Wednesday, April 29, 2026

It’s Hodgepodge day with Joyce!

1. Are you feeling more reset, restart, or full speed ahead as we move into May? Tell us why. 

I think I am feeling more reset. I am almost to my first year down of retirement and it’s been weird and wonderful to go through a school calendar in this state of mind – mostly relaxed and unhurried.

I have lived my life on a school calendar for almost 50 years! I was first a student, of course, followed by 31 years as a high school Spanish teacher. Do not take away the 31st year. I gained many wrinkles and gray hairs during that last year, ok?

I have had time to process the death of my mother last year and the resurfacing of the feelings associated with the death of my father seven years ago, too, the current state of adult orphanhood and the new state of empty nester.

It is a gift that I don’t take lightly that I have had time to process this.

2. Painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, cinema, theatre, music…what’s your favorite form of art? Elaborate.  

Literature, theatre, and music. That’s like asking someone to pick their favorite child! I have loved reading since a book was put in my hands. I am so thankful for my love of reading. It helped me so much as a child. I was the lead in a play in elementary school and wish I had done more theatre. I love to watch it now. I love music and watching talented people perform.

3. What time is dinner at your house? How do you feel about leftovers? 

Dinner has always been around 6:00. We aren’t militant about it, but we like to eat on the earlier side since we go to bed pretty early. We eat leftovers. With that said, I am learning to make smaller portion sizes if it’s something I don’t want to eat again.

4.What’s the last thing you fell down a rabbit hole investigating? 

An English estate called Longleat due to Bravo’s Ladies of London: The New Reign.

5. And now for a question from the book Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me…

At what are you ‘self-taught?’ 

I would say cooking. My mom didn’t like me in the kitchen making messes. My Dad’s mom taught me how to make mashed potatoes but other than that I started baking when I could at home and then I really didn’t learn to cook until my mid-twenties for Tom. I kept at it – making the favorites of Tom and my twins. I’m still learning. I enjoy it and I am proud when I make something good.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have a friend with a beautiful backyard with an outdoor bar, tv, bar stools, a gorgeous pool, a hot tub, a dining table, another table on a raised patio, and a firepit table. She said she never goes in her backyard. I told her to take her phone calls, computer, whatever tasks she can outside. She asked her husband to add something to the yard for her, and he said he wouldn’t since she never uses the space. I am on his side.

What could you do outside instead of inside? It really changes my mood and mindset when I spend more time outside.

Amy