A Middle School Boy Answers Hodgepodge Questions

Today I'm adding a spin to the  Hodgepodge by Joyce. 

In addition to my personal answers,  I've asked my 11-year-old son to answer the questions in his own words which I'll type in red.  Enjoy his, mine,  and then "ours"--i.e. the answers of other bloggers joining in for today's Hodgepodge.   (Hop around by clicking on this cute button after visiting.)

1. My sister is celebrating a birthday today. Happy Birthday little sis! What's one way you're like your siblings?  If you don't have siblings how are you like your lifelong best friend or cousin?

My answer:   I have three sisters and no brothers.  One way we're all alike is that we  all enjoy organizing things to varying degrees. My older (firstborn) sister is an assistant manager for a  major kitchen retailer.  I  enjoy teaching, which requires classroom and curriculum management. My younger sister oversees land management for Uncle Sam in a southwest state. My baby sister is an executive admin assistant for a government contractor. 

The 11 YOB (year old boy) says:  I have two older brothers and an older sister. How am I like my siblings? We're all cool.  

Humble, too, right? 

  2.  What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of yourself at age eighteen?

 Me:   Rebellious. Walking away from the Lord.   I chose a college far from home, not just because I had a great scholarship, but because I wanted to get away from parental rule. And God's rules.  

Son said, "When I'm 18, hopefully I won't be doing drugs. I'll be driving, probably about to have  my first car accident."  

(Sheez! What kind of achiever am I raising here?????  How many accidents does he foresee having????)

3. Sculptor-actor-painter-dancer...if you could excel in one of these arts, which would you choose and why?

Me? Painter.   My maiden name means "painter" and it's something I  would very much like to be really good at doing. For now, though, I simply enjoy the process of expressing beauty while honing the technical skills. 

He said, "Show me the choices again. Sculptor, actor, painter, dancer.   Actor. Because they make the most money. 

I guess he's never heard the term "starving actor."  

4. What's a scent that takes you back in time, and where does it take you?

Me:  There's a fragrance that was worn by the school librarian, Mrs. Fountain, when I was in third grade. I don't know the name of it, but on the rare occasion I catch a whiff of it (on an old lady), I am once again 8 years old having the date ink-stamped on that index card in the back of my library book.

Him:  I dunno. I can't think of anything. 

Maybe he hasn't lived long enough...? 

5. November is for Peanut Butter Lovers (National Peanut Butter Lovers Month).  Are you a lover or a hater?  What's your favorite dish/recipe that calls for peanut butter? 

Me: Peanut butter lover!   Favorite recipe? I would say PB cookies. Nothing quite  like warm, soft, peanut butter with criss-cross lines made by a sugar-dipped fork.  Love them .  I also love a PB&J sandwich once in a while, with cold milk .  Then there's the way peanut butter pairs oh-so-yummily with chocolate in Reese's cups . 

He answered,  "Peanut butter lover or hater? In-between.  Favorite dish? Peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

6. What do people thank you personally for most often?

Making breakfast and packing lunches or other foodie things.  On Facebook today, my 24 year-old daughter posted that she was thankful to me for teaching her to cook and to enjoy it.  She has the reputation among her school staff for being the gourmet of the group. That made me smile.  So I guess food-related gratitude is what I'm most thanked for, and that's fine because I feel like I live in the kitchen (and I despise despise grocery shopping). 

The 11 YOB said, "Hmm. For saving them in dodgeball.  I always jump in front of people and catch the ball and they're like, "Thanks!"  

7. What event this year are you most thankful for?

My second son's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful, and I had such peace and joy over it.  I gained a wonderful daughter in the exchange of vows, and saw the answer to many years of prayers come to reality.   Every night at 9:30, they turn off their computers, put their college books away,  and have devotions and prayer together.  Can it fill my heart any more with joy and thanks to see a young couple so in love with God and each other--and to hope for grandkidders from their union?  

Oh, and very, VERY close behind that (on the happyometer) was the birth of my precious niece, who seems like a grand baby to me. I can only imagine how good grandmotherhood is going to be if being an "old aunt" to  a newborn is any indication. 

The 11 year old said, "I'm thankful for Christmas." 
I said, "Christmas hasn't happened yet this year." 
He said, "I know, but it's going to. And I'm thankful for that!"

Methinks he has a list ready and waiting.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I finished my quilt top! Wish I could show a picture, but my only decent camera is awaiting a new battery charger in order to juice up the dead batteries. I think my blog needs more photo love, don't you? Amazon, I am one click away from making that happen. 

His random answer: (giggling while eating cereal), 
"Narhwols, nahrwols, swimming in the ocean.
Narhwols, narhwols, causing a commotion."  

Me: Huh? 
Him: (still giggling) "It's a song." 

I love to hear him giggle. Best part of the whole Hodgepodge "interview."