A Salty/Sandy Kind Of Hodgepodge…

Wow, I can’t believe it’s Wednesday again!  And the month of January is almost gone, too!  Where is time going???  It’ll be spring before we know it.

As always, I’m participating in The Wednesday Hodgepodge, and, as always, I’m grateful to our hostess, Joyce, for another great set of questions. She does such a great job of hosting.

Here we go:

1. “The cure for anything is salt water-tears, sweat, or the sea.” (Isak Dinesan) Would you agree? Of the three, which has ‘cured’ you most recently?

I agree.  There’s absolutely nothing like a day beside the sea to make me feel better.  It’s been a while since I’ve spent time beside the ocean (over four months), but that’s the last time I felt ‘cured’.

2. What’s something you can’t eat without salt? Do you normally salt your food a lot, a little, or not at all?

I can’t eat cooked vegetables without salting them, they’re nasty without it.  I consider myself a fairly light salt eater.

3. Sands of time, bury your head in the sand, built on sand, or draw a line in the sand…which sandy phrase could best be applied to something in your life right now?

“Sands of time” best applies to me because time is passing so quickly during this phase of my life.  I’m constantly aware that, one of these days, before I realize it, my hourglass will become empty.

4. A favorite book, movie, or song with an island setting or theme?

I love the song “Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band.  Several years ago, I made a video montage to the song, using family beach photos.  I’ve shared it on my blog before, but I think today’s a good time to share it again.

5. Yesterday-did you run your day or did it run you? How so?

Yesterday ran me.  I had an appointment with the optometrist to have a retinal scan done.  I received some good news and some bad news.  The good news is my retinas are fine.  The bad news is he’s going to have to remove the ‘lump’ on my eyelid.  The doctor says that’s what’s impairing my vision. The good news is the doctor is going to let me have the procedure done at the eye surgery center, under anesthesia. (I’m glad since he will have to turn my eyelid inside out to do this).  The bad news is the procedure will cost a lot more than if he’d done it in his office, without anesthesia.  It looks like I’ll be meeting my insurance deductible early, this year.  My surgery date is set for February 9.

6. You’re on an island holiday. Will I most likely find you parked in a beach chair, shopping in town, on the back of a jet ski, or snorkeling off the back of a catamaran?

You’d find me parked in a beach chair [under some kind of shade].  However, I would take a short break for a little shopping, too.

7. What do you think we humans most take for granted?

Good health!  Having spent a fair amount of time in doctor’s offices, lately, it’s been very enlightening to see and listen to other people’s situations.  Anywhere, on any given day. there are  people dealing with serious health issues.  If you are healthy, or if your health issues are not life-threatening, you are truly blessed!!!

Random:

Ed and I live in a part of the country where storms wreaked havoc all last weekend.  The weather here was very unstable, and we were under constant tornado watches all weekend.  Thankfully, no tornadoes touched down in our immediate area, but others, nearby, received a lot of damage.  What we did receive was rain–and lots of it!  I’m not sure of the ‘official’ amount of rainfall, but it was A LOT.  It’s very wet here, but we feel very blessed to  have escaped any damage.  Praise the Lord!

A Mid-Winter Hodgepodge…

1. ASAP typically stands for ‘as soon as possible’. What else could it stand for in your life right now?

A Simple Answered Prayer. (see random)

2. Are you the last person to speak up in a group or the first to have an idea? Why do you suppose that is? Is it a good thing or no?

It depends on who else is in that group. If family members are in the group, there’s a good chance I might be one of the first to speak up or have an idea.  Otherwise, not so much.  Family is more important to me than anything in the world, so I’d likely speak up, if I thought I could help.

3. What do you remember best about being 12?

I remember feeling more independent at age 12, because I was in the seventh grade, which meant I was now attending classes at the local high school.  It was also the year I discovered boys.  I experienced several ‘crushes’ when I was 12, including one on the guy who would eventually become my husband. 🙂  The thing I remember most about being 12 was the absolute horror of experiencing the start of my first “monthly cycle”, during my 7th grade math class! Think of it this way: a personal crisis, a mean teacher, and me being afraid to ask permission to leave class.  Fortunately, I finally got up my nerve to ask to go to the  bathroom, and she said yes.  Thank God for those “little machines” in girls’ restrooms and for a pair of shorts I had in my locker.

4. January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day. Which character do you relate to the most, and why? If you’re stumped go here for inspiration.

I’m often like Eeyore,  who’s a bit on the slow-moving, pessimistic side, while Ed tends to be more like Tigger, who’s eager and usually happy. I guess we balance each other out, who knows?

5. What’s an app you use that helps simplify or make life easier for you in some way?

I don’t use any apps.  And, yes, I’m still living in the dark ages.

6. San Francisco (CA), San Diego (CA), San Juan (PR) San Antonio (TX) Sanibel (FL)…you have an all expenses paid long weekend to one of these destinations. Which one do you choose and why?

I’d choose Sanibel because it’s in Florida, and it’s also located along the Gulf of Mexico.  What more can I say?  Also, it wouldn’t be too far to travel, and, perhaps, I’d get a chance to see my brother and sister-in-law, too. (They live in Florida)

7. Share with us a song that makes you feel nostalgic? For what?

I always feel nostalgic (and sad) when I hear the song “Rainy Night In Georgia” (by Brook Benton) which was popular while Ed was in army basic training. Hearing this song takes me right back to the fall of 1969, and I still recall those feelings from long ago…

Ed and I were young, in love, and we were separated.  The song is sort of sad, which is how we both felt about being apart.  I think the words of the last verse accurately describe our feelings at the time:

Late at night when it’s hard to rest
I hold your picture to my chest
And I’m all right

A rainy night in Georgia
A rainy night in Georgia
I believe it’s rainin’ all over the world

Random:

Earlier in the week, I wrote a post entitled Always Expect the Unexpected, about some of the things have been going on in our lives, lately, and how we never know what’s around the bend.

On Monday, Ed and I were just about to get in the car to drive to a doctor’s appointment.  We were supposed to consult with the doctor about some recent biopsy results.  The phone rang, and, believe it or not, it was the doctor, himself, calling.  He called to let us know that the biopsy results were negative, and there was no need to make that trip to his office.  There is no sign of cancer, at this time.  Thank you, God, for answered prayers!

Always Expect The Unexpected…

You know, just when things settle down, and you think it’ll be smooth sailing ahead, something happens and those storm clouds of life start brewing again.  It’s a never ending cycle.

Last Tuesday I met with an ophthalmologist to be evaluated for cataract surgery on my left eye. The sight in that eye has been declining for several months, and when I went for my annual eye exam, in November, the optometrist told me she thought I might be a candidate for cataract surgery. The first available appointment with the ophthalmologist was on January 10, so I patiently waited for that day to arrive.

On January 10, I had several tests performed, then sat in a room to wait while my eyes dilated.  The doctor finally came in, asked me a few questions, then sat down on a stool in front of me to examine my eyes.  He looked me, straight in the eyes and asked, “How long have you had that sty on your left eye?”  I was surprised, and answered, “I didn’t realize I have a sty on my left eye.”  I told him I’d had a sty [on my left eye] a few months back,  but had treated it, and it went away.  At least I thought it had.

The doctor proceeded to tell me the cataract is not the problem with the vision in my left eye, because the size of the cataracts is the same in both eyes (and I can see out of my right eye).  However, he didn’t tell me what my problem is!  Instead, he prescribed some drops for my affected eye, and asked me to come to his office in two weeks to have a retinal scan done, to see what’s going on.  So I’m using the drops and trying to patiently wait…again.

After I left the doctor’s office, I touched my eyelid, and discovered, for the first time, the lump in the middle of my eye lid.  I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before, but, then, I never touch my eyelids except with a washcloth or a make up sponge.  But then, the optometrist apparently over-looked it, too, so I don’t feel so bad.

I’ve been using the eye drops for almost a week, but, so far, I can’t tell any difference in the size of the bump on my eyelid.  If anything, my eyesight seems to have gotten worse in my left eye.  I hope to find out what the problem is, in about another week, and I’m praying something can be done to restore the vision to my left eye. I haven’t driven in several weeks, nor do I spend a lot of time trying to read. The saying’s true, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone…

In other “unexpected” news, on Thursday morning, I bent down to get a bowl of chicken feed out of the sack, just like I’ve been doing for the past few weeks, when, suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my lower back.  I knew, immediately, I’d hurt my back again.  Sigh.  I try to be mindful of what I do, but sometimes things just happen–usually when I least expect it.  I hope my back will settle down on its own, like last time, but, for now, my old friend “sciatica” is back.

Today also happens to be the day Ed and I meet with the doctor to discuss the “results” from the test he had performed two weeks ago.  We’re hoping for the best, but bracing ourselves for the worst.  Life is never dull, especially at this stage of it.

So there you have it.  Our lives, at the present time, in a nutshell.  Of course, I’m reminded, things could always be worse.  As we arrived at church, yesterday morning, I witnessed an older lady painfully struggling to make her way up the steps.  It turns out, she, too, has a ‘bad back’ and is suffering from sciatica, but in a much worse form than mine.  I silently thanked God for the gentle reminder, and praised Him that things are as well [with us] as they are.

Happy Monday,

From This Simple Woman’s Daybook…

For Today…

Monday, January 9, 2017 is another cold day!  The morning low was thirty degrees.  That’s three degrees warmer than yesterday’s low of twenty-seven.  I thought we could safely say winter has arrived here in southeastern Georgia, but it’s supposed to be back in the high seventies by the end of this week.  Sadly, this brief cold snap not done good things for my outside plants.

Looking out my window…

I see lots of  frozen, dead or dying plants.  I tried to protect them, but, for some, it wasn’t enough.  I suppose I’ll be looking for more discarded plants to “adopt”, this spring and summer, at Wal-mart, but I’ve had these plants for so long, they felt like family.

I am thinking…

the chicken coop didn’t make a very good greenhouse.  I hung seven of my favorite hanging baskets in there, hoping they’d be safe from the cold.  They were not.

I am thankful…

for the spiritual growth I’ve experienced over the past eighteen months.  It’s a slow, but steady process, and I’m learning and growing every day.

One of my favorite things…

is going on a weekly “road trip” with my husband, Ed.  We have to travel about thirty-five miles, in any direction, to get to a town of any size.  We always enjoy getting out of the house, so the ride to and from these towns is fun.  Once we get there, we eat lunch, do our weekly shopping, and just enjoy seeing something new and different.

I am creating…

some pretty pages in my new journaling Bible.  I got a new Bible for Christmas, that has illustrations, for coloring, scattered throughout its pages.  Many of the illustrations are   key Bible verses, which I’m learning as I color them  with colored pencils.  This Bible also has lined margins, for taking notes in church.  I love it.  Thanks, Ed.

I am wearing…

a pair of pajamas.  I love wearing pajamas, all day, during cold, winter days.

I am reading…

I’m reading The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible NKJV,  Billy Graham’s devotional, Wisdom For Each Day, and the book  O Little Town by Don Reid (formerly of The Statler Brothers)

I’m watching…

I recently watched To Joey, With Love, which is a movie about the last two years of country singer, Joey Feek’s life.  I couldn’t imagine how her husband, Rory, was going to weave all those film clips [he’d taken] of her into a movie, but he did, and it made a very good story.

I’m listening to…

oldies from the sixties and seventies on satellite radio in the car, as well as some good ole’ gospel favorites on cd’s in the house.

I am hoping…

on Tuesday, the doctor will schedule my cataract surgery.  I’m also hoping we get favorable biopsy results from the doctor,  when we go back there, next week.

I am learning…

to be more patient, and to be content, no matter what our circumstances may be.

In my kitchen…

not much cooking has been happening, but a lot of eating has been going on!  On Tuesday night, our son-in-law brought us some bar-b-q from Southern Soul Bar-B-Q in St. Simon’s Island, since he happened to be nearby.  Ed and I love their bar-b-q!  Then, on Wednesday night, our oldest son brought us a pot of chicken chili, left over from church. Ed fried fish, on Friday night, then our daughter and family shared their chili and hot dogs with us on Saturday night.  I only cooked one meal the entire week!

In my garden…

only a few cabbages and carrots are still growing.  Cold weather has taken care of the rest.  I have already begun to collect packs of seeds for spring planting, though.

 

Shared Quote…

“It is never right to do wrong, and never wrong to do right.”  Guidepost reader, Ruby Mikich

A moment from my day…

A picture of our lone white hen, known as “Dixie Chick”

We keep a baby gate up to the entrance to our front porch, to discourage our ‘feathered friends’ from visiting.   Our chickens can tell time, (perhaps, because of the  rooster clock we have hanging on the porch?!) and will come up on the porch to peek in our front door when it’s feeding time.  As you can see, Dixie, and a few others, have no respect for our baby gate, these days.

Closing Notes…

Yesterday, Ed and I joined our son for his regular Sunday services at a nearby assisted living facility.  When we got there, we learned that “Buddy”, one of the newer residents who sometimes joined us for services, had become very ill during the week.  Buddy is now unresponsive, and is currently under the care of hospice.  His family was at his bedside when we stopped by to see him.  For the first time, since Ed and I started joining our son in this ministry, we encountered the tough part–saying goodbye to friends we’ve made along the way.  We’re sure going to miss our friend, Buddy.

Many thanks to Peggy Hostetler for hosting The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Have a happy Monday,

A New Year, A New Hodgepodge…

 

Happy New Year!  What better way to help get the year started than with The Hodgepodge?!  As always, many thanks to our gracious hostess, Joyce, for keeping things going.  Now, here are today’s questions:

1. Share one favorite moment/memory from your Christmas holiday.

My favorite moment/memory from this Christmas was the candlelight church service that Ed and I attended on Christmas Eve.  It was our first time attending a candlelight Christmas Eve service, and our oldest son brought the message. Good moments, good memories.

2. What was the best thing you ate over the holidays? Was it homemade or store-bought? If it was homemade did you make it?

I ate so many good things, it’s hard to choose just one–and my waist is showing it, too!!!  I’ll choose “fruitcake cookies” as my answer, though.  We ate some at a get-together that we attended, and those were some of the best fruitcake cookies I’ve ever eaten.  They were homemade by a friend, and she was kind enough to send some home with us, too.

3. What was one of the most beautiful things you saw over the holidays?

I’ll say the Christmas light displays Ed and I visited, shortly before Christmas.  We noticed there just weren’t many light displays, this year, but we found three families who went “all out” and had filled their yards with all kinds of Christmas decorations.  We thoroughly enjoyed looking at their displays, and really appreciated their efforts.

4. What does fresh start mean to you?

A fresh start means putting the past behind you, and starting all over, like when you move from one place to another, or when you retire.

5. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very positive and 1 being not so great) how would you rate 2016 in terms of personal achievement and well-being? Explain.

If I compare 2016 to our nightmare year of 2015, I’d have to give it a “10”, but since Ed and I did have a couple of issues to deal with during the year, I’m going to give 2016 an “8”.   2016 could’ve been better, but we know it could’ve been a whole lot worse, too!

6. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they’d like to see banished from the Queen’s English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen or, if you’re like me, to find out what in the world the word or phrase even means or the context in which it’s used. There were quite a few on this year’s list I’d never heard before.

Here’s the 2017 list of banished words-

You, Sir-focus-Bete Noire-Town Hall Meeting-Post Truth-guesstimate-831-historic-manicured-echo chamber-on fleek-bigly-ghost-Dadbod-listicle-get your dander up-selfie drone-frankenfruit-disruption

Which word on the list would you most like to see banished in 2017? What word or phrase would you add to the list?

There were quite a few  words and phrases I’m not familiar with either.  I think I’d most like to banish the phrase “Town Hall Meeting” simply because it makes me think of politics–and I’m not ready to think about politics again!  I’d like to see the word “selfie” banished, too, as well as “selfies” themselves!  Will this fad ever die?

 7. Large or small, light or deep, share with us one goal you have for the new year.

My goal for 2017 is to continue my spiritual growth.  I received a new Bible for Christmas and I plan to spend a lot of time with it.

Random:

A few ‘storm clouds’ [of life] have been gathering around Ed and me during the past few weeks.  I’m not at liberty to share details, but I will tell you these ‘clouds’ involve medical issues, procedures, and waiting for results.  Not the way we’d hoped to begin our new year, but we’ll be okay.

Also, our daughter-in-law, Jennifer, lost her granddaddy on January 2, the day after his birthday.  He had been hospitalized the entire month of December, and was finally sent home, under hospice care, on Christmas Eve. As you can imagine, the holidays have been bittersweet for Jennifer and her family.  They have been, and will be, in my thoughts and prayers.