Calm, Cool, and Collected Hodgepodge

 

1. What's a characteristic you admire in others? Elaborate.

I wish I could stay even-tempered no matter what’s happening around me—calm, cool, and collected in any situation. I also wish I felt more self-assured, or maybe just had more confidence in myself.

2. Do you have a favorite mug? Let's see it. Why is this one your favorite? 

I do not have a favorite mug because I rarely drink from a mug. Mark has a couple of favorite mugs - he wants a big cup for his coffee because he uses a healthy large amount of half and half in his coffee.

3. July 15th is/was National Give Something Away Day...will you (or did you, depending on what day you answer these questions) give something away? If so what? Do you regularly give away or do you tend to  'accumulate'? 

Now I want to go clean out a closet! Mark and I try not to hold onto things. We try to clean out stuff once a year or so. I've got a 35mm camera and some amazing lenses . . .I should give them away. Maybe I'll do that. I did give a piece of furniture to the Community Furniture Bank this week!

4. You're planning a trip. Do you prefer exploring big cities or smaller, more off the grid towns? World Atlas lists these 12 'off the grid' towns to see in 2025. How many on the list have you seen? Of those listed which one would you most like to visit? Tell us why? 

Boothbay Harbor Maine, Middlebury Vermont, New Hope Pennsylvania, Rehoboth Beach Delaware, Brevard North Carolina, Saugatuck Michigan, Medora North Dakota, Ouray Colorado, Lamoille Nevada, Neah Bay Washington, Hood River Oregon, or Cambria California

*You can read more about each destination by clicking the link above. 

I love to travel, but I’ve never really thought about whether I prefer big cities or small ones—maybe I lean toward smaller? I’m not sure! I haven’t been to any of those places, but they all seem really cool. Rehoboth Beach and Ouray both look like fun spots to visit. I’ve also never been to the Pacific Northwest, so several of those destinations are definitely on my list.

5. Have you ever...ridden a motorcycle? yes been to a Disney park? yes met a celebrity? yes won a contest? yes Tell us something about whatever you answered yes to on this list. 

I went on a date with a guy who drove a motorcycle. It was fun riding behind him, but I don't think I would want to do it all of the time. 

I've been to Disney World twice. The first time we went was when our kids were about 10 years old. My sister and her husband (ex - he who remains nameless ha!) and son met us. We planned that vacation for months! We stayed at Port Orleans and had so much fun.

About a year and a half later, Mark had a meeting at the Contemporary and we pulled the kids out of school and we went with him. It was late October and we rode and rode and rode the rides while Mark was in his meetings. The kids rode Space Mountain about 10 or 12 times in a row one night. I made it through 3 times and then I said, "I'll be standing right here."

I've met Bob Goff. In case you don't know him, he is an author and has several book studies on DVD. One of his studies is why I'm back in college at the fine age of 67. The study is Dream Big . . .and I did Dream Big!

I also got an autograph from Jerry Clower one time for my father-in-law. 

I won a Pappy van Winkle contest and won a bottle of Pappy for Mark.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It’s so hot here in Alabama, I’m starting to understand why Southern porches were made for sitting still with sweet tea—any movement feels like a negotiation with the sun. Actually, I am so thankful for Willis Haviland Carrier who was an American engineer, best known for inventing modern air conditioning, inventing the first electrical air conditioning unit in 1902. Thank you Mr. Carrier! I appreciate you!