Wednesday Hodgepodge 31/5/17

Wednesday's Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at

From this side of the pond

Pop over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the list.

1. What makes you feel accomplished? Explain.
I love it when a plan works and a project gets completed.  But just having a good day makes me feel accomplished.  A day where I don’t feel like I’ve wasted too much time.
2. If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? Tell us why.
Right now, as we approach a general election, I think I’d like to have the leaders of the Conservative, Labour and Green Party mainly because I’d like to hear from them face to face rather than listening or reading the edited versions and all the spin that the media put on everything that’s said.
3. Do you have a great burger recipe? What's in it? What do you like on a hamburger and where is your favorite spot to order one out?
I don’t have a great recipe as we rarely make burgers from scratch.  I like cheese, onion and ketchup on my burger but don’t have a favourite spot for ordering it.
4. What's the biggest anxiety producing thing you do on a regular basis?

Well a lot of things can make me anxious especially if I’m not in control but the regular one would definitely be using public transport.  I am getting better at it though.

5. This is the last Hodgepodge of May. Tell us about your summer plans.
Nothing set in stone yet apart from our annual family get together at the end of August.  And of course getting better acquainted with my grandson.

He was 8 weeks last Friday.  He's still teeny though - 3 weeks till his due date.
6. Insert your own random thought here.

Today I feel accomplished.  I went out reasonably early to buy some more plants for the garden.  I have got them planted plus cleaned up the patio.  I’m exhausted but pleased with my efforts.  It also helped that it’s been a lovely day.  Warm with a fair bit of sunshine.

Review: The Missing Wife

The Missing Wife by Sheila O'Flanagan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Imogen has finally seen the light. She can't stay with her controlling husband any longer so she hatches A Plan. Disappearing after a business trip she travels to the place in France where she lived when young and remembers being very happy. She manages to find herself a job and somewhere to stay but inevitably her husband Vince tracks her down.

The subject matter of a controlling partner is quite dark but this is a light hearted book. There are times when it seems the author wants to show that dark side but it doesn't really come off. If you want a holiday read that doesn't tax the brain cells and has a feel good factor then this book ticks all the boxes. If you want something that really addresses the subject matter then give this one a miss.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge 24/5/17

Wednesday's Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at From this side of the pond 
Pop over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the list.

1. What colour is prominent in your home? Are you glad about that or wishing you could cover it up or remove it? 
We have quite a few colours in the house most of which I’m happy with although the bedroom my son and his wife currently use will definitely get a paint job when they move out. 
2. What's something you'll NEVER do again? 
Ride on a roller coaster.  Just the thought makes me feel ill.
3. Tell us a couple of ways you fit the stereotypes associated with your gender, and a couple of ways you don't. 
I think I’m quite domesticated and caring which are more usually associated with women but I’m also quite practical and will have a go at DIY.  I also think I’m a better driver than women are usually given credit for.
4. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Have you ever owned a motorcycle? Ever ridden a motorcycle? If the opportunity presented itself would you hop on a motorcycle and go for a ride? 
No, no and no!  I once went on the back of my brother’s scooter and that was enough for me.  I prefer the safety of being in a car when on the road. 
5. If someone wanted to understand you, what should they read, watch, and listen to? 
Goodness that’s a hard question.  I like reading thrillers, I watch a lot of dramas relating to crime but also quite a few American shows, (Grey’s Anatomy, Madam President, Criminal Minds to name a few) and I listen to most kinds of music.  Does that help understand me?  Probably not. 
6.  Insert your own random thought here. 
He’s home!  Baby Nathan was released from hospital on Monday and I’ve been making up for lost time with lots of cuddles.

Review: My Name is Leon

My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Set in the 1980s it tells the story of 9 year old Leon who has a difficult start in life. His Jamaican father is absent from his life and his Mother Carol struggles to cope especially when Leon's brother Jake is born. With a different father Jake is white Leon is not. Leon tries desperately to keep the baby and his mother cared for but when Carol is found to be totally neglecting both children they are placed in foster care.

The book follows Leon's struggle with being in foster care and losing his brother. It is well written and the characters are well portrayed. The ending is quite open ended. It will be interesting to see if the author writes a sequel.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge 17/5/17

 

Wednesday's Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at

From this side of the pond

Pop over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add the link to your Hodgepodge blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's post and don’t forget to visit at least your neighbours on the list.

1. May 17th is National Pack Rat Day. Sidebar-should we be celebrating this? Hmmm...
Are you a pack rat? Even if you're not a full-fledged pack rat, most people have one thing or another they struggle to part with. Tell us what's yours.
Well I had to look that expression up but no I’m not a pack rat.  Maybe a pack mouse?  De cluttering my house is a work in progress.  I still have one son at home and my daughter doesn’t yet own her own home so there are still things of theirs in the loft.  There is also stuff belonging to my other son who has recently bought his own home that I now need to persuade him to either take or get rid of.  I suspect that much of it will not be taken.  For a long time I had a lot of my Mum’s things in my loft from when she moved into a nursing home.  I gradually got rid of those once she’d passed away.

There are also some toys up there I saved for when grandchildren arrived so now I have Nathan I will need to revisit those boxes!
2. What are two things you know you should know how to do, but you don't?
Well in theory I know how to change a car tyre but in practice I can’t do it.  The bolts are always on too tight to get off by hand but I’d rather that than have my wheel fall off!  And I have roadside cover for such problems.  I’m a fairly practical sort of person so I mainly get by and if I get stuck there’s always YouTube or Google these days.
3. Do you crave sugar? Do you add sugar to your coffee and/or tea? Do you use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes? When dining out is dessert a given? Are you someone who has slain the sugar dragon, and if so tell us how you did it.
I don’t think I’ll ever slay the sugar dragon although I have switched to artificial sweeteners in tea.  Dessert is always a given when eating out unless I’ve had a starter and sometimes there just isn’t room.
4. What's a trend it took a while for you to come round to, but now you can't imagine living without?
Mobile phone.  I resisted for a long time but I wouldn’t be without it now.
5. What's a song that reminds you of a specific incident in your life? Please elaborate.
Well anyone married will probably remember “their song” and of course I remember mine.  But other music that sticks in my mind is the funeral music for my Mum.  It was the first time I’d been involved in arranging a funeral so it was hard choosing the right music but as it was a simple cremation we only needed 3 pieces.  We had Pia Jesu for the entry, Do not be Afraid for the committal and we exited to the theme tune of one of her favourite TV programmes. (Coronation Street) It seemed fitting.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My Grandson Nathan is still in the hospital but continues to improve and is slowly getting the hang of breast feeding.  Well he’s got the hang of it but it tires him out so he can’t do it for long enough yet.  Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before he’s home.  Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers.