Currently Hodgepodging ~ September 2, 2026

 Hi friends.  Today I am linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge and Amy for Currently. Here we go!

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

I wanted to take a day to go to a state park and go kayaking.  I may try to make that happen this fall though.  The summer got away from me and now I need it to cool down during the day.

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

I wasn't a front row girl, but I don't remember hiding in the back.  My maiden name begins with a "W", so if it was an alphabetical seating chart, I was in the back.  If I could take a class again, it would probably be anatomy and physiology.  I liked that subject the best.  However, based on teachers, it would be my senior English teacher.

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

Patience, classroom management, & listening to your students come to mind.  I have only subbed, so I have never been a full time teacher.  However, my sister has been a teacher for almost 40 years and my father was a college professor for over 45 years.  They are both very good at what they do.  

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

I do like grits, but rarely eat them.  I would prefer shrimp and grits over plain grits.  I think people would describe me as having grit for pressing on with learning to enjoy my life again after an unwanted divorce.  I did not let this deter my bucket list trip I went on this summer. The 4 days by myself were very empowering.  I felt like Rocky after these 4 days, ha!

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

Dancing comes to mind!  

This is a picture of my daughters from a wedding reception this summer where we had so much fun!

On our cruise this summer, we got in the cruise video they played on the ship because we were front and center at the ABBA sing a long party where we sang and danced.  We also went to a dance party the last night that was fun!

I still take dance lessons, but go every 2-3 weeks.  I love this and do mostly latin dances, but I do enjoy some of the traditional ballroom dances too. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I purchased this set of pictures from Mixtiles to have memories from my trip and I love them!  Brook hung them for me last weekend and I have enjoyed looking at them so much.  I had been waiting for the right picture/pictures for above my sofa.

I also framed these 2 pictures from my trip:

This is the picture of me driving across the bridge that represented me living life at new heights.

And this picture below is my picture taken at the Squamish River on the day that meant so much to me.  I hung this up in my bedroom.

And now on to Currently!

Adjusting (to)

I feel like I am always adjusting to being a single person.  I am doing okay, but it is an adjustment.  After a long marriage and trying dating, let's just say it is an adjustment to this new stage.

Baking/Cooking

With fall approaching, I am inspired to bake and cook more.  Y'all know I bake sourdough, which I enjoy and usually do every 2 weeks, depending on if I give away any bread or not!

I made some pesto chicken last weekend that was very tasty. The recipe consisted of mixing a block of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of pesto sauce.  I spread that over chicken breasts and then sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top. I baked it at 375 for 30-40 minutes and it was perfect.

I also bought some tilapia from Trader Joe's last week.  I like tilapia, but had never cooked any.  I usually just cook salmon or shrimp when it comes to seafood.  I coated the tilapia in parmesan cheese, oat flour, garlic, salt and pepper.  I cooked it in my air fryer at 400 for about 20 minutes and it was tender and so light.  I need to do this more often!

I also made a quick dinner one night with ground turkey mixed with my homemade cheese dip.  The cheese dip is cottage cheese mixed well so it is smooth, mixed with cheddar/mexican cheese and taco seasoning.  It was all tasty and I ate this with chips.

Decorating

I haven't done it yet, but I will be decorating for Fall soon. I think I will do that in a few weekends when the temperature is below 90.

 Balancing

Time on my own, family and friends - I enjoy all of these so it is balancing and learning when to say yes and no.

  Learning

I am always learning grace and peace for myself in relationships and work.

Here's hoping your week is going well and thanks for reading!