From years ago, our sons heading off to the first day of school in Ventura, California and several years later our daughter waiting for the school bus on the first day of school in Bothell, Washington.
Hello to September and another Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce From This Side of the Pond.
1. What’s something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing?
With fires and smoke filled skies we never got around to our short summer road trips.
2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be?
When seats weren’t assigned, I’d tend to sit closer to the front than the back. We don’t sit in back at church, either.
If I was going to choose a class to go back to, I would choose English, especially literature.
3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)?
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Listening to and knowing those whom you are teaching would be good.
I get weary of teachers who talk too much or ramble on.
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The teachers that I remember fondly are those who treated me as if they liked me, understood me, and were kind. Teachers I remember fondly are my 1st and 2nd grade teacher, my 6th grade teacher who was my first male teacher, a high school English teacher, and my social studies teachers in high school. I had 3 older siblings ahead of me who were good students (my sister Vera was Valedictorian and a math whizz). I got tired of hearing, “you aren’t like your sisters”.
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4. September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as ‘having grit’?
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Growing up in Southern California and now living in the Northwest, Grits are not a common thing. I might have tried grits when we were in the Carolina’s but I don’t remember. I can’t say that I’m a fan.
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Yes, I think some would agree that I have grit.
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5. What’s something you’re never too old or too young to enjoy?
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The Zoo! 🙂
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If you are a Born Again follower of Jesus gathering on Sunday to worship Jesus is something you are never to young or old to enjoy!
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6. Insert your own random thought here.
These two started 2nd and 4th grade last week. Each year they answer the question, What do you want to be when you grow up? At the beginning of this Homeschool year Addy wants to be a Daycare provider and JJ wants to be a Hunter.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
It’s amazing the teachers we remember in the young grades (I feel like generally, many elementary teachers possess the qualities you listed and tend to make big impressions on little minds!). I had a male teacher in 5th grade and that seemed a bit odd but he was a good teacher. How neat that your grandkids are homeschooled! I hope they have a great school year!
…they are growing as big as the sunflowers!
Ellen, another lovely Hodgepodge! I especially enjoyed your thoughts on teachers. You’re so right that the teachers we remember most are often those who made us feel seen, understood and valued. Those qualities can leave a lasting impression on a child.
I also smiled at your comment about sitting near the front at church. I think you and I would have been very different students, as I was probably more likely to be found somewhere near the back! 😂
I loved your answer about the zoo too, and especially what you said about worship. As followers of Jesus, gathering together to worship Him really is something we are never too old for.
And your grandchildren’s ambitions made me smile. A daycare provider and a hunter! It will be wonderful to see how those answers change over the years.
Thanks for another enjoyable Hodgepodge, Ellen. Wishing you, Addy and JJ a wonderful September and a great school year! 😀
Aww! What sweet photos! That is a shame you missed out on your summer road trips. Yes, I found myself nodding along to your answer for number 3. I always thought grits were a really normal thing in the whole of America. I blame the movies for telling me so.
That sunflower picture is so pretty! I hope they have a wonderful school year. It’s funny how families have their ‘assigned seats’ at church : ) I enjoyed your thoughts about teachers and it got me thinking about my favorites too. Hope you have a nice day!
Oh I’ve been wanting to go to the zoo. I haven’t been in decades! My favorite animal is the gorilla and loved sitting and watching them.
Sweet back to school pictures!
Geez, “you are not like your sisters” that would have bothered me too.
We had a real strange teacher in 9th grade. He was a protester. He was protesting a mine that was about 45 minuets from our town. Anyway he was protesting naked. Ha! He was arrested.
High Fives to Homeschooling. We were a homeschooling family too.
Have a great day!
Interesting questions and answers. I’d pick Scrience as my favorite subject in school. follwed closely by litearture. Happy New School Year to your grandchildren!
How times flies! It is so special to see through images history repeating itself in the best way possible!
I love your answer to number 5. I will never get too old to worship my Redeemer!
Love the school pics from your children’s childhood.
We’ve been watching the news about all you folks out there and all the fires and very hot temps. Wow. Hopefully in the Autumn months, you can take your trips.
We definitely don’t do grits up here in the Northeast. Our big thing is avocado on toast…..although that trend seems to be fading a bit…..but grits? nope, not on any menu I’ve ever seen here in NYS.
Enjoyed your Hodgepodge!
Such sweet photos – both old and new!
Kindness matters so much!
I love the idea of asking littles what they want to do someday and keeping their responses to play again and again. Time is a thief!
Those first days of school bring back a lot of sweet memories, especially when you look at photos such as these. Loved the old and the new. Thanks for sharing them Ellen, and another delightful hodge podge.
Cute photos of your grands, it is hard to believe school has started back already!
Take care, have a happy day!
Love those giant sunflowers. Hard to believe it is back to school time and the Addy and JJ are getting so big!!
Sweet photos. Sorry you couldn’t do the trips you wanted to do. Interesting that you like to sit in front. I agree that teachers should know you and listen to you. Sorry that you were told that you were not like your sisters. I haven’t had grits yet. The zoo is a good answer. Cute picture of the kids. I hope they have a great school year. Those are interesting answers from the kids.
Enjoy your weekend.
Great answers Ellen. I grew up in the midwest and we had grits, I think partly because they were cheap. Even after moving the PNW we always had them in the house.