Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!

1. What’s something recent that had you ‘tickled pink’? 

This isn’t recent but it came up in my Facebook memories this week. I was a teacher who liked colored paper and would even do colored paper for my quizzes. I asked him if I could take a photo and captioned it, “that awkward moment when your quiz matches your shoes”. I knew him really well and he was tickled, too.

I was tickled pink by the sun on Monday when I got out to go to the library and Trader Joe’s. We still had ice on the ground along with the snow, but the sun was powerful and it felt so good!

I was shocked to see hydrangeas – not that I know their season but it felt early. I saw several sweet treats, too, but only snapped pictures of most and resisted buying.

Look how pretty in pink my library stack turned out, too!

My sister Molly had flowers from my mom’s funeral pressed for Kate and I and herself. How beautiful did they turn out?

I am very easily “tickled pink” and I love the color pink!

2. A bed of roses, everything’s coming up roses, every rose has it’s thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns…which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

I guess I have rose-colored glasses on this week because I am uplifted by the weather forecast. I am so ready to have this stuff melt and see some green. I know that we still have more winter but a brief February reprieve would be nice. March can still be really cold but I love March!

I am going through all the months as a new retiree so it’s giving me education and information on how each month looks. I am trying to stop and smell the roses instead of rushing through all of my tasks like I have done for 31 years!

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated? 

Acts of service – taking down the recycling and bringing it up, taking out the trash and recycling, shoveling off the steps. Anything I don’t have to ask for, really! And, then I am sure to say thank you.

I love Tom turning on the outdoor lights in the morning or the evening from his phone.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what’s your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine’s Day? 

Tom’s first Valentine’s gift to me was ski pants! We learned to ski together at 26 and 30 years old. Tom learned to snowboard and I learned to ski.

I like practical gifts or gifts that show someone listened to me or really thought about me. I just got some surprise new Apple Airpods from Tom so I don’t expect anything this year.

These are dangerous:

I bought them for a gift and sampled.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

“Love is a battlefield” – Pat Benatar

Haha – that is kind of a joke, but I do think you have to pick your battles and not think the grass is greener. Love is hard and love is a choice.

Tom came home from work looking like a Yellowstone extra this week.

“Cause all of me loves all of you – all your perfect imperfections.” – John Legend

I really like this because you have to take the whole package and even the imperfections can be endearing and beautiful.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I’m not a big Bad Bunny fan but my students really liked him – especially my students with Hispanic heritage. His song said “I should have taken more photos” referring to when he had the chance before things changed and he lost family or familiar places. I have very few photos of myself with my kids because I was the photographer! I don’t regret a single professional photo or a single Christmas card photo or all the photos I took and printed out.

In going through my mom’s things, she was just like me if not more extreme. We have so many photos! I gave her this professional and it just captures the joy of my twins when they were three. I love it!

So, take the photos! Get in the photos! I think that is one thing that blogging does help with. We have to take the photos! Take photos for other people at special events when you know they are busy and send them to them.

Amy