A ‘Fishy’ Kind Of Hodgepodge…

Welcome to my little corner of blog land and to The Wednesday Hodgepodge.  As always, I’d like to thank our hostess, Joyce, for everything she does to keep The Hodgepodge going.  If you’d like to be a part of the fun, just click on the button above, answer the questions, and join us.  Today’s  Hodgepodge theme appears to be “fishing”.

1. Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven’t been fishing is that something you’d like to try?

Yes, I’ve been fishing quite a few times, and have caught a few fish in my day.  I kept some, and threw others back.  (For the record, I will bait my own hook, but won’t take my fish off the hook.)

I never liked to fish [in fresh water] using a cane pole, but, once Ed and I got married and moved to a nearby coastal town, I quickly discovered a love of salt-water fishing!  Give me a reel and rod with some dead shrimp for bait, any day, versus a cane pole, a cork, worms or crickets!!!

Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, or cut bait…which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?

I’m going to say “packed in like sardines” since we, recently, celebrated a family member’s birthday at our house.  When all twelve of us get together, it can feel a bit crowded in our kitchen.

2. What’s something you’re always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer?

I’m always “fishing” for a bottle of artificial tears.  I have a terrible case of dry eyes, so I keep bottles stashed in various places.

3. Your favorite fish tale or movie?

One of my favorite fishing adventures took place the first summer Ed and I were married.   Often, we’d sit upon a huge pile of rocks, located near the foot of a bridge, and we’d fish in the salt water river running underneath the bridge.  Getting our fish out of the water could be a challenge because of those rocks, though.  On this particular day, my parents were visiting, and had gone fishing with us.  All of the sudden, I caught a nice-sized fish, pulled him up onto the rocks, then somehow, managed to let it get back into the water.  I was devastated. Out of the blue, my fish suddenly came floating back up to the top of the water!  Ed, speedier than a locomotive, jumped off those rocks, into the water, and caught my fish with his bare hands!  What a save!  (I don’t call him “Fast Eddie” for nothing.)  You should’ve seen the look on my face, and others nearby… Priceless.

As for movies, I still like Free Willy.

4. Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night? Explain why you chose your answer.

I’m going to say I’m “twilight”.  Maybe because I’m tired a lot, these days, and remind myself of how one might feel at the end of the day–only I feel this way all day long.

5. What’s the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear?

It’s probably the gray t-shirt that I got from the Country Music Hall of Fame, in Nashville, back in 2002.   I’ll be sad when it finally wears out.

6. We’ve got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What’s been the best and worst part of your winter so far?

Yes!  These warm, sunny days do make me long for a day on St. Simon’s Island.  I also would like to go on a road trip to Florida to visit my brother and sister-in-law, because it’s been a while since we’ve seen them.

The worst/best part of our winter, so far, have been the medical procedures Ed and I had to deal with.  On the negative side, the procedures [for both of us] were stressful and inconvenient, but, on the positive side, both of our outcomes turned out good, so we can’t complain.

7. The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day…will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what’s your favorite JB tune?

No, this girl won’t be celebrating Margarita Day because I don’t drink alcohol.  Yes, I am a Jimmy Buffet fan, believe it or not.  He’s been a favorite artist of mine for a long time, and has quite an interesting biography!

Margartaville is one of my favorite tunes by Jimmy Buffet, but I also love this lesser-known song (and video) by him, entitled It’s Been A Lovely Cruise.

 

Random:

Ed, preparing the garden soil

Our gardening season of 2017 has officially begun!  Ed and I planted seeds for tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and lettuce, in cups, beginning on the day after Valentine’s Day.  Many have already sprouted!  Ed has already planted eighty onion ‘sets’ out in the garden, with another forty waiting to be set out.  The plan for today is for Ed to plant our new potatoes and garden peas, along with the rest of the onions.  Unfortunately, my back has been “acting up”, again, so I haven’t been able to help much.  I guess I’ll have to be satisfied to play the role of supervisor.

The Day After Valentine’s Day Hodgepodge…

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine’s Day.  Ed and I celebrated quietly at home by exchanging cards and gifts.  Then  I baked Ed’s heart-shaped German Chocolate cake, while he planted some daffodils in the yard for me.  I’ll always treasure those daffodils because they came from my late mother-in-law’s yard and were planted [for me] on Valentine’s Day.  Good stuff!

 planting Valentine’s flowers that will last a lifetime

All of that being said, it’s time to move on with The Hodgepodge.  I look forward to mid-week because of it, and I’m so thankful to our hostess, Joyce, for keeping things running smoothly. Here are today’s questions along with my answers:

1. What do/did you call your grandparents? If it’s something unusual tell us the story behind the name. If you’re a grandparent what do your grands call you? Who chose your moniker?

I called both of my grandparents “Grandma” and “Granddaddy”.  In those days, I don’t recall anyone being called by anything else.

These days, our four grandchildren refer to me as “Mimi” while they call my husband, Ed, “E”. There’s a couple of reasons for this.  First of all,  before becoming a grandma, I used to babysit a set of twin baby girls, and one of them began calling me “Mimi” while she was learning to talk.  The name just sort of stuck.  

Ed’s moniker came about as sort of a joke.  Our son-in-law used to call his grandmother “E-ma” because her first name was Eloise.  While our daughter was expecting, we jokingly told Ed he could be called “E-pa”.  After our granddaughter was born, we started calling Ed “E-pa”, but only the “E” part stuck.  Now, everybody calls him “E”, not just the grands.

2. Ever taken a road trip along the California Coast? If so what was the highlight of your trek? If not, any desire to do so? If you were to take a trip along the California Coast what’s one attraction you’d have on your must-see list?

Nope, I haven’t taken a road trip along the California Coast, nor do I have any desire to do so.  We live on the opposite side of the country!  

3. What are three things you don’t know how to do?

I don’t know how to water ski, I don’t know how to drive a motorcycle, and I don’t know how to scuba dive, nor do I have any desire to learn how to do any of those things.

4. Tom Peters is quoted as saying, ‘Celebrate what you want to see more of.’ If that’s true what will you celebrate and more importantly, how will you celebrate?

I’d like to see more peace and harmony among the people–of our country and of our world. There’s entirely too much hate these days!  I think I might celebrate by drinking a coke, being kind to everyone, and listening to this old song:

5. Thursday (February 16) is National Almond Day. Do you like almonds? Which would you prefer-an Almond Joy or a macaron? What’s something you make that calls for almonds?

Yes, I like almonds, but they’re not my favorite nuts.  I like cashews best.  I would prefer an Almond Joy over a macaroon, but you know what?  I don’t have a single recipe that calls for almonds.

6. What does Saturday morning look like at your house?

Because we’re retired, Saturday morning looks just like any other day at our house, and wee like it that way.  We get up, feed our animals, have our Bible study, then cook and eat breakfast.  The rest of the day is open for whatever we feel like doing.  Lately, Ed has been helping our son-in-law put in their new kitchen cabinets on Saturdays.  I’m happy to report that, after four long months, our daughter now has running water in her kitchen, again!

7. Share with us a favorite book you’ve read this winter.

I loved reading “The Magnolia Story” by Chip and Joanna Gaines (of Fixer Upper fame).  I love watching the show “Fixer Upper”, and Chip and Joanna have quite an interesting story to tell about how they met, and how they ended up doing the show “Fixer Upper”.  Next on my reading list is “This Life I Live” by Rory Feek (formerly of the country duo Joey + Rory)  This book was released on Valentine’s Day, the day Joey and Rory had their first date.

Random:

I had my eye surgery performed last Thursday morning, and all went well.  I was given anesthesia while the ophthalmologist removed the chalazion from underneath my eyelid.  Afterward, they told me my surgery lasted 3 whole minutes!

 I looked worse than I felt!

My vision has already improved dramatically–from 20/40 to 20/20, in that eye, and it’s still improving.  I’ve had no eye pain or discomfort whatsoever, and it’s great to be able to see again!!!

An interesting note here:

The nurse who put in my IV and took care of me prior to the surgery, also put in my IV and took care of me during labor/delivery of my last baby–over thirty-one years ago!  (My labor was 21 hours long, then the baby turned out to weigh 10 lbs., 9 oz. and briefly got stuck in the birth canal, making it quite a memorable birth!)  Julie and I had a good time remembering that day, as well as other good times.  (Julie and Ed worked together for many years at the local hospital.)  I’m so thankful Julie turned out to be my nurse, and that she hasn’t lost her ability to put in a painless IV!

A Love-ly Wednesday Hodgepodge…

Hello and welcome to my little corner of blog land.  I haven’t been here much, lately, but I make it a point to drop in on Wednesdays for The Hodgepodge.  As always, thanks to our gracious hostess, Joyce, for hosting, coming up with fun questions each week, and for helping me get ‘linked’ whenever my computer fails me.

Here are this week’s questions:

1. What’s the last thing you did that someone else thought was super?

Recently, as a school project, our oldest grandson wrote a “thank you” letter to Ed and me, thanking us for the Christmas gift we gave him.  In turn, I mailed him a “grandson” post card.  I haven’t talked with him about it because they’ve all been sick, but most kids love to get mail, so I hope he thought it was “super”.

2. The last thing you ate that tasted superb?

Those steaks Ed cooked on the grill, last week!  I don’t think they could’ve been any better.

3. Supersensitive, superstitious, superwoman, superambitious, supercilious, supervisor, superficial…pick a super word from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way recently or currently.

Every day Ed asks me the same question, “Do you have anything you want me to do, today?”  This makes me feel a bit like a supervisor, whether I want to be or not.

4. Do you love easily? If you’re comfortable doing so, explain why you think that is.

Yes, I do love easily, but it’s showing my love that I’ve often had difficulty with.  I think this goes back to my childhood and the way I was raised (two parents with lots of problems, doesn’t always equal a loving environment).  I’ve always admired people who kiss, hug, and just show their love for each other so easily.  A couple of things have happened, in recent years, that have helped me in this department, so I’m better than I used to be, but not as good as I’d like to be at showing my love.

5. Valentine’s Day lands on a Tuesday this year. Will you mark the day in some way? If you’re celebrating with a dinner out somewhere will it be on Tuesday or will you celebrate over the weekend?

Yes, we will celebrate the day in some way, but I’m not sure how, yet.  Usually, I bake Ed a heart-shaped German Chocolate cake, and he gives me a gift of some sort. Sometimes flowers, sometimes candy, or sometimes it’s something I’ve been wanting.  I doubt we’ll be eating out over the weekend or on Valentine’s Day, depending on how my face looks following Thursday’s eye surgery.

6. What’s something you are loving right now?

These warm, sunny days with temperatures in the 70’s are hard not to love!

7 Write a three word (or less) phrase you’d like to see on a Valentine candy heart.

Love is kind. (the world could use a little more kindness, right about now)

Random:

My mind is blank, today.  All I can think about is getting tomorrow’s eye surgery behind me, and moving on to better things. I have to report at 10:45.  Your prayers would certainly be appreciated.

 

A Simple Woman’s Daybook Post…

For Today… Monday, February 6, 2017

Looking out my window…

After waking up to a heavy fog, I can now see blue skies and sunshine.  It looks like it’s going to be another beautiful day!

I am thinking…

that I don’t feel particularly good today because I tossed and turned most of the night, due to my aching hips and back, but I’m not going to let that get me down!

I am thankful…

for many things!  Among them are a wonderful husband, a loving family, a home that’s paid for, plenty of food to eat,  and enough money to pay the bills each month.  I realize there are some people who don’t have any of these things.  I feel very blessed!

One of my favorite things…

is a good, tender steak, cooked on the grill, and I had the pleasure of eating one of those, just last week.

The weather was awesome, so we took advantage of it and used our grill three different evenings, last week.

I am creating…

some new throw pillow covers, as I continue to sharpen my crocheting skills.  I’d share a picture, but I can’t get to my camera, so just imagine a large, burgundy and khaki granny square.

I am wearing…

my red “Coca-Cola” t-shirt and a pair of pajama pants with frogs and red hearts on them.

I am reading…

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gains, of Fixer Upper fame.  What an interesting story those two have to share!

I’m watching…

Victoria and Mercy Street (season 2) on PBS.  I’m enjoying both shows very much.

I’m listening to…

Country Gold hits, thinking they sure don’t make country music like they used to. Back then,  songs actually told a story.  These days, not so much.  Who remembers the Kenny Rogers’ songs The Gambler, Coward of the County, or Lucille?  Story telling at its best!

I am hoping…

one of these days our daughter will get her kitchen back in working order.  She’s been without a kitchen sink for almost four months. Progress is slow.

I am learning…

all kinds of new things, daily, through my Life Principles Daily Bible study.

In my kitchen…
we’ve been eating lots of grilled food.  It’s so good, especially after eating lots of soup and other ‘winter’ foods.  We had grilled steak, grilled chicken tenders, and grilled hamburgers, last week.

In the school room…
I think our two home-schooled grandchildren recently celebrated their 100th day of school. They’re on the home stretch now.  It’ll be summer before they know it!

In my garden…
carrots and cabbages are still growing, but I’m not sure either one is edible.  Sometime, around Valentine’s Day, I’ll plant some seeds, in cups, for the new spring garden.  I’m already looking forward to this. I love watching the seeds sprout and grow new plants!

Post Script…

Sickness seems to be everywhere.  Therefore, I’m hanging out at home, awaiting my [eye] surgery date, this coming Thursday. I’m a bit anxious.  The surgery center still hasn’t told me what time to be there.

Shared Quote…

I’m working on this one–

A moment from my day…

Here’s a picture from a year ago–

We’re still dealing with these pesky hens coming on the front porch!  They’re so spoiled.

Closing Notes…
Again, I apologize for my absence here in blog land.  For some reason, the computer and television really seem to be ‘taxing’ my eyes, these days. (It could have something to do with only being able to see well out of one eye…)  Looking forward to better days ahead!

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

Feeling Like February And A Little Hodgepodge…

Hello February, and hello Hodgepodge!  It’s time, once again, for a little mid-week fun, thanks to our gracious hostess, Joyce.  Miracles never cease, and, once again, I can finally see the “Linky” for the Hodgepodge, again.  Yay for finally being able to see who’s playing along!  Here are today’s questions:

1. Can you believe it’s the end of January? What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

January came and went in a blur (literally and figuratively) to me.  It seems like I’d just put out  my snowmen decor, and it was already time to pack it all away.  It is frightening how fast time is passing.

There’s no doubt, the best day of January 2017, for us, was January 16, when we got the news that Ed’s biopsy results were negative!  Hallelujah!

2. What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

Our home is quiet, most of the time, so you’ll most likely hear the ticking sounds of our clocks, along with the musical chimes playing [every half hour] on the Seiko clock in the bedroom. Then, of course, there’s our very noisy ice maker in the kitchen.  Outside, during the day, you’ll hear our hens making their ‘chicken noises’ as they make their way around our yard.  (They get particularly noisy around 12 and 4, when they are used to being fed.)  When a hen lays an egg, she will cackle, too).  In the distance, we can usually hear some traffic from the nearby highway, especially the big trucks.

3. I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are-

anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead)

Which thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?

I’m not sure.  This is tough because I don’t really dwell on many of these things, at this point in my life.  I’m going to say. dropping “the word hate and focusing on what I love”.  I’ve disconnected myself from the negative political news on tv and awful rantings on Facebook.

4. What is sacred to you?

God and family.  Without them, nothing else matters.

5. January is National Oatmeal month. Are you a fan, and if so how do you like it?

I’m not a huge fan of oatmeal, but I will eat instant oatmeal if it’s banana nut or cinnamon flavored. I add water, then cook it in the microwave.

6. What feelings does twilight stir up in you?

Because of where we live, nestled next to trees on the western side of us, we don’t really get to experience twilight.  We can’t watch the sun setting in the evenings, like most people can. Therefore, twilight doesn’t really stir any feelings, other than asking myself, “Are the hens closed up for the evening?”  If I have to choose a feeling, I’d say it makes me feel melancholy, because, after all, another day [of living] is over.

7. Something you’re looking forward to next month?

I’m looking forward to getting my eye surgery behind me, celebrating Valentine’s Day, and planting seed cups for the spring garden.

Random:

Get well, soon, everybody!

Sickness is all around us.  Three of our four grandchildren are [or have been] sick, along with their parents.  My sister-in-law, in Florida, has been very sick for well over a week, and needed iv fluids, twice, last week.  She’s still recovering.  My great-niece (granddaughter of the sick SIL) is also very sick, and has been admitted to the hospital with a temp of 105.  In addition I’ve been experiencing new eye problems, as I await my surgery date.  Prayers for all those mentioned would sure be appreciated.