Wednesday Hodgepodge for May 13

Somehow, it's Wednesday again -- and time for the second Hodgepodge in May.  To join in, head over to From This Side of the Pond and get the questions from Joyce, then answer them on your own blog.  Here are the questions for this week:

1. Ever played the game Farkle? Are you a risk taker? In games only or also in life?

Nope, never played it.  I looked it up and I guess there are similarities to Yahtzee, which I hadn't played in years until we unearthed the vintage one from the old homestead.  I may occasionally take a risk in games, but I tend not to take risks in real life.   Some might say I am taking a risk in the old photo below ... I'm the girl at the right.  That thing in my hand is a gigantic leech, or bloodsucker as we called them.  I saw this pic and thought the object was a freshwater mussel (which always abounded in this particular pond) -- but when I sent this to my cousin (the girl at far left) she enlarged it and told me it was a leech.  No wonder everyone else looks a bit skeptical (except my cousin Wayne -- he looks fascinated!).

2. What's your favorite thing about your yard or whatever outdoor space you may have?

Hmmm ....  It may be the wildflower garden our daughter planted in her early teen years.  A corner of it forms the background for this graphic I made to share with a post about my quiet time, some years ago.

3. Tell us about the most interesting building you've seen or been in.

Drawing a blank on this one.  I'm thinking maybe a lighthouse, or Green Gables, or another of the Anne-related sites in PEI.  Or maybe a library.  In New England, the town libraries were often privately funded by some philanthropic wealthy family.  As a result, they were often one of the most ornate buildings in a small town.  In my hubby's hometown, there was a small gym in the basement of the library where the town kids could play basketball!  In my own hometown, the library was not ornate, but was a simple frame building that had once been a courthouse.  It's where Daniel Webster tried his first case, and is now the historical society building as a new library has been built.  In a nearby city, the library resembles a small castle.  The library in my daughter's town has this wonderful balcony where they place a Christmas tree every year.

  Below is the entrance to said library.  Even though I retouched the photo to remove that Instagram arrow, Blogger will not publish it that way.  So ...

4. In this current season of social distancing, what's something you've come to realize you take for granted in more ordinary times? Do you think you'll make a conscious effort to appreciate whatever that 'it' is once normal life resumes?

Being able to hug people.  I'm not necessarily a hugger, except with my own family (though my hubby absolutely is!), but there are a few other people in my life that I like to hug.  And I am missing being able to do that.  I may be a risk taker after all (see question 1) because I will likely hug them the next time I am able to see them.  And yes, I will make a conscious effort to appreciate that, knowing that it can quickly be snatched away.

5. Share a favorite song with a springtime flower in the lyrics somewhere.

(I'll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time.  It's not a huge favorite, just a fun song that came to mind.  These apple blossoms here are from a previous year; they're not blooming yet here.

 
 I also just thought about the hymn The Lily of the Valley.  That was a top favorite of my late father-in-law.  It's a lovely Gospel song with a nice lilting tune to it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our weather has certainly been random.  Cold, heat, snow, rain --  it's definitely not our usual May weather.  We've had more snow this May than I ever remember having in May.  Only daffodils and forsythia are blooming as of yet, and a few wildflowers.  The scilla is back, and I am happy to see it!

So ends another Hodgepodge.  Happy Wednesday, all!