From An Empty Nest to Ocean Travel

free image by StockCake.com

Joyce's writing prompts for this week ushered me into some pleasant thoughts and recollections of family, food, sports, and travel. If you would like to link up your blog with this meme, click here:

http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2026/06/hodgepodge-questions-volume-658.html

1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

In 1994 I was living in Colorado Springs. I had two sons in college and a daughter beginning her senior year in high school. The "Empty Nest" season of my life as a parent was fast approaching.

(internet photo)

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?

I like just about any salad. Taco Salad comes to mind right now because it is hearty with ground beef, beans, and cheese and crunchy corn chips. 

Yes, I like fresh fruit in a salad, especially blue berries and pineapple.

3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? 

Chivalry is not dead. It has a lot to do with how Gary won my heart! 

Us in Gainesville, Florida
April 2025

(By my observation) rare is the woman whose heart cannot be won with kindness, gentleness, and genuine consideration. While it seems to be overlooked (maybe even intentionally avoided?) by younger people, chivalry remains a wonderful asset to relationships . . . . . And the women who are treated with such generosity of manners should not resent it.

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? 

I've been to Alaska* and enjoyed it. I've never been to Hawaii and probably never will at this stage of my life. For one thing, that long airplane ride to get there is not appealing. As for pineapple on pizza, yes, I like it. As with salad, I seldom encounter a pizza I don't like. 

Over half a century ago at my high school senior dinner in a downtown ritzy hotel ball room, Baked Alaska was served for dessert. The waiters brought it in on trays held high with sparklers brightening up the presentation. 

Baked Alaska with sparklers
(internet photo)

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

Forgive me, sports fans, but the World Cup does not especially interest me. If it's on, I'll give it some attention to be polite. My children were active with track, dance, wrestling, and cheerleading. There was a brief venture into soccer by one of my sons, but the arguing of the parents on the sidelines with yelling at the players turned us off. Other interests were pursued with no regrets.

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why. 

As for free tickets (and since we're dreaming here, I assume those tickets include free airfare, lodging, and food), I would choose Vancouver, British Columbia because I lived there for 5 months as a teenager and would love to see it again. Sooo beautiful!

Vancouver, British Columbia
Stanley Park is the large forested area above downtown.
(internet photo)

My family lived in one of the downtown high rises while looking for an apartment. The apartment we found was just outside to the left of this photo, en route to the University of British Columbia. We lived on the 8th floor with a balcony and had a beautiful view of the ships entering and leaving the harbor. The Pacific Ocean is to the left (west) of this picture, beyond Vancouver Island. This photo is looking north.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

*Since Alaska came  up in Question #4, I pulled out the photo album from my cruise within Alaska's Inside Passage  in August 2006. Here are just 3 photos from the 8-day trip:

our ship, Princess cruise lines;
photo from my camera

For me, the ship itself was exciting enough. HUGE, BEAUTIFUL, very interesting, lots to do, comfortable.

photo from my camera

We arrived at our first stop in Ketchikan at dawn. I remember the ship's engine got quieter as we glided slowly into the harbor. I got out of bed to peek out on our balcony to see the sleepy town's first lights dotting the hillside down to the water's edge. It was serene, so peaceful, very beautiful. That experience alone is one of my very favorite memories of this trip.

the small pilot boat that guided our ship into the harbor;
photo from my camera

Another aspect of ship travel that fascinated me was the small pilot's guide boat that would appear as we approached each harbor. I leaned out over our balcony to take this picture. It was interesting to me that this huge ship with all of its navigational equipment would rely on this (by comparison) itty bitty water craft to show the ship's captain where to "park" at the dock. There were several other large cruise ships just like ours and we all traveled pretty much the same route, so "parking attendants" were needed. 

Of course, I have many more snapshots from this trip, but these 3 are special to me. 

While I'm on the topic of ships, here are the lyrics to an old hymn that I love:

Jesus, Savior, pilot me

over life's tempestuous sea:

unknown waves before me roll,

hiding rocks and treacherous shoal.

Chart and compass come from Thee:

Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,

and the fearful breakers roar

'twixt me and the peaceful rest,

then, while leaning on Thy breast,

may I hear Thee say to me,

"Fear not, I will pilot thee."

Author: Edward Hopper, 1816-1888

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

Post Script: We finished our jigsaw puzzle that was featured in my previous post. I did most of the work, but Gary found a lot of pieces, too. For the last ten, he called me to the table to finish the project. Yes, he is very chivalrous!

500 pieces, extra large pieces
that fit together very well