Hola Hodge Podge

 

1. Can you tell I'm embracing a Cinco de Mayo theme here this week? 

Yes, I see that! 💃🏼 

source

Do you like Mexican food?

Yes

 What's your favorite dish?

Impossible to determine, but I really like tacos and enchiladas.

 How about on the side-black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, rice?

Not so much...a little 

 What about heat-mild, medium, hot? 

mild

Will you celebrate with Mexican food and drink on May 5th aka Cinco de Mayo?

Not likely

2. Ever been to Mexico?

No, not even when I was with my husband stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona for nearly three years. The government really frowned upon visiting then because, even though it was 40 years ago, drugs, murder, and crime were rampant. It's been a big problem for a long time. 

For work or holiday? Love it or no?

My husband did visit for business years later and saw the seamier side of things so he did not love it. I think one must visit the resorts to see the delights.  

If you haven't been, is this a place you'd like to visit? 

no

Can you speak Spanish? 

No, though I enjoy hearing it spoken. In my corner, French is the second language. I took French for three years and understand it slightly better than I can speak it. I am taking German classes now with Duolingo...kind of fun! (I also took German for two years in college. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?)

3. What's one thing you may accomplish this month?

Planting my summer planters and getting a few things to Goodwill. I'd also like to go on a day trip or two or three.

4. If you were mayor of your village, city, or town, what's one thing you'd like to see changed, done away with, revamped, or accomplished? 

Only one? There are soooooo many. Why don't I just make a bullet list and thank you for this opportunity to vent.

➡I would require that people clean up their properties so that property values would be maintained across neighborhoods. One can be poor and also tidy. Shabby is okay, but filth is unacceptable for the public good. 

➡I would stop recycling in our transfer station because we already know that nothing is being sold for recycling—until it is, this activity is a waste of our time and tax dollars (extra man power to handle it all).

➡I would put the day removed from the times we are allowed to use the transfer station back! Good grief...they keep taking things away and it is so frustrating.

➡I would re-design the traffic flow in the town square before someone gets killed and add a traffic light with green arrows for left turns.

➡I would replace a police officer, maybe two, even three.

➡I would pave a few streets and fill in lots of potholes.

➡I would have a Community Clean Up Day with lots of fun events and prizes.

➡I would re-paint the town bridge. It's an eyesore and the main feature of our town. It is a disgrace for it to be in this condition. 

Is serving in public office something you've ever seriously considered?

Yes, but I am prone to righteous indignation (she said euphemistically) so that prevents me from taking on certain tasks. 

5. What's something that may be popular, but that you just don't get?

Tattoos, which have been around forever, yet I just don't get them.

Even my darling had a tattoo. Thank goodness, it was high on his arm. It said, "Big John." He once had a doctor ask him if that was a tall outhouse. Witty, cheeky doctor! 😉

6. Can't let this week slip by without mentioning Thursday May 4th is Star Wars Day. As in 'May the 4th be with you' ahem. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series?

not especially, more of a Star Trek fan than a Star Wars one and not much of a fan of either

 Exactly how much of a fan are you? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being 'I've seen every film, own the action figures, might have dressed as Darth Vader for Halloween one year', and 1 being, 'what's a Vader?' -where do you land?

2

7. Scroll back through your blog posts and in three sentences or less tell us the general theme of your fourth blog post. Does it still ring true today? Is it a topic you re-visit on your blog from time to time?

It was a music recommendation. I have not heard the performer's work in a long, long time. I still make music recommendations and, in fact, did on the post prior to this one. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Oh let's consider all that venting on #4 my random thought of the week. 😇

Thanks for reading, now join Joyce and her friends at From This Side of the Pond. Thank you, Joyce, for all the interesting questions! 

Carry Me Away

Carry Me Away

Lord, if I was more like you, 

I could change the way I live 

I'd be so slow to anger 

And a little quicker to forgive

~~~ 

I'd never worry about tomorrow 

I'd be more thankful for today 

And I'd find joy among the sorrow, Lord 

And let it carry me away

~~~ 

And if I was less like me 

I'd find my strength in loving You 

I'd be as mighty as a river 

And as gentle as the morning dew 

~~~

And I'd walk into the fire

Though my feet are made of clay

Find the path of God's desire

And let it carry me away

~~~

And in my times of desperation 

When I grow weary and afraid 

Lord, I'd cling to my salvation 

And let it carry me away... 

~ Daisy Dern

Clicking on the title will carry you away to my favorite rendition of this song. It's a little more me, me, me, I, I, I oriented than I prefer hymns to be, but then it is a prayer to a loving God and it sounds a lot like my prayers of late. 

And I thank you for all the prayers you have prayed on my behalf and thank you for the supportive comments in recent days. Blogdom may be the next best thing to Heaven. 😊

~Lilacs Will Bloom Again~

 I have a lunch date with a grandson. It will be fun! That kid always cracks me up. Many blessings on this last day of April...

The Mother Lode

A few weeks ago, my friend Bea called and suggested that we get together. She is a busy woman helping with her grandsons, acting as the bookkeeper for the family business, involved with all manner of church activities, plus she is a quilter. There's a lot going on in her world and so I felt honored that she was asking if we could get together. We couldn't that day because I was caring for my dad. I thought I might hear from her again one day, but was surprised at how soon I heard...last week. 
🌼
She took me to a cafeteria where I had not been before. We shared a delicious sandwich and I had a wonderful cup of coffee. That's the day I purchased the balsam pillow featured on the mad as a wet, red hen post. The drive was pleasant and the conversation was interesting. 
 🌼
Well, it always is when Bea and I get together because, though we share our faith and community and for many years our church, we are not always in agreement. She probably thinks I'm a nut; I think that she is a sensitive, loving soul whose bleeding heart sensibilites frighten me a titch. LOL!  You would have loved to join us, I'm sure. (Our conversation may be similar to some you have had on either side because I read about it just yesterday at Coffee Tea Books or Me. Not really, but Brenda seemed to be describing it very clearly on her post titled When the World Seems Crazy.) In spite of it all, we manage to enjoy one another's company.  I love to catch up with Bea. She's one of those people I enjoy being with. One thing is sure, she always makes me think.
🌼   Bea has lost some weight by design (not because she was ill) and she said that she had a number of clothing items that she'd like to pass on to me, if I were interested. As a gal who hates to shop and whose basic wardrobe is a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt, I was interested. Bea has always dressed beautifully. 
🌼
Sunday evening she called and asked if it would be a good time to bring me those clothes. One thing led to another and soon we were off instead for a pizza and salad supper. When I dropped her off at home, I was invited in to go through the clothes and brought home two huge bags. It was great having her explain why she liked this or that outfit and about the fit or fabric. Now I must tell you, lest Bea was dismayed to see her clothes all over my dining table and chairs, that when I received the clothes they were all meticulously tri-folded and beautifully packed. Alas, I am not quite as tidy as Bea.
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Monday morning I tried everything on. Everything is so lovely. Some of it is still brand new with the tags still attached.  Tuesday, I changed my clothes four times just because I could. Ha!
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This may be my favorite item of all...kid you not!

Pardon the lack of make-up and the static in my hair, but I do love a good black turtleneck. Love it for its quality, comfortable fabric.

Then there are all these pastel shells, which will be a great for summer.

I don't often wear horizontal stripes, but this doesn't read that way and the cute collar pleases me.

🌼

There are sweaters, sweater sets, jackets, skirts, pants, a housecoat, and more. There are beautiful colors as well as neutral grays and browns. I am so blessed.

I may not feel free to pose in all these lovely clothes, but I want you to know that I am wearing

~a smile~

Now where did my lips go? I may need lip liner. Blast.

🌼

Do you like hand-me-downs? What's been your favorite?

Have a wonderful Thursday and thanks for reading...

I Beg Your Pardon Hodge Podge

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Has your April been filled with showers? 

It began with a freak April 1 snowstorm. Not funny. There have been a lot of showers and the final week of the month will end in daily rains. 

Do you carry an umbrella, wear a slicker, or make a run for it?

I wear a black raincoat with a hood,  A Little Black Riding Hood of sorts.

Besides rain, what else has filled your April? 

 See Saturday last's post. I can't go into it again. 

2. What's something you could you give a 30-minute presentation on at a moment's notice and with zero preparation?

a. Christian Allegory b. grammar

3. Share with us a favorite food memory from childhood.

My mother was one of those who often welcomed my sister and me home from school with freshly baked cookies cooling on the rack. She was not only a Toll House mom, she was also a peanut butter, oatmeal, whoopie pie, melting moments, molasses cookie, etc., kind of mom. Bliss!

4. What's a song you thought you knew the lyrics to, but later discovered you were wrong?

Not sure that this has ever happened to me so I'll refer to my default story. My Aunt Marjorie once heard my Uncle Red belting out lyrics to Lynn Anderson's "I Beg Your Pardon, I never Promised You a Rose Garden" this way: "I beg your pardon, I never promised you a raise, Gordon." Uncle Red was obviously both hearing impaired and fiscally minded. 😊

5. According to one travel website, the most overrated tourist attractions in America are-
Niagara Falls (NY)✔️

Hollywood Walk of Fame (California)✖️

Times Square (NYC)✔️

Epcot (FL)✖️

Seattle Space Needle (WA)✖️ 

Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (Boston)✔️ 

How many of these have you seen in person?

exactly half of them as noted by ✔️ 

Of those I have visited, my favorite day was spent in Boston at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. I was with my mother, sister, and daughter...no better company. We had a blast and even took a horse drawn carriage tour of the old Boston neighborhoods. It was gray, damp, and chill, but what fun! Oh, the laughter! It rings in my ears yet. 

Did you feel like a tourist? yes

Did you care? a little

Tell us about a place (not on the list) you've visited that might be considered a tourist trap, but you love it anyway.

I tend to shy away from tourist traps and visit them in off seasons when the hordes have moved on. I love the coast of Maine, but it is a tourist trap from May to October. We love our tourists, though. 😉

6. Your signature clothing item?

jeans and a white tee shirt

7. What's an experience you've had you think everyone should experience at least once? Why?

Everyone should walk The Sawdust Trail and ask Jesus into his/her heart. I mean it! It'll change one's life and one's eternal destiny.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Funny that wardrobe should be mentioned...I have recently been given the mother lode in clothing...it adorns my dining room table even now. More on that tomorrow or Friday...

~what bounty~

Please visit Joyce and Friends HERE. If you haven't tried the Hodge Podge yet, give it a whirl. It'll get you out of a writing slump and it is a great way to meet and get to know other bloggers. 

Enjoy this April Day!

A Cautionary Tale

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath

Ephesians 4:26

Now that is a tall order. I don't know about your personality, but mine leans toward "red alert" on its best day. 

Simple things can trip me — a post that never updates, a car that does not start or a groundhog clopping across my deck like a small pony. 

This "red alert" thing really goes bezerk when I feel someone I love has been wronged. 

Two weeks ago today, I entered The Ponderosa (John's place) for the first time since December. The snow was finally shallow enough to get through the door without climbing a snowbank. What I saw shocked me, scared me, and made me absolutely livid.

Someone had entered the building and stolen thousands of dollars of equipment. This was done while my tenant watched. She told her cousin the responding police officer (can you believe it?) that there was a woman who looked just like her landlord (me) and two men. She said that she thought nothing of it because there were always people there taking things. Really? Really?! 

To say that I would like to drop kick her to the moon is not too much of a stretch. Did she tell me? No. Did she call the police? No. Now I could say much more, in fact, I did and had to delete it, but this is the gist of it. 

There are other complications in this mess. Did you know that in my corner if you do not have the serial numbers from all pieces of equipment that the police will not even attempt to search pawn shops, etc.? 

I have told this story as a cautionary tale. Get those serial numbers, make sure your insurance is current, take photos, and have an inventory. Also, never assume that snow covering the door is a deterrent. These people shoveled their way in and shoveled the snow back covering their tracks. I feel like such a fool to have fallen for that trick. 

Perhaps you can imagine how much I feel I have failed John. Oh I know that he is not affected by these earthly things anymore, but he would have been some kind of upset if this had happened on his watch. I certainly regret that it has happened on mine.

This advice is good and the best philosophy/psychology/"the world" has to offer; however, it does not go far enough. It is true that we can not change the direction of the wind, but it is also true that we can't adjust our own sails either without the help of The Lord Himself. 

This issue is so big that I know I can't deal with it. I know my ongoing answer is forever and always in going to The Lord. I thank Him that this is just stuff and that no one was hurt, except for the financial loss and that sense of being violated. And I am really going to need His help to show grace. I can not begin to know why God allowed this, but since He did, He has a plan to work it all out. And I know that He will work on this angry heart of mine, too. 

Tea Time Not in the Garden ツ

After a bit of a mix-up, this post has returned proving that I can get it together when I have to. 
(Not updating...beyond frustrating!) 
🌼🌿🌼🌿🌼

Finally, after all these years, I am joining Bernideen for Tea in the Garden Wednesday. My garden is not in such fine shape today (we are expecting snow...boo hiss) nor will it be until well into May so I am joining from my dining room table using my Queens Royal bone china Made in England  yellow tea cup.💛 This tea cup came to me from my grandmother's collection.

~yes, I prefer cream in my tea; I am a tea baby~

I am serving this with the lemon cake I made for Easter. My grandson Jakob and I liked the cake while the rest of the family did not. Still they did eat some because Jake and I did not eat half the cake! Some people do not enjoy lemon desserts; I really must remember this.
(Since I first wrote this post, I have shared the cake with my sisters-in-law who both declared it good. Obviously, they like lemon! )
🌼🌿🌼🌿🌼

The recipe for the cake, that the original two-thirds of us did not enjoy, if you dare ツ, is to use any cake mix, add an extra egg, change the water to whole milk, change the oil to melted butter, and bake as directed. In my opinion, it makes a delicious, moist cake.
🌼🌿🌼🌿🌼

🌼Please join Bernideen and her friends at  Bernideen's Tea Time Blog.🌼  Thank you for all the beautiful posts, Bernideen. One can always count on you for lovely treasures, sweet treats, and a gentility that blesses.

On the Fly Hodge Podge

1. Tell us about a time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'.

This entire being a personal representative of an estate qualifies and I am so ready to be finished with it.

2.  When or where would you most like to be 'a fly on the wall'?

I have often said that, but right now I have no clue.

3. 'Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.'-Henry David Thoreau 

Would you agree? Why or why not?

Sure. 😉
Sounds good.

4. Share a favorite movie, book, or song with flying in it's title, lyrics, or theme somewhere.

What is this? National Fly Month? 

Fly Me to the Moon is the only thing I can think of and it is not a favorite so I am cheating. 

5. What is one task or chore you tend to do 'on the fly'? Is this something that really needs to be done another way?

Maybe it's psychiatrists' month? One task you say? Just one?

6. What was happening the last time you thought to yourself or said aloud, 'Wow, time flies when you're having fun', and you meant it.

I say, "Time flies whether you're having fun or not." I had fun on Easter Sunday when my son fixed my garage door opener. A week of opening the garage door manually had nearly 

done me in.

7. This Thursday is National Garlic Day. Will you add garlic to your menu on Thursday? Do you like garlic? What's your favorite dish made with garlic?

I do like garlic. The last thing I made with garlic was a concoction to keep groundhogs away...it's a very smelly brew and I nearly had to move out of the house myself.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Lots of clean-up going on all around the house. I can't stick with one spot for too long. I give it two hours a day and call it good because the old bod doesn't hold up. There are fences that must come down...they are not mine and yet, I'm taking them down anyway. The leaves in the garden must come off  because, apparently, I don't have enough worms to eat them all. And those acorns! Acckkk...wonder if I could vacuum them up. I'm almost ready to pay for the oak tree to come down. It's not mine either. Oh well, this is the story of spring.

Please join Joyce *here* for other entries. I hope no one else was a flip as I was. 

It Was Lovely

Oh dear! I've been away from blogging for ten days and managed to forget everything I thought I knew. This is dangerous when one has been as preoccupied as I have been. Anyway, starting again this morning by pulling the post that went on overnight and saving it for the correct day. 
Let me instead post about Easter, which was a beautiful day. The most lovely in recent memory with temps soaring to 80F. The landscape was almost snow free, but brown. Well, with those temps, we can't complain. No matter the circumstances or the weather, Easter is a day to be honored. Our very futures depend on what Jesus did for us on the cross and what He did in leaving His grave behind and our recognizing it. 

The family is still in the stage of going through the holidays one by one without John. So this was the first Easter without him and the last holiday when we will say  "this is our first ____ without John." We muddled through...at least, I did. I was glad that it was "my" year as it gave me more things to think about. John lives Easter every day now.
Recently, my grandson Jake told me as he came through the door that for just a moment as he climbed the stairs he thought he would find John here. Just for a moment. I have felt that way sometimes, especially in the morning on waking or at a certain time in the afternoon when John would have been coming home.

What I have learned through the year is that the same scene can look very different depending on my focus or my filter. 

 Are the tulips lavender or pink? (It depends.)

And I have learned that just because there is snow on the ground today does not mean that there'll be snow there the next. Things can change quickly when God is invited into a situation.

 ~very little snow~ It has been a blessing to read about your Easter so I thought I would share mine. And not one photo of the family. Am I slipping or what?!