Government Cheese: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? 

Absolutely not.  I probably could learn, but this is one of those areas that's best that I trust the professionals and save my self time and consternation.

I'm going to just leave this here... 

I'm feeling a little on the "taxed" side right now.  Though I'm busy all year at my full-time job, spring is my busiest season.  With commencement and all of the end of the school year reports and preparations, I'm ready for a long break.  I've been taking a vacation day here and there and having some long weekends, but I need some extended time away from my desk.  I've already put in for my summer break at the end of May, so that should do the trick.

When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

At present I don't travel enough to share any tips, but when I do travel, I mull over what I need to bring while trying to keep it light.  I pack what I can a few days ahead (some things like medicines have to wait until the day of). 

April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level?

I enjoy the occasional grilled cheese sandwich.  I don't add anything special to it--just Colby-Jack cheese between slices of wheat bread, cooked with either butter or Blue Bonnet spread.  Hey, I'm simple; I grew up eating grilled cheese sandwiches made with "government cheese" and white bread, so my sandwich now is an upgrade.  

What would be the "next level" of a grilled cheese without turning it into a melt or panini?

There's a well known quote that says, "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." - John A. Shedd.  Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

Stability and peace come with growth.  I believe that regular periods of growth are more achievable than  constant growth.  Stagnation leads to undesirable regression. 

Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips? Yes.
• lemonade or iced tea?  Mix them to make an Arnold Palmer.
• gardening or hiking?  Gardening (of sorts).  I'm looking forward to being able to safely put annuals in my flower pots in front of my apartment.
• ladybugs or butterflies?  In nature?  Both.  To paint?  Butterflies.
• umbrella or raincoat?  Stay in the house out of the rain.
• floral patterns or polka dots?  Floral patterns.

Insert your own random thought here. 

In case you missed it:  

• My previous Hodgepodge post "Fake Spring 2026" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post:  #43 - Looking for the King by David Downing is here. 
• My latest Five Minute Friday post:  "Lazy" is here. 
• My "2026 Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly).  
• My "26 for 2026" challenge is COMING SOON. (Updated regularly)
• My "26 for 2026" art challenge is COMING SOON.  (Updated regularly). 

Five Minute Friday: "Lazy"

Is lazy relative?  

When I don't complete all the tasks on my work and personal to-do list for the day, I feel lazy though the list is a mile long and is impossible to complete in a day.  I've had creative blocks in my writing and art for the past several weeks.  Is that lazy, or just a product of this busy season on my job? 

The dictionary definition of lazy is "unwilling to work or use energy."  The key to this is "unwilling."  I'm willing to do a heck of a lot more than I have time or energy for.  But is this the answer?  Is this the key to not feeling or being seem as lazy?  So now it's not enough to be willing to simply do what I can; I must work myself purple to be seen as industrious.  

Where is the balance?  

Having a healthy work ethic can morph into toxic "hustle culture," which can then balloon to the point of burnout where a person wants to engage in "quiet quitting" where he/she only does the bare minimum (or worse, nothing). 

So, I ask again, is lazy relative?

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In case you missed it:  

• My last Five Minute Friday Post "Stuff" is here. 
• My latest Wednesday Hodgepodge post "Fake Spring 2026" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post:  #43 - Looking for the King by David Downing is here. 
• My "2026 Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly).  
• My "26 for 2026" challenge is COMING SOON. (Updated regularly)
• My "26 for 2026" art challenge is COMING SOON.  (Updated regularly). 

Fake Spring 2026: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

From Pinterest

It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? 

Here in Colorado, we've seen every season in rapid succession.  So far this month we've gone from snow and freezing temps to summer-like temperatures near 90 degrees.  The Bradford Pear Trees are blooming and the birds are singing, but I'm not fooled.  We've gotten snow as late as the week before Memorial Day.

What's your favorite thing about spring? 

Even if it is Colorado's traditional "fake" spring or the real one, getting outside for sun and fresh air is so invigorating.  The longer days means the mulligrubs are better held at bay.  Late May is also when I take my yearly week-long spring stay-cation. This season presents so much to thoroughly enjoy and eagerly anticipate.

Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

Actually, "spring cleaning" seems to be more apropos.  I'm not just speaking of the physical cleaning of the home (although I'll be slowly doing that too).  I'm thinking more of a clean reset both mentally and physically.  I'm in a good place, but though we've had a mild winter so far, this year has had a very slow start.   

Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun (spring mix), artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions.

Out of the list, spinach is my favorite...although I have been craving deviled eggs lately.  Speaking of spinach, one way I like to use it is in protein shakes.  However, the company that made the whey protein power I used went out of business a couple of years ago.  I am now on the hunt for vanilla whey protein powder that doesn't contain artificial sweeteners and doesn't cost as much as a full bill of groceries.  The closest I've come is the Naked Whey on Amazon.  However, it's only 16 ounces of powder (only about 12 servings) and costs almost $30 a canister.  Yikes!  I may have to give up on the idea of protein shakes a little while longer.

What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

From Google

I have a list of sorts in my head.  The big nagging cleaning task I've been putting off is cleaning the interior of my car.  It's organized enough, but it needs a good wipe down and vacuuming.  I can go to the car wash to clean the outside of the car, but I can't figure out how to use the car vacs for the inside. So I have to use a small broom and dustpan to clean the floorboard and seats.  Our apartment complex doesn't have any outside electrical outlets (that I can find), otherwise I'd use the attachments on my vacuum cleaner.

Insert your own random thought here. 

In case you missed it:  

• My previous Hodgepodge post "Flat as a To-Do List" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post:  #43 - Looking for the King by David Downing is here. 
• My "2026 Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly).  
• My "26 for 2026" challenge is COMING SOON. (Updated regularly)
• My "26 for 2026" art challenge is COMING SOON.  (Updated regularly).