A Rather Nice Hodgepodge

Welcome to June and this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1.What's something you find extremely difficult that most people would say is simple?

Directions. As in how to get from A-B and where in the world am I lol. I have absolutely no sense of direction. On the one hand I'm thankful for GPS, but it also makes me a little lazy.  I quite often rely on it, and don't worry too much about finding my way. 

Also, if you're telling me how to get somewhere don't give me any of that east west nonsense. Is there a McDonalds on the corner or a Texaco? I need a landmark. Sometimes when we're hiking and I'm unsure of which way to go hubs will say something insane like, 'How can you not know where you are??? You know where the sun is in the sky.' Huh?? 

2.  "And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies I  had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." 

~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Does the season of summer make you feel this way? Elaborate. 

September is when this feeling hits for me. Years of living life by the school calendar is likely the reason why, but September always feels like a fresh start. Technically September is the end of summer, although I tend to think of it more as the beginning of autumn. 

3. Pickles. Love 'em or no thank you? What's your favorite type of pickle? What's something you eat that definitely needs a pickle added?

I love them in all forms and I love cucumbers before they become pickles too. My favorite is probably a crisp dill pickle, but I also love bread and butter pickles. 

Something I eat that needs a pickle added? A burger needs a dill pickle slice, tuna salad needs some chopped pickle, a hot dog needs pickle relish, and while not a requirement I do like pickle on a deli sandwich. 

4. Tis the season...do you know any June brides? Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? What's your favorite movie wedding? 

I'm a June bride...

We don't have any weddings on our June calendar, but we do have a July wedding this year. It will be red, white, and HOT, but lots of fun too. I love a wedding. 

My favorite movie wedding? 

Maria and the Captain in The Sound of Music ranks right up there, but I also love the wedding scene in Crazy Rich Asians. 

5. June 1st is/was National Say Something Nice Day...say something nice here. 

I think the Hodgepodge is one of the nicest little corners of the Internet. Thanks for playing along each week!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Since we're talking nice...

A neighbor brought me some of her gorgeous hydrangeas. They're even prettier in person. We have hydrangeas in our yard too, but they're just starting to bloom, and none in this color. So pretty!! 

A reminder I'm hosting A Day In The Life link up here on Thursday, June 18th.  If you don't know what that is check out last week's Hodgepodge random thought for details. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 656

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Hop back here on Wednesday (June 3rd) to share answers with the world wide webbers. See you there!

1.What's something you find extremely difficult that most people would say is simple?

2.  "And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies I  had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." 

~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Does the season of summer make you feel this way? Elaborate. 

3. Pickles. Love 'em or no thank you? What's your favorite type of pickle? What's something you eat that definitely needs a pickle added?

4. Tis the season...do you know any June brides? Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? What's your favorite movie wedding? 

5. June 1st is/was National Say Something Nice Day...say something nice here. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

An Apple A Day Keeps The Hodgepodge In Play

Who else thinks October is flying? Thank you for joining this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post. I always ask participants to at least comment on the blogger before them on the list because comments keep s a blog hop hoppin'. Happy Wednesday! Here we go...

1. Monday was National Apple Day...did you eat an apple or enjoy something made with apples on Monday? Do you like apples? Do you prefer your apples raw, baked, or in cider? Do you have a favorite variety of apple? 

I did have an apple on Monday. The variety was Empire and I grabbed a few at the market because they looked firm and unblemished. Sadly the one I ate Monday was a bit mushy-ick. I sliced it and sprinkled it with cinnamon which helped, and am hoping the others have a better texture.  

I don't have a favorite variety but just go for what looks best on my particular shopping day. I tend to buy Gala and Honeycrisp for eating and use Granny Smith for baking. I love apples, one of my favorite fruits, and pretty much always have some on hand. I like them raw, baked, in cider, whatever...it's all good. 

2. Do you think there's any truth to the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Of the following healthy habits which do you find easiest to incorporate into your life and which is the most difficult for you to adopt-

adequate sleep, a balanced diet, plenty of water, eat breakfast, don't smoke, exercise, limit alcohol,  include fruits and vegetables in your diet, manage stress, limit screen time

Not sure there's scientific proof of that particular saying, but there are many health benefits to eating an apple so it's possible. A trainer once told me I should have an apple every day. I read eating one medium apple a day is good for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation. 

Of the healthy habits listed the easiest one for me to keep is 'don't smoke'. I've never been a smoker and it's never held any appeal for me, so that's not difficult to manage. Most of these healthy habits are part of my daily life, but if I have to choose one as most difficult I guess it would be screen time. 

3. Who taught you how to drive? Do you enjoy driving? Would you rather be the driver or the passenger?  Do you have a favorite scenic drive near you? 

I enjoy driving and am fine in either seat. I got my first license in the state of NJ. At the time you couldn't even get a permit until the day you turned 17 so I was just beginning my senior year of high school when I started driving. Hubs got his license in Tennessee and I think he was in the 9th grade lol. 

Driver's Ed was a part of our high school health curriculum. It wasn't behind the wheel, more like 'Scared Straight' where they showed us all the film clips of horrible accidents resulting from someone not wearing a seatbelt, drinking, having too many friends or distractions in the car. Let me just say those film clips stayed with you. 

My dad taught me to drive. I don't remember it being stressful for either of us, but perhaps if he were here to tell the story he'd remember it differently. I was not an impulsive teen, and I was always a rule follower, so those traits probably helped in the driving department. 

I live on a lake so there are many scenic drives in my daily life. The drive across this bridge just a couple miles from my house is a favorite-

4. What small habit has had a big impact on your life? 

Daily Bible Reading

Keeping a prayer journal

5. Tell us about something nice that's happened to you recently? 

The day we got home from our two-week holiday in the aftermath of a hurricane my next door neighbor brought over homemade soup and sourdough bread for dinner. So thoughtful! It was nice not to have to worry about cooking when we were jet lagged, had a mess in the yard, and a freezer to empty and clean out. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We've been enjoying our new griddle and it's a learn as you go kind of thing in terms of trying new recipes and figuring out the heat, etc. 

Hubs loves to grill so I mostly do the prep work and make any sides we're having, and he cooks the main.

 We grilled (and by we I mean he) a pork tenderloin on The Green Egg on Sunday and it was so good. 

We had about half left over so we cubed that and he made pork fried rice on the griddle. 

We used this recipe, and it was delicious! 

Hibachi-Style Griddle Pork Fried Rice  

We mostly cooked as instructed but used leftover tenderloin that had been grilled in a garlic and black pepper marinade so lots of flavor. I made the rice early in the day so it could sit in the frig all day and this is key. 

Have a great day everyone! 

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You Never Outgrow The Hodgepodge

Welcome to the end of July and this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.  If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my blog, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. 

Here we go-

1. What is a childhood habit or preference you will never outgrow? 

My love of jelly beans, words, going barefoot, and getting lost for hours in a good book. 

2. Did you know July is beans month? What's your favorite bean? Your favorite recipe that calls for beans? When it comes to chili are you team beans or team no beans?  

I'm assuming jelly beans don't count teehee. I like all beans but green beans are my favorite. I'm not sure I have a favorite bean recipe, but I do make a white bean soup that's really tasty. I put beans in my chili which is my preference, but I like it without too. 

3. Some historical figures have a tag line after their name, something like 'the brave' or 'the wise' or 'the mad'...what would your tag line be? Explain why? 

This was harder than I thought it would be. How about Joyce the overthinker? Joyce the reluctant adventurer? Joyce the dreamer...I like that one. 

4. The way to my heart is______________________________. 

Small thoughtful acts, kind words, and a gentle tone. 

5.  The calendar rolls into August this week, but before we go give us four adjectives that describe your July. 

joyful, noisy, active, sun-kissed

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

After the kids left last week hubs started to put away all the baby related gear. Not so fast please.

An impromptu Round 2 happened this week. 

Daughter2 was at her in-laws this past weekend, helping host a baby shower for a high school friend of her hubs. We're more or less the halfway point in her drive to/from, so she stopped here on her way home Monday. Her hubs had a few days of work related travel so she and her babies have been with us for a couple of extra fun in the sun days. 

We're not mad about it. 

If you want life to slow down enough to smell the roses I recommend hanging out with a toddler. 

They're not in a hurry for the world to go by and help you notice small wonders you might otherwise miss. 

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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The Art Of The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge, our last in October of 2023. Next week November is upon us and the holidays are coming up quick.  If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Trick or treating, hodgepodge style. Here we go-

1. October 25th is International Artists Day...do you have a favorite artist? If so tell us who and why. 

I'm not sure I have a favorite. I love the ballet paintings of Degas, the gardens of Monet, and the birds of John James Audubon.  Why? I love ballet and the great outdoors. 

2. Would you describe yourself as artistic? Elaborate. 

No not in the sense of having skill in drawing or as a painter or sculptor. I'm creative with words but I'm not artistic. 

3. What's a skill, task, hobby, or job you've done so often you now have it 'down to a fine art'? 

Loading the dishwasher lol. 

4. How often do you dine out? Fast food, fine dining, or somewhere in between? Tell us about a less than stellar restaurant experience you've had recently (or not so recently if that's easier).  

We don't dine out a lot because choices here in tiny town are pretty limited. We mostly cook at home or dine with friends in their homes. We don't eat fast food (maybe the occasional Chick fil-A when traveling). We love fine dining (our favorite) but again, it's a drive to get to so not something we do often anymore. We belong to a couple of wine clubs that pair wines with food and we enjoy that a lot. Hubs and I get lunch out maybe once a week? Dinner maybe once a week, probably less...depends on the week. 

A less than stellar experience? We met friends for pizza before a concert a couple of weeks ago. The show started at 7:30 and we met at the restaurant (one block from the concert venue) at 5:45. At 7 PM we went to check on the food (or lack thereof) and were told they hadn't even put the order in yet. Bother. 

The bar for restaurant service post-'you know what' is pretty low, but communication is key. If the server had given us an update on the situation (understaffed and overwhelmed) we would have had options. 

5. Do you celebrate Halloween? To what extent? Are there trick or treaters where you live? 

Some years we have something going on, and other years it's quiet. This year we're going to a party and will be dressing up. I do love a costume. I don't decorate my house for Halloween, but do put a few fall pieces out, mums and pumpkins on the porch, that sort of thing. Our neighborhood is hosting a trunk or treat if they get enough of a response. There aren't a lot of young children in our neighborhood. The kayak group is doing a 'dock or treat' and we're hosting a stop at our dock. You give the kayakers a sip of something and a small bite of something before they paddle away. Should be fun. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

This has nothing to do with anything which I suppose is the definition of random but...

I follow a site on insta called SBMowing. He has a landscape business and I think it's once a week he drives around, finds a yard that is overgrown, out-of-control, a community eyesore, and he takes care of it for free. There is something so satisfying about these videos and what he's doing. A little pick me up in a world that needs picking up. 

Here's the link-SBMowing

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 445

Hi Hodgepodgers and everyone else too! This will be the last Wednesday Hodgepodge of the year. We'll be back on track Wednesday January 5th, so plan to ring in Hodgepodge 2022 with us then. 

We are here this week though, so don't forget to join the party. Answer on your own blog then sled back here tomorrow to share answers with all of Santa's elves. See you there-

1. How young is young? In the past, according to various organizations who decide these things, age 60 was the 'border age' to old. The World Health Organization has done new research recently and divided up the categories as-0-17 (underage), 18-65 (youth or young people), 66-79 (middle-aged), 80-99 (elderly senior), 100+ (long-lived elderly). Your thoughts on this particular breakdown, and also your thoughts as to where you land?

2. TIME magazine has declared Elon Musk person of the year in 2021. What say you? If you want to know more about how they choose you'll find that info in the link here. If you were choosing, who would be your person of the year? 

3. I read here ten habits of extremely likable people which include-they greet the world with a smile on their face, they ask questions, they're consistent, they put the phone away, they remember names and use them, they keep an open mind and don't pass judgement, they're authentic, they're kind and generous, accountable for their mistakes, and they send thank you notes.  

So, are you likable-lol? Which one of these habits could use some further developing in your own life? What is one habit/quality you'd add to the list? 

4. One non-holiday related task/job/goal/dream on your to-do list that you hope/plan to make happen before the new year rolls in? 

5. Share with us some of your holiday plans. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Good Samaritan

Our Sunday School class has been studying the parables of Jesus and today we discussed the well known tale of The Good Samaritan. I think even most non-church goers are at least a little bit familiar with this one as it has been absorbed into our culture and our vocabulary. Love your neighbor. Put words into action. Do good without judgement or expectation of reward.

There has been a lot of talk of unity in recent days, or perhaps the lack thereof would be a more accurate statement, and I was thinking about that word as we talked this morning about loving our neighbor and what that means. Caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, practically helping those in need seems far easier right now than getting along with someone from an opposing political party who shouts, judges, and lectures you via their social media feed, doesn't it? 

In the same way we can't make someone volunteer in a food bank, donate to charity, or build houses for the homeless, we cannot demand unity simply by declaring that it must be. Unity cannot be dictated, and it's not something that magically happens because of a shift in political power.  

Unity is an action word. It requires intent. It means listening to people who say you're wrong and they're right and why can't you just see that you're wrong??? and that is hard. So hard. 

Of course we want to respond when we feel verbally attacked or belittled. We feel an almost primal urge to counter their words with words of our own. Tell them why they're wrong and we're right and we can prove it this very second with an article, meme or post of our own. 

In 2021 we seem unable to not engage. 

We can't put the genie back in the bottle so how do we get there? How do we cross the seemingly uncrossable chasm that's ruptured life in America? 

Maybe we can brainstorm here because I feel certain the answer doesn't lie with a committee, a body of elected officials, or the President of the United States. I think it's going to come from ordinary citizens who don't compromise their faith or their strongly held beliefs but who don't argue them to death either. 

It might even look like having coffee with a neighbor, from six feet away if you must, but still you have that coffee. 

It's definitely less words, which may seem hypocritical coming from someone with a blog, but I'm referring to angry, self-righteous words spewed carelessly across Facebook pages and twitter rants or sadly in some cases around holiday dinner tables. 

I think it will involve quiet examination of our own souls (no need to announce it to the world) and a whole lot less public dissection of the souls of others. Everybody's got a log in their eye that needs removing so maybe we start with our own?

It could mean deleting apps from our phones and demonstrating good old-fashioned restraint, something that used to be common but has most definitely fallen by the wayside in the last decade or so. 

It probably means making the hard but conscious decision to keep some of our opinions to ourselves, and for the love of all things holy to quit sharing every but!, but! but!...we want to share. 

I think it means we talk about the weather. I'm serious. The weather is rarely confrontational and we could do with less confrontation right about now. 

It's grabbing some tennis shoes or hiking boots, a swim suit or a pair of skis, and getting outside. Removing ourselves from the noise and everything else that distracts from the beauty of this earth. It's choosing to see, experience, and share the good more than we share our opinions about the bad. Call that naive, call it wearing rose colored glasses if you want, but getting along is going to involve letting go of some things we've held in our tightly clenched fists for a long time now. 

I know for certain an essential part of the way forward is prayer. For the ones you love and the ones you 'hate'. Maybe you don't pray and perhaps that sounds trite or cliche to you, but prayer changes hearts and minds, our own most of all. 

How about we try being verbal good samaritans and let's see if we can make that go viral. 

Five Minutes of Ahead

Haven't participated in Five Minute Friday in a while, but here's the deal-write for five minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word. Link back to Five Minute Friday, and leave an encouraging comment for the person who linked before you. For the record overthinking is always the hardest part for me, but here we go-

Today's prompt-ahead

I looked back this week at my blog from a year ago to answer a question asked in the Wednesday Hodgepodge, a link-up I host on From This Side Of The Pond. In looking back I realized this time last year we were around the world meeting our newest grandson.

Who turned one year old just a few days ago. 

In the middle of a chaotic US election cycle, with everyone masked and scrubbed like we're all prepping for surgery. 

Raise your hand if you're glad we couldn't see what lay ahead. 

If you're glad God gives us life one day at a time. Grateful He grants grace for the day and instructs us not to worry about tomorrow. About what's ahead. 

He doesn't say do nothing but He does say do not worry. Over and over again we're reminded He alone knows the end from the beginning. Knows how this election will go and how tomorrow and all the days after will go too. Some call even saying that privilege and I'm going to disagree. God's love is irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, and political party affiliation. It's for every single person on planet earth. 

I have to wonder how different our country would look today if Christians, particularly those with large platforms, had encouraged and prayed for our current president as hard as they've criticized and complained? 

Tomorrow is another day, and the very big problems of this world are likely with us still. 

New mercies too, because He promised.  

And so we forge ahead. 

Playing Nice In The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Or all the bloggers linking here today.  Let's go-

1. What's one part of your everyday routine you'd be better off without? 

Facebook. It used to be a much looked forward to part of my everyday routine, but other than linking my blog and sending birthday greetings I am rarely there these days. I won't yammer on about why because surely everyone can agree it's not the congenial little corner of the Internet it once was. 

2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do? 

I baked peanut butter cookies. Does that count? Hubs would say yes. He brought his mom over from Tennessee yesterday (Monday) and what should have been a 3-hour drive took them five. Ugh! Peanut butter cookies fresh from the oven made his day. 

3. What question do you hate to answer? 

These days pretty much anything relating to politics. So much hate and judgement out there. 

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us. In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix) and if so what did you think? 

Y'all.  If you have not watched this documentary you need to, particularly if you're a parent. Prior to watching it I might have answered this question differently, but since I have seen the program I'm going to say technology does control us, and it controls us in ways we might not have considered. Unless you're off the grid, but of course if you're here reading this blog I suspect you're not off the grid. teehee. 

5. What are three small things that make your day better? 

that first cup of steaming hot coffee, a cloudless blue sky, dinner plans

6. Insert your own random thought here.

As much as I hated to say farewell to my beautiful geraniums that bloomed all summer long, these huge mums were too pretty not to buy.

And if you give a porch a mum you need to add a pumpkin. And a pansy. And maybe a baby pumpkin and also a white pumpkin and then another mum in a different color. Did I tell you I love fall? 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 389

It's that time again and here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there! 

1. What's one part of your everyday routine you'd be better off without? 

2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do? 

3. What question do you hate to answer? 

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us. In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix) and if so what did you think? 

5. What are three small things that make your day better? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Be An En-, Not A Dis-

Entering Week 2 in the April A to Z Blog Challenge and we're moving right along. 100 meaningless bonus points to anyone who gets this title. Perhaps if you read on...

I'm trying not to make every post in this thirty day challenge relate back to the virus, but a fair chunk of the words I was given do send my brain in that direction. For now, our everyday life is impacted by restrictions to our actions and our interactions, which makes it hard to avoid referencing every once in a a while.

These are strange times and my blog is a journal of sorts, so while I'm not intentionally dedicating these challenge posts to the current public health crisis, it will very likely get more than a mention now and then.

Day 5-E is for Encourage

Okay, on with the show. Today's word is brought to you courtesy of my mother-in-law, encourager extraordinaire. Everybody needs one in their life and she has the gift of encourgement. She is always telling you you're appreciated...loved...better than you think you are, and for that I'm grateful.

I'm realizing that while I didn't start out with the idea of giving a shout out to the person in my life who provided the day's word, it is turning out that way. As I write each post I think of the sender and our shared history with so much affection. An unexpected happy little bonus to my theme this year.

Before I start one of these alphabet posts I always like to look up the definition of the word, along with any synonyms or antonyms. Synonyms for this one include hearten, cheer, uplift, inspire, motivate. In this present age of social distancing where do you find encouragement?

When I stop and think about it I realize I'm finding encouragement in all the places I normally find it-

From family who call-text-zoom to say I love you and you matter to me.
They bring joy to my heart.

From the kindness of strangers on display all around the globe.
Inspiring me to be kind too.

From people in all sorts of professions figuring out new and creative ways of moving forward.
Motivating me to be flexible and to keep trying new things.

From friends who make me laugh when we hang out 'together' albeit online.
Bringing cheer and lifting my spirits.

From people who show restraint and resist complaining when yes, there is plenty to complain about. Who look for the good and find it, and then tell us about that.  
Encouraging me to remain optimistic.

From the quiet stillness of the early morning hours.
My heart remembers peace is possible.

From the beauty of the sunrise.
New mercies are mine for the taking, come rain or shine or Coronavirus.

From reading God's word and mediating on this holy season of extraordinary love and sacrifice.
I have hope. What's more heartening-cheering-motivating-inspiring-encouraging than that?

Let's all resolve in this upside down season of life to be encouragers, not discouragers.
We can do it, and I'm encouraging us to try.

Kruising Into The Weekend

Winding down week two in the A-Z Challenge and I'm still here. And it's Friday and my teacher daughter is on spring break next week so whoohoo! I think I'm as excited as she is not to be getting up before the crack of dawn for a solid week. Cheers to the weekend and sleeping past 5 AM!

I don't have a lot of time to blog, and if I'd been better organized I'd have written these A-Z posts weeks ago.  I probably didn't have time then either so here we are crawling into the weekend with one of the harder letters in the alphabet challenge.

I press on...

K is for Kindness

Not just the random unexpected kind either, but ordinary everyday kindness. Who doesn't feel delight at ordinary everyday kindness in the year 2019? I think this used to be what we called good manners, but now we call them 'acts'. 

Holding a door open for the person behind you, letting someone jump in line who has just a handful of groceries to purchase, picking up trash we didn't drop, returning the shopping cart, a baked treat for the new neighbor, going out of our way a little to help someone who needs helping, not saying everything you think. Saying good morning-thank you-you're welcome-I'm sorry. 

Kindness extended in even the simplest of ways lifts the spirit of both the giver and the receiver.

Then there are the random unexpected acts of kindness that come our way. The theme for my A-Z challenge this year was born out of one of these unexpected acts. Three months later and that small big act continues to delight me every single day.

Early in January I wrote about my word for this year. Someone read what I wrote and they acted on it. Two weeks later I had a package in the mail and I am still not over it. Every day I put that bracelet on my arm and every day I feel that same sense of delight all over again.

And now I've written two blog posts about it and it's only April.

Sometimes it feels a little obvious, trite, cliche to write about kindness. We're bombarded now with t-shirts, slogans, social media hashtags urging us to be kind but like most things that matter in this world, things that make a real difference in peoples lives, it's the doing as opposed to the 'talking about doing' that creates change.

Can kindness change the world?

In a word yes.
Our little corner of it anyway. 

The Bracelet

I want to tell you a story. A true story. And I want to write it down because I want to come back here and read it when the world feels harsh.

I grew up in a neighborhood where kids walked to school. Where red rubber balls were kicked across the blacktop. Where we learned to write in cursive and play the recorder. Where we hit softballs on the diamond out back and learned to finally do a pull up on the playground monkey bars.

It was the kind of neighborhood where kids spilled out of doors and skated on a frozen pond. Where games were played and arguments occurred but where we always made up because we were a team. A pack. The kids from Barclay.

We lined up every year on the first day of school with our friends, our classmates, kids we'd known since kindergarten. While every year the mix of kids in each class varied a little, whatever the combination it would be recognizable. Familiar. The makeup of our elementary school didn't change a whole lot in all the years we were there.

We rode our bikes 'look no hands!' to the swim club on sunny summer days it seemed would never end. Except they do. Of course they do. We grow up and away and our circles expand. We make new friends and yet always always in my heart is a place I hold dear for the kids from Barclay.

Flash forward to the year 2019, last Friday to be precise. I was reading in our family room when hubs came in with the mail. He put a CD sized envelope in my lap and I noticed the return address immediately. It was from a childhood friend. A girl from elementary school I haven't seen in literally decades.

We're friends on Facebook and occasionally have had a message back and forth about something or other, but no real long talks or heart to hearts. I love her artwork and she likes my travel pics. She encouraged me to try to make our high school reunion this past year, but I wasn't able to go.

So I looked at the envelope and wondered what in the world she might be sending me. I kind of assumed she was mailing something from the reunion, maybe a picture or a CD of pictures perhaps, but y'all in a million years I could not have predicted what was tucked inside that envelope.

It was a bracelet. And a few words with big impact on the backside of the card. The bracelet is a pretty strand of chords held together with a delicate silver bead. In the center of the bracelet is a washer style charm with three tiny hearts and a single word stamped in the metal.

My word. Delight.

I was speechless. I'm still a bit lost for words. A true random act of kindness that made my heart sing.

So obviously she reads my blog and let me just say that's the first thing that 'delights'. When someone reads my blog and I didn't know they were someone who reads my blog. But still, how many people know my word and see my word on a sign or a piece of jewelry or wherever and think of me and then act on it.

Because acting on it is really the thing, isn't it?

I mean many of us have good intentions. We want to do something kind or thoughtful or meaningful for someone but we just never get around to actually doing those things.  I don't know what prompted my friend to act but it doesn't really matter. She saw my word. She made the bracelet. She hunted down my address. She bought the off sized envelope. She packaged it. She wrote the note. She mailed. it.

And I'm still not over it y'all.

I hope I never get over it. I hope I remember my delight at the surprise and the thoughtfulness and the intent and the oh so perfect words she wrote on the back of the card and I hope I pay it forward in a way that makes somebody else feel what I felt when I opened the envelope and saw this.

I've been wearing the bracelet and when I look down and see the charm peeking out of my shirt sleeve I feel my heart shift. My perspective change. Now how do you say thank you for that?

So I'm writing it all down here with the hope this sparks someone reading to act. To do that kind, generous, thoughtful thing you've wanted to do, meant to do, but haven't gotten around to doing.

Thank you V! It's honestly the best thing that has happened to me in forever.

Five Minutes of Support

Joining with Five Minute Friday today, where the rules are simple- write for five minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word. Link back to Five Minute Friday, and leave an encouraging comment for the person who linked before you.

Today's prompt-support

While we were not in the eye of hurricane Irma she did make her presence known around here. More so than expected I think, or maybe with all the weather reporting we were getting our area forecast simply hit my brain as white noise.

Nevertheless she was here.

In the grand scheme of things we had very minor stuff to deal with, a messy yard littered with hundreds or maybe thousands of sticks and branches, and no power for a couple of days. We love our electricity and don't do very well without it, do we?

Our power went out Monday evening and on Tuesday morning a friend called saying they'd hooked a generator up and would I like to bring over my frozen food and leave it for the duration to avoid spoilage. Yes please.

The worst of the wind and rain left our area on Tuesday so hubs and I got busy picking up sticks and debris. A neighbor down the street stopped by to see how we had fared and our next door neighbor phoned later to see if we needed anything.

Hubs and I went one town over in search of power and landed in Starbucks (naturally). It was packed with students as the local university had cancelled classes, and there were quite a few folks like us in search of a free outlet to charge devices. Everyone scooted in and moved over and passed cords under chairs to get connected. We got to know the man stuck in the corner beside us who, as it  happens, live in a neighborhood very close to ours. We exchanged contact info and made plans to meet for dinner soon.

We went out for dinner with friends that evening, and as we left the house hubs pulled the garage shut manually. When the power's out you do things the old fashioned way. A couple of hours later we pulled back into the driveway in the pitch black of night and much to our surprise the garage door was locked. Somehow when hubs closed the door he must have pulled it down just hard enough for the locking mechanism to kick in.

Which wouldn't normally be a problem but neither one of us had house keys. Oops.

We phoned the friends we'd just left and they said come on over and sleep in their guest room. They didn't have power either, but they did have a small generator and promised us an actual cup of coffee in the morning. Besides that hot cup of coffee they gave us toothbrushes and loaned us pjs and t-shirts for sleeping and we were so grateful.

On Wednesday we mentioned to another friend we were locked out of the house and her hubs came over and attempted to pick the lock. Apparently that's in his skill set-ha!, but our locks were too much even for him so we resorted to calling a professional. On the bright side, nobody's going to be breaking in here.

And now it's Friday, the sun is shining, we've had hot showers at home, done laundry, restocked the frig and carried on with life. We're not in an area where the cleanup will take months, where homes are gone and businesses demolished. Our little piece of the storm was an interruption to our daily routine, a frustrating few days, aggravating but certainly not devastating, and still the kindness and support we felt meant so much.

It's nice to have people worry about you. To do practical things like give you space in their freezer and a toothbrush from their cabinet. And I think about how everybody is just doing the best they can. Making their way through life, managing one storm or another.

How from time to time we all need someone to ask, 'are you okay?'

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. 

A Berry Nice Hodgepodge

We're kicking off this first day of June with another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions be sure to add your link at the end of my post. Then go say something nice to the blogger linking before you because today is National Say Something Nice Day.

Here we go-

1. Tell us about one fun thing on your June calendar.

We celebrate 32 years of married life this June, so there's that. Course it lands on a Thursday so hubs will be dining at a work event, and I'll be dining with friends on the other side of town. They tell me we can Skype him in-ha! 

2. How careful are you in the sun? Do you tan or burn? Do you make it a point to see the dermatologist every year?

Ah the sun. Why must it be so bad for you??? I used to only tan, but now I'll burn if I'm not covered in sunscreen so I wear the lotion and a hat, spend time in the shade, and yes I do visit the dermatologist once a year. 

3.  Describe a time when you wanted to 'throw in the towel'.

Not often because I'm quite stubborn, but in all likelihood it had something to do with a computer problem I couldn't solve on my own. Thankfully I birthed my very own I.T. department so the frustration doesn't ever last for long.  

4.  What's a song you love that has a day of the week in the title or lyrics? 

Again with the pick one? My favorite is probably Easy (Like Sunday Morning) by the Commodores with Saturday in the Park by Chicago coming in a close second. 

5.  Are you a fan of berries? Which one's your favorite? What's the most recent berry dish you've eaten? Which blueberry breakfast food appeals to you most-blueberry pancakes, blueberry yogurt, or a blueberry muffin? 

I love berries. Blueberries are my favorite, but when it comes to berries I'm really not picky. We had mixed berries for breakfast on Monday morning and they were delish. Of the breakfast foods listed blueberry pancakes appeal to me, but I almost never eat pancakes. I like hubs to order blueberry pancakes when we go out to breakfast and then I can have one bite which is enough. I'd choose the yogurt. 

6.  What's something you want to do before your next birthday?

Move into the new house! And on the off chance Bob the Builder is reading here, my birthday's mid-September. Maybe I should tell him it's in mid-July? 

7.  June 1st is National Say Something Nice Day, so let's all say something nice here. 

I was grocery shopping Tuesday morning and a man shopping near me gave me a coupon for $10 off a $50 order. Whoohoo! It was expiring that day and he said he wasn't going to have $50 worth of groceries so would be happy for me to use it. Small unexpected kindnesses make life so much sweeter, don't you think? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My nephew turns 10 today, and if you're related to me and your birthday falls on the Wednesday Hodgepodge you get a birthday shoutout. 

I thought it would be fun to see what else turns ten this year, and that list includes-Taylor Swift's first album, Twitter, High School Musical, and Nintendo Wii (anyone besides us still have one?). 

Oh, and also Facebook although it had been available to college students before then, but 2006 was the year your mama could finally see what you were up to online. Not this mama because I did not jump on the FB bandwagon until a few years later.  

Happy birthday A! I wish I were there to hold up two hands on your big day! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 268

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to join the party. See you there!

1. Tell us about one fun thing on your June calendar. 

2. How careful are you in the sun? Do you tan or burn? Do you make it a point to see the dermatologist every year? 

3. Describe a time when you wanted to 'throw in the towel'? 

4. What's a song you love that has a day of the week in the title or lyrics? 

5. Are you a fan of berries? Which one's your favorite? What's the most recent berry dish you've eaten? Which blueberry breakfast food appeals to you most-blueberry pancakes, blueberry yogurt, or a blueberry muffin? 

6. What's something you want to do before your next birthday? 

7. June 1st is National Say Something Nice Day, so let's all say something nice here. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Random Acts of Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Thanks for playing along today.

One quick item of blog business...I'm declaring next week winter break in the HP, so no Hodgepodge on February 24th. We'll be back the following Wednesday (March 2nd) with brand new questions and a brand new month.

Is it just me or is time flying?

Okay, back to today...here we go-

1.  February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th? 

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.  

I'll make a specific effort to notice someone on the official 'holiday'. These ROK are wins for everyone, and I almost don't want to write about anything I've done because anonymity is part of what makes them special. I will share one story because it still makes me smile when I remember this particular young woman.  

About a year ago I was preparing to pay for my manicure when a bride to be came into the salon. She was literally counting our her singles to determine whether or not she could afford to have her nails done and she had an accent I recognized immediately as East Tennessee (it was, but we were in NJ...small world). 

She explained to the owner that her wedding was the following day, and asked what she could do for the few dollars she had to spend. I was the only other person in the shop, and this bride made no secret about the fact that money was really tight, not in a complaining way, but just matter of factly said she needed to count pennies. So I quietly paid for her manicure and left the salon smiling. 

Most of these National Holidays feel contrived, but I like this one...a reminder to look for opportunities to brighten someone's day. I'm going to try! 

2. What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

The world still rallies around nations stricken with natural disaster or man-made terror. 

3.  Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list? 

That's an easy one! Black olives are my favorite. My least favorite on the list would be black currants, not so much the berry as things flavored with black currant. It's not a common flavoring in the US, but we found it in many drinks and candies in the UK.  

4.  A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things  you should do before you turn 50. They were-

travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?

I've passed the mile-marker mentioned and have done most everything on the list. The one I found most challenging, and that still needs conquering from time to time would be 'stop worrying'. I've come miles in that department, but can't say I never ever worry.  I think it's a pretty good list. 

The only thing I might add is that you should tell people who've impacted your life in a positive way what it's meant to you. Let them know they played a part in shaping the person you are today. So often we assume that youth leader, coach, camp counselor, fifth grade teacher, etc. knows they've made a difference, but it's extra special to hear it said aloud or see it in a hand written note.  

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting? 

I like the sweet romance of  Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. And I like the thriller Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone. I don't care how many times I've seen it, that first scene makes my palms sweaty every single time. 

6.  When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

Probably a couple of weeks ago when I was home alone with a fever and the worst headache of my life. What did I do about it? Cried to my husband when he phoned from an out of town business trip. Then later to my mom when she phoned to check on me. And possibly also one daughter. Maybe two. So to answer the question-I cried.  

7.  Share a favorite proverb.

"When words are many transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent." Proverbs 10:19

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 Combining two things I love (ballet and Degas) in a most beautiful way....click here to view. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 256

Here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then ski back here tomorrow to link answers with your friends and neighbors. Also, one item of blog business to note-I'm declaring next week Winter Break in the HP, so no Hodgepodge on Wednesday February 24th. I've got some things going on next week and I'm not sure what my computer access will be. Thanks for understanding.

We're here this week though, so let's get started-

1. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.

2.What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?

4. A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before you turn 50. They were-

travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?  

6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

7. Share a favorite proverb.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

What I Want In A World Gone Mad

Friday afternoon. A good time to blog because nobody reads on Friday afternoons, right? Lately it feels like nobody reading might not be a bad thing. And everyone can relax because I'm not going to weigh in on the refugee argument here. Not precisely anyway but make no mistake, it is an argument.

Everything is an argument, and that's what I really want to weigh in on.

Raise your hand if you've changed your mind on a particular issue because somebody posted a snarky comment on Facebook insinuating or outright saying you're an idiot? Yeah.

So can't we just stop? Why can't we stop? Why is there this insatiable need to prove you're right and I'm wrong. You're smart and I'm not. You love the poor and I don't. You're a Christian and I'm not and by golly I'm going to convict you of your transgressions in a public forum, and I'm going to do it in a way that doesn't just quietly offer you another point of view. I'm going to eviscerate you, judge the state of your heart and life because you asked a legitimate question and I'm a Bible expert.

Except very few people posting and commenting are actual experts. They're just average citizens with a Facebook page or Twitter account, a lot of opinions and most importantly, absolute certainty in their rightness.

I think we can all agree the refugee crisis is serious and complicated. Like almost every other issue that's divided our country in the past few years, this isn't an all or nothing deal, so why can't I have more than five minutes to make up my mind about what I want to see happen?

I'm not alone in feeling the need to step back and look at all the pieces of the puzzle. So many people feel conflicted about the right way forward, but woe to you who don't have an instant opinion.We're not allowed to feel conflicted about anything anymore. An issue arises and in a matter of seconds everyone and their brother is posting in ALL CAPS!!! where they stand, which is their perogative, but please don't tell me where I stand when I haven't been able to articulate it myself.

With almost everything that's occurred in our nation and around the world recently we've rushed to judgement. We're sheep, and nowhere is this more evident than in the online community. People follow speakers, high profile Christian authors and commentators, celebrities, political figures, people they admire for one reason or another and when that high profile person spits out their position, we're literally like sheep. We jump on the bandwagon without hesitation and heartily echo yes me too, without taking the time to figure out if what that person has espoused is true and accurately reflects how we feel or if we just lack the energy to swim upstream.

There are big problems in the world. Huge. Ginormous. Too big to tackle on our own. We need conversation. We need ideas to be floated out there, lots of ideas. We need to be able to have reasonable discussions about the important issues facing our communities and our world, and it seems we've lost the ability to do that. Calling someone names isn't going to get us anywhere, except further and further across a divide I fear we're in danger of never mending.

The judgements hurled at people who disagree with some particular point of view have made me feel a little bit sick to my stomach this week. I want to curl up and hide away from the nastiness, to not speak, voice an opinion, or ask an honest question, but here I am blogging. Because I want things for this tired troubled place we temporarily call home.

I want us to think for ourselves. I want us to listen. I want us when things go pear shaped to wait a second for the dust to settle and facts to emerge before hitting someone over the head with an opinion. I want us to quit judging the quality of a person's heart on the basis of a status update. I want people who hold positions of influence to be gentle in their responses to those who are trying to understand a world gone mad.

Do I think this post is going to change anyone's mind or behavior? Probably not, but that's not why I write. My blog is a journal, not a point of persuasion. I don't have a big following, but some important people really do read my blog. My daughters. And I want them to know their mother believes no matter how ugly the world becomes, they can still choose to be beautifully kind.

There is much written online I suspect is later viewed with regret, but dear daughters you will never be sorry you were kind. The world is harsh. Choose kindness.