Some Enchanted 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 your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Elaborate.  

 

I suppose so. I wear my heart on my face would probably be a more accurate statement. I don't think I'm very good at hiding my emotions. 

2. A favorite love song? 

Oooh, so hard to choose just one. I have a long list but one of my favorites is More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Staircase. 

3. Do you consider yourself a trusting person? Explain. 

I think so. I mean, within reason. In terms of those I know in real life I'm trusting unless you give me some reason not to trust you. I'm less trusting of politicians, the media, self-proclaimed internet 'experts', and the like. 

4. June 14th is National New Mexico Day...have you ever been to New Mexico (aka The Land of Enchantment)? Any desire to visit the state? Some of the top rated tourist attractions there are- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, Bandelier National Monument, The Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Santa Fe Plaza, and the Petroglyph National Monument. Of the attractions listed which would be tops on your list? 

I have been to New Mexico. My mom hails from The Land of Enchantment so visiting grandparents always meant a trip out west. I lived in New Mexico for one year when I was small while my dad was overseas with the Marine Corps. My mom moved in with her parents that year because she had three small children and was expecting her fourth. Good times.

Actually they were good times. I was especially close to my Grandma. That's me in the middle with a sister on either side on one of our trips to N.M. I've been to some of the sites mentioned including Bandelier and Santa Fe. The Balloon Festival would be something I'd enjoy. 

5. What's something you've found enchanting recently? 

Filled with delight, charming...hmmm...small mountain towns can be enchanting, and we have several not far from us that I'd say fit the description. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My mom and I listened to Amor Towles book The Lincoln Highway while we trekked around Tennessee. So good! He is one of my favorite authors and I really loved this one. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 466

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Elaborate.  

2. A favorite love song? 

3. Do you consider yourself a trusting person? Explain. 

4. June 14th is National New Mexico Day...have you ever been to New Mexico (aka The Land of Enchantment)? Any desire to visit the state? Some of the top rated tourist attractions there are- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, Bandelier National Monument, The Georgia O'Keefe Museum, Santa Fe Plaza, and the Petroglyph National Monument. Of the attractions listed which would be tops on your list? 

5. What's something you've found enchanting recently? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Five Minutes of Mystery

I spent this morning clorox wiping every light switch, door handle, and drawer pull in my house, so I think I'm ready to write now. While everyone else has moved on with their blog lives I'm still plugging away at the ten day writing challenge.

Day 7 word prompt-mystery

We spent the weekend with our lake neighbors in sunny Florida. They read my blog and when she asked me what the next word was going to be in the challenge I said 'mystery'. We both kind of laughed and she said 'I guess you're going to write about the Coronavirus, right?'

I might mention it.
Are we allowed to talk about anything else right now?

Our friends bought a beautiful home overlooking the Intracoastal and we made plans a while back to spend a long weekend with them. Initially we were going to fly, but decided instead to drive and do our best to keep away from crowds.

Let me just tell you I don't think Floridians (or maybe it's all those snowbirds?) got that message about social distancing. There were throngs of people everywhere you looked, but thankfully the beach is big and the ocean wide. For the most part it felt like we were able to keep a healthy distance.

Hubs and I like a good road trip and we passed the hours and miles listening to an audio book we both really enjoyed-Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. Lots of names to keep straight so it was a good book to listen to as opposed to read.

We arrived to gorgeous weather and spent the weekend relaxing at the beach or out on the water. There was some fishing-

Boating-

Lots of hand washing and catching up on life.

We ate one lunch and two dinners in restaurants, but since our host loves to cook the rest of our meals were prepared at home. Nothing was closed and it was a little disconcerting to see how casual people were about mingling.

We steered clear of the crowds which is what hubs and I like to do anyway when we're at the beach, so it didn't feel that much different than other ocean holidays we've taken.

Except in my mind it was.

What are the stores like at home? Will the governor close schools and what will that look like for my teacher daughter? What in the world is going on with the financial markets and why are people stockpiling toilet paper?  

Did I have the Coronavirus in November when I had that weirdly worst cough I've ever had without all the flu symptoms? Covid-19 wasn't a thing in South Korea, or even China yet, but could it have been some form of the virus? 

Am I paranoid? 
Not paranoid enough?

Did I wash my hands after we left the restaurant? 

Should I call and cancel my hair appointment? 

When will things settle down? How long will we need to stick close to home? When will all this uncertainty about what's safe and unsafe end?

It's a mystery.

I know we're lucky. We're currently in good health. We have food in our frig and gas in our cars and people we love hunkering down with us. Not everyone can say the same.

I think about the lonely. Those already teetering on the edge of depression. Elderly people spending too much time alone in their homes.

The high school senior missing her prom, the championship game, a much anticipated class trip-play-concert. College students who won't get to walk the walk to Pomp and Circumstance.

Moms at home now responsible for filling their child's day with some semblance of normality in a completely abnormal situation, and parents who work and don't know what to do about kids at home needing instruction or at the very least supervision.

The sick and the fearful and people everywhere navigating so very many disappointments of every shape and size.

Unease oozes out of every news feed, television screen, and overheard conversation.
So much unknown.

And so much not.

Here's something that's not a mystery-

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

We are loved with an everlasting love. Every single one of us. God loves us and is for us. He has not promised we'll never suffer, never struggle, never feel confusion over our present circumstances, but He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

In this age of information overload I go back to the truest words I know...

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust...' Psalm 91:1-2

Throwing The Hodgepodge At You Today

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. And before you run off hop around and say hi to your neighbors, leaving lots of happy comments in your wake.

Also, a reminder there will not be a Hodgepodge next Wednesday (August 2nd). The HP will be back in action the week after (August 9th). Thanks!

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

At 3:15 yesterday afternoon I was in the kitchen putting together a blueberry/peach cobbler to take to a friend's house for dinner. Is that typical? Not really. Sometimes I get dinner prep started at that hour to make actually cooking dinner a little bit less crazy. 

My energy level hits a low about 3 PM every day, so most often you'll find me brewing a cup of tea at that hour. It gives me just that little oomph I need to finish out the day. It's been so hot here this week that I've opted for iced coffee instead, but normally 3 PM is tea time. 

On a scale of 1-10 I give myself a 3 at 3. 

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

Well I haven't thrown a frisbee in a long time, so that's an easy one to eliminate. Same goes for a punch which, for the record, I've only ever thrown in the context of a workout. I don't think I'm one for throwing a tantrum, or at least I hope not! Since I am in and out of the water and on and off the boat pretty much every day I'm going with a towel. 

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

• Baby boy's safe arrival
• A cup of tea (I'm telling you it makes everything better) and
• An uninterrupted night's sleep, something like ten or twelve hours ought to do it 

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

Yes I think I'm pretty strong, more so mentally than physically. Placing my hope and trust in the Lord gives me the courage and fortitude to have peace amidst the chaos of life, to handle the curveballs and hard things we all face at one time or another. Not saying I get this right all the time, but He is the cornerstone I build my life upon.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him and He helps me." 

Ps. 28:7

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

Yes I do. It's always hard to pick just one favorite anything, but it's especially tough to choose a favorite book. One of my very favorites set in the past is Pillars Of The Earth by Ken Follett. Not a quick read, but so so good. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubs and I saw the movie Dunkirk yesterday. When I see a picture like this one I'm always struck by the bravery of the men and women who are sent to war. We both really liked the film...have you seen it? 

'Tis So Sweet

 Linking with both Five Minute Friday and the Write31Challenge today. 

Day 9-Trust

This word. Here we are, back in seemingly deep waters.

Do you know the words to any hymns? Does your church still sing hymns in any of the services they offer? Sometimes it makes me feel old to talk about hymns. I'm not sure hymns are appreciated in the digital age. In a world filled with in-your-face messaging and ever evolving technology, hymns are mostly seen as passe, old-fashioned, boring even. I bet someone out there just yawned.

A great song is of course about the melody, but for me it's mostly about the words. Hymns are full of poetry. They tell stories. They encourage. They lay out for us, in the beautiful turn of a phrase, the enormity of God's love for us and the glory of creation. They urge us to keep pressing on when times are hard. They remind us of the path that leads to contentment. They assure us of the hope and confidence and trust we can place in the promises we've been given.

When I was growing up our church had a hymn night every once in a while. Even writing that I kind of cringe because Whaaaat? A hymn night? Sounds so 1920's. It was actually 1970 something, and it was one of my favorite things. Hymn sings happened maybe once a month or once a quarter. In 1970 we didn't have the all-day every-day mentality we have now, and I think the infrequent timing helped make it feel more special.

They were always on a Sunday evening and the atmosphere felt very casual, which was not at all how church felt on Sunday mornings. The pianist would call out from behind the little half wall where the piano sat, and ask what we wanted to sing. Shockingly (to my ten year old self) people in the congregation would just shout out a pager number. In church. They just called it right out.

In 1970 something churches felt a bit different than they do today.

Anyway, somebody would shout out #124! and everyone would flip through their hymnal, an actual book, to see what we were going to sing. And then we sang. We filled up that space with words and music. No lyrics on a screen, no hand held phones to google top ten most requested hymns of 1972, just books in the back of a pew and everyone singing along.

I love the music of today, and I'm not knocking words on a screen or technology in church. It's 2015 and time marches on. What I'm struck by though, is the way a one-word prompt can spark a memory. I saw that word 'trust' and my mind flashed right back to sitting in 'our pew',  my mom and dad beside me, singing along with people we loved who felt so much like family...'Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey...'

Do you have a favorite old hymn? I'd love for you to leave it in the comments today.

Five on Friday Fragments

Linking up with Friday Fragments over at Half Past Kissin' Time today.

Also, because I conveniently have a list of five frags I'm going to go ahead and link up with Five on Friday too.

We're having the house power washed today. Hubs tried to get me to walk around the perimeter with him so he could show me specific areas I should then show them, but a) not my thing and b) quite often it is no hablo ingles and c) did I tell you it's not my thing? Here's hoping they do a good job. It will not be the job hubs would do if he were doing it himself, but hopefully it will be close.

My neighborhood book club read The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay this month. I really liked this one, the author's voice and the way the story unfolded. In fact, we all liked this one. The language is sometimes raw, but so is the storyline.

Daughter1's wedding invitations arrived from the printer this week which made us both supremely happy, and a teensy bit giddy. There's nothing quite like seeing it all officially in writing!

Hubs and I are going to see Gary Puckett perform this weekend. Raise your hand if you're old enough to know who that is. For those who do not, Gary Puckett sang lead in a band called Gary Puckett and the Union Gap back in the late 60's. I was but a child myself back then, but had a teenage sister who listened to their records.

Raise your hand if you remember records-ha!

Anyway, GP and the Union Gap sang songs that were catchy, the kind you couldn't help but sing along. Our girls when they were small loved one in particular called Young Girl, which has what might be some of the most inappropriate lyrics of the day. The thing is, you didn't think too deeply about it all back then, at least we didn't. In some ways the world was once a more innocent place.

Trust. We have something going on here at the moment that has me thinking about that word as it relates to faith. Not going into our own particulars, but I imagine most people reading here have something in their lives they are trusting God for. Because when we hear the word, that's how we most often frame it-can I trust God? Coincidentally or providentially or not at all by accident or happenstance, the very day our particular circumstance arose I read this in my Bible Study homework (Beth Moore in Children of the Day)...

'We say 'trust God' yet we agonize privately over whether He can be trusted. The Bible repeatedly suggest however, that God tests us to see whether or not we can be trusted. Maybe His point of view is something like this: "Child, you can trust Me;  I cannot do you wrong. The question is can I trust you? I have work to accomplish on this planet during your time here. I have riches of the Spirit to be stewarded. I'm testing your heart, and my deisre is to find it trustworthy.' 

Does that resonate with anyone else today?

And then finally there's this-

This amazing burst of color I see every time I open my front door.

And yes I do know that's six things not five, but that last bit was a tad too heavy note to end on. Happy weekend all!

Thirty

I still have one more day of recap to write in order to wrap up our Portugal trip, but I'm saving that for tomorrow, because today...TODAY hubs and I celebrate thirty years of married life. Whoohoo! Go us! 

Hubs likes photos and loves music, so I put together a little Smilebox to mark the occasion. Before I post the link though, here are 30 random things I noted as I was searching for pictures of just the two of us-  

There aren't many.

When we find a jacket we like we wear it for years. 

We're somehow older.

Although I was sad at the time, I'm glad hubs shaved off his mustache.

360 months. 

My hair!

London. Sob. 

I wish they hadn't figured out tanning is bad for us. 

1565 weeks. 

My girls came into this world adorable and have remained so ever since.

They're grown ups now. 

That makes me far happier than I could have imagined twenty years ago. 

Hubs was a red head. 

To quote lyrics sung by Karen Carpenter, 'I've been so many places in my life and time...'

There's more to see. 

10957 days. 

We like our sunglasses round here. 

Laughter is a good thing. 

We are equally at home in tuxedos or hiking boots. 

six states. 

I need a trip to Paris. 

262974 hours. 

eight cities. 

a million laughs. 

30 amazing years. 

My heart is full. 

One unbroken promise. 

One lasting answered prayer. 

What was still is.

A picture is worth a thousand words-

This photo slideshow created with Smilebox

Whistle While You Hodgepodge

I love the Hodgepodge all year round, but especially in December. I enjoy hitting pause on the list making and checking, while I answer random questions and find out what's happening in your little corner of the world. If you're a newbie here today, feel free to join the party.  Here we go-

1.  According to Oxford Dictionaries, the 2013 word of the year is 'selfie'. Your thoughts? When did you last take a selfie? Do you post them online somewhere? Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind the lens?

I don't know, something about the words Oxford and selfie in the same sentence doesn't feel right to me, but I guess time marches on. I don't take selfies unless I'm with my girls, partly because I don't particularly want to see my face THIS CLOSE, and partly because I have not mastered the coordination a good selfie requires. We did snap one in the movie theatre last Friday, while waiting for Catching Fire to start. The three of us were in agreement that I would not be the one operating the camera.  

Here ya go-

...posted online, on my very own blog, but only because its the topic at hand.  I probably prefer behind the lens, but as long as delete is an option I'm okay with having my picture taken.  

2.  Will you send out Christmas Cards this year? If so, are they ready to go? If not, are you glad or sad about leaving that tradition behind?

Definitely. I love sending and receiving, and have mine almost ready to go.  I only address a few at a time so my handwriting doesn't turn sloppy. We got two cards in the mail yesterday, and just catching a glimpse of something personal in the mailbox made me happy.  

3.  Do you trust easily?

Yes.

Should I say more? I don't have anything to add. I'm a trusting person. 

4. Pine-cinnamon-peppermint-vanilla (as in sugar cookie)...of those listed, which one is your favorite December scent?

I love them all, but cinnamon is my favorite.  

5.  Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday?  Was that by choice or by necessity?

Hmmm...Tuesday...I think more listening. It was the last day of my women's Bible study until after Christmas, and we wrapped up the Kelly Minter book on Ruth which was so good. Some weeks I talk more, but yesterday I did more listening.  

I spent the rest of the afternoon home alone, doing secret Christmas-y stuff and attacking the mountain of sheets and towels piled up from the long weekend.

6.  What's the last song that got stuck in your head?  Sorry if it's back there now :  )

Whistle While You Work. Whenever my girls are home they always pop in at least one old video, and this time Daughter1 found one we hadn't seen in eons. Oh be still my heart. She was four years old, singing Whistle While You Work for the camera, in her soft little girl voice.  I've been singing it ever since, which isn't nearly as cute. 

7.  Which world explorer (in the whole history of the world) would you most like to have traveled with, and why?

This is tough because there's that whole days-months-years at sea thing most explorers had to deal with, and I think we all know that is not my thing. Perhaps Marco Polo because he set off from Venice and that much I'm on board with.  He was one of the first Europeans to travel to China and Mongolia, and he wrote about The Silk Road which I find really interesting. I enjoyed my too short trip to China last year...it still feels so foreign to me, and a little bit mysterious.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My goal for this random thought space in December is to post something that will make you smile. My Daughter1 sent me this link yesterday, and the precious factor cannot be overstated. I want to meet her! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 153

It's December, y'all! Has it snuck up on anyone else besides me? Let's not waste minutes wondering because it's December, y'all!  We've got stuff to do! Like answer the Hodgepodge questions! Don't forget to hop back here tomorrow to share your answers with the rest of Santa's elves.

1. According to Oxford Dictionaries, the 2013 word of the year is 'selfie'. Your thoughts? When did you last take a selfie? Do you post them online somewhere?  Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind the lens?

2. Will you send out Christmas cards this year? If so, are they ready to go? If not, are you glad or sad about leaving that tradition behind?

3. Do you trust easily?

4. Pine-cinnamon-peppermint-vanilla (as in sugar cookie)...of those listed, which one is your favorite December scent?

5. Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was that by choice or necessity?

6. What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Sorry if it's back there now :  )

7. Which world explorer (in the whole history of the world) would you most like to have traveled with, and why?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.