Laboring Over The Hodgepodge…

The weeks are rolling right along, aren’t  they?  It’s Wednesday, again, which means it’s time for another Hodgepodge.  As always, thanks to our hostess, Joyce, who keeps the Hodgepodge rolling right along with us…  Speaking of time rolling by, today, I’m celebrating another birthday!

Here are today’s questions:

1. Can you believe we’re rolling in to the Labor Day weekend?  No, I can’t believe it!  I think this was the quickest summer ever.

What’s a project you’ll labor over this fall?  I’m not really sure…  We still need to do some painting on our porches, and the house needs scrubbing down, but Ed will probably take care of that. I’ll probably just be content with decorating the yard and house for fall.

2. Tell us about the best perks you ever had in a job?  Whenever I worked for the school system, I enjoyed having the summers off, plus lots of holidays throughout the school year.  We worked a 190 days per year, and our pay was pro-rated so we received a paycheck year-round.

3. August 31st is National South Carolina Day. Have you ever been to SC?  Yes, I’ve been there a few times–to Hilton Head Island, Isle of Palms, and to Charleston.

Any desire to go (back)?  Yes, I’d love to go back to South Carolina again.

According to Southern Living, these are the top ten things to do in South Carolina…

Explore Charleston, bike, golf or relax on Hilton Head Island, see the beach and the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach, visit the state museum in the capital city Columbia, observe the wildlife and natural beauty of the Ace Basin, take a walk or hop on a trolley and check out Greenville’s charming main street, visit Fort Sumter where the Civil War began, stroll through Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden in Bishopville leaving time to check out The Button Museum, also in Bishopville, see Morgan Island (also known as Monkey Island)-home to nearly 4000 Rhesus monkeys.

Which is most appealing to you today? I’d love to visit Myrtle Beach, and I wouldn’t mind visiting Charleston again, either.

If you’re a SC native, resident, or frequent visitor what would you add to the list?  I don’t know.

4. Beef, pork, country-style, barbecued, baby back, spare or short…your favorite kind of rib? What’s a dish you enjoy that really ‘sticks to your ribs’?  My favorite is barbecued pork spareribs.  A simple baked potato really ‘sticks to my ribs’, and we often have them with our barbecued ribs.

5. What’s one important skill you think every person should have? Why?  I think everyone needs to know how to drive a car and have a driver’s license.  I say this because I was a 3rd generation ‘non-driver’ for the first 26 years of my life.  My maternal grandmother and my mother had to depend on someone to give them a ride, everywhere they went, their entire lives.  I, too, depended on someone else for twenty-six years.  I can’t begin to tell you how WONDERFUL it felt when I was finally able to jump in a car and drive wherever I wanted or needed to go!!!  Yes, I know you’re probably scratching your heads and wondering what the heck?  Chalk it up to a manual transmission (in the floor, no less!), and my lack of confidence.  However, better late than never!!! On the day I FINALLY got my license, I remarked, “I’m ten years late, but I’ve finally got a driver’s license!” (By then we had a car with an automatic transmission, too!)

Random #1:

Thank you to all who prayed for me, last week, concerning my eye.  When I saw the doctor, he decided not to bother the chalazion, at this time.  He told me to continue using the eye drops I’d been prescribed, to continue using warm, moist compresses, and to also massage my eyelid three times a day.  I’ll go back in two more weeks for a recheck.  Please continue to remember me in your prayers.  The chalazion is smaller, but it’s still there.

Random#2:

Since it’s my birthday, I can’t resist sharing another look at the first 58 years of my life.  This video is a bit outdated–by about 5 years.  I’ll let you do the math 🙂

Another October Hodgepodge…

We’re almost halfway through the month of October.  Some say “the older you get, the faster time goes”, and I believe it!  Tick tock, time is passing.  It’s already time for another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge.  As always, many thanks to Joyce for hosting this fun and thought-provoking meme each week 🙂

1. What’s something that has recently ‘tried your patience’?

Two bad discs in my back, and six  l-o-n-g  months of miserable sciatica has almost stretched my patience to the max.

2. Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you? (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10=I’ve got all the time in the world).

I think patience may come naturally to some, but it sure didn’t to me.  I learned patience as I grew older, and navigated the waters of life.  Raising children teaches you patience, as well as dealing with aging parents. Then, of course, there’s my chronic health issues I’ve had to learn to deal with.  On a scale of 1-10, I used to be about a 2.  After 61 years of life experience, I’d give myself about an 8.  I’m still a work in progress.

3. Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

I’m afraid of heights, so I can’t recall an actual time when felt like I could fly (or ever wanted to fly).  However, Ed has owned two motorcycles during our 43 years of marriage, and every time I rode on the back of one of them I felt like we were flying!  It felt like we were going faster than we actually were.  Of course there’s something about riding along on a motorcycle, watching the asphalt zooming by underneath your feet– knowing there’s no protection between your body and that asphalt…

4. Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

Fly Like An Eagle by  Steve Miller Band is the first song that came to mind, so I’ll go with that one.  “Tick tock.  Tick tock.  Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future…”

5. What’s in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

If I had a fall picnic basket, I’d definitely have some fried chicken in it, and maybe some potato salad. I think we’d be picnicking at the Gordonia Alatamaha State Park, which is located about 17 miles from where we live.  Our family has camped and enjoyed many picnics there.  Fall is the perfect time of the year to picnic there.

Gordonia Alatamaha State Park (photo via Google)

6. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping…which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

My husband, Ed, knows a good bit about carpentry, electrical, and plumbing, but nothing about landscaping.  I wish we knew more about landscaping.  If we did, I’d totally re-do our yard.  Of course, there’s only so much one can do with 9 hens roaming in the yard 🙂  Ah, country living.  Gotta’ love it!

7. What’s something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

Ed and I have been looking at vehicles for over a week.  We haven’t bought a new car in 13 1/2 years, and, as you can imagine, we’re suffering from severe “sticker shock”.

Random:

October 8 made six months since my back “went out”.  Monday of this week made four weeks since my surgery.  I think I may have finally “turned the corner”, this week, and I’m happy, happy, happy to say, I’m feeling much better 🙂  Hey!  There’s some light at the end of this tunnel!

 

An October Hodgepodge…

Hello again, from my neck of the woods.  It’s Wednesday, again, which means it’s time for me to join in The Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for providing us with such fun and provocative questions!  Here we go…

1. It’s October so let’s get this out there first thing…have you jumped on the all-things-pumpkin bandwagon? How so?

I’ve set out my pumpkin scented candles, and decorated, inside and outside, with some ‘pumpkin-themed’ decorations.  Is that enough to be considered on the bandwagon?  Probably not…

MAC and Baby enjoying the outside fall decorations

2. “We have more power than will; and it is often by way of excuse to ourselves that we fancy things are impossible.” Francois Duc De la Rochefoucauld

What’s something you once thought impossible, but in hindsight see as more a matter of lack of will?

The first thing that comes to mind is hearing Ed say, many years ago, “I’ve always wanted to build my own house.”  I thought he was crazy and the feat would be impossible, since he knew next-to-nothing about building a house! Here we are 38 years later, and Ed’s built his own house, from the ground up, including plumbing and electrical.  We’ve been living in ‘the house that Ed built’ for almost 8 years.  I guess where there’s a will there really is a way.

3. The rose is America’s National Flower, but every state also has its own (click here to see the list). Are you happy with yours? If you were in charge what would you declare your state’s flower? If you’re outside the U.S. what bloom would you like to see labeled as your country’s national flower?

I’m not quite sure why, but Georgia’s state flower is the Cherokee Rose.  I were in charge I’d change the state flower to an Azalea because Azaleas are everywhere in Georgia!  Cherokee Roses?  Not so much.  In fact, I don’t remember seeing a Cherokee Rose around here, ever.

4. What have you lost interest in recently?

Reading, but I really need to get back to it because I’m behind in visiting blogs and reading magazines, as well as reading books.

5. In your opinion, who’s the best living musician?

I have no clue who the best living musician is, but I greatly admire anyone who can play multiple musical instruments very well.  Singing and song writing is an added bonus.

6. S’mores-love ’em or no? Ever make them indoors? Last time you sat around an outdoor fire? Are making s’mores and sitting round a fire pit on your autumn bucket list? Do you have an autumn bucket list?

I like s’mores pretty good, but I don’t love them.  Yes, I’ve made them indoors, in the microwave, once or twice.  It’s been a while since I sat around an outdoor fire (several weeks), but the weather is getting perfect for doing that.  I’m sure we’ll be sitting around the fire making s’mores before much longer.  As for that autumn bucket list, I used to have an autumn bucket list of things to do each fall.  Now?  Not so much.

7. Your favorite small town? Why?

Unfortunately, it’s not the town we live in.  I love living in the town I grew up in, but it’s not my favorite town, by any means.  We have two red lights, a dozen convenience stores, and not much else.

I like the nearby town called Jesup, Ga.  They’ve revitalized their historic downtown area, and it’s so pretty with all of the little ‘mom and pop’ shops lining main street.  It reminds me of times past.  A  large portion of that downtown area burned, last summer, but they’re rebuilding, and it’s looking nice.  They’ve taken great care to made the new part look historical, so it still blends in with the old part. I love that.

Employees of the Jesup Drive In @ the Grand Re-opening in 2012 (Google photo)

Jesup is also is the home of Georgia’s oldest Drive-Inn, where they still show ‘double-features’.  Another of Jesup’s attractions is their annual Christmas Parade which is always held at night.

Random:

Thirteen days of drizzle and no sun has taken a toll on everyone and everything around here!  I snapped this picture last week.  Bobs, the tabby cat, seemed to be saying, “Let me in, please.”   Meanwhile, old Charlie, the Siamese mix, was just glad to be on the porch and out of the rain.  Note the two red hens behind the baby gate, wishing they could get on the front porch, too…

Thank goodness, the sun finally came out, late yesterday afternoon!  Today is a warm, beautiful, sunny day!

 

Falling Into Another Hodgepodge…

Happy fall, y’all!  Are you as happy to see autumn as I am?  The compressor to our a/c unit blew up on Sunday–the hottest day of the week!  We had to wait 56 hours (yes, I counted everyone of them!) to get it fixed, too.  If you’re from the south, you know how miserable it is without a/c.  After two nights of sleeping in 80 degree heat, we slept cool last night.  Yay!

Speaking of happy, I’m happy as a clam to be joining The Hodgepodge today, too!  Thanks to our gracious hostess, Joyce, for keeping this little spot of ‘sunshine’ going:)  Let’s get to those questions, shall we?

1. What have you ‘fallen for’ recently?

The series, “Madmen”!  I think I’ve mentioned this before, but Ed and I have been watching past episodes for several weeks, on Netflix.  We’re only 4 episodes away from finishing all seven seasons.  The show was set in the 60’s, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the clothing styles, the home decor, and the old cars very much, even though the story line has been a bit ‘heavy’ at times. The other night we were watching, when suddenly I saw a girl wearing a dress made out of the exact same fabric that I’d chosen for an apron I had to make in Home Economics ( back in 1969).  I nearly fell off my chair!  (In case you’re curious, the fabric was lime green, with white flowers that had orange dots for their centers.)

2. What’s something you’re ‘squirreling away’ for later?

Groceries.  For the past three years I’ve made it a point to keep our pantry and freezers well stocked. I always buy ‘extras’ when something is on sale or I have a coupon.  My new  motto has become “always be prepared”.

3. How do you like your apples? Sweet? Tart? Crisp? Cooked? Apples are one of the superfoods for fall…how often do you eat an apple either plain or as part of a favorite recipe? What’s your favorite variety?

I like my apples peeled and sliced, with a little caramel dip on the side.  I normally prefer raw, sweet, crisp apples more than cooked apples, but I do enjoy the ‘fried apples’ at Cracker Barrel!  How often I eat apples depends on what season it is.  I eat more apples in the fall than any other time of the year.  My favorite varieties are red delicious and gala.

On a different note, but still in keeping with the subject, Ed and I have two young apple trees.  This year, there must have been 40 apples on one tree, while the other tree had none.  We thinned out the apples on the over-loaded tree so its limbs could support the fruit. Then, one by one, the remaining apples kept falling off.  In the end, we were left with one ripe apple, which we’ll have to share.

4. According to Fodor’s the ten best fall foliage trips in the US of A are-Aspen Colorado, The Catskills New York, The Berkshires Massachusetts, Columbia River Gorge Oregon, Green Mountain Byway Vermont, Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway New Mexico, Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Lake of the Ozarks Missouri, and Glacier National Park Montana. Which would you most like to visit this fall and why?

I’d like to visit the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.  Ed and I have been to these mountains, a couple of different times during the summer, but I’ve never seen the leaves changing during the fall.  I’ve always wanted to do this.  In fact, it’s one of the things on my ‘bucket list’.  Picking apples in an orchard is another thing on my ‘bucket list’.

5. The topic of legalizing marijuana was raised in the most recent televised political debate so let’s wade in too. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Four states have legalize marijuana for recreational use. Your thoughts?

I don’t think ANY of our states should have legalized marijuana for ANYTHING. 

6. Are you okay to watch a movie already in progress or do you need to always see it from the beginning? How about jumping into a TV series somewhere in the middle? Is that okay?

I’m okay with joining a movie already in progress, as long as I’ve only missed the first ten or fifteen minutes of it.  If it’s progressed beyond that point, I’ll pass.  I have been known to  jump into a TV series, somewhere in the middle, but, if I do, I’ll usually try to find the missed episodes and watch them in order to get caught up on things.  I did this with Downton Abby, The Black List, and The Bridge.

7. Thursday (September 24) is National Punctuation Day. What rule of punctuation trips you up most often? What rule of punctuation, when broken by someone else, bugs you the most?

I get confused about using a comma, sometimes.  I may be guilty of over usage.  It bothers me when people don’t use capital letters when they should.  

Random:

It feels good to be back blogging again!  I’ve missed it.  I’m 9 days, post-surgery, and glad it’s behind me.  I’m doing better every day.  I’ll be posting more about my recovery experience later in the week.

Food for thought–we never realize how much we bend and twist until we’re not allowed to do either for a week!

 

 

 

 

A Few Friday Fragments…

I’m sitting here watching Ed and our little grandson, Chase playing with a wrestling ring and some old wrestling figures.  It reminds me of years gone by… It’s the same wrestling ring and men, but a much older Ed playing with a grandson instead of his sons.  Where has the time gone?

The week passed quickly.  You’d think these days would drag by since I’m not able to do much, but time is still flying. I managed to stay busy by watching tv, napping, doing laundry, and doing any chore that only requires me to be on my feet for less than ten minutes. (any longer than that brings on an attack of sciatica)

The days are down to minus ten and counting until my back surgery, on  September 14.  The doctor’s office called me, this week, to give me a list of “dos and don’ts” regarding the days prior surgery.  It was a long list, and the call lasted almost a half an hour! Really, I think the only thing they didn’t instruct me on was how to wear  my hair on the day of the surgery 🙂  I think the strangest instruction I received was “no fishing for a month after surgery.” (Like I’m going to feel like going fishing after back surgery!)  They explained the reason for this instruction has to do with all of the bacteria that has polluted our rivers, lakes, and beaches.  Apparently, there have been patients who have contracted nasty infections, following surgery, by being exposed to these kinds of bacteria.  Who knew?

God never ceases to amaze me, especially in times of trouble.  Our oldest son gave us a set of The Bible on dvd’s back in July.  Ed and I have listened to it, faithfully, every morning, and have made our way through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  This week, we started listening to Acts, but God hasn’t opened my ears to hear His message for me in Acts, so far .  So, I decided to watch some devotions on television, this week.  It turned out that those devotions were exactly what I needed to hear, at this particular time in my life!  I heard His message.  God is good!

Yesterday, Ed and I visited the hospital where he used to work, before they laid him off, back in January.  Since it’s closest to where we live, I went there to have my pre-op testing performed. (Nothing like feeding the hand that bit you! Ha!)  It was nice to see Ed’s former co-workers again, but most of the hospital looked pretty much deserted.  Judging from what I saw, business hasn’t picked up since the new management company took over in January.  Ed mentioned that the salaries of all of the employees[combined], who were laid off, probably just about pays the monthly cost of the management firm…  So, I wonder how that’s working out.  Anyway, I’m thankful the hospital is still there, it saved us from having to drive twenty more miles to the next one.

The first part of this week, our weather was fall-like.  Unfortunately, summer-like weather has returned.  I guess that’s a good thing for those who have Labor Day activities planned, though.  We have no plans, other than putting some fall decorations outside.  I’ll let Ed do the ‘leg work’ and I’ll supervise 🙂  That’s become our new way of life, lately… (Yesterday, Ed told his former co-workers that he’s gone from having six [women] telling him what to do, to only having one [woman] telling him what to do.)  On that note, I’m outta’ here!

I hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday weekend.  I’ll visit and post, again, as I am able.

 

Another Wednesday Hodgepodge…

It’s time for The Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Come on in, take your shoes off, and sit a spell…

1. Elizabeth Lawrence is quoted as saying, ‘Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.” So have you done just that? And what did you leave undone in order to do so?

There’s not much turning of the leaves going on where we live.  We’re literally surrounded by pine trees, with a couple of oaks, maples, and sycamore trees scattered about. Most of our trees don’t turn pretty fall colors.  However, I did sit still, this past weekend, long enough to notice the brilliant blue color of the sky, and to enjoy watching a fire burn in the new fire pit.  As for what I left undone?  A lot of things, most of it housework!

2. Since we’re talking turning…what’s one thing you feel you’re doing ‘every time you turn around’?

Vacuuming the kitchen floor!  Honestly, I don’t know where all of the trash on that floor comes from, with just two of us living in the house!  It drives me crazy!

3. How hard is it for you to ‘turn the other cheek?’

Sometimes it’s still hard to ‘turn the other cheek’, but not as difficult as it used to be, when I was younger.  I think age (and experience) has made me more tolerant and forgiving.

4. When did you last turn a drawer, your car, a room, or your entire house upside down looking for something? Did you find it?

The last time I turned the house upside down looking for something, was at the beginning of this year, when I lost my eye glasses.  I never did find them, believe it or not!  I guess when I lose something, I lose it for good.

5. ‘One good turn deserves another’…were you most recently on the giving or receiving end of that sentiment?

I was on the receiving end, when my daughter called and invited me to ride into town with her, on Monday.  The week before that, she invited me over for lunch.  Sometimes, she’s thoughtful like that.

6. Red, yellow, and orange are the colors of fall. Also the colors of fruit. If you were permitted only one color of fruit in your diet, which would you choose? This question isn’t as easy as it sounds, at least not for me.

You’re right, Joyce, it’s not easy to choose, but I’m going to say ‘orange’ because there are several different kinds of citrus fruits that I like.  I think ‘red’ would be my second choice!

7. The Hunt for Red October, October Sky, Halloween…which ‘October’ film is your favorite?

I don’t have a favorite ‘October’ film, at least not one I can think of. However, there is a ‘made for television’ movie that I like, called ‘November Christmas’. (A portion of the movie concerns Halloween, that’s what made me think of it!) This movie is usually broadcast on television, each year, and if you haven’t seen it, you’ve missed a good one. (November Christmas will be airing Nov. 2 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel)

Random:

Several months ago, I posted the story about the ‘Claxton Quarter Horse Twins’.  The mare died from the trauma of the twins’ birth, and one of the foals died, a day or so later. However, the other twin survived, after first being bottle fed, then finally being taken in and nursed by another mare named ‘Ruby’, along with her own foal, I might add!  

Here are a couple of comparison photos of the surviving filly, named ‘Vic’, which is short for ‘Victorious’: (photos via Claxton Quarter Horse Facebook page)

Then (February 28th) and now (October 19th)

wearing the same blanket!

Thanks to a lot of TLC, ‘Vic’ is growing into a beautiful young filly!  I love a happy ending, don’t you?

**As always, many thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for furnishing these great questions and for hosting the Hodgepodge on her blog. You, too, can join in by clicking her button at the top of this post!

A Few Friday Fragments…

So, the week began with lows in the forties, but is ending with highs up to ninety!  What’s up with that?  Sadly, I have turned the air conditioning back on, and am wondering what happened to fall?!

This week, our daughter-in-law posted this picture of grandson, Evan, on Facebook, along with the caption: “Crazy hair, he don’t care!”

I laughed out loud when I saw it 🙂  I’m so thankful for Facebook at times like these.  His shirt sorta’ says it all, too, doesn’t it?!

The house has been too quiet since ‘Della’, the chick, passed away.  I’d grown to listen for the little chirping noises she made each time she pooped.  I still miss that little feisty chick, but her sister ‘Dixie’ has taken her place with being feisty!  Yesterday, ‘Dixie’ actually flew out of the brooder box!  I have the top of the brooder box covered with netting, but ‘Dixie’ spotted a hole and went for it.  Luckily, I was standing right there, and caught her as she landed on the top edge of the box.  Bad girl!

My ‘older girls’, the big red hens, are currently molting.  There are large piles of red feathers all over our yard!  Since the hens are going through a molt, this means they’re not laying any eggs either.  It’s been six days since I’ve picked up an egg!  It pains me to think about buying a dozen eggs, but I’m going to have to do it soon.

It’s been a long work week for Ed.  They’ve been dealing with hospital inspectors all week.  I know he’s glad today is Friday!  Dealing with inspectors is no fun!  Fortunately, it only happens once a year.

Chase (photo borrowed from Facebook)

Our little grandson, Chase, spend most of the morning with me on Wednesday.  He’ll be three in December.  I love the age Chase is, because he says the funniest things–like when he interrupted his mom’s conversation to ask ” What does crap mean?” (His mother hadn’t said “crap”, but he’d apparently heard it somewhere.)

I’m dying to have a wiener roast!  I just love sitting around the fire pit roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.  The unfortunate thing is, the mosquitoes are still so bad, it’s hard to enjoy being outside.  Maybe the next cold snap will kill those little aggravating blood suckers!  In the meantime, I’m ready to have a wiener roast ASAP!

One of my readers asked if we are finished with pears yet.  The answer is “No.”  We’re nearing the end of them, but there are still pears hanging in both trees.  I wish we’d had time to count how many pears we’ve picked up, but I know it’s been in the thousands!  I made some pear turnovers, this week, using crescent rolls.  Yum!

‘Baby’, the cat, is completely over her spaying surgery, and is as good as new.  It’s been two weeks since her surgery. She’s running and climbing trees like nothing ever happened to her.  ‘Jo Jo’, the tom cat, is still her ‘best bud’, and the two still spend a lot of time together.  Thank goodness no kittens will come out of this friendship!

We have no big plans for the weekend.  Hopefully, Ed will finish up the chicken coop and our new ‘ girls’ will finally be able to spend some time outside!  I’m so ready to see them go outside, and they’re ready, too…  They’ve been about to scratch a hole in the bottom of the brooder box all week, trying to take dust baths!

That’s it for this version of ‘Friday Fragments’.  I’m linking my fragments up with Mrs. Fours over at Half-Past Kissin’ Time.  Have a great weekend y’all!

Hello October, Hello Hodgepodge…

It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means around here–

1. Are the leaves turning color where you live? Have they begun to fall? Will you have to rake when it’s all said and done? Is that a chore you love or loathe?

Yes, some of the leaves have turned colors, and begun to fall, but not many.  Where we live, there are lots and lots of pine trees, so we don’t get to experience the rainbow of fall colors like some folks do.  We’ll have a small amount of raking to do in our yard, but not much, since we don’t have many trees in our actual yard. (We have woods on two sides of us though)  As for raking, I really don’t mind, as long as I don’t have to do a lot of it 🙂

2. When did you last shake like a leaf?

The last time I ‘shook like a leaf’ was back in the summer, when Ed and I got caught up in a rain storm on St. Simon’s Island.  I had on a sundress, and had forgotten to bring my shrug along.  I got a bit wet during the storm, and I was cold.

3. After 20 seasons with the NY Yankees, Derek Jeter played his last official game Sunday afternoon. Jeter has been described even by opponents as a ‘class act’, both on and off the field. The NFL is back in action this month too, with several players in that sport also making headlines. What are your thoughts on athletes as role models? Should a professional athlete be expected to act as role model or is that going beyond their job description? What responsibility do the organizations these athletes work for have when it comes to dealing with off the field behavior? Discuss.

I don’t really think athletes should be used for role models because so many of them seem to have social and moral issues, these days. Of course, there are always a few exceptions, which is good.  I think anyone who is in the public eye should strive to be on their best behavior at all times.  Actually, everyone should strive to be on their best behavior, at all times, but we know that’s not going to happen!

I’m not sure how I really feel when it comes to organizations dealing with ‘off field behavior’. I can see how the handling of ‘off field behavior’ could become a ‘slippery slope’, when deciding where to ‘draw the line’.  If they deal with off field behavior, where would they draw the line?

4. What season of the year is toughest for you in terms of your health? Why?

I think summer is the toughest season for me.  In addition to dealing with other long term health issues, I’ve also had to deal with a chronic yeast condition for the past two years.  Ladies, you know this isn’t fun!  Extreme heat seems to make this condition worse, so I usually end up wearing loose-fitting dresses, and trying to stay indoors when it’s extremely hot outside.

5. The top six healthy food trends of 2014 according to Eating Well are-

clean eating (more veg, less meat, less sodium, limit alcohol and processed foods)
trash fish (you know those fish that get caught in fishermen nets and are thrown back? It seems chefs are finding creative ways to make them more appetizing)
cauliflower (this year’s IT vegetable)
kaniwa (essentially baby quinoa, so like quinoa only smaller)
fermentation (think pickling except with twists on flavor we’re not accustomed to)
community supported food (farms operating with community support/membership).

Okay-so how many of the hot healthy food trends for 2014 have you experienced, encountered, enjoyed? Any you’ve tried and said ewwww? Any on the list you’d like to try before year’s end?

Since I began dealing with the issue of chronic yeast, I’ve been doing more ‘clean eating’. I’ve found that the kinds of foods I eat really make a difference.  I’m constantly making an effort to monitor and reduce my intake of sugar, as well as other ‘bad foods’.

6. In seven words or less, bid September adieu.

Goodbye September.  Sorry to see you go!

7. What’s something on your October calendar that makes you happy just thinking about it?

Our family has three birthday celebrations, this month, and then, of course, there’s Trick-or-Treating for the grandchildren.  I love seeing our grandchildren dressed up for Halloween!

Halloween 2013 –  Madison, Chase, Caden

Random:

Speaking of birthday celebrations, today is the birthday of someone very special in our family!

Brandy,

You really are a Daughter
Who fills our home with cheer.
And you grow more beautiful
With each and every year.

We’re lucky you’re our Daughter
And we hope you’ll always know.
That we love you and we’re proud of you
As your Birthdays come and go.

With love on your Birthday and always,

Mama & Daddy

 Brandy and her daughter, Madison, who will be celebrating a birthday, too, in 3 more weeks!

As always, thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for all of her hard work and dedication concerning The Wednesday Hodgepodge!

Falling Into Another Hodgepodge…

I don’t know about everybody else, but I’m glad it’s finally fall!  I’m lovin’ the cooler mornings and evenings, even though mid-day still gets a little too warm for my taste.

Speaking of fall, how about we ‘fall’ into another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge, shall we?  As always, many thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for furnishing the questions and hosting this great meme!

1. It’s fall. Y’all. My favorite season of the year! What’s something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel it’s officially fall? And unrelated to that, do you ever say-‘y’all’?

I love driving around and seeing everybody’s outside fall decorations.  The bales of hay, pumpkins, scarecrows, and mums let me know me it’s officially fall.

photo via Google

As for saying ‘y’all’, I was born and raised in the south, and, yes, I say ‘y’all’ all the time!

2. When did you last have a falling out with someone? Has it been resolved?

The last time I remember having a serious falling out with someone was about two years ago.  It took us about three months, but we finally resolved things between us.  I try to avoid conflicts, if possible, because it’s easier to avoid conflict than it is to resolve it.

3. A song you love with the word ‘fall’ in it’s title?

If you’ve never watched it, this is a music great video of ‘The Boys of Fall’, too!

4. What’s something you’ve recently let ‘fall by the wayside?’

Unfortunately, the last of our garden has ‘fallen by the wayside’.  When my back began to hurt, and Ed’s thyroid began acting up, we had to put gardening on hold.  The weeds have been growing like wildfire!

5. When did you last attend an event, read a book, watch a movie, try a new recipe, or visit a shop-town-tourist attraction that fell short of your expectations? In what way?

At first, nothing came to mind.  Then I remembered back when I used to be a fan of Tom Cruise.  Two of the worst movies I ever paid to see were both Tom Cruise movies–Eyes Wide Shut and Vanilla Sky.  Both movies made absolutely no sense to me!  Shortly afterward, I stopped going to see Tom Cruise movies.

6. Describe a time you said or thought, ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

This question made me think about our grandson, Evan. He can fall asleep in a New York minute, any time, any place–just like his mama can.( I have a couple of  pics of Jennifer sleeping, too, but I’ll keep those private 🙂 )

(photo borrowed from Jennifer’s Facebook page)

7. Was today better than yesterday? Why or why not?

No, today (Tuesday) was not better than yesterday.  The day began with our dog breaking through the baby gate, three times, to get on the front porch, where he’s not allowed. (What is it about our front porch?!)  Next, I discovered a second baby chick (Della’s sister, Dixie) with a case of ‘pasty butt’, so I had to deal with that!  Third, that skunk came back into our yard– again!  Give me a break!

Random:                                            

Lately, I seem to be having more than my fair share of ‘animal woes’.  As if dealing with the dog,  baby chicks, and a skunk isn’t enough, on Friday, I have to take our youngest cat to be spayed, too.  She’s an outside cat, so this means I have to find a place inside the house to keep her for a couple of nights.  Normally this wouldn’t be much of a problem, but I’ve got eight baby chicks in the house already, and cats and baby chicks don’t mix!  This should be interesting.

Also, as I mentioned, above,  the skunk came back.  Unfortunately, this made the third time within a week! We’d previously noticed that the skunk moved slowly and would fall down every few steps, so apparently something was wrong with it.  In the interest of safety, Ed sadly made the decision to shoot the skunk.  When he did, the skunk let off that disgusting skunk spray.  Now everything around our yard reeks of skunk spray!  I think I just might scream!

Friday Fragments…

 

My poor neglected blog is really bothering me.  Lately, it seems there hasn’t been much time for it.  I keep thinking I’ll get around to it, but then I never do.  Today, I’m going to list a few fragments from the week, and link up with Mrs. 4-4-4-4 at Half-Past Kissin’ Time.

I’ve been confused all week–running a day behind.  Those long weekends tend to do that to me, or perhaps it’s my age creeping up on me 🙂  Whatever the problem is, it sure doesn’t seem like a Friday.

Our fall peas are now ready to be picked, so guess where I’ve been spending some of my mornings?  On Wednesday, I spent all day picking and shelling.  Yesterday, I headed back to the garden to finish picking what I wasn’t able to pick on Wednesday.  Considering it’s been very hot and dry, the peas have produced amazingly well.  Bugs got to the earliest of the peas, but Ed seems to have those under control, at the moment.

I’m SO ready to decorate for fall!  Anyone else feeling that way?  I hope to get my back-to-school tree decorated (with apples and teacher’s ornaments) over the weekend, if all goes well.  I have some new fall porch decorations I’m dying to put out, too.

Yesterday was a crazy day.  Our oldest son called me at 7:30 a.m., to ask me if I could babysit their youngest son.  His mother-in-law had just been taken to the hospital by ambulance, and his wife, Christina, needed to join her mother at the hospital, as quickly as she could.  I had just ten minutes to get my outside chores finished, and be ready to babysit!  I was still watering lettuce when they arrived.

I kept Chase all day, and kept his brother, Caden, from lunch, when he got out of Kindergarten, until late afternoon.  Granddaughter, Madison, joined us for a couple of hours through her lunch break from home school, too.  It turned out to be a busy day, since I was also trying to finish shelling and blanching peas from the garden.  I had a good helper though.  Chase enjoyed helping shell peas, and I just had to take a picture!

I’ve shelled and blanched 10 packages of peas in two days, with more to come!

Christina’s mama is very ill, and was actually moved to a larger hospital in the city. They’re still running tests to determine what the problem is.  She was in ICU as of last night.  I hope and pray she’ll be alright.

In other news, Ed is continuing to pick up fallen pears off the ground!  For some reason, they are rotting quickly, this year.  He’s probably picked around 2000 pears!  He stopped counting, a long time ago, at 1000.

We have several grape vines, and it’s been a great year for grapes, too!  There’s actually a pear tree, at Ed’s mom’s house, with grapes growing among the pears!  The grapevine made its way over to the tree, and attached itself.  I hope to get a picture of that soon, which I will share!

I’m afraid that’s all the time I have for now.  The chickens are waiting to be let out (so they can destroy the straw in my flowerbeds–again!), the cats are waiting to be fed, and the plants definitely need watering.

Until next time…Have a great weekend!