A Heart's Desire

 Linking this post today with Joanne (Slices of Life) for Talking About It Tuesdays 

2025 is bringing a pretty big and exciting change to our family. I haven't said anything about it on my blog because I've kind of been holding my breath making sure all the pieces would actually come together, but that seems to be happening so it feels okay to talk about it here now. 

Y'all. Don't stop praying for something that is truly your heart's desire. 

When my oldest daughter graduated from high school eighteen years ago (huh???) we were living in the UK. She hopped the pond to attend university in South Carolina and then we moved to NJ and she moved to D.C., and then she got married and moved to Washington State, and then we moved to South Carolina, and then she moved even further away-South Korea, then to a town outside of Nashville, then to Cincinatti, then to England and whew. It's a lot, isn't it? 

All that to say we have not lived geographically near one another since she was eighteen years old. 

I have occasionally referred to this circumstance as the thorn in my side. I have prayed a lot of prayers for my girls in adulthood. Jobs, spouses, married life, childbirth, child-rearing, and yes I still ask God to bring them geographically nearer on a regular basis. Near enough for a cup of tea on a Monday morning or lunch now and then without planes, trains, passports and rental cars being part of the deal because this is my heart's desire. 

My youngest daughter has been living about 3.5 hours from us for the past three years and we consider that very near. We can go by car and it's not too far for a weekend drive which is nice. Hubs and I have spent most of our married life living far away from family so we know how to do this, but still it's not my favorite. Whenever a move is on the horizon for daughter1 I ask God if maybe the next location could be just a little bit closer to me.  

She and her husband just celebrated their ten year wedding anniversary, and in the last ten years my son-in law has completed the final four years of a five year residency, four years of orthopedic surgery, and then another two years in specialized orthopedic fellowships. 

Most recently they've been living in Cambridge (England) while he wraps up his final fellowship. Just before they moved to the UK he accepted a job with an orthopedic practice that will begin once they're back stateside. 

That job is here. 

Where I live. 

They are coming home and where we live is where they will live. 

I don't even know what this looks like, all I know is my daughter and her family will be living within arms reach. We can go to the kids sporting events and programs. We can have dinner together on a random Wednesday.  We can spend one on one time with each little grand since logistics aren't complicated. 

They can come for a swim in the lake, then go home and sleep in their own beds. Or their parents can go home and the kids can have a sleep over at Nana and Pawpaws. My daughter can go to the dentist and get her hair cut without three kids in tow. She can hang out with her sister more often which makes her so happy. 

We live in a small town and I imagine we'll run into one another in the market or Hobby Lobby and other places we'll both frequent. 

They will of course make their own friends here, settle in to their own routines and find their own favorite places, which is as life should be, but to have them near means so much. The in-laws also live nearby and they're as excited as we are for fewer Facetimes, and more actual face time. 

So all these many words to say this... 

I've been praying for many many years for something that I couldn't quite work out how it would ever happen, yet here we are in 2025 and my daughter and I are going to be 'neighbors'. 

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7 (The Living Bible)

Waiting On The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of TheWednesday 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. Or all the bloggers before you if you've got the time. Here we go-

1. Something you've waited for recently? 

Our new granddaughter to arrive. She's not in a hurry. 

2. What's something you loved to do as a child? 

Ride my bike without holding on, run through the sprinkler on a hot summer day, jump rope, read...it's a long list...

3. Something you learned from a grandparent? 

From my maternal grandmother: the importance and power of prayer in daily living, how to make iced tea by the glass, and to know there is great beauty found in a gentle quiet spirit. 

4. The most visited cities in the world last year (according to this site) were-Bangkok, Paris, London, Dubai, and Singapore. Have you been to any of the cities mentioned? Which would you most like to see? How do you feel about international travel in general these days? 

Of the cities listed I've been to Paris, London, and Dubai. I don't feel the need to make another trip to Dubai, but would happily revisit London and Paris. Singapore would be a place I'd like to see, but not sure I'll have the opportunity. So much world, so little time. 

How do I feel about international travel these days? Well, travel in general in recent years has its challenges and the actual getting from one place to another (by air) requires an extra measure of patience. Still it's worth seeing the world I think. 

5. February is the perfect month to ______________________.

Cozy up beside the fire with a stack of books. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Been singing this one all week long lol...

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Learning To Count

Hello Friends. And also any strangers who happened to land here today. Happy Thanksgiving. I know we have a few days still but let's be honest, the holiday starts when the cooking starts and that's usually today. 

If you're cooking. 

Which I'm not, but if I were I'd start today. 

Today. Whew. Actually it's been a whole entire weekend+ Monday, which is why there won't be a Hodgepodge post this week. I know technically this post is all over the place and feels very hodgepodge-y, but there's no official Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. The Hodgepodge will be back next week when we'll be in full on December mode.

Even though it will still be November. 

Life here is not dull. I feel like it should be a little bit dull because we're retired. Shouldn't there be days where we ask each other what do you want to do today and hubs says I don't know what do you want to do today? Yeah, that doesn't happen here. 

Saturday we awakened to a dog throwing up. Now I know this is something dogs do occasionally, but not our dog. Our dog is the Superman of dogs and has a stomach of steel. He was sick several times, and I gently suggested to hubs mid morning that maybe we should think about taking him in to the ER vet, but Tennessee was playing Georgia at 3:30 PM and hubs was not missing it. 

Except of course he did because the pup was pathetic and is his best bud. He made the 40 minute drive to the ER vet, then spent the next four hours waiting, seeing the doctor, and having the dog's blood drawn and belly x-rayed. Basically he missed the entire game which, if you're a Tennessee fan, wasn't such a bad thing. ahem. 

They did not see a blockage but of course nobody knows this dog like the hubs knows this dog, and he suspected the pup had eaten a paper towel (or two) when he was cleaning the grill on Friday. I read online paper towels can become like papier mache in a dogs belly but the doctors saw nothing on the x-ray. They did give him something that coats the stomach so when the dog seemed worse and not better on Sunday morning, it was back to the ER vet for another look. 

Offering here 1000 bonus points for anyone who can explain to me why these things always always always happen on a weekend or after hours. 

Sunday's visit revealed a blockage, which we were sure was a paper towel (or two), but as it turns out was a baby sock, size 12-24 months. Y'all my grandson was here two weeks ago which is a long time for a sock to be stuck in your dog's belly. 

All that to say, the dog spent Sunday night at the ER vet, so instead of getting ready to visit our daughter and her family this morning, we were waiting to hear how surgery went. Ugh! ugh ugh ugh. The worry. The irritation. The aggravation. The money. And of course the biggest ugh of all was the idea that I was not going to see my girl and her littles as planned. I was not going to be side by side with her in the kitchen as we chopped celery and made dressing and pulled out the good dishes. 

I wasn't going to get to see my grands open their Christmas pj's or help decorate their tree, or read stories snuggled up on the couch, or get great big hugs around the neck, and I'm going to be honest and tell you that on Sunday I had myself a little pity party. Maybe more than a little. 

But God is so good to give us new mercies every single day, so  I woke up this morning and I got a grip. I reminded myself the world is full of tremendous sorrows right now and this is not one of them. I talked to my sister who suggested we get a dinner to go from the grocery store and I had a new plan and a new outlook. Then I read this prayer first thing and it truly helped reset my outlook. And my 'in-look' too. It was posted by @cleerlystated on Instagram, not sure if I can share it without permission, so here's the link- A Prayer for Thanksgiving Week. 

Before too long the the vet called saying surgery went well. They would need to keep the dog for a few days because he also has a completely unrelated but significant skin infection and all that to say Thanksgiving is back on. 

I mean it was never off, but I let my mind travel down a road we are not meant to travel, and for a minute my normally grateful heart felt so completely Grinchy. Why is that so easy to do?

Making a list and checking it twice now...

I'm grateful today for modern medicine, for animals who worm their way into our hearts, for a husband who doesn't say 'snap out of it!', but instead lets me feel what I feel and offers hot tea, scrambled eggs, and a fuzzy blanket if I think it would help. 

I'm thankful for sisters who share my disappointments, who walk me through a plan B, who tell me I'm not being ridiculous when even I know I'm being just a little bit ridiculous. Sisters who love my girls and understand all the ways holidays and family go together. 

I'm so glad God loves me in spite of myself. That He keeps growing me up and into the person He created me to be. That He's not through with me yet. 

Grateful especially for this season that reminds me to count my blessings. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Rockabye Sweet Baby J

I like to write letters to my grandchildren when their birthdays roll around, and today is one of those days. 

Dear Sweet Baby J-

Today we celebrate you, which is the easiest thing in the world to do. 

You're the sunniest little boy I know and you brighten not only your parents and grandparent's lives, but also those of your entire extended family, friends, neighbors, strangers, co-workers, random waiters, grocery baggers, sales clerks, the people standing in line behind you, any and all who encounter you as they go about their day. 

  

You light up the world little man and we are all here for it. 

These days you wave bye bye, shake your head no, and are taking your first steps. You give high fives, clap, and laugh from your belly which is everyone's favorite thing. 

You love dogs and people and the wind in your face. You love books and breakfast and momma's lap. You love the vacuum, watching Daddy mow,  and water water everywhere- in the tub, the ocean, the play table and soon the lake. 

You have wonderful parents sweet baby J. They adore you and want what's best for you always. Nana prays for you every day and I pray for them too. For wisdom and humor and the courage to swim upstream when swimming upstream is required. 

It's easy to sometimes feel discouraged by all that's wrong in the world in 2023, but one look at you and I'm reminded of all that is right. I'm reminded that God's ways are higher and better than anything we can dream up on our own. That He has placed you in this time and this place, in this family, not by accident, but on purpose and by design. 

Keep spreading your sunshine sweet boy. The world needs more you. You're so precious and Nana loves you deep and wide. 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with your wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

What, me worry?

So I didn't really want to write another post about this word, but every time I thought letter W there it was. Day 23 in the A to Z Blog Challenge-

W is for worry

I've written a number of posts that feature or touch on this topic, and one that really struck me was this one (linked here) written mid-way through my 50's. Since I've rounded the corner on another new decade I thought I'd see how things are looking now.

Welcome to grandparenting where your list of things to worry about grows longer than your arm.  

But only if you let it. 

Here's the thing...I believe God knows worry is something I fight against so He helps make that easier by continually orchestrating the circumstances of my life in such a way that I have no choice but to trust Him.  

My grandchildren live in South Korea and let me just state for the record, you have very little control over anything happening on the other side of the world. Maybe if your grandchildren live right down the block you would say the same about your geography because that's the nature of grandparenting. 

We meet these perfect (to us) little people and we want only sunlight and goodness to touch their lives always and forever amen. We love with abandon because that is our role and also our delight. 

Oh I could worry about all the many things including transatlantic flights, Covid before anyone uttered the word here but did there, North Korea shenanigans, your precious daughter giving birth in a hospital where nobody speaks English, small adorable children crossing busy streets in a foreign city, your daughter driving in said foreign city, missing birthday parties, school programs, and everyday ordinary fun, but you cannot do anything about any of it.

Except pray. Prayer is the antidote to worry. 
That was true when I was 50 and it's still true today. 

Today's young parents are raising children in an era that's different from the one in which we raised ours. They have to make decisions about so many things that were never on our radar. Internet anyone? I'm sure there are times we grandparents offer opinions unasked, and for that we are sorry.

It's just that we're your parents and occasionally still like to weigh in on your life. Partly because parenting is a habit, but mostly because the way you love your little people is the way we love you. And that will never change. 

My daughter is the best mother I know. I can look back over her life and see so clearly how God made her ready for this season of parenting little ones far from 'home'. 

There's no need to worry...

I know He's made me ready too. 

A Nana's Prayer

You may be glad to know I do have a plan for some of the letters coming up in the A-Z Blog Challenge, which doesn't help with today but!... Daughter2 to the rescue.  I threw out the letter and she volleyed back with hopes and dreams so that's where we're headed today. What do I hope for my grandsons?

H is for Hopes and Dreams

I hope they know Jesus. I don't mean acknowledge His existence but really know Him.

I hope they talk to Him regularly and daily seek His will. 

I hope they choose wives one day who do the same. 

I hope they stay close and connected at heart, even if geography lands them miles apart.

I hope they are slow to anger and quick to forgive.

I hope they honor their parents all the days of their lives. 

I hope they're grateful. 

I hope they do the right thing when no one is looking.

I hope they are ever curious. 

I hope they see the world. 

I hope they are daring, not reckless. 

I hope they find beauty in small things.

I hope they laugh a lot. 

I hope they live their lives seeing the glass half full.

photo credit : Sincerely-Shannon

And I hope they're still best friends when they are old and gray. 

These are my hopes, and also my prayer. 

Good Things Come In Small Packages

Where to begin? My head is swimming and I need a nap, but I know from experience if I don't start to put some of my wedding-related thoughts into words the blog mountain will grow and feel insurmountable. I'm sure I'll write several posts diving into all the fun details but I need to start somewhere so let's start here.  

We hosted a wedding this past weekend. Yes. In the middle of a pandemic. And it was all the things a wedding should be...sacred and serious and beautiful and fun. So much fun! 

It was also small. Should weddings be small? Let's start there because I have a few things to say about that. 

If you know us in person you know we're social people. We've moved a lot and have friends scattered around the globe, and our daughters are both social creatures as well, with lots of friends scattered around the globe, and in fact our daughter1, the brides sister and bestest friend in the whole wide world is herself around the globe, which I'll get to in a minute, but the point is we like people. We like parties, social gatherings, laughing, dancing, music, and great big bunches of our friends and family in the same place at the same time. 

In 2021 that is just not meant to be. So what do you do? Do you postpone? Until when? Until summer? Next year? Nobody seems to know, and so we make a choice. We set new expectations and we laser in on the truly important. We find new ways of celebrating and marking life's milestones because by golly, they need to be celebrated and marked. 

Daughter2 and her oh so special groom joined hands and lives to become Mr. and Mrs. on a blue sky January day.  I think we all wondered how this wedding would look and how it would feel and I am here to tell you it looked amazing and it felt fabulous. 

For the record, I don't have many photographs to share because everyone was fully present which is how a wedding should be. I'm sharing a few phone snaps people have given me, but our fab photographer uses real film so the professional shots will take some time. 

We would not have chosen a small wedding were it not for Covid, but I can honestly say I loved everything about the size of our gathering. It was so wonderfully intimate and the venue was gorgeous. 

Then there was the bride. This girl was positively beaming, relaxed and happy as she marched confidently through the door God opened many months prior. She and her groom were able to thoroughly enjoy time with each other and with every guest present. We all were and that is so very special and something we've all taken away from the weekend. 

Quite a few of you who read here regularly have asked about the bride's sister, if she was there. In a word no. She had every intention of being there, she booked her trip, and later rearranged and rebooked her trip, but in the end she was unable to travel due to restrictions and complications on re-entry into S. Korea upon return. So that's that. Nobody needed the added stress of worrying about her coming to the states and getting stuck here while her boys were in S.Korea. We had many people praying specifically for clarity and the door was shut for her. It doesn't get much clearer than that. 

And you know what? There were some tears shed over this, BUT! they did not rule the day. If I were to make a list of my favorite moments of the entire weekend the video daughter1 made for her sister would be near the very top. She recorded herself giving her matron of honor speech and I have never in all my life heard a more perfect speech than this one. We played it as a surprise at the rehearsal dinner and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. It felt like she was there and that was important. 

Our wedding planner (Beckon Events if you're in my part of the country-they are the absolute best!!) helped us set up a Facebook live feed so she could watch the ceremony, and we had other family members who were unable to travel view it there too, so that was something. Not the same as being there in person, but we are all doing our best in this season of uncertainty. 

And that's all I'm going to say about that, because it was not the main thing and I want to keep my eyes on the main thing. 

The adorable newlyweds. 

Who charmed their guests, danced every dance, and who know with God all things are possible. 

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. 

One of These Things Is A Lot Like The Other

Note: I wrote this post late Thursday, then saw the word prompt for Five Minute Friday. Adding my link to the group there too. Visit Kate Motaung's blog and see what other writers had to say. Better yet, why not share your own five minute entry?  Today's prompt-Mom

As I was reading Hodgepodge answers yesterday I realized I didn't answer part two of question one, which basically asked how my experience as a mom was different than my own mother's experience. And since it's almost Mother's Day I thought I'd expand on that a little.

That's me with my mama. I guess I really am a brunette-ha! And apparently my obsession with beautiful weather started early.

I've been a mother for almost thirty years now, but when I think about Mother's Day it's my mother who comes to mind first, as opposed to my own role as mom. I know I'm so fortunate to have my mother still in my life, in my girl's lives, and soon in my grandson's life. Her first great grandchild. Course logistics are nuts, but we will find a way to introduce them face to face, and I know she's looking forward to that.

Me too, but this post is about her not me.

My mother loved us well. Really that is the thought that looms largest in my mind when I think about my mother. I have never once in all my life doubted the sureness of my mother's love. What a wonderful legacy and one I hope my children claim some day.

When I think about how our experiences differ a few things come to mind, but also a lot of similarities too. My mother raised four children and I raised two, so there's that. And she had a son which is not something I can speak to, although I will have a grandson which I know will stir up all sorts of new feelings in me.

My mom was a mostly stay at home mom and I was mostly a stay at home mom. We both worked off and on as our children grew, my mom as a librarian and me as a speech pathologist and later a teacher. We've both spent much of our adult lives volunteering in some capacity as well.

Back when I was in elementary school my mother was the phone chairperson for our area Christian Women's Club. I'm pretty sure her official title wasn't phone chairperson, but that's what we called it because she had to spend a lot of time on the phone taking reservations for a monthly luncheon, and handling some of the details. Probably more to it than that, but to a child's mind that was the gist of it.

No such thing as the Internet back in the day, so no online reservations or emailing information or avoiding human contact. It was all done the old fashioned way, and for you 'kids' reading here today, that would be a telephone attached to a wall that you dialed and that sometimes rang busy so you'd have to keep dialing until the busy signal quit.

And you had to talk to people when they answered because they mostly answered. We didn't screen calls and there was no voice mail. In fact I don't remember anyone having an answering machine of any kind, so conversation happened. Sometimes long conversations that had nothing to do with why you were calling. I remember we bought my mom  a little telephone for her charm bracelet that year because it seemed so fitting.

One of my favorite things as a school aged child was having my mother as room mom for my class. My younger sister was just one grade behind me, so she alternated from year to year whose room she volunteered in, but I loved it when she was in mine. She also dedicated countless hours of her life to filling various volunteer positions in our church and those are both things I enjoyed doing as a wife and mom too.

My mom was a military wife and moved a lot in her married life. I've moved numerous times as well,  so we have that in common. I think we both enjoy homemaking and handled picking up and setting down somewhere new pretty well. We would not call ourselves brave, but we can be when a job transfer calls for it.

My mother is an avid reader and was and still is a wonderful cook. Those are both activities I learned at her knee, and still enjoy. My girls also share a love of books and being in the kitchen too, and this makes my heart so happy.

My mother has an artist's eye and a gardener's green thumb. Alas I do not. I think these are things I associate with the role of homemaker because they were so much a part of my own mother and my childhood memories. In my head I have an artists eye and a gardener's green thumb, but in practice not so much. My mom has a way with flowers and can plop a bunch of blooms in a vase and they look amazing. I plop the same bunch and they just look plopped. Things grow in her yard and when I ask her how she says she didn't do anything special to make it happen. My mom sets a gorgeous table and irons linens like a pro. I do love a beautifully set table, but fall more into the 'good enough' category when it comes to ironing. My mother has made beautiful scrapbooks over the years too and while I try I never quite match her skill in those areas.

We both love shoes which has nothing to do with mothering, but seemed worth mentioning anyway.

My mother established so many wonderful family traditions around the holidays, and I think we're alike in that way. We want to make special occasions feel special and we both probably cling a little too tightly to some of that, but we're learning. We've both loosened the reins there in recent years, and Christmas still comes and it's still marvelous.

And we still bake too many cookies because some traditions are meant to be held tightly forever and ever amen.

Technology. This is one of the ways our experiences have differed, but more as we parent adults rather than small children. She didn't have to deal with a lot of technology in raising children, and even my generation mostly bypassed the craziness parents today have to navigate. When I was a kid we had a couple of phones in the house, and four channels on the TV. I don't remember it being a big deal, and although a couple of my friends had a phone in their bedroom, we never did. Even the friends with a phone in their room still shared the same line with the rest of the family, so not really 'your own phone'.

Social media was in its early stages when my girls were in high school and college so technology wasn't a huge deal in the heavy parenting years. Unless of course you count me trying to understand how it works-ha! My mom has email but uses it sparingly, and she loves to read my blog so at least she has her priorities straight.

My mom and I like to talk about spiritual things. We pray for our families, pouring out all the fear and worry, hope and gratitude, we feel for our children and our children's children, and in that way we are are very similar. I enjoy conversations with my mom about scripture or discussing something I've read in a book or puzzled over with my ladies Bible Study group. My mom thinks I'm a good mother and I appreciate that so much, even on the days it's not true.

Especially on the days it's not true.

My mom has been a superstar grandmother and has showered her grandchildren with love, prayer, and quality time. This is something I hope we share as I join the world of grandparenting this summer.

I think all mothers feel they've managed some aspects of parenting well, and some areas less so. There's regret over situations or seasons with our children where a mother wishes she could get a do-over, one more chance to make everything perfectly perfect. I feel that myself as a mother, but as a daughter?

As a daughter I never expected my mother to be perfect. Her love for me was perfect and that's always been enough.

And in that way I hope I'm exactly like her.
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Fresh From The Garden Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Answer the questions on your own blog, then jump back here and add your link at the end of my post. Be sure you say howdy to your neighbor on the list, because that's how we roll here on Wednesdays. Here we go-

1.  Do you find yourself influencing your world, or is it more the other way around?

I think we all influence, for good or ill, our own little corners of the world. I certainly influence my husband and children, just as they influence me. Personally I think if everyone concentrated on loving and leading and also learning from the people closest to them the world be a better place. 

Somehow we've gotten caught up in making sure our voice is heard in some larger arena, that our opinions are noted and scored as 'right', when what we really need to be doing is loving the people nearest us every single day. I feel certain if we took better care of our small circles of influence the big one (aka planet Earth) would improve too. 

2. July 14th is National Tape Measure Day...the device was patented on this date in 1868. When did you last use a tape measure? Do you always know where to find one in your house? Tell us one way in which you feel blessed 'beyond measure'.

I went furniture shopping on Tuesday and used a tape measure several times. I do know where we keep ours at home. 

In what way am I blessed beyond measure? 

3.  The Plaza Hotel (Eloise), The Land of Oz (The Wizard of Oz), Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia), The Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh), Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), or Never Never Land (Peter Pan)...which storybook land (on this list!) would you most like to visit and why?

I'm going to say The Hundred Acre Wood. I like the beauty found in nature, and the wisdom of Pooh and company. The Hundred Acre Wood seems like a peaceful place to take a break from the chaos, anger, name calling, and political rhetoric we're confronted with on a regular basis.  

4. Where and when do you get your best ideas?

Generally somewhere quiet with a view to the outdoors, and definitely early in the day. In my old house I did my best thinking in our sunroom first thing in the morning, and I've got a spot already earmarked in the new house too. 

5. So what have you been watching on TV this summer? Anything good?

We've watched a lot of the Olympic Trials...swimming, track and field, and gymnastics. I'm looking forward to watching the games next month. 

6. 'Don't swim for an hour after you eat', 'Dog days of summer', 'Knee high by the fourth of July'...choose a summer saying from the list or share one of your own, then tell us what image or memory comes to mind when you hear it spoken.

Well you couldn't be a kid in the 60's or 70's and not hear that first expression at least once in your life. Makes me think of afternoons at the neighborhood pool, moms sitting in lounge chairs around the pool deck and kids on their towels spread across the grassy hillside behind. 

Lining up at the snack bar for a frozen Milky Way, jumping off the high dive, fun times with my sister, games of Marco Polo, waiting impatiently to get back into the pool the minute the whistle blew signaling the end of adult swim, and the carefree happy days of my childhood summers. 

7. In a single sentence, sum up one life lesson you've learned.

Prayer changes things. Most times that 'thing' is me. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My daughter's in-laws have the most fabulous garden, and the best part of that is they share. Last weekend hubs and I came home loaded with all of this goodness-

We've been feasting on tomato sandwiches, cucumber salads, a pan of to-die for eggplant parmesan, and super delicious veggie omelettes. There's nothing so sweet as produce right out of the ground except for maybe the people who grow it and share the love!

Warning: Hodgepodge Ahead

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you.  Here are my answers-

1. I read here a list of 13 things you should do in June. I'm paraphrasing a little but basically...

Go on a road trip with your best friend, pick fresh strawberries, host a garden party, take a morning run, treat yourself to a flower bouquet, spend a whole day hiking, discover a new coffee shop, try a new ice cream flavor, read at least one book, visit a Farmer's Market, make a swing for your home, and visit a new city. 

Which thing on the list do you most want to do? Of the activities mentioned, which one holds the least appeal? How many on the list will you attempt in June? What's one thing you'd add to the list? 

Of the activities listed I probably most want to visit a new city because I love exploring new places. Will that happen in June? There's nothing scheduled as of now, but never say never. Which one holds the least appeal? Making a swing for my home. 

How many on the list will I attempt in June? A road trip, a morning run, a flower bouquet, all day hiking maybe?, ice cream maybe? definitely a trip to the Farmer's Market and I'll for sure read a new book or four. 

What would I add to the list? Dining al fresco is always on my summer to-do list so let's add that. 

2. What's something you could do today to feel more peaceful?

Pray, take a walk or go for a swim, count my blessings...these are all things that help me put a day in perspective. 

3.June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Are you a fan? Swiss mocha, rocky road, chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter and chocolate, or a dish of plain chocolate...what's your pleasure?

Rocky road ranks in my top three favorite ice cream flavors, so yes I'd say I'm a fan. Of course I've got my favorites ranked. Doesn't everyone? 

4. If you came with a warning what would it say?

Caution: Excessive Talker 

5.What's the most interesting website you've visited in the last week?

I haven't visited anything new or at least not worth mentioning in the past week so I'm going to say Pinterest. I can always find something interesting there-ha! 

6.Spring, summer, autumn, winter...which season are you? Why?

I'm going with autumn for a couple of reasons. I'm more than 40 50 so like the season, it's also third quarter here. Also there's something about the sky and the light and the natural world in autumn that is suited to thinking deep thoughts, reflecting on the past, goal setting for the future, and a general contentment with life that I think fits my personality. 

7."You lose sight of things...and when you travel, everything balances out." ~Daranna Gidel

Would you agree with that sentiment? Explain why or why not.

Yes I mostly agree. Traveling (for pleasure) helps me remember the world is big, that I have much to be grateful for and much still to learn. When I travel I think less about myself and more about the world and my place in it. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My daughter2 and I are celebrating the official start of summer today with lunch and a movie. Yes I know it's not officially official summer for another 12 days, but she's a teacher so summer starts here today. Yesterday actually. We're going to see Love and Friendship which got good reviews and looks cute. Has anyone seen it yet?

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Weather Wisdom In The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you're visiting from the A-Z Blog Challenge you'll find my letter W post by scrolling all the way down to question #8. If you've answered the questions today add your link at the end of my post, then go say hi to your neighbor. Hodgepodge links only please!

Here we go-

1. This is the last Hodgepodge in April. Share something you learned this month. 

I still dislike blogging from my iPad.

There's a lot more to the home build category called 'lighting' than just lights.

God can use the weather to remind me He is God. (see #8)

2.  It's National Poetry Month, and we all know you can't escape an April Hodgepodge without a little poetry. Keeping the first line as is, change the rest of the wording in this familiar rhyme to make it your own - 'Hickory Dickory Dock...

Hickory dickory dock

It's mid-life on the clock

Experts said

This season you'll dread

But I'm telling you really it rocks. 

3. What were one or two rules in the home you grew up in? Growing up, did you feel your parents were strict? Looking back do you still see it that way? 

Elbows off the table would be one. My dad said that most nights during dinner to at least one of his offspring. Another would have been more general-obey your parents.  

I don't think mine were overly strict, but I've always liked rules and never had much of a rebellious nature. We did know if Dad got called in to a situation we were in trouble, but mostly I grew up feeling very well-loved. 

4. Tell us about a kitchen or cooking disaster or mishap you've experienced. Do you have many from which to choose? 

I haven't had many noteworthy cooking disasters, but I do have a kitchen story. I could tell you about the time my sister and I started a small fire in the kitchen while my brother was babysitting aka in the den talking on the phone. We were melting butter for popcorn (on the stove because it was 1970 and we had no idea microwaves were in our future) and forgot about it until we came back downstairs and saw the orange glow. 

My brother put it out immediately, but still much shrieking ensued and it was shocking to see how much soot a teeny tiny little pan fire could produce. We did not tell the parents. It seemed like a wise decision at the time, but days later my mom was vacuuming the living room drapes and couldn't figure out where all the 'black dust' was coming from. She had her suspicions because mothers always do. Slowly over time the whole story was told, including the part about how a neighbor one street over had knocked on the back door because he'd seen the flame from his own kitchen. He even checked all the cabinets to make sure there were no stray sparks. God bless good neighbors. 

5. Plant a kiss, plant doubt, plant a tree, plant yourself somewhere...which on the list have you most recently planted? 

Plant yourself seems appropriate. We've have had a spring filled with travel and we're not done yet. 

6. What's your most worn item of clothing this time of year? Are you tired of it? 

My jean jacket which is perfect for springtime weather. Am I tired of it? Never!

7. I'm wrapping up the A-Z Blog Challenge this month and our Hodgepodge lands on letter W. What's one word beginning with W that describes you in some way? How about a word to describe your home, also beginning with W?

Myself? Thats easy-wordy!

My home? Welcoming, or at least I like to think so. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Using this space for today's A-Z Blog Challenge-

W is for Weather 

I'm  going to talk about three of  my favorite things today- motherhood, the weather, and Gods amazing grace. 

Back in early April my Daughter1 and her husband took a belated honeymoon to Hawaii. They'd been planning this trip, anticipating the holiday, looking forward to it for months. My son-in-law has very little down time given his profession, and they were so excited for the break. Whenever I'd talk to my daughter about the trip she always always always spoke with tremendous excitement about the weather, how she absolutely could not wait for a solid week of sunshine. And I'm her mom and her happiness matters to me so I started praying about the weather. 

Sometimes Hawaii sees a fair bit of rain, particularly Maui. Hubs had a meeting in HI once where it poured rain all day every day. Plus we lived there when I was a tiny tot and when I'd talk to my own mom we would comment on how much Daughter1 was really really counting on sunshine, and my mom would casually say she remembers it raining there pretty often. 

As the trip got closer I started checking my weather app a little too often and the forecast was not looking stellar. I know the islands can have different weather depending on precisely where you stand, so I used their hotel address and y'all the rain! It was like rain every day, and not a 20% chance, but 80%, 100%. I did not say a word. We all know weather can change so I just kept praying for sunny skies somewhere in their week. This is what mothers do. We hear our children's heart desires and we lift them up in prayer. 

So off they went and every day I would look at my weather app and I'd click on the day and it would say showers. Nothing but showers. The little raindrop icons would fall across the screen and still I would pray for sunshine somewhere sometime. Around Wednesday I started adding a little ps- if its raining every day, may they make the best of it. 

I knew they would, but I also knew how disappointing it would be to travel from the rainy PNW to Hawaii for a full week of rain. And from where I sat, thousands of miles away, with just what my app was telling me, they had rain almost all day every day. My daughter wasn't posting any pictures or texting because she was on holiday, so I could only go by what I could see on the screen. 

The week floated by and after they were safely home she phoned to tell me all about it. After she'd gushed a few minutes about the resort and the food I said, 'Well how was the weather?' And she said-Absolutely gorgeous!! She said she thinks it may have rained one night while they slept, but other than that it was picture perfect. 

 One night? Huh? 

And in that moment I thought of how so many times all we see are those rainy rain drop icons falling across our screen, but behind the scenes God is making something beautiful.

And The Hodgepodge Goes To....

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is back in action this week, marching onward into a brand new month. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Hodgepodge links only please! Here we go-

1. February ended with an extra 24 hours in 2016. What did you do with your bonus day?

Well it felt like I was chasing my tail all the ding dong day.  I had a long list of to-dos, but that list was derailed several times by small interruptions. Sometimes you just need to embrace the interruptions, so that's what I did. And hey, it was a bonus day anyway, right? 

2. What's something in your life that's grown by leaps and bounds in recent days, weeks, months, or years? I'm giving you lots of room to come up with an answer here, so no fair passing on this one.

My prayer life. 

3.  Do you read reviews about a film before deciding if you'll see it? Did you watch The Oscars this year, and if so your thoughts on the program? How many of the Best Picture nominees had you seen prior to the broadcast? (Spotlight, The Martian, The Big Short, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room and Brooklyn) If you watched The Oscars who gets your award for 'best dressed'?

I generally read a little something before seeing a film, but am probably more persuaded by short trailers on TV. If a film is based on a book I'll definitely read the review first, because I don't like film makers messing with my book plots. 

I watched The Oscars, and honestly I thought the show was awful. In fact I think it gets a little bit worse every year.  This might not be a popular sentiment, but I really wish they'd stick to films and leave current events out of it. Can't we just be entertained? I feel the same way when sitcoms tackle heavy issues.  

I hadn't seen many of the nominated Best Pics this year, two so far although a couple more are on my to-see list. And I don't know if she was best dressed, but the dress I loved most was worn by Naomi Watts. I thought her whole look was perfection. 

4. When did you last have overnight houseguests? Give us your top three tips on being a good houseguest.

I don't think I've had overnight houseguests since the Christmas holidays. This is very, very unusual for us as we typically have a steady stream. We do have an extra bedroom and bath in the apartment, but the living space is pretty cozy.  I think once the house is built we'll be back to our usual 'bookings', and hubs and I are excited about that. We love company. 

As far as tips for being a good houseguest...

-Let your hosts know how long you're staying. I don't care if it's three days or three weeks, but I want arrival and departure dates.  Also, unless you're my mother three weeks is too long. 
-A gift for the hostess is a thoughtful gesture. 
-Keep it tidy-make the bed and don't leave wet towels on the furniture

I tell my houseguests to make themselves at home, and I hope they know I mean that. 

5.  March 2nd is Peanut Butter Lover's Day. Will you be celebrating? If so, would you prefer a home made peanut butter cookie, a Reese's peanut butter cup, an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or shall I just hand you a jar and a tablespoon?

I am more of a peanut butter liker than a peanut butter lover. I'm not planning to celebrate, but I wouldn't turn down a home made peanut butter cookie either. 

6.  Why is failure important? Or isn't it?

I think failure is unavoidable in life, and it's how you handle it that's important. Failing means you had the courage to try. Go you! And if you keep trying you'll eventually achieve something, which I think you appreciate all the more because it didn't come easily. Failure builds character, it helps keep us humble. When we fail (and we will) we need to learn from criticism. We need to keep trying, keep hoping, and keep working hard. 

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." -Henry Ford

7. Share with us one fun thing on your March calendar.

My mother-in-law is celebrating a big birthday this month and I'm looking forward to making her feel loved and appreciated. My mom is coming down from NJ to join in the fun, and I'm taking both moms, my big sister, and my Daughter2 to a Lifeway Women's Conference in Asheville.  I'm excited for the fabulous speaker line up (including Lisa Harper and Annie Downs), and especially the music (Natalie Grant and Christy Nockels). 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Some of you know my Daughter1 has a blog and she's adorable, so if you don't follow her you should.  (Sincerely Shannon). She writes about newlywed life in the Pacific Northwest, her mischievous puppy, her travels, her faith and more. 

My Daughter2 started a blog about three years ago, which was also her first year teaching. She had to set it aside because do you know what first year teachers lack? Free time! They drown in paperwork and planning, and since something had to give she put her blog on hold. Recently she's picked it back up, and I'd love for you to pop over and say hi. She blogs about teaching, fitness, food, faith, and more. (It's Elementary)

Oh, and she is also adorable. 

What's a little nepotism among friends? 

Pretty Place

Day 15-laugh
But I'm going with the word pretty instead. No kidding.

Day 15-pretty

For the past few years I've periodically taken note of the most gorgeous online photographs people post of a chapel in the woods called Pretty Place.

Let's just discuss the name for a minute. How can you hear about a chapel in the woods called Pretty Place, and not want to see it for yourself?

You can't.

The chapel is officially the Fred W. Symmes Chapel, but everyone I know calls it Pretty Place. It's part of the YMCA Camp Greenville, which is not technically in Greenville, but GPS got us there anyway. More or less. The chapel was built in 1941, and improvements have been made through the years.

Not to the view though...

The view cannot be improved.

I was really curious about Mr. Symmes, and looked him up when we got home. He was an accomplished businessman and a generous soul. As I sat in the chapel bearing his name, I thought about his legacy. I thought about all the men, women and children who'd sat in this very spot and been moved to tears by the staggering beauty of God's creation.

I thought about all the prayers lifted up in this sacred space and marveled at how sometimes all we need to remember the greatness of God is a front row seat to His magnificent handiwork. A place to turn off the noise and soak in the wonder.

The chapel itself is a simple building, open on three sides, with benches set in rows before a plain wooden cross.

The building is stone, but it's not really about the building. It's about this...

It's about sitting in this quiet space set deep in the woods on the side of a mountain, and feeling like you've glimpsed a tiny piece of heaven. It's about the way your soul sings when you enter here.

We live only about 30 miles from Pretty Place, but it takes nearly an hour to get up there. I'd asked several people I know here in town if they'd ever been, and those who'd seen it said we should absolutely go, do not miss it. They also added prepare to be carsick.

But still go because Pretty Place is a pretty special place.
 

I read a lot of reviews online, and every single reviewer spoke about the chapel with reverence. Most suggested you try to get there for the sunrise, and when I mentioned this to hubs he was all in. I told him about the wind-y, curvy mountain road up, and he said we could take our time, and that's what we did.

Bless him, because I know he would have so loved to whip the car around some of the hairpin turns we met en route.

The weather people said the sun would rise at precisely 7:34 AM, and since we didn't know where we were going precisely, and it was going to be dark, and we weren't going to fly up the mountain, we decided to leave home at 5:30.

We packed coffee and bagels and hard boiled eggs, and I took my Dramamine and off we went. I was wearing a fleece, and at the last minute hubs suggested I grab my heavier coat. Shout out to hubs, because do you know what it's like on a mountainside at o'dark thirty in mid-October?

It's windy! And cold!
But Pretty Place is so pretty you don't even care.

We didn't see any signs pointing the way until we were on the camp property. Even then it was just a single simple marker saying Pretty Place with an arrow aimed towards the road. We followed it to the end, and came to a locked gate.

It was really dark and we were anxious that we'd made the trip up and were going to miss what we came for, so we turned around and went back to the main camp area to see if we'd missed something. No, the locked gate was the way in.

We parked on the side of the road, and walked up a short distance before coming to a parking lot which is where you'd normally park. I was glad I'd read beforehand that you drove to the end of the road, and that the building doesn't look like much until you're right up on it.

No worries though...

We didn't miss a minute.

"And one called to another and said: 

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: 

the whole earth is full of His glory!" Isaiah 6:3