A random April hodgepodge

 Wednesday again; time to link up for the Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond with Joyce and other friends.  Joyce asks the questions; bloggers answer them on their own blogs and then link to the Hodgepodge.  Why not join in?

Mural in Ely, NV

 (Note: the photos interspersed are from various touristy (or not so touristy, as the case may be) places I've been.)

Seaside, FL

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Has your April been filled with showers? Do you carry an umbrella, wear a slicker, or make a run for it? Besides rain, what else has filled your April? 

My April has been filled with showers. We've had lots of rain this month; more than usual, it seems.  I usually wear a slicker if I have to be out in the rain, so I can put the hood up.

My April has also been filled with busyness.  Lots of things to do this month; my calendar has been very full.

LL Bean, Freeport, ME

2. What's something you could you give a 30-minute presentation on at a moment's notice and with zero preparation?

Probably how to make a certain recipe that I have memorized, like my mother's fish chowder recipe, for example.   If I needed to add more information fill up the 30 minutes, I could share memories of times when she served fish chowder and how it was a favorite meal of certain friends and family.

Wiscasset, ME

3. Share with us a favorite food memory from childhood.

This is a tough one because there were so many.  Both my mother and grandmother were amazing cooks, as were my aunts.  One favorite one I recall was coming home to the scent of baked potatoes and creamed chipped beef.  Comfort food for sure!  My aunt Dot made fantastic pies.  She made a date cream pie that was simply incredible.  And my mother often greeted us after school with the scent of just-baked brownies, cookies, or homemade bread.

Cabbage Island Clambake

4. What's a song you thought you knew the lyrics to, but later discovered you were wrong?

Drawing a blank on this one, but I'm very sure there were some.

Story Land, Glen, NH

5. According to one travel website, the most overrated tourist attractions in America are-
Niagara Falls (NY), Hollywood Walk of Fame (California), Times Square (NYC), Epcot (FL), Seattle Space Needle (WA), and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (Boston). How many of these have you seen in person? Did you feel like a tourist? Did you care? Tell us about a place (not on the list) you've visited that might be considered a tourist trap, but you love it anyway.

I've been to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, but it was night time and we were in a hurry.  So it doesn't really count, I'm sure.    I've also been to Times Square, eons ago, and to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market a few times.  I'd have to say yes, I felt like a tourist in every instance, but didn't really care, I guess.

I think a good many of the places I like in New England could possibly be considered tourist traps (but then again, maybe not).  But I love them anyway.  Probably the one that could be considered most like a tourist trap is Boothbay Harbor, ME -- a place I would never have opted to visit in the summer.  But I have done so, and I enjoy it.

Boothbay Harbor, ME

 6. Your signature clothing item?

Some people would say it's a vest.  I own a few, but don't constantly wear a vest.  Other than that, no signature item.

Nubble Light, York, ME

7. What's an experience you've had you think everyone should experience at least once? Why?

Hmmm ... this is a tricky one.  Joyce is trying to make us think again. I thought of salvation, but that would be only once.  How about this -- the realization of how much God loves you.  Because that would change us from the inside out and transform our world.

Ely, NV

Ely, NV

 8. Insert your own random thought here.

My brain feels utterly fried today. Guess most any thought I have would be considered random!

Bliss, ID

Castleford, ID

 Happy Wednesday, everyone!