Five Minutes of Story

I'm linking up over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog today for another edition of Five Minute Friday. Each week Lisa posts a one word prompt, you write for five minutes solid, no editing, then hit publish.  Sounds simple, right?

Once you've published all she asks is that you visit the two bloggers who linked before you. That part really is easy.

Okay, today's prompt-story

It's funny this is today's prompt because I was at dinner with a friend last night and she commented on this very thing.  My story.  Our story.  How the life we've lived, the chapters that have been written, have prepared my daughters for the lives they are living.

I love getting about half way through a good book. That's often the point where you can look back and see how the earlier chapters led you to the one you're currently reading. It's where you can at last see how some action that occurred in Chapter 3, that didn't seem to make any sense at the time, makes sense now that you've hit Chapter 5.

God is the author of my story, and He has peopled it with characters both large and small.  Some of these characters were introduced within the first few pages, others enter my story in later chapters. Some remain an integral part of the plot chapter after chapter, others for only a page or two.

He has carefully chosen the setting too, from an island in the Pacific to the New Jersey suburbs. From the mountains of East Tennessee to the land of tea and scones, He put me, His main character in this story, in those particular places not by happenstance, but by design.

My story is not great in the sense that word is often (over)used, but it's mine, and its sweet. Its the story of an ordinary girl navigating the ebb and flow of every day life. Into my story God has woven love and loss, struggle and hope, conflict and resolution. There's been mystery and adventure and a little hurry up and wait sprawled across the pages too.

Sometimes I've turned the page absolutely certain of what will happen next, only to find the plot has taken an unexpected twist. I keep reading though because the author is so good. He knows the end from the beginning. He connects all the dots. He has an intimate knowledge of the main character because He created her, and loves her as His own.

He is the author who never disappoints.

An Inspirational Hodgepodge

I think I've been away more than I've been home this summer, as evidenced by my blog. That's what summertime's for though, right?  Here are my answers to this week's questions...add your link and join the party!

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?

In spite of all the negatives associated with it, I do think the Internet is a pretty amazing thing. 

2. How 'bout one way it's changed for the worse?

Well for starters, I think we've lost our common sense. The media is ridiculous, fear has invaded every corner of our culture to the point that everyone we encounter is now suspect, and we have to monitor our every word lest we offend someone. 

Oh wait, the question asked for 'one'.  Y'all know I never can do that. 

3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks...your favorite 'star'?

Starlight. Who doesn't love a sky full of stars?   

4. Name a song that's overplayed, but you love it anyway?

See You Again by Carrie Underwood...such a pretty song, but wow they play it a lot. Millions of wonderful songs out there in the universe, but we always seem to hear the same few. I love this one anyway.

5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?

Our local ice cream place makes their own, so does that count?  

Yes, it counts.  

They make a black raspberry chocolate chip that is completely delicious.  

6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?

I think people are motivated by optimism. We all want to feel valued and respected, not belittled or taken for granted.  Words of encouragement, legitimate praise, and when needed, gently stated constructive criticism...these things all go a long way towards motivating people to complete a task or to do a good job.  People want to feel appreciated and I think when we feel appreciated we're motivated to keep going, to do more or better.  

As far as inspiration goes, I'm always inspired by leaders who are also do-ers. The ones willing to work hard and get their own hands dirty in order to meet a goal, who don't feel that any job is beneath them.  I'm inspired by people who are open and honest about their own failures and how they overcame them.   

7.  When was the last time you were without power?

I flew down to my daughter's last Thursday and arrived just in time for dinner. She requested PF Changs, and just as we were finishing up a nasty storm came out of nowhere. So thankful I was on the ground and not still in the air!!  Anyway, lightning struck a transformer and the power was out for several hours.  My daughter did a great job navigating a very busy road without any working traffic lights, and we made it safely back to her very dark apartment. So glad I was there and she wasn't alone! I think she was glad too.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of motivation, I love a great quote...

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.  Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."  Mark Twain

Hodgepodge Questions-Vol 135

I've been out of town for a few days, so I'm a little late posting this week's questions. Better late than never, right? Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party.  Here ya go-

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?

2. How 'bout one way it's changed for the worse?

3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks...your favorite 'star'?

4. Name a song that's overplayed, but you love it anyway.

5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?

6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?

7. When was the last time you were without power?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

A Royal Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! So glad you joined the fun today...add your link at the end of my post and let's get this party started-

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day.  Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  What's something you've recently accomplished solo?

My husband travels a lot so I do many things solo that I'd gladly have him do if he were home. I recently had to kill a ginormous insect. I don't even know what it was, but I'm pretty sure it was something alien. Shudder.

2. What's a product you use that never ever fails?

Sharpie permanent markers, Dramamine, and Clinique quickliner.

3. Have you found your place in this world?  Where is it?

I think so. It's in a land called contentment. I think when we're young we try to imagine how our life will go, and then we live it and it's rarely exactly as we had planned.  I know mine has been full of surprises and unexpected turns...experiences that went beyond my wildest dreams. 

One thing moving around a lot has reinforced for me, is the fact that this earth is not my home. I think the key to finding my place here has been in learning to embrace where I am and the people and opportunities God has brought into my life.  I don't always succeed, and of course there are still things I hope to accomplish, but I do believe contentment with where you are and what you have now, even if it is not what you wanted or planned, is the secret of life.  

4. Worst movie you ever saw?

I'm sure there are a few, but one that popped into my head right off the bat is Broken Arrow.  The film was released in the mid-90's, and while I do like John Travolta and Christian Slater, the writing and acting in this one were truly awful.  At one point a character in the movie actually shouts at a person intent on world destruction, 'Halt! I'm a Park Ranger!'.  Occasionally, when the mood in our house needs lightening, hubs and I have been known to throw that line out there and it always makes us laugh.  I guess the movie wasn't a total bust.

5. What's the last fun thing you did?

Picked crabs while sitting beside the water in Annapolis.  
I wrote about it on my blog here.

6. The month of July is named for Roman emperor Julius Caesar...ever been to Rome?  What's your favorite Italian dish?

Rome is one of my favorite cities in the world. I will refrain from blabbing on and on again about Italy, except to say I would not be opposed to a trip back there one day soon.

My favorite Italian dish? Oh mio! How in the world do I choose just one? Pizza margherita, chicken piccata, veal saltimbocca, gelato, and limoncello to name a few. 

7. What is one piece of advice you'd give new mom Kate Middleton?

Trust your instincts.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I am in love with the hydrangea bush beside my front walkway.

It has every shade of blue, pink, and purple in it, sometimes all in the same flower.

It is absolutely gorgeous this year!

Hodgepodge Questions-Vol 134

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers-

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day.  Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  What's something you've recently accomplished solo?

2.  What's one product you use that never ever fails?

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

4.  Worst movie you ever saw?

5. What's the last fun thing you did?

6. The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar...ever been to Rome? What's your favorite Italian dish?

7. What is one piece of advice you'd offer new mom Kate Middleton?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Crab Town

Daughter1's boyfriend is in the DC area for the month of July, and she really wanted us to meet him. We had exactly one weekend with a window just wide enough to squeeze through, so Saturday was the day.

In the meantime hubs had a work trip to Canada added to his calendar, but not a problem because he was still supposed to arrive home Friday evening. The plan was I would pick him up at the airport and then we'd drive down to my moms in South Jersey to spend the night. Our pup was going to hang out with Mema while we drove a little further south to meet our girl in Annapolis on Saturday around noon.  That was the plan.  

You know what they say about plans, don't you?  

Friday afternoon hubs phoned about 4 pm to let me know he'd finished his meeting, and had arrived at the Toronto airport. He said his flight was already delayed, and he'd keep me posted. At 11:30 PM they finally cancelled his flight. Like I said, no biggie...just seven hours wiled away in an airport on a Friday night.  Bother.

We could salvage the weekend though, because they put him on another flight arriving in Newark at 8 am Saturday morning. We figured we could still drop the dog at my mom's house and be in Annapolis about noon as originally planned. 

There's that word again-plan.

He phoned again at 1:15 am to say the Saturday morning Newark flight was also now cancelled, and he'd gotten on a flight to Dulles (D.C.) arriving at 7:30 Saturday morning, and could I please let daughter1 know she'd need to trek to Dulles to collect him. 

For every wonderfully uneventful, somewhat exotic flight he takes, there are ten trips in between that go like this. Its why the frequent business travelers deserve their upgrades and airline rewards. 

Hubs is a trooper though, so he went to bed at 2, got up at 4:00, and arrived fresh as a daisy in DC at 7:30 am on Saturday.  I drove to my moms, said hello and goodbye, left the dog in her favorite spot, and trekked on to Annapolis to meet up with everyone.   

We were finally all in the same place at the same time around 1. That's the Maryland capitol building in the background, and please just ignore the guy in green trying to untether his boat from the dock. We strolled down to the waterfront before deciding what we really needed was a serious blast of air conditioning. Holy moly it was hot! Too hot to be walking around town, but not too hot for some of our favorite mussels and the world's best crab dip. 

I challenge anyone to prove me wrong on that last point. When we lived in Annapolis and ate in this little spot, Daughter2 would order the crab dip as her entree. That bread is just the right degree of warm.

We sat and chatted until we felt like we could brave the heat again, and then walked over to the US Naval Academy to look around.  Daughter1's boyfriend is an Army guy, so I had to convince him he needed to stand under the Navy sign for this picture.

We looked at some of the indoor exhibits because the walk over about killed us.
Did I mention the heat?

The grounds are so pretty, but I didn't take a lot of photos...it was just too hot to fool with my camera.  I did snap a couple of the gorgeous chapel, and we did go down in the crypt to see where John Paul Jones is buried because it's interesting, and also because it's air conditioned.

As it happened a newly married couple and their wedding party were coming out of the chapel as we approached.
 

I could not imagine being in a dress uniform or a bridal gown in the crazy heat, but I have to say the bride was beaming.  I love that he's carrying her dress, and she didn't seem to notice the temperature at all. So pretty!

Speaking of pretty~

We felt it was our duty to introduce the boyfriend to the fine art of picking a Maryland blue crab. Course when they're steamed they're no longer blue, but instead turn a delectable shade of pink with a hefty sprinkling of Old Bay Seasoning on top.

This place is always booming. We got there late afternoon, and the temp had dropped maybe an eighth of a degree so we sat outside (under the awning where the ceiling fans whirred) and enjoyed a long leisurely lunch/dinner beside the water.

Picking crabs beside the water makes my list of top five favorite life experiences. You should try it, but definitely go with someone who knows crabs...we always smile at the people who come in asking for bibs and a fork.

You know what I'm gonna say next don't you?  The day went too fast. That's what I always say whenever I have time with one or both of my girls.  And in spite of the heat, and the hoops we had to jump through to make it happen, we had a great day together...

 We always do. 

Award Winning Thursday Fragments

I'm afraid that title may have raised your expectations beyond what is reasonable, but I'm going with it anyway.  Last week Julia over at Mom on the Run gave me a blog award, and I know I said I don't do awards, but when someone gives me one I can't not play along. Thank you Julia!

I'm only going to cheat a little.

I'm supposed to share ten things about myself, and I have to wonder if there are ten things I haven't already told you? Back in the early days of my blog I did one of those '100 things about me' posts. It's in my sidebar under Inquiring Minds Want to Know if you're an inquiring mind and want to know. I reread it and it's still accurate, except I've now been married for 29 years. Same guy.

I started this post this morning, and then the Internet shut down thanks to the cable company working on our street.  I didn't get back to it until late in the afternoon, at which point I somehow accidentally deleted everything above #9. Aaacckk! I'm thinking now I'll go ahead and link this with the Friday Fragment hop too because it's practically Friday, and this is definitely fragments. Here we go-

1. I love random fragments. My favorite blog posts to read are the ones where the writer shares snippets of an ordinary day. I think those posts connect us more than some of the deeper stuff that's written every day.

2. Pinterest makes me happy.

3. So does Instagram.

4.  I rarely ever rant on my blog. I want to, but I don't.

I will just say New York! Seriously?  Eliot Spitzer and Anthony Weiner? In a city of more than 8 million people, this is who the citizens want to hold up as leaders? I wish we cared more.

5.  Sometimes when I cannot handle any more political smarminess I go to YouTube and watch Susan Boyle's audition on Britain's Got Talent. That video clip still makes me smile.  Does anyone not skip the ads on YouTube when given the option?

6.  I love anything in a little blue box tied with a white bow.

Hubs had some sort of work thing yesterday that is too much to explain here, but suffice it to say involved several events, including playing the piano in the floor of FAO Schwartz, the one made famous in the movie BIG, as well as instruction in how to tie a proper Tiffany bow, and some other stuff which I didn't pay attention to because he lost me at Tiffanys.

He couldn't bring the box home empty now, could he?

7.  I've been reading more and computering less this summer. When I say reading I mean actual books as opposed to my electronic reader.

Yes I know e-readers are actual books, but they're not book books. I appreciate the convenience of an e-reader, especially when traveling, but I realized recently that I miss holding an honest to goodness hard cover book in my hand. I still like to turn actual pages, and then let the book fall to the floor when I doze off. Can't do that with an Ipad.

Well you can, but you'd be sorry.

8. It doesn't feel like it's really summer until I've had my favorite food in all the world-Maryland Blue Crabs... steamed til they're no longer blue, covered in Old Bay seasoning, picked and eaten beside the water. That will happen soon.

9. I have always liked Amy Grant's music and am slightly obsessed with her new album-How Mercy Looks from Here.  

10. I like to follow the rules.

Now for the part where I cheat...I'm supposed to pass this award on to ten bloggers, but I will just say if your blog is full of epic awesomeness consider yourself tagged.

And if you have fragments to share why not hop over to Unknown Miami's blog on Friday and add your link there too.  Have a great weekend!