Wednesday, August 19, 2026

It’s Wednesday and our Joyce has Hodgepodge for us today!

1. August 19th is National Aviation Day…do you like to fly? Last time you were on an airplane? The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace)?

I am a nervous flyer, but I love to travel. I hate that but it’s just what it is. The last time I flew was to Spain in 2024. My favorite part of flying is landing.

I have not been to Kitty Hawk. I have been to the Dayton National Museum of the United States Air Force and it’s super cool if you ever get a chance to visit.

My Dad learned to fly in college in the ROTC and joined the Air Force and went on to become a Lt. Colonel so it was a big part of my life.

Here are Kate and I sitting on the couch with a piece of art depicting one of the planes my Dad flew.

I think I’m sad because of my hairdo (hairdon’t).

Someone from my Dad’s Vietnam unit wrote a book about their assignment. My Dad was a forward air controller in the war.

My dad and me and notice my accessories:

We moved to Madison, Indiana from Evansville, Indiana so my Dad could be the commander of a practice bombing range but he still had to go fly fighters in Terre Haute, Indiana once a week. He would come home every Tuesday in his flight suit. How do I remember that it was Tuesdays that he flew? Here he is with Molly:

We didn’t have to move around because of this post he took in Madison. He was there from 1975 until 1992, I think? We did have to “move” to Phoenix for a few months for my dad to train on a new jet. I got to start second grade there during that time. I returned home to my second grade class at home and everyone thought I was “new” and it made me mad. I had been there for kindergarten and first grade.

We had a family trip to the Dayton museum and my dad got to show us all the planes he flew and tell us stories. Kate has video of him telling some of them. On the left is my cousin’s kid Ben, then all my dad’s grandkids – twins Mia and Miles, Lena, Nora, Mason, Jack, and Samira. Silas and Lincoln weren’t born yet.

I’m not sure where this next photo was taken because my kids are in a different outfit. Maybe we went back to the museum the next day.

Jack in a cockpit:

Mason in a cockpit:

After my Dad retired from the Air Force/Air National Guard, he was a pilot for a local chemical company and actually got to fly more and absolutely loved his “second career”. We got to see his plane at Christmas, you might remember. We got to hear some really special stories, too.

2. In what area of your life do you tend to ‘wing it’? Is this an area you should be winging? 

I still tend to wing it with cleaning. I would like to have a better schedule as I have said many a time. I try my best, but Eddie Otis comes running when I get out the broom or Swiffer. He wants to “help”. He also likes to “help” dust and tries to grab the cloth. He doesn’t ever help me with dishes which is unfortunate.

Who me?

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way?   

I love the song Fly Me to the Moon. Top Gun will always be one of my favorite movies. My cousin and I used to sing “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” all the time, too.

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream…what’s your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge? 

If I’m going to have it, I like ice cream or gelato. I like a very small kid sized scoop. I don’t need much.

5. I never get tired of coffee, potatoes, the library, looking at my old photos.  I could go on and on!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This nephew, Miles, is becoming a pilot!

Don’t forget Currently is coming up soon. September’s themes will be: Adjusting (to), Baking/Cooking, Decorating, Balancing, and Learning. Thank you to Laura for helping me with these. Interpret these anyway you wish!

Grab this graphic if you like, thanks to Tanya:

Amy

24 thoughts on “Hodgepodge”

  1. I hate to fly but I love to travel. I don’t think the air travel itself makes me nervous but it’s more the unreliability of airlines and wondering if my flights will actually work out and I’ll make it to my destination as planned or not. The last time I flew was May to/from Utah. I definitely wing it when it comes to cleaning too– especially in summer!

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    1. All of that. I think that if you choose to fly in less busy times it really helps. It’s my nightmare to get stranded at an airport. I’m also nervous about the flying part, too, though.

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      1. Yeah, we try really hard to fly in the “off” season or on “off” days just for that reason. I also try to fly direct whenever possible or at least make sure I have a really long layover so a slight delay won’t throw the whole plan off.

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  2. Your dad’s aviation career is interesting and how neat that your nephew is following in his grandpa’s footsteps. The AF museum in at WPAFB is a cool one- I haven’t been to it in years. When I used to run the AF Marathon, the ending was always near the museum’s entrance so I associate the area with thinking I was about to die due to almost finishing running 26.2 miles, lol. I really need to go back in when I’m in more of a natural, non ridiculous running situation. Great throwback pics!

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    1. It really is. I don’t think I could enjoy a museum after running that long or even a short race! Ha! I did a mini marathon once and know I couldn’t enjoy a museum. I hope you get to go back when you are not thinking of running!

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  3. I loved reading about your dad and the childhood you experienced because of his work. I’m a nervous flyer as well, and my favorite part is also when we touch down. I’m scared of heights, so that’s why. I like to sit where I can see the airline stewards faces; I watch them. I try to not get nervous if they don’t appear to be.

    I said Topgun, too! It’s my all time favorite.

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    1. Thank you! My brain just can’t comprehend how we are flying! Lol! I do that, too. And, I’m the best passenger. I listen, I nod, I’m polite. When the pilot tells them to sit down I get nervous!
      It’s just such a good movie.

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  4. Flying isn’t as much fun as it used to be that’s for sure. I feel like I have to gear up for it. I do love traveling though and sometimes a flight is necessary. Lots of fun pics from time with your dad and his Air Force days. My dad was a colonel in the Marine Corps and also in Vietnam. I wonder if they overlapped? I’m older than you and have older sibs so the timing might be off for them to have been there at the same time. Cleaning is a good answer and I could have said the same. My hubs vacuums a lot so that helps. And having regular houseguests is motivating too! Have a great day!

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  5. I am not a fan of flying and even the idea of it scares me. I think my favourite part would be the landing. Fantastic photos of your dad and I enjoyed reading about him and your childhood. What a life he had, it sounds like he really loved flying! Eddie Otis sounds like such a willing helper with the cleaning. hehehe That is so cool your nephew is becoming a pilot. Congrats to him!

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    1. There are parts that are really fun. I do like the stomach feeling of taking off. I try to pretend I’m in my living room. Thank you. He did. Haha – he is a handful. I’m proud of my nephew, too!

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  6. I loved reading more about your dad and his flying career! That is so cool and I love your boys have those memories with him. The “hairdon’t” comment made me laugh! Thanks for the currently reminder!

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  7. I love the sweet pictures of you with your dad ❤️ Didn’t know it was National Aviation Day. I have lots of pilots in my family and my husband’s. My dad was in the Air Force reserves and flew C 130’s and C 5’s as well as my brother. My dad was also Wing Commander for the air force base in San Antonio. We never had to move which is usually the case for reservists. Ice cream and soft serve are both things I will get a craving for! I really love a DQ blizzard 😋

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  9. I loved learning more about your dad’s career. Thank you for sharing that with us. And thank you for the “Currently” prompts. I’ve already jotted some notes down for that post 🙂

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  10. Your dad had an interesting career! I chose Top Gun as a movie selection, also. Wishing your nephew good luck on his air force career.

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  11. I was thinking a fun post might be your different hairstyles over the years and maybe how you fix it now as it always looks nice. I’m wanting to try something new for the fall but can’t decide.

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    1. That would be! I would have to do some digging for photos. Thank you so much. It’s fun to look at photos on Pinterest and then take to your stylist and see what they think about your face shape and the styles you picked.

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  12. I loved reading more about your dad’s aviation career and seeing all those wonderful family photos! How special that flying has played such a big role in your family, and now Miles is becoming a pilot too.

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  14. “my favorite part of flying is landing” made me laugh. 😂 And Eddie Otis “helping” with the cleaning is so funny! 😹

    Fly Me to the Moon + Top Gun + a family full of pilots… this was definitely my kind of Hodgepodge!

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