It won't be long now, spring is here.
It is time for the Hodgepodge.
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.
1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately?
We take our taxes in to be done.
Having patience with our USPS, we are not receiving our mail daily. I think our post office might be short staffed. I have chatted with neighbors who are experiencing the same difficulty.
Rumor has it that stamps are going up to $1.00 at a post office near you, very soon!
2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you.
I am a little of both. I will set aside some clothing items I know I will want to wear on the trip early. It is our Wisconsin weather that keeps me from packing light. We can have all four seasons in a day. I need to pack it all, especially if we are going to be doing a lot of outdoor activities.
I purchased a fantastic bag for all our toiletries. Everything has a home, just as long as we put it back in that same spot. Ha Ha.
3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level?
Oh yes, I love grilled cheese. One of my favorite ways to make a grilled cheese the next level is using sourdough bread and a fresh slice of tomato.
4. There's a well known quote that says-
'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd
Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life?
Long time readers here at The River will remember my garden mentor and dear friend Marv. Marv was a Korean War Veteran, lost two wives to cancer and dealt with many memories from the war.
He was still driving to Texas each winter up to the young age of 90.
His advice to me during our long visits was... "always be learning Carla. Never stop learning, exploring new places and trying new things."
He begged me to promise I would travel to Newfoundland and Labrador someday, it was his favorite.
The below photo is from 2019, when our military son was home after training.
5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-
- daffodils or tulips ... daffodils
- lemonade or iced tea ... ice tea
- gardening or hiking ... gardening
- ladybugs or butterflies ... butterflies
- umbrella or raincoat ... raincoat
- floral patterns or polka dots ... polka dots
- 6. Insert your own random thought here.
- I have no idea why my #5 is showing up like it is today on the blog. I best say good bye before this entire post vanishes, yes that has happened to me. Ha!
I have lost entire posts, too, so I feel ya! Stamps for a $1. Yikes though I can see that happening. How awesome that you had a gardening mentor! It sounds like you learned a lot of practical advice from him and learned deeper things from him, too. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh I remember your dear friend Marv. What a wonderful guy he was and I know you miss him. Everything here is sooooo green and trees budding from all the rain. You guys have been getting hit hard with storms. We has some pretty wicked storms yesterday and they will be here again today. Stay safe. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteMarv offered some great advice Carla. Can you believe stamps are going up again? No wonder everyone avoids mailing things. Our Post Office is so slow at getting the mail out. The frustrating thing is when we send a card or note to someone who might live three miles down the road, our local PO does not deliver it. All mail has to go to Dallas, which is 130 miles away and then circulates back to our little town..could take up to 10 days.. We have storms coming today. 😬. Hope you have a wonderful day...BTW....we both like our grilled cheese sandwiches with tomatoes.. ❤️
ReplyDeleteOh girl, we've been having those conversations about the USPS here. Our country mail carriers are all contractors with their own vehicles and we wonder sometimes if they skip deliveries. Your grilled cheese sandwich with sourdough and a tomato slice sounds right up my alley. Loved reading about Harv! Have a great end to the week!
ReplyDeleteWell your post is still here Carla lol. I just checked out stamp prices - they went up on 7th April. A first class stamp now costs £1.80 and they no longer guarantee it will get there next day (unless you pay extra) which is what the difference between 1st and 2nd class used to be. I like to pack for all eventualities too.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an accountant, so he does our taxes. $1 per stamp! I should invest in some forever stamps NOW. I pack over a few days, suitcase open. Thank you to your handsome son for his service. Sadly, I can't enjoy cheese much anymore - and I miss it!
ReplyDeleteI hate that stamps are going up again, as that means even less personal mail. If they're going to raise prices they need to do a good job of getting it delivered. When we first moved to the UK we got mail twice a day! Marv had some wise words. Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteUgh to not getting you mail daily, that sounds frustrating! Your stamps are seem so cheap, ours cost a lot more which is probably I tend not to post letters if I can help it.
ReplyDeleteAww! Marv sounds like a wonderful man with very good advice.
Hope the price of gas doesn't go up to $10/gallon...thanks Trump!
ReplyDeleteMarv was a wise man, Carla. Newfoundland and Labrador are so pretty, I hope you experience both someday ♥
ReplyDeleteI was just reading how sourdough is the best bread for grilled cheese! $1.00 apiece for stamps! I hope not. Your son is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI love shared wisdom - from a life well lived. So, have you made it to Newfoundland and/or Labrador??
ReplyDeleteI saw that stamps were going up, didn't realize to a dollar, wow! That is crazy! Always love your answers to the hodgepodge. Marv was such an incredible man. I would love to visit Newfoundland too! I grew up not far from it, but never made it there to visit. I love grilled cheese with slices of tomato too, and maybe even a few slices of bacon or turkey. Yum! Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marv. What a great photo of your son with him! $1.00 - seriously? Wow.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marv and hope to do the same. Shipping costs have become insane just like the cost of everything else. I would go for lemonade and hiking.
ReplyDelete#5 for me would be the same answers as yours. Yikes on stamps going up. Better get some before they do. Marv had the right idea. Janice
ReplyDeleteHi Carla, I went back and added Wednesday Hodgepodge under Tuesday 4. I enjoyed reading your post. I am not surprised about the postal rates. It is high, but not compared to rates of other countries. Yes, they are short staffed. So many things have changed in the last few years. Removing machines at processing centers was a big mistake. Marv was a smart man. Nice picture of your son. Is he still in the service. Enjoy the rest of you week!
ReplyDeleteMarv sure sounds like a special guy. ❤️ My papa was in the Korean War, too, and he died last February at the age of 91. Marv was wise, and so was my papa. We can learn so much from people like them. Re: the Hodgepodge: I'm not surprised, but your answers are similar to what mine would be (although I'm tied for gardening and hiking, and the Fishman does our taxes--glad to have that completed!) 🙂
ReplyDeleteSorry your mail isn't coming daily. Oh my, $1.00. I mail a lot of cards! I do understand with your weather and that it makes it harder for you to pack. The sourdough bread does sound yummy. Marv sounds like a very nice man. Love the photo you shared. Nice answers for #5. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, I heard they were going up as well. I heard .95. I work in a private mailbox facility where we have mailboxes, and do shipping, etc...we have people coming in saying that they aren't getting mail from their post offices either. I enjoyed your answers.
ReplyDeleteGood old Marv. Wise words from a wise man! His legacy lives on. Also, we're usually on the same page about everything...but so funny...we are exact opposites on the this or that!! Oh well! They do say that opposites attract!! 🥰
ReplyDelete