Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

As soon as your new employer allows you to do so, sign up for whatever savings plan they offer -- if they match your contributions, sign up for the maximum you can give! Also, if you move away from your friends and family, find a small group - look up the churches around your new home and see if they offer a group for young adults. Travel as much as you can afford!! Enjoy life, but don't allow yourself to get into credit card debt.

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

Let's see . . .I guess brains?? Being back in college at my age requires lots of thought! Also, I have some big projects coming up at work in August so I will need to plan carefully which also requires lots of thought!

3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

When my sister and I are together, location doesn't matter. It feels like "home." Also, we have a close knit group of friends and no matter where we are, when we are together it feels like "home." Last but not least, when I went to my 50th high school reunion last month, being around those people I knew for the first 18 years of my life felt oddly "at home-ish" though I have NO DESIRE to move back to that side of town.

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

We own a Phoenix grill and a Pit Barrel smoker. Mark is the grillmaster at our house. Burgers are always good on the grill and we had those for Mother's day lunch! Most any meat is good after cooking on the grill or smoker.

5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

It is not a specific memory, but when I need to calm down or need a little joy, I often close my eyes and imagine I am on the beach in Orange Beach, AL. I can hear the waves and feel the sun and smell the salty air.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Mark and his siblings are closing on their mother's house today. It is bittersweet. The house needs to be sold yet there are 60 years of Mark and George's memories in that house. She died in June of 2024 so it is time for some closure.