Wednesday, October 14, 2026
It’s Wednesday which means it’s time to link up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!
1. Do you think you’re driven more by curiosity or comfort? Explain.
Hmmmm, Joyce. That is a tough question! I think I am a pretty curious person. I have dreams of being a private investigator! I try to solve mini mysteries in my neighborhood. Why does my neighbor’s ex come over every afternoon? Why does he blow leaves so much? What is their relationship? Sometimes Tom is in the mood for my Nancy Drew shenanigans and sometimes he is over it.
With that said, I am always thinking of my comfort, too. I am a horrible person when I’m hot or hungry or wearing uncomfortable clothes. I started watching the new Amazing Race and I just don’t think I could be that dirty, sweaty, hot, etc.
2. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?
The only thing I can think of is frozen eye patches for under your eyes that my mom got me that say “chill out”. They feel great if you have sinus pain. I also have a headache cold cap that Mason got me. I always forget about it. It feels really good but looks really weird!
3. Are you comfortable with silence? If you’re home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise? Do you seek out times and places to be silent? What’s your favorite place to find silence/be silent?
I love the sound of silence! I have been enjoying the soft sound of my essential oil diffuser, the hum of my washer or dryer – my dishwasher is totally silent so I can’t count that – and I have been enjoying having Alexa play soft classical. I don’t think I could live in a big city. I think honking is so rude. I hate that sound. I do seek out silence. With my teaching job I needed to come home and have some silence. My twin boys were not loud and rambunctious. They were able to enjoy quiet hobbies quite well but when they were laughing or talking it never bothered me, either.
I also love a library! I think it’s so comforting! I don’t think they are as quiet as they used to be, though.
I love a quiet morning. I think that’s one reason why I like getting up early.
4. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping…which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?
None! I would be bad at all of them! I did help my dad with lots of projects, though, and he rarely hired anything out. I even helped him change the oil on my childhood driveway. Tom is much the same way and can do a lot of things. My Dad helped Tom build our first fence. My Dad once almost lost a finger trying to fix a car issue on his own and he also fell off the roof onto his driveway and was totally fine. He was ice skating and fell through the ice on our lake and skated home and told us. He had some good stories to tell!
5. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?
I probably lean toward being too independent. I have a funny story about getting my first period. I hope it’s ok to talk about it in this company. I had sent away for a free “starter pack” and pouch and I was ready to go for when the time came. I had a book called “Free Stuff for Kids” and I got all kinds of stuff sent to me – lol. On the day it happened I was riding my bike with my friends in the neighborhood, and I came in to use the bathroom. I didn’t tell my mom until several hours later because I just handled it. When I told her, she said, “Why didn’t you tell me? Are you ok? What do you need?” I told her I was good and that I had it covered. I also remember that I was wearing a burgundy striped shirt and shorts. Isn’t it funny what we remember?
Also, my 4th grade teacher had a signup list to hold her hand to walk to the cafeteria to lunch and she told my mom that I didn’t sign up. I said I didn’t feel the need to hold a hand for that purpose.
I would hate anyone to call me “needy” by the way! I don’t like “neediness” in others, either, but I feel mean saying that. As a teacher, I tried to give students tools to do things on their own and sometimes it’s just having someone tell them they can do it. I do think sometimes it’s smart to accept when you need help, though. I think it’s foolish to think that you can do everything on your own. Ahem, men – sometimes.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I went off on some tangents today so I will stop here!
Amy
Funny independence stories! I think there’s some hardwiring to the dependent/independent nature of people but also quite a bit of it is our life experiences impacting whether we have dependent or independent natures. It’s an interesting topic. I had lots of thoughts, too! I like the sound of silence as well. Isn’t it super tempting to walk up to the leaf blower and ask him why he does it so often and/or ask the ex wife why he does this? It is NOT normal behavior. In that regard, I can understand the trepidation in asking. But MAYBE the two of them don’t get how annoying it is and/or why people wonder why all the leaf blowing happens.
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I agree. Some is nature and some is nurture/circumstantial.
It is tempting. I remember worrying 5 years ago during a party that he would start blowing – this has been going on way longer than that! They might think the sound of our gate opening next to primary bedroom window is annoying but they have put us through way more.
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The only food item we have in our fridge or freezer is some ice packs for the coolers. I love the sound of silence and rarely feel the need to fill it. In fact for a few years I didn’t listen to music or audiobooks when alone in the car as I relished that silence.
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I forgot about those!
I agree – really content with silence.
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I love the sounds of nature which aren’t exactly silent, but are soothing and gentle for the most part. My hubs watched news in the evenings when he worked and I told him when he retired that we were not having 24/7 news on tv. He loves a quiet house now too, but I think had to learn to love it. We do listen to a lot of music, but that’s more evening. My family will say my independent streak has been there since birth. That can be a good or annoying trait to others depending on the situation. Have a great day!
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Yes! Some birds are really loud and it makes me laugh. Oh, as a highly sensitive person, the news can make me spiral. I have learned to read my news! I agree – can be both!
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I would love you to the solve the mystery about your neighbour. hehehe
Your silence sounds so calming! We used to live in a big city and it took me months when we moved house to settle into the silence of the countryside.
Good on you handling your first period yourself, I mostly did too but still wanted some help. I love that story about you being in 4th grade. hehehe
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4th grade seems a little old to want to hold a teacher’s hand! Second grade I understand. Off-topic – my kids had to hold hands in parking lots and on the street until they were “taller than me” – ha! My oldest daughter never made it 😉
I always think I’m very independent and then something happens and I realize how much I depend on others. I always say “I can/could do this myself” but…can I? I recently traveled to NYC by myself and had two major mishaps that may not have happened if I had been with Tom – I told him he makes me too dependent on him (but I *like* that he does so much for me!
Thanks for sharing so much today!
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Your Dad sounds a lot like mine! He was an electrician by trade, but he always did all the repairs around the house himself – and I was right there to help him!
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I loved hearing your independence stories. We sound a lot alike! Sometimes I feel like “needy” people act that way to get attention.
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Neediness in adults is an unattractive trait imo. I try to do most things myself or pay for help, not whine about my troubles!
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Hi Amy!
That was a good post, learning more about the blogger I read everyday is cool. I love silence in the car. Especially when it’s cool outside and the sun makes the car warm. I love soaking that feeling up. I’m very independent people can’t believe what I do and what I’ve done on my own. Going on vacations, eating, when I was younger I would get a hotel room in Chicago I was 45 mins away. Take the train and just walk around all day long shop eat just enjoy the city.
Cheers!
Missy
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I loved reading all of your answers! Your dad sure did have some stories, didn’t he? I can’t believe he fell through a frozen lake! He might have had nine lives. 😉 I don’t love neediness in people either…and going forward, I won’t be that way ever again. I love your independence! I love that it started at such a young age…but also, you’re the typical older sister. I know you know what I mean!
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He did! I know! I agree that he had so many close calls. He was tough. I agree about neediness. I hate when people don’t even try. I am the typical older sister.
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You cracked me up!! Ha! “None! I would be bad at all of them” -just love how honest you are- truly refreshing and entertaining 🙂
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I have learned my strengths! Thank you!
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I agree on the neediness and accepting help when we need to in life. I love your peaceful yard to embrace the silence each day! My dishwasher is the opposite of quiet, ha!
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Yes! Thank you! We got a really quiet one somehow!
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I liked reading your independence stories! My daughter handled her first period all on her own too and didn’t tell me until later in the day. Well, good for her – I guess I’d prepared her well enough. LOL
I love your yard, and it does look like a peaceful quiet place. A good place to theorize about all the neighbors’ backstories. haha
Hope your’e having a great week!
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Thank you! Ha – that means you did your job!
Thank you! I love it when they are all gone or quiet.
You too!
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