Goodbye April, Hello Hodgepodge…

Can you believe this is already the last Hodgepodge of April?  It’s crazy how quickly time is flying by!  I don’t believe time passed this quickly when I was younger.  I KNOW it didn’t pass this quickly when Ed was serving his overseas tour of duty, back in the early 70’s, but that was then, and this is now…

How about we get on with The Wednesday Hodgepodge, before any more time slips away?  As always, thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for the fantastic questions she provides!

1. They say you learn something new every day. What did you learn yesterday?
I learned that being cooped, up in the house, with Ed, while trying to change out the seasonal decor is stressful for both of us!  Ed usually ‘flies the coop’ when I drag out those plastic storage boxes, but he was trapped inside, yesterday, because of rain.
2. Have you ever had a now or never moment? Elaborate.

I’m going to say it was when Ed and I finally decided to start our family.  We’d been married for almost six years, when we began trying, and people had already stopped asking us when we were going to have a baby.  Boy were some folks surprised when we ended up having three babies within the next seven and a half years!

3.  April 25th is National Telephone Day. Do you still have a land line or have you gone mobile only?

We actually still have our land line.  Ed and I both have cell phones, but rarely turn them on when we’re at home.  I use my cell to make any long distance calls, since I’ve dropped that service from our land line, but that’s about the only time I use my cell phone, unless I call Ed in Wal-mart to find out where [in the store] he is!

When you receive a text message do you respond immediately?

I don’t text at all, and Ed texts only on rare occasions.

Last time you turned your phone off?

My phone stays turned off most of the time.  I refuse to be “tied” to a telephone. (see memory below)

 In two or three sentences share with us a story/memory/incident from your childhood (or something current if that’s too hard) where the telephone is featured.

My phone memories are not from my childhood, but from my days of being married and raising a family.  For many years, my husband, Ed, worked as a radiology technician for a very small, rural hospital, which meant he had to be “on call” every 3rd night and every 3rd weekend.  On those days (and nights), our lives revolved around the telephone.  In the early years, Ed didn’t  have a beeper, so we had to literally stay beside the telephone!  At one point, we even had a bell installed on the outside of our house, so Ed could go outside and still be able hear the phone. (this was before the days of cordless phones)  This was also before the era of “call waiting”, so we had to keep the phone line free in case the hospital tried to call Ed.  Try explaining this to teens!  On more than one occasion, our family had their phone conversations rudely interrupted by the operator!  We laugh about these memories (sometimes).  I can’t begin to tell you how many hot meals Ed had to get up and leave or how many nights of sleep he had interrupted (often more than once) because of the telephone.  Ed was “on call” for twenty years of our marriage!

4. Close call, at someone’s beck and call, call the shots, call a meeting, call it quits, call in sick, call on the carpet, wake up call…which call have you ‘heard’ recently? Explain.

Since we recently went on a four-day/three-night bus tour, I’m going to say “wake up call”.  Ed and I had to set our alarm clock every night, so we’d be ready to board the bus bright and early the next morning!

5. What subject do you wish you’d paid more attention to in school?

I don’t know… perhaps history.  I never liked history, and had a hard time paying attention in that class.  It didn’t help that the teacher was boring, either!

Random: 

Gardening season 2018 has proven to be a bit of a challenge for us, so far.  Lack of rainfall, in addition to unseasonably cold temperatures sure is keeping us on our toes!  For the first time, we’re having to replant a few things.  Here’s what we have growing, so far:

left to right: tomatoes, several rows of beans, (a black cat!), lettuce/cabbage, potatoes, garden peas, onions, radishes, and carrots

Also, I’m slowly writing a series about our recent trip to Kentucky.  If anyone’s interested in what I’ve shared on my blog, so far, you can find it HERE and HERE.

Encounter With An Ark (part two)…

Our travel group spent our first night in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, but our visit there was brief.  We had to be loaded and ready to roll by 7:30 the following morning, so most of us were having breakfast by 6:30!  The hotel provided a continental breakfast, complete with fresh fruit.  As we usually do, Ed and I each picked up a banana, to save for later in the day.

Soon we were on the road, again, retracing a few of our steps from the day before…

There was the upside down building

 

and King Kong!

and even a car on top of an awning!

Before long, we were on our way out of Tennessee, headed toward Kentucky.  The tour host pointed out several interesting places along the way and told us the interesting history of Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame.

As we neared the Kentucky state line, and our next scheduled rest stop, the tour guide made an announcement.  He told us the Department of Agriculture often stops vehicles crossing the state line.  He said they’re really particular about fruit being carried across state lines–in particular, bananas.  My eyes grew large, and my throat grew tight!  What in the world was I going to do?  I had two bananas in my purse!   It turned out that another lady on the bus had bananas in her purse, as well, and her son had put the tour guide up to playing a joke on her!  (Little did the son know his mom wasn’t the only one carrying bananas from the hotel!!!)  Our group is still laughing about this joke, but it sure wasn’t funny [to me] at the time 🙂

As we rolled on through the hills of Kentucky, I quickly discovered I could easily become a “Kentucky Girl”!  I quickly fell in love with the blue grass and rolling hills of Kentucky.  Of course, my view of the landscape was limited to a bus window, flying down the interstate at 75 miles per hour, but I certainly loved what I could see!

Before long, we arrived in Williamstown, Kentucky, and at The Ark Encounter.  It was shortly before eleven, and would soon be lunch time.

 our first glimpse of the ark

 One of my biggest complaints at The Ark Encounter was finding something to eat in a timely manner.  They could definitely use more eating places, since there were only two places to choose from, and both were very crowded!  Ed and I settled on a pulled pork sandwich from the small vendor, but it took us almost thirty minutes to get it!

Once our stomachs were filled, we began exploring the replica of Noah’s Ark.  The ark is the length of one and one-half football fields, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high.  It contained three different decks, which meant a lot of walking, but you can move at your own pace.  There are lots of things to see.

I can’t begin to describe all of the things we saw, but they were interesting!  Since there’s so little information in the Bible, regarding the Ark, most exhibits are designed from pure speculation.  There are many exhibits depicting rooms on the ark (such as living quarters, kitchen area, etc.), as well as models of animals, their cages, and feeding/watering methods that may have been used. Pictures simply do not do it justice, but I’ll share a few of mine anyway:

a glimpse of the ark’s inner construction

living quarters

garden area

the aviary (notice Noah sending out the dove)

animal replicas (in cage)

I enjoyed visiting the ark, but felt like some of the living quarters were a bit over-decorated.  I found it hard to believe that such elaborate furnishings would have existed in Noah’s time, but I could be wrong.

After about five hours of touring the ark, we boarded our bus, again, bound for The Chart House, a restaurant located beside the Ohio River.  We weren’t able to see everything in The Ark Encounter within those five hours, but we hit the high spots.  I believe a person would need an entire day to truly see and enjoy everything available at The Ark Encounter, and  I wished we’d had a little more time there.

It turned out, our tour group was a bit early for our dinner reservations at The Chart House, so the bus driver took us across the Ohio River and into Cincinnati, for a brief tour of the city.  It appeared to be very busy and very crowded, like most large cities.  Our bus soon crossed back over the Ohio River and back into Kentucky, where our evening meal awaited us.  (to be continued)

 

 

Encounter With An Ark (part one)…

Our journey to the ark began on the day after Easter–early on the day after Easter.  After months of waiting, and weeks of planning, the big day of our trip finally arrived!  Taking a bus tour someplace was something Ed and I had always wanted to do.

packed and ready to ride

Ed and I did our usual morning chores, then loaded the car and headed toward the church about 7:30.  The bus was scheduled to pick us up at 8 a.m.  When we arrived, the bus was there, and already half full! In all, about forty of us would be making the journey to visit The Ark Encounter, in Kentucky.  As the trip progressed, I soon figured out why so many folks had arrived early and filled the front half of the bus.  The front of the bus gets to unload first!

our bus for the next four days

Ed and I added our suitcases to the pile, then headed for a seat toward the back of the bus.  One of our favorite couples from church took the seat right behind ours, so we knew this was going to be a fun trip!  Soon our bus was rolling and headed for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Everyone was excited, as the open highway lay before us.  We chatted and joked among ourselves.  Before long, the tour guide popped the first [of several] movies into the dvd player, and everyone settled down to watch Courageous.  About an hour into this movie, I began to realize that I might have a problem–motion sickness!  I’d never watched a movie on a bus, therefore, it never occurred to me this might happen!  Sitting in the back of the bus probably didn’t help either.

Fortunately, my daughter had suggested packing some Dramamine, which I promptly took at the next rest stop.  However, once motion sickness occurs, it’s difficult to shake as long as you’re still in motion.  Sadly, I spent a good portion of Monday’s trip riding with my eyes closed!

We stopped at a large mall, about four hours from where we live, and ate lunch at their food court.  I was able to eat, and actually began feeling better while we were stopped.  Unfortunately, the queasy feeling kept coming and going for much of the trip, that first day, even though I didn’t watch any more movies.

Thank goodness, I was finally feeling almost normal by the time we reached Pigeon Forge–nearly nine hours after leaving our church!  THAT WAS SOME BUS RIDE!!!

Our bus pulled up at the “Dolly Stampede” (formerly known as the “Dixie Stampede”) about 5:45 p.m.  The dinner show was scheduled to begin at 6:00, so we were cutting it close!  The guide quickly took a group photo, then herded us into the building to be seated. (I apologize for the quality of the few photos that I took. It was dark in there.)

a glimpse of the show at Stampede

Ed and I had never been to the “Dolly Stampede”, so we didn’t know much about it, other than they put on a show for you while you eat dinner.  We didn’t know they don’t furnish you with eating utensils or that they bring your meal one item at a time!  Imagine our surprise when they brought our soup to us, and we didn’t have a spoon!  However,  we quickly figured out why that handle was on the side of the bowl 🙂

The show soon began, with an assortment of horses, riders, cattle, covered wagons, and even some buffalo!  There was a story line behind the show, of course, and even a little friendly audience competition.  At one point in the show, they solicited volunteers, from the audience,  to participate in part of the show.  We soon discovered that our pastor and his wife had been selected to be participants!  (This was actually their second time going to “The Stampede” and being chosen as participants!)  How exciting that they participated in the bucket relay race, and won a medal!

our pastor and his wife participating in the bucket relay

While the entertainment in front of us played out, the servers continued to bring food to us–one piece at a time!  Following the soup and biscuit, a Cornish hen was served, again with no eating utensils!

 What?  No fork and knife?!

This was later followed by a slice of pork, one half of a baked potato, an ear of corn, and an apple turn over!  To say our stomachs were stuffed and our hands were very messy would be an understatement!  Fortunately, they did provide us with a warm, wet towel at the end of the meal, but I’d much have preferred a fork, knife, and spoon!

After our meal was over, we exited through the Stampede gift shop and boarded our bus which took us to our hotel for the evening.  Ed and I got separated in the gift shop, and lost from each other for a bit, but that’s another whole story!

Once we made the short journey to our hotel for the evening, we exited the bus as they called our names and presented us with our room keys. Happily, mine and Ed’s names were the first two called!

upper view of  our hotel lobby in Pigeon Forge

Imagine our surprise when our room key didn’t work!  In fact, nobody’s room key worked!  It turned out our keys hadn’t been activated, but within a matter of minutes, everyone was finally able to enter their rooms.

I’m told some folks soon went to the pool, but the only place Ed and I went was to find the place where breakfast would be held the following morning, then off to bed we went!  We were exhausted! (to be continued)

A ‘Restful’ Kind Of Hodgepodge…

I’ve entitled today’s post “A Restful Kind of Hodgepodge” because rest is what I need most, right now!  Ed and I have just completed two very busy weeks, and this blogger is worn out– but in a good sort of way.  As I write this,  I’ve just returned from a six hour ordeal of having my yearly exam at the gynecologist’s office (3 hours of travel, 3 hours of wait time), but, for now, I’ll press on a while longer, with today’s Hodgepodge.  I’ve missed the last two weeks, and hate to let another week pass.  As always, thanks to our gracious hostess, Joyce, for everything that she does!

Here are today’s questions:

1. Three things on your spring bucket list? If you don’t have an actual list that’s fine, pretend you do.

#1-Plant another garden (done), #2- go on a bus tour to Kentucky (done), #3- have yearly exam done at gynecologist (done)

2. Where do you find rest?  Are you speaking literally? If so, then  in my bed, at night, or stretched out on the couch, during the day.

What restores your soul? Reading my Bible, meeting with like-minded believers, singing hymns, listening to a good preacher, and, sometimes, just sitting under those oak trees on St. Simon’s Island!

When was the last time you did whatever it was you answered here?    Last week, our church had revival, on Wednesday through Sunday, so I did lots of everything listed above, with the exception of visiting St. Simon’s Island.  It was a great week, and I’m feeling revived and restored!

3. April is National Celery Month. Who knew?  Not me!

Do you like celery?  Not very much.

What’s your favorite dish made with celery? Cornbread stuffing, or what we folks in “Gooseneck” like to call “dressing”.

On a veggie and dip platter which would you reach for first-carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or cherry tomatoes? 

I’d probably go for the carrot sticks first, especially if there’s dip.

4. I read here eight things to do before 8 am to make your day less hectic-Start one load of laundry, drink water, empty the dishwasher, read your Bible, know what you’re having for dinner, get dressed, brain dump (two lists-one what you’re thankful for and one what’s weighing on your mind), and after the brain dump make your to-list for the day

How many of these are you currently doing?  Usually, the only thing on the list that I do before 8 a.m. is drink a glass of water (while taking my morning medication).  I do my “chicken chores” and take a walk from 7:30 until 8.  Afterward,  I read my Bible,  then read/write in my prayer journal,  eat breakfast, get dressed, then start a load of laundry–usually in that order. (And for those who may be wondering– we live in the country, so I often do my chores and take a walk wearing my pajamas and a coat.)

Which one do you think would help the most if you added it to your early morning routine?  I’d probably look a little better if I got dressed first!

5. Describe the view from your window.

From my chair, I can see Ed’s little red tractor (parked under the little shelter he built).  Next to that, I see the large Sycamore tree that Ed planted for me, years ago, (against his wishes), and the little Mimosa tree he dug up from some nearby woods, and planted for me on our last (45th) anniversary (also against his wishes).  Both trees are thriving.  I’m thinking my Ed is a mighty good man!

Random:

The day after Easter, Ed and I left on our four-day trip to Kentucky to visit The Ark Encounter and The Creation Museum.  We had a wonderful time, and saw many interesting places!

The replica of the ark is very large and very interesting.  I loved The Creation Museum, as well.  I highly recommend visiting both places, if you’re ever in Kentucky.  It will be even more fun if you’ll travel with a group of church folks on a tour bus, like we did!  Fun times!

in front of the replica of Noah’s Ark

in front of The Creation Museum

In case you can’t tell by the looks of my hair, it was windy in Kentucky!  It turned cold, overnight, and we even saw some snow flurries while at The Creation Museum!  This was quite a change from the 80 degree temperatures we left behind in Georgia!

I’m planning to blog more about our trip as soon as I rest up a bit more.  It’s been non-stop, here, since before Easter!  Calgon, take me away…