Things I Know

When my birthday comes around each year I like to put something on my blog to mark the passing of time.  It's been a strange year. There's been a lot of heartache, but there's always beauty too. As I begin another trip around the sun here are ten things I know right now.  

1. God doesn't worry about age. He has a plan for every season of my life including this one, and I don't want to simply coast to the finish line. I want to run my race well, daily seek His will, and ask Him what I should be doing with my life today. Then I want to do that thing whole heartedly. 

2. I have fewer years ahead of me than behind me. 

3. A long marriage is a worthwhile commitment. In the timeline of marriage there's no tick mark that says once you've made it to here, 10 years, 20 years, 41 years, you can quit trying and it will all just magically continue working. Marriage is a daily proposition. 

The world tells us it's our own happiness that is of paramount importance, but I think in marriage the opposite is true. Tamping down our own desire to be right...choosing not to stack up all the little irritations into what can then become a not so little pile...putting the other person's needs ahead of our own... these are the things that grow a marriage.  

Life ebbs and flows and so does marriage. I want to keep that list of things I love about my husband in the forefront of my brain and put that other list to the side. You know the one, right? 

4. Guacamole is life. 

5. When the world's on fire get off social media and head for the hills. Or the woods. Sit beside the ocean, hike to a mountaintop, watch the sun rise, count the stars. Time spent in nature connects us to the Creator, and is the very best way to reset a tilted life. 

6. The things I want most in life now are not things. 

7. A cup of tea makes life better. Upset stomach? Disagreement with your spouse? Agonizing over a decision you need to make? Have some tea. Brewed not microwaved. In a real cup. 

8. One of the greatest pleasures in life is reading a book

9. Little things mean a lot. 

10. Life is fragile. Handle with prayer. 

The Hodgepodge Buzz

Welcome to the weekly Q and A, also known as 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. May 20th is World Bee Day...what's something that's kept you 'busy as a bee' lately? 

When haven't we been busy? Life and our people keep us busy these days, but I'm not complaining. It's a fun kind of busy. 

2. Do you like honey? What's something you make or enjoy that calls for honey? 

I do like honey. I prefer a splash of milk in my hot tea, but if I'm not feeling well I'll go the honey and lemon route. I have plain Greek yogurt with granola and honey drizzled over the top for breakfast pretty often. I really like hot honey and add that to my baked Boursin appetizer. Also really good on pizza. 

3. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24

What's a proverb you love, or one that speaks to you or has helped you in some way? 

The Bible is full of Proverbs, a whole book in fact, if that helps with your answer. The word proverb is defined as 'a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice'. 

One of my favorites is Proverbs 10:19-

"Where words are many transgression is not lacking. But he who restrains his lips is prudent." It reminds me to think before I speak. I have this one memorized. 

4. Tell us about a 'sweet' moment in your life recently that filled you with joy, gratitude, or peace. 

Sunday night hubs and I hung out with the grands at their house because their momma wanted to go to something at their church and her hubs was on-call, aka working. My granddaughter loves her little purse (it's a shoulder bag lol) and she put it on and then grabbed my hand and told me to get my purse, and then we walked around the yard like that, holding hands with our purses on our shoulders. 

The sweetness of a granddaughter who is her mother's mini in so many ways cannot be overstated. 

5. When you were a child, what did you want to 'be' when you grew up? How close did you come to that?

A nurse, a teacher, a mom. 

Pretty close...I switched my major from nursing to speech pathology my sophomore year of uni and never looked back. 

I enjoyed working, but being a stay at home mom was the real desire of my heart. So thankful this was something I was able to do. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The band is back together...

See question #1. 

Appreciating The 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 before you. Thanks for joining the fun here on Wednesdays. Here we go-

1. What's something you think is under appreciated. Explain.  

Gentleness. The world is harsh. It often seems like everyone is shouting and nobody is listening.  When I encounter someone who speaks gently, who is able to make their point without name calling, swearing, or belittling another I find myself wishing there was more of it. 

2. As winter approaches how do you stay productive? 

Hmmm...am I productive in the winter months? We're more like bears who hibernate in order to conserve energy to be used later. We go mach ten here three quarters of the year so I actually view doing less as being productive in it's own way. Winter is a time to hunker down, catch up on some of the longer books on my to-read list, rest, and make plans. 

3. What's a popular food you don't like? 

I'm not a big fan of quinoa. Or kale. I'll eat both but they're not something I choose to cook/eat at home. I like brown rice, couscous, and chickpeas all of which are good substitutions for quinoa in many dishes. And while I don't care for kale I do love spinach so why eat kale? 

That being said,  I'm not a picky eater at all so if I come to your house for dinner and you serve me quinoa with a side of kale I'll eat both. 

4. What do you think is more interesting-art or history? Elaborate. 

I enjoy both I guess for different reasons. Art is so often a reflection of the times in which it's made so in a sense we need art to help us understand history. If I have to choose I'd say I don't want to live in a world without art, but I find history more interesting. 

5. What advice would you give to someone half your age?

Develop a habit of daily prayer. One sentence or whole pages. 

Start a simple stretching or exercise routine. 

Wear sunscreen.

Think for yourself. 

Cultivate a grateful heart. 

Read more, scroll less. 

Print your pictures. 

Write it down. A single sentence about your day or big thoughts about your life. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

42 days until Christmas...how's that for random? 

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Five Minutes of Slow

Joining the Five Minute Friday crew this week and here's how that goes...tell your inner critic to hush, then write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word. Next hop over to Kate Motaung's blog and add your link to the list. Lastly, be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you, because comments keep the blog world spinning. Here we go-

Today's word prompt-slow

Time is a mystery isn't it? It's either moving too fast or too slow for our liking, and it's rare we say the pace is just right. I think learning to make peace with the pace is what leads to contentment, and while I'm always craving blank space in the calendar, I know days and seasons of busy need to happen too.

I have not seen my grandsons in person in 20 months. Baby Max was three weeks old when he last laid his tiny head on my chest and now he's a running, talking, laughing toddler boy. The mancub too, has grown at least a foot and added a hundred million words and questions to his vocabulary, and just saying that makes me want to rewind the clock and replay all the seconds I've missed thanks to geography and a global pandemic. 

Time moves in one direction only though, so we tell it now to hurry. To bring those boys and their parents back to our side of the world pronto and once they're here to please then slow back down so we can savor all the minutes we'll have with them in the flesh instead of facetime. 

Of course time never really speeds up or slows down, but rather is marked by change. The clock ticks, the calendar turns, we grow up and older, and it's neither fast nor slow but rather steady and constant and completely outside of our control. The creator of the universe is the keeper of the clock and thankfully is always right on time. 

Never too late, never too soon, never running behind, never racing to catch up. Always seeing time in all its fullness and acting accordingly. Nudging me to get busy or quietly whispering slow down. Reminding me with the speed or slowness of a moment that while I don't control the clock I do control how I spend what I've been given, and to spend it well. 

"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Growing Older With The Wednesday Hodgepodge

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. Comments keep the Hodgepodge rollin' right along. Here we go-

 

1. What's one thing you learned at the ripe old age of whatever age you are now?

Does Zoom count? I'd never heard of it before this year. 

2. I read here a list of foods that can help you look younger-

extra virgin olive oil, green tea, fatty fish, dark chocolate, vegetables, flaxseeds, pomegranates, avocados, tomatoes, spices, bone broth

How many of the foods listed have you tried? How many do you eat regularly? Your favorite from the list?

I've tried them all and regularly use extra virgin olive oil, eat fatty fish (salmon), dark chocolate, vegetables, avocados, tomatoes, and spices.  I like pomegranates but wouldn't say they're a staple here. If I could only have one thing on the list I'd choose vegetables.  

3. Something you miss from the 'good old days'? When were the good old days anyway?

Common courtesy, respect, and humor.

When did they occur? I'm not sure I can give precise dates, but feel pretty certain it was sometime prior to the invention of the iphone. 

4. What are two or three of the most rewarding things to be found in growing older?

There are many, but I'd say one of the best things about growing older is knowing who you are and being comfortable with that. Interacting with my adult children is pretty great too. 

Also see next question. 

5. What's your favorite part of your life right now?

Did you really need to ask? 

Grandparenting is not overrated. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

As I was turning off the light about 10:30 pm Tuesday night I suddenly remembered, that while I wrote the Hodgepodge questions, I never answered them. Bother. You'd think after almost 400 episodes answering would be automatic. Chalk it up to 2020 and/or turning a year older this week. 

On the bright side I did not overthink this one. Happy Wednesday! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 386

Still here, Hodgepodging on Wednesdays. This week's questions are below. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. What's one thing you learned at the ripe old age of whatever age you are now?

2. I read here a list of foods that can help you look younger-

extra virgin olive oil, green tea, fatty fish, dark chocolate, vegetables, flaxseeds, pomegranates, avocados, tomatoes, spices, bone broth

How many of the foods listed have you tried? How many do you eat regularly? Your favorite from the list?

3. Something you miss from the 'good old days'? When were the good old days anyway?

4. What are two or three of the most rewarding things to be found in growing older?

5. What's your favorite part of your life right now?

6. 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.