Graduating Out of May With the Hodgepodge

 

United States Air Force Academy graduation 
from a previous year

Responding (late) to Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge questions,  I'm touching on several subjects. If you want to link up to the Hodgepodge on your blog, click here.

1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names? 

The name "Barbara" means "beautiful stranger." While the "beautiful" part is debatable (depending if it's a good hair day or not 🤭), I have spent more years than some as a "stranger." The careers of both my father and my first husband transferred my family many times. I'm very experienced as the new kid at school and the new mom on the block.

Do I like my name? Yes, now I do, and most especially since my husband told me on one of our first dates that he likes my name. People have asked me over the years if I want to be called "Barbara" or "Barb." I've been open to both, but as I age, I really don't like being called "Barb" because I don't want to be a barb (a sharp point or a cutting remark) to anyone. But if you call me Barb, I'll just let it go.

My father liked a first cousin with this name and so that's why he gave it to me. My late husband and I debated for a long time regarding the names for our children. That was a long time ago.

2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

Those are some tough choices because I would not turn any of them down. Since it's 90 degrees outside right now, I'll go with the vanilla ice cream.

If I were to choose any other red, white, or blue dessert that, too, would be tough. Just about the only dessert I can think of that I DON'T like is mincemeat pie. But since you asked, I'll say that Strawberry Pretzel Dessert. is a favorite. (click on the name for a link to the recipe)

3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day? 

I have been pondering this question since Joyce came out with this week's Hodgepodge questions and I honestly can't think of a burning desire to try any job that I haven't already done. Of the several jobs I have had, my favorite was the receptionist at a Christian radio station back in the mid-1990s in Colorado Springs.

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer? 

Yes, in my previous blog post I shared a snapshot of the dish towel Phylis had sent to me. Here it is again, this time on our refrigerator handle. 

In my husband's office is the flag his late wife was given when she retired from government service. 

In our living room is the flag given to me at my late husband's gravesite service. Pictured above is a tribute to our late spouses. It was Gary's idea that we set this up. His wife is pictured on the right and the photo on the left is of me with my late husband and our Cocker Spaniel.

You'll see this snapshot again in July. I cross stitched this design in 2019. The pattern is by Heart in Hand, "4th of July Bird." To order this pattern, click here.

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  

I am drawing an absolute blank with this one, so I came up with a sentence using the 3 letters given. 

Many patterned And Yellow pieces make up my newest puzzle project.

300 oversized puzzle pieces

I'm interested to see how other bloggers respond to this question!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

As this month wraps up, there are a lot of graduations. FaceBook has posted some photos from a previous year's graduation ceremonies at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). I have lived in Colorado Springs twice in past years, a truly beautiful place. Of the pictures posted on FB this week from the USAFA, this one is my favorite:

This is where the graduates get their diplomas with the Rocky Mountains to the West and the Air Force Thunderbirds flying over the football stadium. 

Here is a blessing for graduates:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara