Wednesday, July 29, 2026

It’s Wednesday and that can only mean one thing – it’s hodgepodge day with Joyce! When I first started participating in these I thought only other bloggers would read and comment – not non-blogger readers – but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much everyone seems to enjoy the questions and answers.

I have a theory – we are looking to go deeper and have more meaningful connections today. Usually at least one of the questions causes me to go deeper, at least.

In the same vein…

I have been trying to ask better questions of my friends and family. I am trying to lose “how are you?” and say things like “tell me something you are excited about”.

Do you think I’m right? Are we looking for deeper connections in this world of superficiality?

1. What was the last thing you celebrated? 

My mother in law’s 80th birthday! I love to celebrate anything and everything, though. You want to celebrate your nails finally growing out? Call me!

2. July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what’s the first  person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind? 

I think of “tiger mom” which is the term for the stereotypical Asian mom. I also read the book.

They are calling it “tiger parenting” now and here is the quick definition.

I don’t think I was a tiger mom. I encouraged but I didn’t push too hard.

And, because of I am child of the 80s, I will sing “Eye of the Tiger” at any chance! Speaking of…

3. The expression ‘eye of the tiger’ describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to?  

I hate to say this, and it could be the heat talking, but nothing right now.

4. What was the last meal you cooked? 

The last labor-intensive meal I cooked was Friday night when I made chicken cutlets or chicken schnitzel for my niece and her boyfriend. Tom and Mason were also present. I pounded the chicken out, made a bowl of egg, flour, and breadcrumbs, seasoned the flour and breadcrumbs and added hot sauce to the egg, then did the whole frying, draining, and keeping warm in a 200 degree oven. Whew!

I also made taters and broccoli and a cake.

5. Describe your July using exactly five words. 

fast, fun, family, heat, happy

fast – it went by in the blink of an eye – seriously!

fun – looking through my media (I loaded 320 photos in July), I see so many fun times

family – I was just with my niece Mia and her boyfriend, and we spent one Saturday night with Tom’s family celebrating his mom, and we went to Michigan with a grand total of 34 members of my side of the family

heat – we had some super-hot days as we do in July where I retreated inside the house more and watched more tv than read books in my down time

happy – I had lots of happy moments in July

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I looked at my school district’s calendar yesterday and was shocked! That is how far removed I have become! Teachers start full time on Monday, August 3rd and the students start full time on Thursday, August 6th. I live in front of an elementary school with the hours of 7:30-2:10 and very, very close to a middle and high school with the hours of 8:40-3:20. I try to avoid driving during the start and stop times because it gets hairy! I also like to get out and walk EO on the playground before recess!

Last year on the first day of school, I took my first day of NOT GOING to school photo:

I took myself to brunch and a pedicure and had a great day!

This year, I have a happy hour planned with my former student (without knowing that was the first day!) so that seems pretty perfect. What else should I do on this day? Should I do another photo?

What would you say to any of these questions?

Amy