Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Summer officially rolls in with the Hodgepodge this week, for those of us in the Northern hemisphere anyway. What song says summer 2012 to you?
Roll out those lazy, hazy days of summer by Nat King Cole--click to watch on You Tube

2. What's your favorite quintessential summer food?
Hot dogs cooked on the grill, and watermelon or home-made ice cream.

3. I've spent a lot of time traipsing up and down the NJ Turnpike in recent weeks. Did you know the rest areas on the turnpike are named after people who lived or worked in NJ? Clara Barton, Walt Whitman, James Fenimore Cooper, Molly Pitcher, Joyce Kilmer, Thomas Edison, and Gover Clevland just to name a few. Of those I listed, who would you most like to have known and why?

Clara Barton--She was a pioneer in humanitarianism.  She was a teacher and nurse. She risked her life when she was nearly 40 years old to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field during the Civil War. Then, at age 60, she founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and led it for the next 23 years. Her understanding of the needs of people in distress and the ways in which she could provide help to them guided her throughout her life. By the force of her personal example, she opened paths to the new field of volunteer service. Her intense devotion to the aim of serving others resulted in enough achievements to fill several ordinary lifetimes.

http://www.redcross.org/museum/history/claraBarton.asp

4. At what age did you move out of your parent's house and what prompted the move?
I was thirteen.  In order for me to go to high school, I had to live in town, as our ranch was too far for a daily drive and there were no school buses.  I got a job as a nanny, and was paid $2 a week (plus room and board).  I had to share a bed with one of the girls that I took care of.

5. What's more satisfying to you-saving time or saving money?
Definitely saving money.  Being brought up poor, I learned the value of a dollar.

Grandson cracking up on fishing trip 

6. Name something you think brings out the good in people.
Children's laughter, you can't help but smile when you see when you see their joy.

7. This last question comes to you courtesy of Kathy over at Reflections...will you be taking a vacation or a staycation this summer? If so where will you go? If a staycation is on the calendar have you made any special plans to fill the time?
I am looking forward to my vacation in about three weeks.  I will fly into Portland, Oregon, rent a car and then send some time in Olympic National Park, a day in Victoria, B.C. and then 10 days visiting various relatives in Washington and Oregon.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Summer must officially be here in Phoenix, it is 110+ now during the daytime.

Wednesday 6/20/2012
Hi: 114° Sunny and hot. Highs 107 to 112. East wind around 5 mph in the morning becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Lo: 77° Clear. Lows 71 to 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday 6/21/2012
Hi: 114° Sunny and hot. Highs 108 to 113. Light wind in the morning becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Lo: 78° Clear. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s.

Friday 6/22/2012
Hi: 113° Mostly clear and hot. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Highs 107 to 112.Lo: 79° Mostly clear and hot. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Highs 107 to 112.

Saturday 6/23/2012
Hi: 111° Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Hot. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Highs 105 to 110. Lo: 79° Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Hot. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Highs 105 to 110.

Sunday 6/24/2012
Hi: 109° Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Highs 102 to 107.Lo: 78° Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Highs 102 to 107.

Monday 6/25/2012
Hi: 110° Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s to lower 80s. Highs 102 to 107.