It’s Wednesday again, and it’s time to answer a hodgepodge of questions from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Picnic Day…will you celebrate? Do you enjoy picnics? Dining out of doors picnic or otherwise? What are three or four things I’d find in your picnic basket? 

Although I am partial to a picnic, I won’t be celebrating this year. I do enjoy a good picnic, but prefer to eat indoors rather than outdoors if there is an option. I sometimes enjoy picnics outside, but not during the height of summer when wasps and other insects fly around in abundance.

My picnic must-haves are sandwiches, quiche, crisps and mini pork pies.

2.  A time recently where you felt ‘antsy’? 

The last time I felt antsy was this week, actually. My daughter’s high school have made some changes to her classes, so she really wasn’t looking forward to returning after the Easter holidays. I spent all day feeling antsy, worried about her and how she was getting on with the changes. I think the majority of the time I feel antsy, it’s usually to do with the kids and something they are going through.

3. As the saying goes…’when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’  Do you like lemonade? When did you recently need to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking?

I do like a glass of lemonade occasionally, although it’s not my first choice when it comes to drinks.

The only example I can think of recently where I’ve needed to make lemonade out of lemons is where plans have unexpectedly changed. I was really disappointed when I found out that my plans to visit an exhibition were on the one day of the week that it was closed. It gave me the opportunity and time to get some small projects completed around the house that I had been putting off.

4. Recently five ‘celebrities’ made a brief (ll minute) foray into space aboard Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket. Did you hear about this? Your thoughts? If money were no object is this something you’d like to do someday? 

I did hear about this, and I find the whole spectacle both wasteful and tone-deaf. At a time when the world is grappling with pressing issues like climate change, humanitarian crises, and economic inequality, such extravagant ventures feel disconnected from the reality most people face. The enormous resources poured into these fleeting moments of fame could be better used to address urgent global needs. While space exploration has its place, I firmly believe it should be guided by experts with scientific goals, not used as a playground for the wealthy under the guise of innovation.

It’s definitely not something I would like to do someday, and if I am ever in the position where money is no object, then I would hope I would spend it on much more important things.

5. Favorite thing about the ‘space’ you’re sitting in right now? 

My favourite thing about the space I’m sitting in right now, whilst typing this blog post, is the view of my bookcases. As well as being filled my lots of my favourite books, they are also full of trinkets and things that make me smile.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about the month of April and how it’s like the Thursday of the year. What I mean by that is April is not quite the weekend or the summer, but it’s getting closer. It’s like how January is the Monday of the year because no one really looks forward to it. What day of the week would you assign to certain months?