A Hodgepodge for This Season

One of the Hodgepodge questions today is about rushing the seasons. These days, it seems the seasons are rushing by quickly enough on their own. 

1. It's National Waffle Day (August 24th)...what decision are you currently 'waffling over'? (or share one you've recently 'waffled over')

I waffled a bit over whether to participate today! And a bigger decision is whether to keep the new dining chairs we ordered a couple of weeks ago. I’m undecided about them now.

2. It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts. Do you think we rush the seasons? If so, does that bother you? 

Yes, yes, yes. I went to Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago and could not believe the place was FULL not only of autumn decorations, but CHRISTMAS decorations and trees!!!

I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list that included-

make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, be a tourist for the day, have a pot luck picnic, book a last minute summer getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day on the lake, try a new summer recipe

Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close?

I’m planning a getaway, but it isn’t going to happen until the first of October. I guess I will have to settle for stepping out to the back yard and viewing a sunset.

3. Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?

Sunsets! No two alike. Each one is an original!!

But I also have enjoyed the puffy clouds all summer.

4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying 'We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their actions.' Agree or no? Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else? 

To judge myself by my intentions would be fooling myself and for me to judge others by their actions could be wrong not having a way to know their motivations and why they acted as they did. Since I make my share of mistakes I’m not sure I want to be totally defined by my actions. So I may be waffling on this answer. I have other thoughts, but sitting here now trying to express them is proving to be difficult for me.

5. Are you useful in a crisis? Elaborate.

I can be. The biggest crisis for me in which I had to take immediate action was when we were on vacation and my husband had a stroke. I could see from his face what was happening and kept calm, called 911, panicked for a couple of minutes after the paramedics took him away while I wondered what in the world to do about the rest of our trip, the luggage, and how I would get to the hospital by myself about 75 miles away. Thankfully, the tour guide assisted me with those problems and DH and I made it home several days later. While he was in the hospital, I was able to address the practical things such as making travel arrangements and working out details with the travel insurance.

6. What's been your go-to dish this summer? Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?

A pan seared oven roasted steak! Delicious discovery. A steak is good for all seasons!

7. Adult coloring books are a thing now. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? If not is this something you think you might enjoy?

I confess to buying one, along with the big box of colored pencils. I colored one page and half of another and decided it was a waste of time. That didn’t do it for me. I think it would be wonderful to know how to paint or play the piano better. At least the colored pencils are good for Bible studies!

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Right now, speaking of go-to dishes, I’m not sure what dinner will be this evening. Blue Apron was supposed to deliver today and so far, we have not received the box of goodies. They've never been this late before. I guess I will have to get creative since there are no steaks in the fridge! As it turned out, I had some Italian sausage and cheese tortellini to "go to" which made for a good supper this evening.

And yesterday, I mentioned going to an exercise class. Saw this today and thought it was funny.