Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 554

1.  It's National Cheese Day (June 4)...does anyone not like cheese?  What's your favorite?  Last thing you ate or made with cheese?

I love cheese.  My favorite is St. Andre, a creamy French cheese.  I had cheese for lunch, one of those Kraft Mexican medleys that I put in my quesadilla.  Vic didn't grow up eating dairy products, so cheese doesn't like him. 

2.  Last time you were instructed to 'say cheese'?  How do you feel about having your picture taken?

Since I take most the photographs, I can't remember the last time I heard 'say cheese'.  I hate having my picture taken but I do it because I read somewhere that after you're gone, it's sad for your children and grandchildren to see photos or photo albums with pictures of everyone else except you.  They won't care whether you hate your nose, lips, whatever.

The last photo of me, taken by Vic on Mother's Day.  I don't like my crooked smile, that my necklace isn't working with that neckline, or that my face is really chubby, but Vic and Sophia won't care.  They will see the wife and mother that they love and remember so many other things about me.

3.  What's your travel packing strategy?  Are you typically a light packer or do you throw in everything but the kitchen sink?  When flying do you check a bag or aim for carry on only?

I'm in between a light packer and everything but the kitchen sink.  My last trip with a suitcase was a trip to DC to meet Vic and then we drove back across the country to Washington.  I packed a carry on.  My upcoming challenge will be flying from Washington in the winter months (cold, rainy weather), taking a short cruise to the Bahamas (warm weather), and then flying home.  After that will be two weeks in France and England in the spring.  I'm researching those capsule wardrobes to make the best use of the luggage we'll take with us.

4. What is it about people's cell phone habits that you find most annoying?

Any time someone is carrying on a conversation with their cell phone on speaker especially if it's a conversation that would be better conducted in private.

5.  What will be your summer mantra/slogan?

I love this graphic has a snowflake at the top.  Summer brings Christmas in July and for my Christmas group, it's a huge celebration.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I loved seeing this photograph of D-Day veteran Mr. Jim Miller being invited to Buckingham Palace to receive his 100th birthday card from King Charles III.  Mr. Miller was called up at 18 years old and volunteered for the Army after failing a hearing test for the Air Force.  Drafted into the Armoured Corps, Mr Miller became a driver and wireless operator in armoured cars.  He landed on Juno Beach in Nazi-occupied France on June 9 at the age of 20, after arriving on the deck of an American ship with armoured cars in the hold.

June 6, 2024 will be the 80th anniversary of D-Day.  

This year will likely be the last major D-Day anniversary with living veterans in attendance.  By the 85th anniversary in 2029, those who are still living will almost certainly be in triple digits.