is it anytime near the time we might be seeing you? And yes, like Mari above, I am excited to hear about what Gary has planned for you also! I love good surprises! Your frito/cheese/hamburger lunch dish looks delicious. Do you put any kind of taco seasoning in the meat? Just wondering. I've been to some of those cities...Boston, Washington DC and parts of NYC. They are all interesting, and I'm glad I went when I was younger! I wouldn't want to fight the traffic nowadays!
Enjoyed your post. Have a lovely rest of your week!
I find it so interesting reading about America and life over there. I would like to visit Washington DC just for all the history!
I said very similar about liking to hear rain. It is a so calming and I almost put the smoke alarm beeping too. It always seems to need it's battery changing in the middle of the night and it wakes me up.
Your lunch looks so good and happy birthday for March! Good on you for learning to deal with your finances, it is a lot!
Your lunch looks good : ) It's fun to have special birthday plans to look forward to. I'll enjoy reading about them when they happen. It's nice to be celebrated. I hate dealing with the financial stuff but we do what we must and I'm glad you're feeling confident with it all now. Have a great day!
You have a March birthday, too, Barbara? Mine falls on March 1st! I've been to Boston, D.C., Williamsburg, and NYC (only once for the latter). Those created outstanding memories for me. Blessings!
Yum on your lunch, Barbara! Living on the outskirts of DC growing up, we always took visitors there plus all the school related trips. I love the Williamsburg area and get there 4-5 times a year now that there is an awesome cross stitch shop there. I look forward to hearing about your birthday adventure.
I enjoyed reading your answers! Wow, you lived in NYC?? And at one time lived close enough that your husband worked in DC? That is really neat! I would love to visit DC and see all of the historical sites. I agreed with you on so many of your answers - we both even included a recipe. I love Florida! It's far enough away that it's a special trip whenever I get to go there :)
I forgot that I have also visited Charleston. I lived in the DC burgs and worked in DC for 12 years before moving to Florida. I would enjoy a trip to Boston, but it's not on my bucket list. I enjoyed your answers, Barb. Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks! xo
Your living experience has touched so much of the USA! West Coast, East Coast, middle, top and now the east bottom. :) Thanks for reminding me of that song!
I would love to visit Charleston, and to go back to Boston sometime, and have time to explore! I agree everyone should see DC and the Smithsonian museums.
Interesting to see the sounds you like and don't like - the chirping of a smoke alarm with low battery is super annoying!
Hope you're having a great week!
I like your answers and the photos you shared.
Why is it that smoke alarms beep at the most inopportune time when I'm doing something important? And how do I know which one is beeping? I have to stand under each one and wait for the beep again to make sure it's the one with the battery running down. Eventually, I take all the batteries off and change them to new ones. What a waste of time and batteries. And a few months later it starts all over again.
Why not invent solar powered smoke alarms? What do you think? Solar powered alarms!!!
God bless.
Oh, your birthday month is coming up, Barbara! What fun! I do love a March birthday--my son was born in March and it is such a time of lightness and renewal. I've visited each of those cities except Philadelphia (which is ironic since I live in the same state!). Love Boston and DC so much. Williamsburg, too! I, too, lived in the DC suburbs for a year and so enjoyed it. Two of my sons live there now so if they stay, there is a very good chance that we'll be relocating there in five or ten years. I'm with you on the smoke alarm noise--ugh! Enjoy this last bit of February--boy, is this year flying by! Again :)
Enjoyed your answers. That recipe sounds good. Haha..so many of the sounds made me think I could've added so many more to my list.
I'm already looking forward to reading about your birthday, Barbara. As I finished reading this post, I thought, "What a lovely record this blog is of God's care for you. I first "met" you right after your first husband died, and I have been here ever since - marveling at how God provided along the way - even in the hard days. God has taken good care of you and Gary.
Wow, this is so beautifully honest and inspiring 🤍
I love how you’ve shared the journey — from feeling completely overwhelmed by finances and accounts to now navigating them with confidence. That’s such a huge transformation, and it’s so relatable for anyone who’s ever felt lost in that “wilderness.”
And the part about that little choir song? Pure magic. It’s incredible how something learned so long ago can resurface at exactly the right moment to lift our spirits. Your story is a gentle reminder that growth, resilience, and unexpected encouragement can come from the most unexpected places. ✨🎶
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