Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce, who blogs at From This Side of The Pond.  Each week she'll pose some questions for us to answer. What a great way to journal life.

1. What does freedom mean to you? To me freedom at it's core means that for the most part I, and my family and fellow humans get to choose how we want to live our lives. I read what a few other gals wrote and they said it so well and I would agree with them. It also means I'm free to make a choice, I'm not always free from the consequence (good or bad) of that choice. It could mean the freedom to express what we think, believe and feel. 

2. How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? We don't really do anything. Our neighbors do some amazing fireworks so we'll watch those, but I don't think anyone else will be home, just hubby and I. Maybe our youngest will be home from the fireworks stand and will watch with us. If you live outside the USA answer this question as it relates to your own country's patriotic holiday, wherever that may land on the calendar. 

When we were youth pastors we started doing fireworks fundraisers, first we started out directing traffic and then went on to selling them. We did this for over 15 years. For an entire week leading up to the fourth. Our girls grew up doing it. They still do it with the youth group. We didn't often do much on the 4th because we stayed open late to hopefully replenish what people blew up. 

My oldest on the left. I don't know how old she was..maybe a sophmore or junior.

My youngest when she was about 6 or 7 "helping" direct traffic.

2019 youngest with our grandson (her nephew)...so fun. 

Just last week the grandkids stopped by and wanted to hold a sign. I'm sure if they could stay there the whole time, they would. 

3. This or that...red, white, or blue? Well it would depend on what it is and what shade, but probably red. Stars or stripes? I'll go with stars Watermelon, home made ice cream, or blueberry pie? I love a good watermelon, but I'm going to go with ice cream. How do you feel about fireworks?  I love fireworks, though I'm always nervous about fires starting. 

In 2017 we were traveling home from NYC on the 4th and I had bought these leggings. Even though it was so hot, I was determined to wear them! I still have them. 

4. What have you purchased recently that made you excited? Hmmmm.....I did purchase two graphic t-shirts that I really like and was excited to get them. 

5. I'm thankful to live in America (or fill in whatever country you call home) because____________. There are many reasons but I love the diversity of the landscape, all the places I can visit from dessert, to oceans, small towns and big cities. I love the freedoms we have (though I'm sure many would disagree). It's the only place I've known and while it's fun to travel to other countries, I'm not sure I'd live in one, though, I'm sure I'd get used to it. I'm thankful for the conveniences, for the life we have the opportunity to live. It's certainly not without it's faults, but I feel like the perks and joys outweigh the faults. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I apologize again that I didn't get around to commenting much last week. I really do try and actually always have it up on my browser with the intention of jumping on. It's definitely harder with the grandkids here..they distract me, but it's a good distraction. 

Awhile back I helped my MIL publish a story she had written in 1962 that was in her HS newspaper...we did it in booklet form and a friend of hers illustrated it. Here's just a small sample of it. She turned 80 in April and I love that she is just doing things she's always wanted to do and I'm so glad I get to help her do it. We're also doing a 10k walk in October along with her 86 year old friend. I want to be like these ladies when I'm older. We did it two years ago, and it was so fun. I'm currently nursing a calf/achilles tendon injury, so hoping I can heal that up quickly. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin