The Uncomplicated HodgePodge

I'm back off my blogging break!  I didn't even do my A to Z Reflections post - oops!   Maybe I'll still do it even tho I missed the sign ups.  

Thanks as always to Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for today's HodgePodge. 

1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be?

Most likely some processes at work.  Next month is my (gasp!) 26th anniversary there and of course over the years some tasks have somehow oozed onto my desk, and I don't always get proper (or any) training.  

2. What impresses you?

Talent.  Some of the kids the Spawn used to dance with were incredible.  Artists, too.  (edited to add) Public Speaking!  I'm impressed every year when I have to help judge the entries for the VFWs Voice of Democracy program.  It's high school kids writing & presenting a speech on a given topic.  They're always amazing.  

 And what made me say "WOW!" just recently was seeing a picture of Admiral Brad Cooper, the Commander of the US Central Command. 

(pic snagged from navy.mil)

A civilian might not understand, but all those ribbons on the left chest/shoulder stand for awards, recognitions, commendations, honors, etc.  That's an insane amount. 

In comparison, I did 8 years in the Navy and came out with 6 ribbons. However, looking at all the gold stripes on his sleeves (each one means 4 years of service) he's done at least 20....

I bet he's got some stories. 

3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you? (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose?

A solid 9.  I won't eat red onions - but white/yellow is ok. Tofu. Green peppers. Otherwise, I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to food.  I've eaten - and enjoyed -rattlesnake (takes like chicken/turkey) and escargot and buffalo.  I currently have a pound of ground elk and some venison steaks in my freezer, thanks to the Spawn's male friend.  When the Spouse & I went on Carnival Cruises back in 2005 / 2007 we made a point of eating something we'd never had before every night at dinner. 

I'm going to steal 99% of Joyce's answer for the color - red.  No red onions, of course.  I'd burp them up for days. But I wouldn't have thought of red meat!  And I will eat red peppers (and orange & yellow if I have to) but those green ones ...

😖

4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel 'balanced'?

Being able to separate home / work / volunteering / continuing education.  It's tough to do sometimes since I need to get in the correct frame of mind for whatever hat I am wearing at the moment.  So no, life is not balanced, but not for lack of trying! 

5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination?

Australia, since I didn't get to go there back in 1995 when I was on my WestPac cruise in the Navy.   I still want to try Vegemite handed to me by a real Aussie.  

I also want to visit all 50 states. Like real visit, not just drive thru. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I made the mistake of leaving my phone unattended last Sunday and I ended up with 50 or so photos of these 2 little faces.  And 3 videos.  This is a screenshot from one of the videos (they didn't know it was a video!!)

Some dialogue...

Grandson - "OMG my head is so giant, take a picture of me now"

Also Grandson - "oh please please please let my head be giant!"

Granddaughter - "random beeping noises"

Grandson - aghast - "what is happening???"