The ‘Dry As A Desert’ Hodgepodge…

We don’t live near a desert, but the soil around here is almost as dry as one.  We desperately need some rain in our neck of the woods!  Perhaps we’ll get some rain today, but while we’re waiting, let’s participate in The Hodgepodge. Thanks to our gracious hostess, Joyce, for another great set of questions.  Here they are:

1. Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert? What did you think? Travel and Leisure lists the ‘coolest’ American desert towns as-

Palm Springs CA, Virgina City NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT, Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac AZ

Have you been to any of these? Would you like to visit a desert town? Which on the list would you most like to see?

I’ve never lived near or been to a desert, and I really don’t have any desire to do so.  I like trees!  If I had to visit one of the desert towns listed, I’d choose to visit the corner of Winslow AZ so I could see the new, life-sized bronze statue of Glen Frey, formerly of The Eagles.

2. What’s a plan or project you’ve deserted in the past year?

I’ve deserted my photo collection.  My collection sits abandoned on my computer, and in many  bright orange ‘Shutterfly’ envelopes.  I used to make scrapbooks, then I began making video montages, using family photographs.  It’s been well over a year since I did either one of those projects with my photos.

3. Desert-dessert? Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling.

Two words I have trouble spelling are license and diarrhea.  In fact, I misspelled both words as I typed them in this sentence.

4. High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house…which phrase can you relate to currently? Explain.

I can most relate to “not a dry eye in the house”.  One of my cousins passed away, unexpectedly, last Thursday.  My brother, who lives in Florida, was asked to preach her funeral, so he and his wife spent the weekend with us.  As you can imagine, it was an emotion filled weekend, but Ed and I had a great visit with my brother and his wife, in spite of the circumstances.

5. How often do you frequent the dry cleaners? Starch or no starch?

It’s been years since I’ve needed to have anything dry cleaned.  I try to stick with wash-n-wear.  Starch, please!  It makes the clothes look better.

6. What’s a food or beverage you enjoy that’s named for a place?

I enjoy eating “Low Country Boil”, a meal consisting of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, potatoes, and onions boiled together in a large pot, along with seafood seasoning.  ” Low Country” refers to a certain geographical and cultural region along South Carolina’s coast.

7. Do you need solitude?

Yes, I do need (and enjoy) a certain amount of solitude each day, especially if I’m blogging or reading.  I find it difficult to concentrate if there’s noise or other people around.

Random:

Yesterday’s office surgery is now “behind” me.  No pun intended 🙂  The surgery wasn’t bad, other than the indignation of where it had to be performed.  The surgeon was very nice, and talked to me during the procedure. The cyst was rather large, so the incision has been a bit painful, especially when I sit. Last night, it hurt, no matter what I did.  Thankfully, I know this is a temporary thing!  Thanks to those who prayed and encouraged me, last week.

The “Welcome Fall” Wednesday Hodgepodge…

I’m running a bit behind with posting this Hodgepodge, today.  This morning, our internet decided to be difficult, but it’s back on now, and all is well.  Once the internet began working,  I could actually see ‘the linky’ for the Hodgepodge, this morning!  Yay!  It’s the little things that mean so much, folks.  As always, I’m grateful for our hostess, Joyce, and the wonderful job she does with The Hodgepodge 🙂  Here are today’s questions:

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world…how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it’s official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What’s a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home?

I’d like to say I’ll be welcoming the season by sitting on our front porch, enjoying a cool autumn breeze, but that won’t be happening.  Why?  Because it’s still hot here, and huge swarms of ‘love bugs’ have recently taken over our porch!

Actually, I’ll probably just get dressed, on Thursday, and go to a nearby Tractor Supply to purchase some chicken feed.  I may even pick and shell a few more peas, too.  Aren’t you in awe of my exciting life?

As for autumn scents, I like pumpkin, cinnamon, or anything that smells like a fireplace burning. I recently bought some wax melts from Better Homes, called Autumn Afternoon Stroll, that smell nice.  I use wall flowers from Bath and Body Works, or wax melting pots to scent our home.  Once it gets cold enough, I’ll burn a candle, too, sometimes.

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

I prefer apple pie over pumpkin pie.  I don’t care for apple cider, and I’ve never tried any of the other things.

3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it’s here?

Boy do I ever suffer from “afternoon slump”!  It hits me everyday about 2 p.m.  I don’t fight it, I just head for the couch and take an afternoon nap.  It’s one of the perks of being retired!

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

Two of my newest women friends are both in their 80’s, and they have inspired me to embrace aging with a better attitude.  Both are wonderful Christian ladies, who are still very active in their church (or they were until they recently became ‘displaced’) and both are still very active in life, as well.  One still mows her own grass, the other goes to the gym three times a week.  One of the ladies recently broke her arm, but she just smiles and has the best attitude about it, saying, “It could always have been worse.”

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that’s a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser?

In younger years, I was more of a people pleaser.  These days, not so much.  I wish I felt like doing more for others, but life is what it is, and it’s not always what I wish it was.  Sometimes, the spirit is willing, but the body just won’t cooperate.

6. The seasons are a-changin’…share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).

I couldn’t really think of a personal favorite, but this is a good song…

7. What do you wish would never change?

Loving and trusting relationships.

Random:

I’m scheduled to have office surgery, next Tuesday, to have a rather large cyst removed from my right buttock.  As you can imagine, I’m a bit embarrassed, and not really looking forward to having this surgery done, but it’s necessary.  I sure would appreciate your prayers.  Thanks.

 

The Summer Of ’16…

With autumn quickly approaching, I felt the desire to reflect on the summer of ’16 before it moves on.  I’ve been working on this post for several days, trying to find just the right words.  I’m not sure I ever did find them, but here goes…

I lived my first “summer of 16” many years ago.  Although I may not always recall what I ate for last night’s supper,  I can remember parts of that summer like it was only yesterday. It’s funny how age does that to ya’…or is it?

It was the summer of 1971, I was sixteen years old, and had already been engaged for about nine months. I was actually still quite young, but I felt old! I’ve always felt older in years than I really am.

That summer, in addition to working a summer job, I spent my days writing letters to, and receiving letters from Edward, the young man who would eventually become my husband in a few short months. Ed, who was serving in the army, had been overseas for nine months, but unfortunately, still had more than nine months left to go.  I had nine more months of high school left, as well.

I was about to embark on my senior year of high school, but I couldn’t wait to be finished with school, and become Ed’s wife!  My ‘hope chest’, in the corner of my bedroom grew fuller with each of my weekly paychecks.  At the end of each day, I anxiously crossed another day off of the calendar which hung on the wall, over my ‘hope chest’.  Life was waiting!

Flash forward another forty-five years, which really seem more like ten years.  Ed and I have been already been married forty-four years, have raised three children, and are now retired.   Our children are all married, with children of their own.  We have four beautiful grandchildren. The majority of our life story has already been lived.  We like to think we still have several chapters to go, but who ever really knows?

As autumn approaches, and I prepare to say goodbye to the second “summer of 16” of my lifetime, I have to say,  this one’s been quite different from the one of my youth!  For one thing, my body doesn’t look or feel anything like the body of the sixteen-year-old girl I used to be.  Today’s 16  refers to what year it is, not my age!

These days, I’m a “mature” woman.  I’m also a wife, mother, and grandmother, with years of life experience behind me, some good and some bad.  Oh, if only I could have possessed a small fraction of today’s knowledge, back in my first summer of 16, I’d surely have changed a few things along the way!  Wouldn’t we all?

This summer of 16 has been one of the most difficult and trying summers of my life.  There have been lots of personal struggles for me, even a few ‘ghosts of the past’ have come back to haunt me.  There’s been much turmoil and strife among our family since shortly after Mother’s Day, and it’s been tough on all of us.  Although we’ve tried several times, to get things reconciled, somehow, it’s never really seemed to work out.  There are days when I wonder if things will ever be normal again, but, I continue to pray, and turn it over to God. It’s all I know to do.

As if family turmoil wasn’t enough, we’ve experienced some religious turmoil, this summer, too. After five long years of being without a church to call our own, Ed and I thought we’d finally found our new church home.  Long story made short, we were mistaken.  After four months, Ed and I, along with several ‘long-time’ church members, suddenly found ourselves without a church, as it became painfully apparent some deacons of the church weren’t interested in heeding the biblical instructions of their pastor.  Those deacons now have “their church” to run, but they have no pastor, only a handful of members, and a bleak-looking future for the church.

Of course, the summer of sixteen hasn’t been all bad, though. There have been lots of good times, scattered among the heartache.  I’ve learned that life must go on, even through turmoil and strife.  Our family has celebrated holidays, accomplishments,  birthdays and anniversaries, even though all members weren’t present for the celebrations.

In addition, we’ve made some new friends, and we’ve enjoyed the company of some dear old friends, too. This summer, Ed and I were still able to grow another successful garden, and we were still able to can lots of food, even after Ed’s heart attack and my back surgery!  Praise the Lord!  And, although we felt we had to leave a church we loved, we carry lots of good memories from the time we were there, and we move on to wherever God leads us…

Yesterday’s gone, there’s no way to change it or get it back, but today is what really matters!  It’s our ‘present’, and we really need to make the best of it.  I’m trying, believe me, I’m trying.

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

 

Gone, But, Hopefully Not Forgotten, Hodgepodge…

The Hodgepodge and I have been absent from blog land for a couple of weeks, but we’re back today!  I needed a blogging break, and I think our hostess, Joyce, may have needed one, too.  It feels good to be back, and, as always, I thank Joyce for all that she does for us.

1. What’s changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday?

Since I just celebrated a birthday on August 30, not a lot has changed since then.  I’ve begun to decorate the house and yard for fall, but I’m not finished, yet.  Below is a picture of what we’ve done outside, so far.  The bird house was a birthday gift.  I decided to decorate it, and make it part of my fall decor.

Speaking of  my birthday, before I move on, I have to share a picture of the cake Ed got for my birthday:

It says, “Happy Birthday Hunny Bunny”.  I loved it!

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what’s a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer?

I do, occasionally, listen to classical music because I find it relaxing.  I don’t know if I have a favorite piece, but I love all of the music from The Nutcracker, and sometimes I fall asleep listening to it.

3. Besides The Bible, what’s a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so?

I don’t know of a book, other than the Bible, that has really changed my life, relationships, career, etc.  (I prefer reading fiction or autobiographies over self-help.) Some years ago, I did actually buy one self-help book by Dr. Phil McGraw.  When our oldest son saw the book on the table, he told me the only “self-help” book anybody needs is the Bible.  I’ve never forgotten that.

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter…play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try?

I’ve tried to learn a musical instrument, once, (keyboard), and , unfortunately, I wasn’t very good at it. These days, my ability to exercise is limited due to back issues.  I don’t care much for cooking or traveling anymore, either.

I read magazines and books. I enjoy writing my feelings down, so I blog and occasionally keep a journal for more private thoughts.  I’ll give my brain a ‘workout’ with jigsaw or word puzzles, every now and then, but I probably need to do more of that.

5. What sports traditions does your family have?

Ed and I are not really ‘into’ sports, so we don’t really have any sports traditions. We’ll usually watch the Georgia/Florida football game, or perhaps another Georgia game or two, but that’s about it.

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please.

I find the ‘protesters’  behavior disgraceful, disgusting, and shameful.  Enough said.

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience?

I have a lot more patience than I used to have, as far as waiting for an event to happen or a package to come in the mail.  The days seem to pass so quickly, now. I tend to lose patience on extremely long waits at the doctor’s office.  Two hours is too long to wait.  I quickly get aggravated with loud, obnoxious people, too.

Random:

I have been absent from blogging for two weeks.  When I found time to blog, I lacked the energy, and when I had energy I was busy doing other things. Here’s a quick recap:

I celebrated another birthday, and things really don’t feel any different, except for the anticipation of receiving another retirement check.  I’ll have to wait until next month for that, but remember,  I’m a patient person.

Ed and I were able to make two trips to St. Simon’s Island during the past two weeks.  I’m looking forward to making [at least] one more trip before we end our 2016 beach season.  The crowds are all gone, and the weather is wonderful.

Ed and I attended a little end of the summer ‘social’ a couple of weeks ago.  Some of the folks we used to attend church with got together,  made some ice cream, cooked some boiled peanuts, and invited all of the “displaced” church folks over.  We had a great time!  We’ve gotten to know  the former pastor and his wife better, lately.  We visited with them at their home, recently, and they were at the ‘social’ as well.

Ed and I spent a day visiting with some long-time friends (as in, since our high school days) who live in another town.  For lunch, they treated us to some of the best “low country boil” I’ve ever eaten.  We had a great day visiting with them, and even ended up buying their recliner chair before we left.  I’m pleased to say, the recliner fit perfectly in the back of our van, and we didn’t even have to fold down the middle row of seats. (now that’s a roomy vehicle!)  Ed and I now have matching ‘his-n-hers’ recliners.

“Grandparent’s Day” came and went, last weekend, and Ed and I were honored with visits and gifts from each of our four grandchildren.  (I didn’t even realize it was “Grandparent’s Day”)  The living room shelves are now lined with new fall portraits of each of the “grands”, in addition to several other nice gifts they gave us.  We treasure the gifts, but we loved the visits most of all.  It was a good weekend.

Ed and I attended a different church this past Sunday.  It’s a church that is currently without a pastor, but they do have a new pastor coming, next month.  It turns out, our former pastor had been scheduled to “fill in” at this church, a couple of months ago, while he was still pastoring the old church, and it was his Sunday to preach.  Several other displaced church folks, and us, attended both services.  It was good to worship with our new friends, again, and to see some old friends who are members of the church we were visiting.

I’ll be late making the blog rounds today.  I have a dermatologist appointment this morning, but I’ll do my visiting when I return.  Sadly, I’m not able to see ‘the linky’ again today 😦