I’m Still Standing…

Just when I thought I had rejoined the world of blogging–working in the garden plus new health issues caused me to take another hiatus.  I’m happy to say, the garden is now history and, once again, I’m feeling better–or at least I was before I began trying to write this post.  It seems WordPress has changed [more than a few things] during my absence, but I digress…

When Ed planted our garden, this year, I began to pray for God to bless us with a bountiful harvest so we could share it with others.  I’m here to tell you, God hears and answers prayers!  God blessed and we shared our veggies!  I remember one day, in particular, when Ed brought me one-too-many buckets of squash, I stopped him at the door.  I refused to let him bring them into my already crowded kitchen!  The veggie table was full, as was the refrigerator!  Fortunately, just down the road, others were more than happy to take those squash off Ed’s hands. We shared our veggies with family, friends, and with people we didn’t even know.

The vegetable table was always filled with something!

I don’t know why, but my health always seems to pick the worst possible times to go wonky.  About the time we were finishing up with canning green beans, (just before Memorial Day) I began to have an earache.  That stupid earache plagued me the entire summer!  After four trips to three different medical specialists, taking two different rounds of antibiotics, using two different kinds of ear drops, six weeks worth of Sudafed and Flonaise, and a whole lot of miserable days later, I’m finally feeling better!  I haven’t had an earache in three whole days.

In other news, Ed finally began to clean out his parents’ house back in May, with the help of our daughter. (It’s about time, his mom has been deceased for nearly seven years.)  Our daughter listed the furniture on Facebook and it sold quickly. Only Ed’s old piano, a swivel chair, and six kitchen chairs remain, along with all of the dishes in the kitchen cabinets…  Dishes are “my thing” and I’m not looking forward to going through those cabinets!  I’ll want to bring most of them home with me, and I have no more room!  To solve the dilemma of what to do with “stuff” we can’t bare to part with, we’ve ordered a storage house…  Is anybody else out there guilty of hanging onto “stuff”?

Saying “goodbye” to my old friend “Classy” after 19 years

Speaking of “stuff” we can’t bare to part with, I finally gave Ed permission (for the third time) to sell “Classy”, my 2001 black PT Cruiser.  That car was my all-time favorite vehicle, and I’d had it since March of 2001!  (I wanted that car so bad I actually went to the dealership, alone, to talk with a salesperson about buying it.)  I thought I wanted to keep “Classy” forever, but things change, and reality eventually sets in. We’d had “Classy” up for sale a couple of times during the past year or so, but had always ended up removing the “for sale” sign after a few days.  Somehow, it never felt right to sell her.  I began to pray about this, and God answered my prayer again.  Shortly after Ed put the sign on the car, for the third time, a woman came by ready to buy the car!  Not only was she ready to buy it, she seemed as passionate about the car as I had always been.  We sold the car to her, and I’ve had absolute peace about the sale. In fact, the other day, we saw her driving the car in town and I didn’t even feel bad!

In addition to dealing with a garden, relentless earaches, cleaning out a house, and selling a beloved car, Ed and I have also been trying to survive this era of Covid 19 and all of the craziness that is accompanying it!  Like many, we’ve been mostly housebound for the past four and a half months.

For us, shopping consists of using Wal-mart pickup service or an occasional trip to the neighborhood dollar store for milk or bread. Once or twice we’ve put on our masks and actually shopped for ourselves someplace other than Wal-mart.  It felt so liberating!  Of course, we’ve had to make a few doctor visits during this time, too, which were a bit unusual. (wearing masks, waiting in the car until called, etc.)

Our church closed in March, along with all of the others.  We learned how to enjoy Sunday School using Zoom, and Sunday services via Facebook.  Once our church reopened, after several weeks, we attended services a couple of times.  We discovered we didn’t really feel comfortable attending services with the virus still making the rounds, so we’ve continued watching from home.  We were glad we made that choice when the virus began to hit some of our area churches–ours included!  When will this virus ever end?

Something else I’m ready to see end is the nonsense we’ve been witnessing on the news over the past few weeks… I do believe our country has gone mad!  When did wearing a mask become such a controversial thing? When did it become “acceptable” to deface or destroy public property?  When did only certain lives matter?  These are definitely deeply disturbing times we’re living in…and on that note I’ll end this post!  I hope to write again, soon.

 

That Was The Week That Was…

I’m going to try to ease my way back into blogging on a regular basis.  I think I’ll start with a weekly post, and see how it goes; hence, the title of this post.  By the way, does anybody remember the little news skit that used to come on television by the same title?  I think there was a comedy skit, with that title, included on the show Laugh Inn, back in the late 60’s or early 70’s.

This week started out busy, like Mondays often do.  I cleaned up the house, while my husband, Ed, mowed the lawn.  After lunch, we went over and helped clean the church.  It was our first time being put on a regular “cleaning crew”, since joining the church in February.  Our church has six cleaning crews, with approximately six people on each crew.  January and July will be our cleaning months.

Tuesday was not a typical day because Ed had an appointment with his ophthalmologist, to have a laser procedure performed.  Ed had cataract surgery done about five years ago, but, since then, he’d developed some scar tissue behind the lens of his left eye.  The laser procedure was to break up the scar tissue, which it did.  We didn’t quite know what to expect, but the procedure was quick and painless.

On Wednesday, Ed and I had a surprise visit from our pastor.  (He stopped by to see how Ed was doing after the laser procedure.)  Boy was I thankful the house wasn’t in the mess it sometimes is!  When our pastor arrived Ed was out working in the garden, while I was inside struggling to sew a hook and eye on the jacket of a church dress.  As I struggled with threading the needle and getting the hook and eye straight, I was thinking to myself, Why does everything have to get so difficult when we get older? In the end, Ed and I had a nice visit with our pastor, and were glad he came to see us.  Our pastor is about the same age as our grown children.  Ed and I are getting old!!!

One thing I’ve discovered about our new church–they like to eat, and they do a lot of it!  Wednesday night was no exception, when someone brought an ice cream cake in celebration of an upcoming birthday.  Will I ever lose the unwanted pounds I’ve gained since coming there?  Probably not anytime soon, since we’re having “finger foods” tomorrow night after church, and next Wednesday is “Family Night” during which we also eat.

I’ve been wanting to go to St. Simon’s Island for the past several months.  I finally got the opportunity on Thursday.  Ed, our daughter, our granddaughter, and I piled into our van and made the two hour trip.  We unloaded and set up our chairs under our favorite oak tree.  About twenty minutes later, it began to rain!  The sun was still shinning while it sprinkled, so we stuck it out until the rain stopped a few minutes later.  The tree shielded us from most of the rain, plus we also covered up with the straw mats we’d brought along.  What a sight we must have been, all covered with those huge striped mats!!!

Finally, after two of those “sunshine showers”, the skies clouded over and heavy rain began.  We gave up and called it “quits”.  By then it was lunchtime, so we rode over to our favorite eating place, “Southern Soul Bar-b-que”.  The place was crowded, but, almost immediately, four bar stools [in a row] opened up so we could all sit down together.  As always, the food was delicious, and by the time we finished eating, the skies had cleared!

We rode back over to “The Village”, toured a few of the shops, then spent the rest of our time under the gazebo beside the water.  Our trip didn’t turn out quite like we’d planned, but we had a good time–and we laughed a lot!  I’m sorry I didn’t take any pictures.  On second thought, I’m not… Our daughter took a couple of pictures with her phone, and they’re awful–at least the ones of me are.  Just think beached whale…and you’ll get the idea.

Today (Saturday) I’m still a bit tired.  So far, I’ve only managed to change the sheets on my bed, then bake a pound cake for tomorrow night’s church supper.  The cake turned out ugly…sigh.  I hate when that happens.  Grandma always said, “ugly cakes taste best.”  If that’s true, this cake should be delicious!

Until next time…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blogging With The Wednesday Hodgepodge…

Happy Hump Day!  I’m a bit late getting this written and posted, but I spent the day in the city, yesterday.  Our daughter had a doctor’s appointment, so Ed and I accompanied her.  Let me tell you–country life is where it’s at!  There’s no way I would go back to city life!  On that note, let’s jump into The Hodgepodge…

1. What keeps you blogging?

Joyce and The Hodgepodge!  Seriously! Originally, I began blogging, about nine years ago, as a way to reflect on, and document, some of the events of my life.  These days, I spend more time living life, rather than writing about it.  If not for The Hodgepodge, I probably wouldn’t blog at all, which reminds me, “Thanks, Joyce!”

2. Some people like to travel in the winter months. Do you enjoy the beach in winter?

No, I don’t care much for the beach in winter. It’s usually too windy and cold.  We frequently visit the beach from April thru September, but never go in the winter.

According to Southern Living the best U.S. beach towns to visit this winter are-

St Simons Island (Georgia), Hilton Head (South Carolina), Bald Head Island (North Carolina), Seaside (Florida), Bay St. Louis (Mississippi), Cape San Blas (Florida), South Padre Island (Texas), Folly Beach (South Carolina), Chincoteague (Virginia), Duck Key (Florida), Nags Head (North Carolina), and Fairhope (Alabama)

Have you been to any of the towns listed (in any season)?

Finally, I get to answer “yes” to a travel question!!!  I’ve been to Hilton Head Island and, as you know, we visit St. Simon’s Island often!  We came close to visiting Folly Beach, once, but ended up visiting Isle of Palms, SC, instead.

Which on the list appeals to you most this winter?

I’d choose Duck Key, in Florida, because it’s probably warmer there than it is here.

3. What’s a song you’re embarrassed to know all the lyrics to? Are you really embarrassed or do just think you should be?

I’ll say “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett.  I probably should be embarrassed, because of the messages some of his songs convey, but I like Jimmy Buffet’s songs.

4. When you were a kid what’s something you thought would be fantastic as an adult, but now that you’re an adult you realize it’s not all that fantastic?

How about “being an adult”?  Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be an adult and I enjoy it, but it’s also produced a lot of tough situations I never dreamed of (as a child)–such as dealing with colicky babies, raising wayward teenagers, uncomfortable job situations, and taking care of aging parents.

5. Share a quote you hope will inspire you in 2018.

“By regularly spending time in God’s Word, you develop a biblical filter through which all new information passes.  That filter in your mind enables you to distinguish between what’s false and what’s true.  If that is firmly established in your mind and heart, you’ll be able to identify God’s truth.”  Charles Stanley

Note from me:  With so many “untruths” being taught, today, this advice is important!  I’ll be making my third journey through the Bible in 2018.

Random:

Ed and I have done the “unthinkable” (for us) and booked ourselves on a trip with the church we’re now attending.  We’ll be traveling with them, by bus, to visit the “Ark Encounter” and the “Creation Museum” [in Kentucky], this spring.  I’m excited and apprehensive all at the same time!  It’s been almost eight years since we’ve taken a vacation–and we’ve never been to Kentucky!

Wednesday Hodgepodge # 315

1. We’ve reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what’s your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

Yesterday, at 3:15, I was shopping at Wal-mart, and no, that’s not typical for a Tuesday.  It’s our turn to cook for tonight’s “Soup for the Soul” at church, so I had to go shopping for that. FYI: It’s too hot for soup, so Ed’s grilling hamburgers, instead.  Usually, I’m still taking a nap at 3:15 each day, because my energy level dwindles down to zero about 2:00 every day!

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball…which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

My daughter hosted a ‘Mother’s Day’ get together [for all mothers in the family] at her house, back in May, so that’s my answer.

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

First of all, I need more ENERGY.  I’m having a lot of chronic fatigue, lately.  Second, I need some MOTIVATION.  Even when I’m not tired, it’s hard to get motivated.  Third,  I need more SLEEP.  I feel like I can never get enough sleep.  I go to bed tired, and I wake up tired.

4. Do you think you’re strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

Yes, I know I’m strong!  I’ve already been put to the test, on more than one occasion.  The first time God put me to the test was when both of my parents were in the hospital  (12o miles away, round trip)–both at the same time–for four long months!!!   I didn’t know how to drive in a large city, but I had to learn  how in just one day.  I put 60,000 miles on a new mini van, making those trips back and forth every day!  At one point, daddy was in ICU and mama was in CCU, and two of my three children even came down with the chicken pox, too!  Did I mention my children were ages 10, 6, and 3 when all of this was going on?

More recently, I was tested during the year 2015, when everything around here seemed to go “to hell in a hand basket”.  Ed lost his job (on Jan. 16), then we discovered we had termites and mold under our house (April), I ended up having to have back surgery (Sept), and Ed rounded out the year by having a heart attack (Oct)!  I give all credit for my strength to the good Lord above, and thanks to Him, all of those situations had good endings.

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction?  Nope.

What’s your favorite book set sometime in the past?  Gone With the Wind.

Random:

Since I’ve already mentioned faith and church in this post, I think it’s only appropriate that I post an update regarding these two subjects.

After a thirty year membership in our previous church, and a fourteen month journey visiting other churches, Ed and I ‘officially’ settled into our new church home on June 25, 2017.

For a while we had our sights set on a different church, but God soon steered us elsewhere.  After many prayers for His guidance, we soon began to sense that this was the church God wanted us to be a part of.  This one just feels like “home”.

The church is small, most of the congregation is elderly, and, like so many churches, today, it’s struggling to survive.  However, it’s a loving church, and the Holy Spirit is still there.  The church lost its pastor, back in November, so we have no pastor at the moment. However, I have faith that God will send us the man of His choosing, in His perfect timing.  In the meantime, we’ll persevere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Neighborly Hodgepodge…

Unfortunately, I was sick last week, and had to miss participating in The Wednesday Hodgepodge.  It was the first Hodgepodge I’ve ever missed, and I was sad about that!   However,  I’m feeling better, this week, and I’m back!  As always, thank you to our wonderful hostess, Joyce, for everything she does.

Here are this week’s questions:

1. When was the last time you chatted with a neighbor? About what?

My closest neighbor happens to be my daughter, and we chat almost every day.  The last time we chatted was on Monday, and we talked  about VBS, an upcoming trip her family is taking, and a recent spend-the-night party our granddaughter attended.

2. River, lake, ocean, or waterfall…which one are you most like and why?

I’m going to say I’m most like the ocean.  I can’t help but think of the  “smooth sailing” and “choppy waters” I’ve encountered along life’s journey.  Besides, I love the ocean!

3. July 13 is National Delaware Day. Ever been to Delaware? Delaware is called ‘the first state’ because it was the first to declare independence from the British. What’s your state’s nickname and does that moniker make sense to you? If you were in charge, what nickname would you give your home state?

No, I’ve never been to Delaware.  I live in the state of Georgia, and it is known as “the peach state”.  Peaches are grown here, so the name makes perfect sense to me, and I wouldn’t change it.

4. What dish did you contribute to the last pot luck meal you attended? Do you have a go-to recipe for pot luck suppers?

Our church recently hosted a breakfast to honor veterans.  My contributions were: eggs, blueberry muffins, and cinnamon rolls.  I’m afraid I don’t have a “go-to” recipe for pot luck suppers.  I make and take whatever I’m in the mood to cook!

5. What is your number one tip for a brand new parent?

Sleep while your baby sleeps!

Random:  A tree, an umbrella, and a couple of cats…

Many years ago, Ed’s mama gave me a mimosa tree.  I planted it so I could see it from inside the house, and I loved that tree!  The tree grew quickly, lived for a few years, then died, as mimosa trees are prone to do.  For a while, little mimosa trees kept springing up from the original tree, but, somehow, Ed always managed to mow them down with his lawnmower.  I suspect he did this “accidentally on purpose”.

A few weeks ago, while on our way to St. Simon’s Island [to celebrate our anniversary] I kept noticing the mimosa trees blooming all along the highway.  I told Ed I would like to find another mimosa tree to plant in our yard.  He didn’t say a word.

Three days later, on our actual 45th anniversary, I found ‘my mimosa’, on the way home from our traditional lunch at KFC!  I spotted a clump of wild mimosa trees growing beside a ditch, just off the main highway.  It’s a miracle I saw them, but I was a woman on a mission!

Now, it’s the wrong time of the year for transplanting trees, but I decided to take a chance anyway.  Three days later, at my request, Ed went back to the ditch, and dug up two of the smallest trees.  He put the smallest tree in a pot, then planted the larger tree in our yard, near the clothesline.  (We’re planning to move the clothesline.)

In an effort to save the mimosa from the hot summer sun, we placed an old beach umbrella over it, using a patio chair to anchor the umbrella.  This is what could be called “redneck ingenuity”!  At first, the tree dropped most of its leaves, and I began to worry, but eventually, the shedding stopped, and new leaves began to sprout.  At that point, we removed the umbrella and chair.

Here are a couple of interesting pictures:

The ‘anniversary tree’ – day two… Kyle, one of our kitties, seems to be enjoying the umbrella that’s shading the mimosa tree!

A few days later… “Baby” seems to like the shade of the umbrella, too.  At this point, only the top of the ‘anniversary tree’ remained!

I’m happy to report that both ‘anniversary trees’ are now doing well, and will be a beautiful reminder of our 45th anniversary, for as long as they [and we] live.

Thanks, Ed.  I really love my trees!  Just be careful with your lawnmower 🙂

A Pre-Mother’s Day Hodgepodge…

Happy Hump Day!  The week is half over, and it’s time for another edition of Hodgepodge.  It’s also almost Mother’s Day, so I’m going to take this opportunity to wish all of my blog friends a “Happy Mother’s Day”.  Today happens to be our oldest son, Brett’s birthday, so I’m going to take this opportunity to wish him “Happy Birthday”, as well.  Brett was my Mother’s Day baby, and so he made Mother’s Day of 1982 quite memorable!  He was born 4 hours, 7  minutes after the day had ended at midnight! Happy Birthday, son.  I love you!

1. Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something from your own life as a mother.

Most of my favorite memories, as a mother, center around holidays or the children’s birthdays.  I always took great joy in planning for their birthdays, Easter, and Christmas.  I’d start planning well in advance, and usually went over-board in the gift giving department, but it was fun!  I wanted my own children to have better childhood memories than I have, and I think they do.  I wasn’t a perfect mother, but I gave it everything I had!

If you’re a mother (or stepmom) tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother’s experience.

For most of my childhood and adult life, my mother wasn’t a very stable person.  I didn’t know it at the time, but she was bipolar, which meant lots of ‘ups and downs’.  She [and my father] struggled with alcohol, as well.  There were some good times, but, as you can imagine, there were a lot of not-so-good ones.

I was bound and determined to give my children the kind of stable, happy home life I never had, and I think Ed and I were successful in that.  We both tried to set good examples for our children, and I hope they have lots of good childhood [and adult] memories.

2. In May we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has at least one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.

Ed’s mama worked as an office nurse for many years.  She loved her job very much, and worked long hours!  She was quite dedicated, and worked until she was in her 70’s.  She’s passed away now, but we have another nurse in our family, these days.  Our youngest son, Brad, is married to a nurse!  Our DIL, Jennifer, is currently working for an orthopedist.  She, too, is quite dedicated and works long hours.  Anyone who has ever worked beside Jennifer will quickly tell  you she goes above and beyond duty.  We love and appreciate her for the difficult work she’s chosen to do.

3. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad…which would you go for if all three were on the menu?  That’s a tough choice because I like all three, but I’ll go with tuna salad.

On bread or a bed of lettuce?  I prefer tuna salad on a bed of lettuce, but we usually just eat it on bread.

If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich? Honey wheat.

4. Do you have a desk?  Yes, we have an old computer desk, but we no longer use it.

Is it organized? No, not really.  It has little spaces for organizing things, but there always seemed to be clutter on top of the desk.

If you don’t have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business?  These days I usually sit in my favorite chair (in the living room) and use the laptop.  Occasionally, if I have a lot of things to take care of at once, I’ll move to the kitchen table.

Where do you normally sit to blog?

I sit in my favorite chair.

5. When I was nine years old…. my parents lived across the street from the elementary school, for a short time.  I walked home for lunch each day, then walked back to school, afterward.  After school, I often walked back over to the school and played on the school playground.  Good memories!

Random:

Those of you who read my blog regularly probably know that Ed and I often visit a local assisted living facility (Alzheimer’s unit), for church services on Sundays.  We’ve had some interesting experiences while there, and last Sunday we had another one.

We’d just finished the song service, and our son was preparing to read some scripture and preach. A new resident, Barbara, who was still holding the song book, suddenly asked what page he was reading from.  He explained to her that he was now reading from the Bible.  She didn’t have a Bible of her own, and there weren’t any available, so I offered Barbara my Bible to follow along with.

Now, before I go any further, let me explain that I’m very attached to my Bible.  It’s a Creative [journaling] Bible that Ed gave me last Christmas.  It’s already filled with all kinds of notes I’ve taken, it has beautiful illustrations for coloring, and I just love it!

Well, things were rolling right along, our son was reading and preaching out of the book of Romans, and I was sharing Ed’s Bible with him…  About that time, the lady with my Bible got up and left the room–and she took my Bible with her!!!  Oh, no, I thought!

I couldn’t decide what to do, without causing a disruption, so I did nothing…and she never came back!  As soon as the service was over, and we’d said our goodbyes to those attending, I took off on a search for my beloved Bible!

As it turned out, during the service, the lady had been summoned for a phone call, but I didn’t realize this.  In fact, she was still talking on the phone when we found her–and there lay my Bible on the dining table.  Whew!  That was a close one!  However, I think I’ll make sure I carry a spare Bible from now on:)

Goodbye November, Hello Hodgepodge…

Goodbye November. I will miss you, but the weather doesn’t feel like November, it feels more like September, ’cause it’s hot!  There’s nothing quite like decorating a Christmas tree while sweating profusely!  All  of that being said, it’s time for The Wednesday Hodgepodge!  It’s time to take a break from my holiday decorating and have some fun.  As always, thanks to our gracious hostess, Joyce, for keeping The Hodgepodge alive.

1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving).

Thrilled (as in I was thrilled to have all of our family around the dinner table, again.)

Filled (as in our stomachs were filled as we consumed the Thanksgiving Day feast.)

Chilled (as in the weather was so warm, so I had to turn the thermostat down to 72 to keep us cool.)

2. When did you last say, ‘the more the merrier’? Did you mean it?

I don’t remember the last time I said “the more the merrier”, but it was probably the last time we had unexpected company.   Ed’s parents said that phrase a lot.  It was quite common for them to have extra folks seated around their dinner table, at any given time, and Ed’s daddy was a genius when it came to stretching food!

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who is your same age?

Cherish each day you’re given, and don’t take anything for granted.  If you have good health, praise the Lord for it, daily.

4. You’re ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?

Peas, green beans, corn, and sweet potatoes–preferably out of our garden.

5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?

I did not shop till I dropped over the Thanksgiving weekend.  In fact, I didn’t go shopping at all, except on-line!  However, in years gone by,  I have  shopped until I dropped, many times, with my late mother-in-law.  She was a champion shopper, back in her day!  I will do a little shopping between now and Christmas, but not much.  I hate the crowds.

6. What’s your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?

There are only two places in my house where I can sit, comfortably, due to back issues.  One is a small glider rocker, that sits great, but matches nothing in our house because it only came in one color.  The other is my ‘zero gravity’ lawn chair that I unfold at night, when I’m ready to watch television.  It’s all about comfort, ya’ know?

7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.

This memory isn’t necessarily from early in my life, since I was 29, but it’s a profound one.  Back in 1984, Ed and I  had the experience of helping organize a new church, from the ground up, when a guest pastor, who organized new churches as a ministry, visited the church we were members of.  I asked him, after the service, if he’d ever considered starting a ‘new work’ in our town.  He said, “No”, but later changed his mind, and contacted me.  I think there may have been about a dozen or so of us charter members.  We rented an old building, formerly a fast food restaurant, then spent many hours scrubbing all of the grease off the floor and walls.  Yuk!  Brother Gus was able to secure us an old piano, a few old church pews,  a podium, and some song books.  Before long, we were holding services at Trinity Baptist Church.  As fate would have it, after about a year and a half, I had a Divine revelation and realized I actually don’t believe the doctrine the church was teaching.  Having to tell Brother Gus we were leaving the church was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.  Trinity Church closed its doors a couple of years after we left. Ed and I ended up at the church of his childhood, and were re-baptized into the faith.  And now, some 29 years later, we’re searching for another new church home…

Random:

Oh, my goodness!  So far, decorating for Christmas has been challenging, this year.  We’ve been dealing with lights that won’t burn,  strong winds blowing outside decorations over, and a missing box of colored lights for the Christmas tree.  On Monday, I felt a bit over-whelmed and asked myself, “Where’s the joy in all of this?”  Thankfully, Ed is a patient and talented man, so he was able to fix most of our light issues.  He also was able to piece back together several broken outside decorations, and anchor them down.  Tuesday went a little smoother, and more progress was made.  Hopefully, by Friday, we’ll be packing away all of these boxes, and enjoying the fruits of our labor.

Thankful For The Hodgepodge…

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Let me begin by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!  I count my blog friends as special blessings, and treasure each and everyone of you.  I’m thankful for The Hodgepodge and all of the people I’ve ‘met’ through it.  I’m especially thankful for our hostess, Joyce, and the great job she does keeping The Hodgepodge up and running.  She is amazing.

All of that being said, here are this week’s questions:

1. What’s something you might say runs in your family?

I think I’ll say “a stubborn streak”.  Some of us are more stubborn than others, but we all have our moments, from time to time.

2. I read here a list of ten things you should do before 2017 arrives (in less than six weeks!)…which tasks on the list might you do? What would you add to your own ‘before the year ends’ list?

visit your Dr. or dentist, deep clean your home, donate unwanted items to charity, look someone in the eye and tell them you love them, write an honest letter to yourself, clean up your inbox-desktop-photos, travel to a place you haven’t been, compliment a stranger, watch the sunrise, think ahead to your goals/plans for the new year

I’ve already been to the doctor, donated some unwanted items to charity, complimented a stranger, and looked loved ones in the eye and told them I love them.  However, I really need to clean up my inbox (there are almost 5000 emails in there), and do more deep cleaning in my home!  I can’t think of anything I’d like to add to the list.

3. What’s something other generations (not your own) misunderstand about your generation?

Since our parents grew up and lived through the ‘depression era’, and us ‘baby boomers’ grew up and lived during times of plenty, I don’t think they ever quite understood our “lack of thriftiness”.  Sometimes, I find myself thinking the same thing about this current generation.

4. Sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread dressing-which would you miss the most if it weren’t on the holiday dinner menu?

Cornbread dressing.  A turkey dinner wouldn’t seem right turkey without cornbread dressing!

5. What are you overthinking right now?

I’m overthinking the Thanksgiving Day menu, and how I’m going to get everything ready.  I’ve been preparing, off and on, for about five days.  It’s not that I’m cooking that much food, it’s that I’m moving slower, these days.

6. Your favorite slang word lately?

I don’t use any of the recent terms I found on the internet, so I’ll just go with LOL.

7. Write an acrostic for the word grateful.

Grateful to God, from whom all blessings flow

Really should do more to show Him my appreciation

Always seem to receive more than what’s given

Trying to do better, but I can’t out give God

Every day I will go to Him in prayer

Forever in His debt for all He’s done for me

Ultimate sacrifice was made so my sins could be forgiven

Living my life in a closer walk with Him

Random:

For two and one half years, our oldest son has been going to a local assisted living home, every Sunday afternoon, to preach to the residents who live there. All of the residents living in this particular home are suffering with varying stages of Alzheimer’s.

A while back, Ed and I began to join our son for these services. Sometimes, Ed makes an attempt to play the piano, but the three of us always make an attempt to sing a couple of hymns before the message, with or without music.  We usually average about six (not counting the three of us) in attendance.

Even though all residents are afflicted with this terrible disease, they are some of the sweetest folks I know.  Some can still carry on conversations, but others cannot.  Some wander around aimlessly, as if looking for something.  The thing about Alzheimer’s is you never know how it’s going to affect a person from day to day.  There are good days, there are bad days, and there are interesting days.  Last Sunday turned out to be one of those interesting days.

During the middle of the sermon, one of the male residents, whom I’ll call Mr. B, was restless and began wandering around the room during the message. (Mr. B happens to be someone we’ve known most of our lives)  In the middle of the sermon, Mr. B wandered over to where I was sitting in a chair, with my legs crossed. Suddenly, he bent over in front of me, and began trying to untie my shoe!  He tried so hard to get my shoe off, meanwhile our son never missed a beat of his message!  After Mr. B failed to get my shoe off, he became interested in my knee hose.  I sat there, with great interest, as Mr. Billy rubbed the hose, covering my lower leg. using both of his hands.  He must have really liked the texture of my hose!  Meanwhile, our son just kept on preaching.  Afterward, I laughed and told our son this was the first time I’d ever had someone try to steal my shoe or rub my leg during a sermon–all done with the sweet innocence of a curious child…

 

Miscellaneous Monday…

When I last blogged, last week,  it was the day after Ed and I visited a neighboring county’s fair.  It had been YEARS since just the two of us had been to a fair, and we really enjoyed ourselves.  We ate a pancake/sausage supper, watched some pigs race, admired various breeds of poultry on exhibit, visited the old farm equipment exhibit, toured a very old log house, filled with antiques, and even watched syrup making and cornmeal grinding in progress.  It was a nostalgic look back at a much simpler time.  I think, if the truth be told, those were much happier times, too.

Ed and I were in the process of trying to take each other’s picture, at the fair, when a sweet student nurse stopped and offered to take this picture of us together.Bless her heart, it’s good to know there are still kind people among us.  The picture is a little blurry, but, at least, she captured the memory.

Ed and I were able to literally experience God’s protecting hand upon us on the way home from the fair.  We were about three miles, or so, from our home, when we noticed something odd in the road just ahead of us.  Apparently a car accident had just happened, and before we could even process what was going on, and slow down properly, suddenly there was an entire wheel (suspension still attached, but no car) looming in the lane in front of us, while the wrecked was car in the lane beside us.  Thanks to Ed’s quick reaction,  we were able to swerve off the edge of the road, without losing control, and avoid hitting the wheel.  I shudder to think what might have happened if our little PT Cruiser had hit that large wheel in the road!  I’m so thankful we were not involved in the first accident, or in a second accident caused by the debris of the first accident. Praise the Lord!  The whole incident shook us up pretty good, though.  You just never know…  After the fair trip, the rest of our week was ‘fairly’ uneventful (pun intended!).

Ed began the tedious work of cutting up one of the pecan trees we lost in hurricane Matthew.  It was a good-sized tree, so it’s been a pretty good job for one person.  It hasn’t helped matters that our chain saw isn’t being agreeable. He’s almost finished with tree #1, but a second tree is still awaiting his attention.  The chain saw is still acting up.

My poor hens are still molting, and they still look awful.  Egg production has stopped, and their appetite is small, these days.  I actually had to buy a dozen eggs, last week!  I certainly can’t complain, though, because this little flock of nine hens has laid over 3,000 eggs!   I’ve decided to keep ‘the girls’ penned up and give them some medication for a few days, in hopes it will help them get back to normal.  They’ll [eventually] continue to lay more eggs, but their best laying days are behind them, since their ages range from 4 1/2 to 2 years old.

In other news, our oldest grandchild, and only granddaughter, celebrated her tenth birthday, over the weekend.  She’s grown up so much this year!  She’s growing into quite a lovely young lady, and we’re so proud of her.  Her family celebrated with a party, on Saturday, which all of the guests enjoyed.

Speaking of celebrating, tonight will mark the one-year anniversary of Ed’s heart attack.  I’m SO thankful he’s alive and well to celebrate!  It’s been a very special year, and we’ve treasured every day of it.  A good friend, and former co-worker of mine, buried her husband, just yesterday.  But for the grace of God, I could be celebrating the one-year anniversary of Ed’s death, today.

Speaking of God, Ed and I traveled to a different church, yesterday, to hear our son speak, there, for the first time.  It was about a thirty minute drive to this little church, located on a little country road at the other end of our county.  The church building was simple, the congregation was small, but the service was so sweet.  It took me back in time, to the little country churches of my youth.  Ed and I both agree, we enjoyed visiting there.

The Sunday evening service took us back to a church we had visited last Sunday evening.  It turned out they were having a special prayer service for the upcoming election.  Again, it was another sweet service.  They invited us to join them, next week, for their 5th Sunday night sing.

I’m running a bit behind with getting this blog post written and posted, so I should stop right here, for today.  Ed and I began today by having blood work done, and getting our yearly flu shot.  What a way to start the week, but it’s a way of life, at our age!  I’m just thankful we’ve lived to see another day, together.  Amen!

Have a happy Monday!

 

Random Observations…

I’ve discovered that life goes on in the aftermath of a hurricane.  Now that everyone in the community has had their power restored, life is pretty much back to normal.  I believe the last of our community had their power restored by last Wednesday. The students have all returned to school, and clean up is in progress almost everywhere I look.  Life goes on.

After being able to actually tour the area we live in, and see much of the damage caused by hurricane Matthew, I now realize, more than ever, how blessed most of us really are!  There are many, many trees down, with a lot of them within just a few feet of people’s homes.  Fortunately, most of the trees fell away from most people’s houses–or in between them.  But for the Grace of God, all those homes could have been damaged, including the former home of Ed’s parents.

I’m observing that our little flock of chickens hasn’t been quite the same since hurricane Matthew.  Their chicken coop is located at the edge of our yard, where several tall pines surround it.  The noise from the storm was LOUD from inside our house, so I can only imagine how it must have sounded to the chickens from their coop outside!  Whenever I let the hens out of their pen, the following morning, the poor things pretty much stayed hidden for the first day after the storm.  The fact that some of our hens are in the middle of molting season hasn’t helped matters, either.  Some of the poor things look like they’ve been plucked, so they’re still looking naked and afraid:)  Egg production is now at a standstill.

Have you ever noticed how one project always seems to lead to another one?  During the hurricane, we were forced to move two freezers from the former home of Ed’s parents.  One freezer we put inside of our storage house, the other we placed under our carport, temporarily.  Because there are no windows for ventilation in our storage house, we had to purchase a screened door for the house.  Ed’s in the process of installing the screened door as I write.

Yesterday, I observed, again, how God will help us triumph over whatever stumbling blocks Satan throws in our path.  Yesterday morning, I woke up with a headache, that persisted all day, and threatened to keep me from attending worship.  I determinedly  made it to the first service, but by the end of the day, I came close to giving in to the headache, which had worsened. I was really struggling because our son was guest speaking at a little church, in town, and I really wanted to hear him preach again.  Finally, at the last minute, I got off the couch, put on my clothes and went to church–headache and all.  And do you know what?  Once I got into church and began the worship service my headache almost went away!  Praise the Lord!

You know, good worship services can take place anytime, anywhere.  What could be sweeter than gathering with four elderly Alzheimer patients, in an assisted living home, singing Jesus Loves Me, and hearing their sweet voices all chiming in?  That experience was priceless, and one I’ll always treasure.

There’s nothing quite like decorating for autumn…twice!  I’d just finished putting up the last of our fall decor, when the weatherman began warning us about hurricane Matthew.  Finally, on the day before the storm, I decided I should bring the outside decorations inside.  I’m so glad I did!  Last Friday, Ed and I  finished decorating–for the second time.  Unfortunately, my blow up jack-o-lantern decided to stop working last night.  What’s a girl to do?

My back is feeling much better, these days.  Although I’m still cautious, I can bend without discomfort, once again.  I still feel some minor nerve involvement in my left leg, but I can live with it, and hope, in time, that will continue to improve, as well.  The surgical site on my ‘backside’ is also doing well.  One of these days I might actually get rid of my padded toilet seat 🙂

I don’t know why, but I’ve really been struggling with this ‘blogging thing’, lately.  What once came so easily, is now so difficult.  I’m lacking in both motivation and energy.  I hope the situation will improve, with time, and that my blogging friends will not forsake me during this difficult time.  Thank you to those who still come by and comment!  I love and appreciate you.  Thank goodness for The Wednesday Hodgepodge, which guarantees I’ll blog and visit at least once a week, but I’m going to try and to better.  With that thought in mind, I’m outta’ here…