Wednesday, March 25, 2026
It’s Wednesday and that means it’s Hodgepodge day with Joyce!
1. It’s officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you’re in the southern hemisphere it’s officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why?
It sure did this weekend! I am hoping we don’t get the flooding we can get in the spring. I love rain, but not flooding, of course. I feel like I prefer spring just because of mindset and from living my life on the school calendar for so long. Spring meant summer was not far behind. I love fall, but I know what is coming – winter.
2. What’s your favorite thing about spring?
I love seeing all the green. I love the flowers and trees blooming, the garden centers coming to life – even Kroger has flowers outside. I don’t even mind a spring rain. It’s so nice to not need a jacket anymore. I love spring clothing. Give me all the colors! I love driving with the sun roof or windows open.
3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one’s feet…which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.
I think I have a spring in my step. I am feeling more positive, finally. I had a hard year – blah, blah, blah. I am not going to rehash it all – don’t worry. I have done some major internal work over the last few months about what I need, how I show up for myself and in my relationships, and what I want moving forward. I have sat with discomfort. I have had the blessing of time to reflect. I know myself better.
4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What’s a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient?
asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions
The only one I don’t like is peas. I can handle snap peas in some dishes but I just don’t like peas. I love asparagus, artichokes, spinach, and eggs the most. I’m excited to lighten up my menus and embrace the flavors of spring.
5. What’s one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list?
Gosh, what isn’t on my list. I don’t have one actually written down this year and that could be my problem. I am feeling overwhelmed by stuff. I need to declutter, but I am also kind of mad at what my kids have left me to declutter that isn’t mine! I probably need to ask them to devote a couple of hours to come help me with their cast offs. I’m in limbo waiting on house projects to begin.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
With all the good of spring, we also have the bad. My neighbor’s ex-husband has already started his leaf blower back up. Friday was a gorgeous day, and he blew for about 3 hours. Saturday, he blew during dinner near our front windows for about 2 hours. Like, it was so loud in our house we had to turn the tv volume up. There is nothing to blow. There are no leaves. What is he blowing? It’s 2026. Can we make a quiet leaf blower? It wouldn’t matter; this guy goes to Home Depot and says “give me the loudest you’ve got”. Tom has a theory that he is not allowed in the house, so he blows to be close. He doesn’t mow the yard; a mowing company does it. He only blows. Yes, he blows!
Currently has snuck up on me!
Please join me next Wednesday, April 1; this ain’t no April Fool’s joke!
Let’s share what we are:
Planting or hatching (literal or figurative – like planting an idea or hatching a plan)
Cleaning (spring)
Eating and drinking
Reading and watching
Loving
The link up will go live at 4:00 am on Tuesday so you can link up early and it will remain open for a week. I hope you will join in!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I feel the same way! I love fall but my enthusiasm is dampened by the fact that I know winter follows it whereas after spring it’s summer which I also love. It is definitely not feeling like spring yet here… or at least not what I want spring to feel like. It probably is a lot like every early spring here but I get annoyed the cold lingers so long.
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Exactly! And winter is a whole other beast for you.
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alright..what is the back story on the neighbor..I forget. If he is the ex-why is he even there?
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Girl, it’s so crazy. I try not to say too much, but it’s the weirdest situation. The kids are 24 and 23. They have been divorced since they were 6 and 7. The parents of the wife bought her this house to get away from her deadbeat husband. He is here a lot – even when the kids weren’t/aren’t home. I don’t care what my neighbors do if they do it quietly. Lol.
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I am CRACKING UP at the “leaf blowing.” I think Tom is dead on with his assessment- too funny! I love all of the green too- probably my favorite part of spring 🙂
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It’s crazy! I really think this guy has made his own self deaf from it and has no idea how loud it is. I love green!
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I am so sorry that you’re dealing with such a bizarre situation. Are any other neighbors impacted by the noise? Is there anyway you can talk to the blower or the ex and explain that it’s just freakishly loud and unacceptable for you to have to hear that for hours. I love seeing all of the green, too! I’ve been taking pictures of it because I love it so much and I love to track the progress of the growth. Ok, wasn’t it JUST currently?? Yikes, time is moving quickly. Have a great day!
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Thank you! Yes, the neighbor on the other side texts us jokes about him. Maybe… I was prepared to go talk to them at my outdoor 50th birthday party 4 years ago if he did it. I have been dealing with this for years!
Girl, I said the same. March disappeared on me! I wish the blooms on the trees lasted longer. I am really noticing growth this year since I’m not working. I love watching everything grow! Tom is not excited to start mowing and I have offered to take over that task but he turned me down.
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I loved your answers! I’m sorry that you’re a little overwhelmed with the house stuff. I think it’s a great idea to invite the guys over for dinner and then to help. I need to do the same before Noah moves home! I need to get that closet cleaned out again. Your leaf blower situation makes me laugh, but I know it’s annoying! He DOES blow! Way to go on working on yourself, my friend. I feel like I have done the same in my last year and a half, and though it still creeps up on me, I think that for the most part I’m good at feeling the feelings, putting a name to them (and a reason), and then moving on. Not everyday is great, but I try not to wallow. Does that make sense?
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Thank you! I’m exactly the same. I’m not fake but I’m trying to be more positive and not wallow.
I agree – lure them in with food!
I will say Mason got a bit sad about his room being cleared out. I told him it would be “his room” again after we get the floor and paint done. So sweet. My old soul sentimental son.
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Ugh. The neighbor. Is he difficult or someone you’d be wary of approaching to request maybe not the dinner hour? Obviously he has issues, but also why 3 hours??? That seems excessive unless you have a lot of acreage I don’t know about lol. I like the hope that comes with spring. Wishing you a great day!
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It’s weird since he isn’t technically the one who lives there. I guess I could text the ex-wife but she is crazy, too. She is a part time life coach. We think maybe he is like the Rainman of Leaf Blowing. Haha! Thank you!
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I mean, I have a leaf blower, too, but I get the job done, then stop. Three hours of it sounds very weird!
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I hope you don’t get any flooding. I feel the same, spring means summer is coming and fall means winter! Eek! There is so much to love about spring, one of my favourite things is not having to wear a jacket anymore. Ugh to your neighbour! We have a neighbour like that who seems to make a lot of unnecessary noise. Tom’s theory sounds about right. How odd.
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Yes to no jacket and yes to odd neighbor!
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Your neighbor and the leaf blower made me laugh. We have a neighbor who is obsessed with his lawn and is always out there cleaning up, but not for three hours straight luckily!
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Haha! And there are quiet lawn tasks!
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I love the early morning sound of robins. That signifies spring for me: that and the uprising of purple crocus and the yellowing of forsythia. As for cleaning, I simply intend to treat my home as lovingly as I treat my clients’ homes – polishing chrome, brightening light fixtures, and baking something special each week. Today I’ll do brioche with lemon zest.
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