Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Hodgepodge Happenings

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. I wrote my answers on Monday evening as I wasn't sure we'd have power here on Tuesday, and as it turns out we don't so whoohoo! for planning ahead. We ended up with more Irma effect in our area than was predicted, but thankfully all our big trees stayed in the ground. They did drop about a million trillion leaves and branches all over the yard, but we'll deal.

Well hubs will deal because y'all my rib thing ain't no joke.

Power went out Monday evening around 8:30 PM and we have not been given an anticipated time frame for it's return. Ugh. A friend has a generator and called to tell me to bring over my frozen foods so that was a blessing. I know our problems are first world problems and I try hard to keep that at the top of my brain while standing in a cold shower.

What a hard few weeks it has been. Irma has certainly left a path of destruction in her wake and my heart is heavy with the needs of those who've lost homes, businesses, pets, and most especially their loved ones. I pray we can all continue to be good neighbors, helping one another in whatever way we're able.

I so enjoy this midweek gathering every Wednesday, and am especially glad you've stopped by today. Here are my answers to this week's questions. If you're playing along, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-

1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

Ha! I think you know my motto runs more along the lines of 'a thousand words are worth a picture'. Wonderful photographs inspire words, and I need some of both. 

2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?

I have not, and yes it's on my bucket list. In fact it's on my autumn to-do list so definitely share your favorite stops. We're planning to drive a small amount of the California coast later this fall, then meander along the Oregon coast a bit too. 

I'd love to drive the southern end of the PCH, but that will have to be another time. 

3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you think that is?

I love the changing seasons and look forward to each one. I think it would be harder for me to live where the seasons don't really change. I'm someone who enjoys looking back and ahead and do both on a regular basis. 

4. It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?

What's on the menu? The main varies, but there will definitely be cake. German chocolate is my favorite but any chocolate will pretty much  do. 

I don't lie about my age. Why???

5. What's a life lesson you've learned recently?

I'm not as young as I feel? That little mishap I had three weeks ago was a doozie, and showed me I can't just go-do-grab-reach-hop like I could ten years ago. If I'd slipped like that ten years ago I think I'd have probably caught myself. These days I need to think before I act, instead of just going for it. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

A short while back a blog friend (Shannon at The Iron Diva) asked if she could make me something for our new house. Last week I opened the door to find her very special package on my doorstep-



She sent me this most gorgeous afghan which, as you can see, I'm enjoying. If you've got time today, hop over and say hi to Shannon at The Iron Diva . 

Dear world-unprompted kindness makes planet Earth a sweeter place to lay our heads. 

Thank you so much Shannon for thinking of me,  for the beautiful blanket, and most especially for brightening my day. 



31 comments:

  1. We saw the disaster Irma caused, I didn't know that you were living in this area ! It must be terrible ! We are so helpless against nature.
    The gift you found on your doorstep is so beautiful !

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  2. Agreed on all the many words!
    That is so true that we are not as young as we feel! I think that when I do simple things, like get off the floor and a day of yardwork!!!
    Thankful you re healing, even if it is slowly <3

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  3. Amen to the life lesson! It's one I've definitely learned with my broken ankle!

    Love that afghan. What a thoughtful gift!!

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  4. ummmmmm. I haven't had a homemade German chocolate cake in many years. One of my favorites too. The afghan is gorgeous. A friend made a similar one for me a couple of years ago, and I cherish the love that went into it.

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    1. Somehow when I first read your blog, all I saw were answers to the questions and missed your opening paragraphs. I am so thankful for you that there was minimal damage. You are so right about these being first world problems. The devastation which has been left in the places affected by hurricane, flooding, fires, and now crime are tragic and can't even begin to think of what it will take for these people to recover. Praying your ribs will soon be better. I'm so sorry.

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  5. I try to remember our problems are first world problems, too but the main thing I remember about Hurricane Hugo are those 11 days without power. Selfish, I guess so but 3 little ones at the time and no power was frustrating. I remember telling myself over and over again--you still have a house and everyone you hold dear is still here. I guess it's more being spoiled than selfish? I don't know. But I get it about the power. I love seasonal changes, too. Unfortunately, they are not well defined down here in the low-country. We usually go from hot to unbearably hot. I do miss the obvious changing of the seasons. That afghan is GORGEOUS! Hope your ribs are healing and your power is back on. Have a wonderful rest of the week!

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  6. Joyce.. I'm hoping that your power is back by now. Beautiful afghan!

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  7. First of all, thank you for another great Hodgepodge. I forgot to put that in my post! (I'm still shaken from the storm.)
    I wondered if y'all had any effects of Irma. I'm sorry about your loss of power, and hope it's back on soon. (wish you had one of our generators)
    That's a beautiful afghan, and I know you'll enjoy it. I love hand crafted things very much.
    Take care,
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  8. Joyce, I'm so sorry about your rib AND your lack of power! After Matthew we went and got ourselves a generator. You might want to consider it. Of course, since buying it we have NOT lost power...not that I am complaining. Ha!

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  9. Thanks for hosting Joyce. Now I am craving some carrot cake, lol.

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  10. What a lovely, thoughtful gift from your friend! Hope you get power back soon. Now and then we'll get a storm that leaves us without power for a few days. It certainly forces one to be resourceful. And about feeling younger than we are? It always surprises me to see my gray hair and wrinkles because I really don't feel any different than when I was 40. But my limitations are definitely different

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  11. Having briefly lived on the Pacific coast (thank you, us Army!), I am thankful to have experienced the pacific highway - you MUSt definitely drive it while you have the opportunity!!
    And yes, that blanket is gorgeous - I love bloggy friends! :)
    Fun Hodgepodge - thank you for hosting us!

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  12. Soo glad the worse you've had is being without power. Though I am not down playing that! Soo hard. Hopefully it won't be much longer. And I did learn that life lesson too with all of our painting. We just are NOT what we used to be and everything takes twice as long. LOVE that gift! What an incredibly nice thing to do! Have a good week!

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  13. Hi Joyce, so nice to be able to join HW, I have wanted to for ages. we are continuing in prayer for all those affected by the disasters, and will pray that you will soon get electric power!
    I enjoyed reading your post, German chocolate cake is one of my favorites too!
    Your quilt is so beautiful what a thoughtful gift, thank you for hosting, I had a little trouble trying to link, (my fault), it has been a while since i joined a meme. or it might just be age related. lol Still won't tell my age. ~smile~

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  14. Glad to hear that no trees came down. Hope you have the opportunity to drive the Pacific coast. I use to worry about season changes moving to CA but they do change, it is just a little different. I know with my knee now we have moved area rugs out, times do change. Love your afghan.

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  15. I do hope you get power sooner than later. It's so weird to go to a light switch and have nothing happen. :) Glad you didn't have any damage other than yard clean-up. I enjoyed your answers. My husband who was a house painter in his former life wanted me to tell you that you should blame the ladder incident on gophers. His two mishaps over the years were due to unseen gopher holes. These days he gets nervous for me when I pull out the house step ladder that only has 3 steps. Hope you have lots of candles and lanterns. Lovely afghan. Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast has a nice area of shops and restaurants. Tillamook factory is along the Oregon coast and it was interesting and has good ice cream (cones).

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  16. I can relate to that life lesson, all right! So glad your only problem is loss of power. Not that that's easy. Cold showers are absolutely terrible. I don't think a morning goes by that I don't thank God for hot water.

    Seasons ... yes, I'm thankful I live where there are four distinct ones. I don't enjoy winter or early spring as much but am still thankful.

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  17. That beautiful, snuggly afghan could not have come at a better time, I'm guessing. So sorry about your impending clean up and especially that Hubby will have to do it all alone. LOL! I am sorry to hear that the ribs are taking longer to heal than you would like. I hear it is a slow, painful healing process. Imagine that we both love German Chocolate Cake or any other chocolate confection for that matter. Hoping your power comes back on soon.

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  18. Hi Joyce,
    Happy to hear Irma did not do too much damage for you. We have a friend who lives in Tampa. He rode out the storm. They have damage, but what was predicted could have been so much worse. Very thankful for the way Irma took a turn. We have family in Texas as well. One lost his Winter home and the other had a building collapse due to water saturation.
    In each situation, the love of neighbors is what pulls them up and keep on going.

    A beautiful gift, and yes, random acts of kindness is just what we need.
    Have a great weekend,
    Carla

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  19. What a gorgeous afghan. Such a blessing. Hope you guys have power back soon.

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  20. LOVE your choice of cake. :) And that is a lovely afghan!

    Glad to hear y'all are safe!

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  21. I hope you get your power back soon and thankful to hear Irma didn't cause too much havoc for you. Lovely afghan and what a lovely surprise for you. Hope the ribs are healing.

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  22. Oh, I could have answered #5 in the exact same way as you did and I'm several years older than you, so it's even worse. :o)) What a beautiful afghan and if you are like me, you snuggle up in one every evening. Happy healing my friend!

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  23. Joyce,

    How very nice and sweet of your bloggy pal to send you the afghan! I'm amazed at how kind the Blogosphere community is. When I started blogging 7 years ago, I did not imagine building such dear friendships like I have over the years. It's an incredible experience and I'm so blessed to be apart of it all!

    I think we all can relate to your experience with #5. It's hard to not be able to move and recovery like I did 10-years ago. Although I'm active, age still prevents me from doing things in my 40s. Thanks for hosting the mid-week fun and have a good evening!

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  24. Yes, I guess I missed hearing about your little mishap. Ribs are a very painful part of the body to be injured...everything we do causes them to move. When we first moved to this house (25 years ago) I had a misstep on a ladder when I was working in a very small bathroom. I landed halfway in the bathtub, hitting my ribs on the edge. I pray they are soon healed and your pain is gone. Also, so glad to hear you didn't have damage or flooding...Irma was such a monster! And what a beautiful afghan your sweet friend sent to you...such a blessing! Happy birthday on Monday and thanks for hosting, as always....HUGS!

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  25. I totally agree about needing seasons - I really don't like it when the temperature stays very similar all year round. Unprompted kindness - something to hold dear and make the world feel brighter.
    Have a lovely day Joyce and thanks for the questions.

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  26. BEAUTIFUL afghan! You will love snuggling under that as the colder weather approaches.

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  27. Here's hoping that your power gets restored soon. I also hope that your ribs get restored soon. Rib injuries are the worse because of that constant breathing thing. My blog didn't post yesterday because when I finished editing I hit the "SAVE" button instead of the "PUBLISH" button. #seniorbrainflatulence. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  28. Isn't it amazing how our bodies have a way of reminding us, after we have done whatever, that we should not have done it? I often do things that seem like they would be okay to do. The next day, I am reminded that I am no longer 17. Have a great week.

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  29. What a lovely gift! I enjoyed reading your HP answers today and am trying to catch up with friends here and get back on track with my blogging now that we have internet again!

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  30. What a sweet treasure that Shannon sent to you. :)

    This whole "not as young as we feel" is no fair, isn't it? My reaction time isn't what it used to be either. I hope that you're well on your way to being mended!

    In regards to words and pictures, I need some of both, too. Little babies and nature photos, those are my favorite. :)

    Have a blessed night.

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