Wednesday Hodgepodge

 A low key Hodgepodge

1. What would you say is the key to success?
I think the key to success is determination. You have to be determined to succeed, and not let anything get in your way. Of course your goals may change over time, but as long as you  keep your eyes on the prize you can make it. 
2. Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? Any desire to visit that part of the US of A?
I have never been to the Keys or even Florida for that matter. I really have no desire to go there. All I can think about is hot, and humid. I know it is beautiful and there is more there than the weather, but no thank you. I did live in N.C. for a while, and that is as much of the South as I have seen.

3. When and where did you last see a real live donkey? Monkey? Turkey?
There is a farm near town that has donkeys. Wild turkeys often find their way into our yard. I think they have a roost in the woods somewhere. I guess my son's girlfriend's little dog. He is quite the monkey. He is a dachshund and min-pin cross. He acts like a monkey. He is adorable.

4. An old Portuguese proverb says, 'Beware of the door with too many keys.'What do you think this means? Share an example of how this has proven true or false in your own life. 
I think it means not to give too many people keys to your heart. You must protect yourself by not letting  too many people in. We need to be cautious.

5. Besides your home, vehicle, and special jewelry, what is something you keep under lock and key?
The title to our property, birth certificates, and things like that are in a fire proof box.
6. When did you last get keyed up about something?
Right now this very moment. My car is broken and needs some expensive repairs. Just the other day the check engine light came on so that is something else that has to be checked. We have only the 1 car so I am hoping the garage has loaners, because if they don't I don't know how I will get home from there. It is 28  miles away.

 Who think.s we need an easy one right about now?  Key lime pie...yes please or no thank you?.
Oh yes please!! 
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Recently I was at a friends house for a few days . She has the most amazing roses. I thought I would share them with you.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

I am looking at the gardens, and seeing some almost ripe tomatoes.

I am thinking...

About when my car goes in for repairs how I will get back home. The place is about 25 miles away from home.

I am thankful...

To God for providing me with all that I have, and all that I need.

In the kitchen...

Beef stir fry with vegetables and brown rice. Three ingredient peanut butter cookies later.

I am wearing...

Black capris and a pale green tank top. As always sox on my feet.

I am creating...

I was making a baby blanket, but temporarily stopped to make a pair of slippers for my cousin's wife.

I am going...

In 1 1/2 weeks to visit my 91 year old aunt. I go every other month to see her for a few days. She lives 3 hours away from me.

I am wondering...

When the mechanic is going to call with his estimate.

I am reading...

"The Year We Disappeared" by Cylin Busby and John Busby

John Busby was a police officer who was shot by a person he had helped to put in prison. As a result of this he and his family had to go into hiding. 

It is a very good book, but it does have lots of details that might make some people queasy.

I am hoping...

That the beautiful weather holds for a few more days. I love it when the high temps are only in the  70's. I feel much more capable of doing something outside than when it is blasted hot.

I am looking forward to...

Going and having my make-up updated. I haven't purchased a complete new set of make up in way too many years. My skin tone has changed as well the shape of my eyes. I need to have new colors. 

I am learning...

How to edit my photos more effectively

Around the house...

I am sorting through many bags and boxes and bins of yarn. Sorting it out and deciding what to keep, what to give away, and what to donate.

I am pondering...

Why it is I am not pondering anyting.

A favorite quote for today...

Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together, drawing them from their homes.

Clare Ansberry, The Women of Troy Hill

One of my favorite things...

New baby kitties. Older cats. Cats of any size, shape, or color.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Finish sorting yarn, finish slippers, laundry, weed the garden

A peek into my day...

And there is at least this much more to sort through.

(add your picture here)

______________________________

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge 184

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.

I loved summer as a kid. Not just because I was free from school, but because of all the freedom I had. I am remembering grade school summers specifically as being the absolute best. We would take old blankets and pin the to the clothes line, and put a couple on the ground. We had a tent! Many a night was spent outside. My block had lots of kids. So we would get together and put on parades for all of the block to see. Floats, and clowns, and make believe bands. Oh My! My yard was very big. We would play kick ball everyday. The area never needed mowing because we kept it tromped down. You could see the base line in the turf. Such fun was summer as a child.

When we left the city to live in the woods it was just my son and I during the week. My husband continued to work in the city. My son and I had grand adventures each summer. I looked forward to having him home ans was sort of sad when he had to return to school.

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this?  Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about? 

I have never been to a major race, but I have been to a few at county fairs. I had a friend whose uncle raced. They were always working on the car. I got to hand them the needed tools. Oh joy! (sarcasm added) Back then I wanted to be under the car with them. I loved the demolition derby.

I sometimes notice cars. Mostly just my model. I have a PT Cruiser, and it does stand out from all the others. I am going to be needing a different car soon, and I am sad that this car is no longer made.

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game?
Common decency demands that we never joke about 9/11. Or other horrific tragedy's. I don't think the misfortune of someone whomever they are should be joked about. I don't like to hear jokes that make fun of people real or imagined. 

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?

That's a tough choice. I like them both. If I were the person cooking it would be spaghetti, because lasagna is too labor intensive. If someone else cooked I would choose lasagna. I couldn't pass up all that cheese.

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?

I would miss walking out my front door, and taking a walk in the woods. God planted me here, and the woods always welcomes me to enjoy. Everyday it looks and feels different. I have been here 20 years, and I do miss living in the city, but I would miss my woods more if I had to leave.

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?

Hobby Lobby. I would change the health insurance mandate. It is between a woman and her doctor what is happening to her body. They company she works for has no business making medical decisions for her.

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.
Good-bye heat. I won't miss you.
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Just a couple of pictures. And if you don't mind a prayer request. My aunt is 91, and is failing quickly. In her words she is, "wearing out." I know God is preparing to take her home, but the prayer I am asking for is for my cousin. He has been her caretaker for quite a while. He is very very close to his mom. I am worried how this loss will affect him. He lives a few hours from me, and I will help all I can, but I would appreciate your prayers for him

Baby robins.

Cone flowers

My driveway.

Front Porch Chat #147

 Today's Questions:

1. Do you like cucumbers? Is there a favorite way for you to prepare them? I love cucumbers. I use them in any green salad I prepare. In the summer when I can get right from the garden fresh cucumbers I mix them with thinly sliced onions. and mayo. I always, always peel and remove the seeds also. I think those 2 things make a cucumber bitter tasting.
2. How good a housekeeper are you? I used to be the white glove kind of house keeper. My gloves are pretty much gray these days. I fall behind on everything. Yes, it drives me nuts that bringing in a bulldozer might be easier than trying to clean at this point, but my husband won't let me.
3. Please finish this: To spend a day____________would be amazing! In a boat out on a lake. I love being on the water. I love to fish, but fishing is not a prerequisite to being on the water. It is so calming to float along with the breeze. Funny thing  though I am terrified of being IN the water. Down right hysterically terrified. But put me ON it and I melt.
4. How do you handle times when you are "down" or "blue"( depressed )? That's a tough one, because I constantly battle depression. The dark kind,  the can't get out of bed kind of depression. I turn to my Bible. I walk outside and give thanks for all I have been given. I talk with my BF who doesn't give me sympathy, but does give me empathy. I had therapy for about 5 years so I do have some go to things that help.
5. Have you started using essential oils, since they have become so popular? The only essential oil I use is on my dryer balls. I am a trying to get away from chemicals in the house, and have done away with dryer sheets and fabric softener. Did you know how many unsafe, unhealthy chemicals are in those things!? I use wool felted yarn dryer balls now, and put a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil on each ball before drying a load of anything.

I have a story to tell. I won't tell it right now. It is the story how Rosebud Lane got it's name. Come back in a couple of days and read about the origin of Rosebud Lane. It is a good story, and I know you won't be disappointed.

Everyday Rurality Chat #144

 

I am joining Wendall and for a chat again today. We have rain, rain and more rain here. Some pats of Minnesota are having flood warnings. If we had flood warnings here near where I live we would need and Ark. We are on high ground. That is very wet.

I am packing to go away for a few day. I am going to my aunt's and my cousin's. She is 91 and lives with my cousin. She has an urge to go antiquing. That is the plan for Saturday.

My cousin is making me a dollhouse. Yes, at my age. It is something I have wanted all my life, and he is going to accommodate my dream. I love miniatures.

 Here are my answers to Wendall's questions.

1. Do you like lemon-aid? Any special flavors? I'm not a big fan. I sort of like raspberry lemonade. I guess what I don't like is that it isn't sweet enough. Now if you had asked about tea that would have been another story entirely. Love tea. Hot or cold. And sweet.
2. I'm trying not to use paper goods for this party. How many place settings of silverware(eating utensils) could you come up with? I wish I could borrow some!!!!!!!! I just bought a new 8 place setting set, and still have the old one. Also, I have lots of old silver and silver plate that I have collected over the years. I make wind chimes with the old things. So. Let's see...16 forks in each set, 16 spoons in each set. That would be 32 people. I must have at least 100 other pieces of old silver. But, of course that is giving each person only one eating utensil.
3. Have you ever been to a party in a barn? Once. The people there were the most unsociable people I have ever had the displeasure to meet. The were broken into their little clicks, and weren't letting any newcomers in. My husband and I tried when we first arrived to join several conversations, but were ignored. If not for our son we would have left long before we did. That was our initiation to 4-H. I have to say my opinion of that particular organization only went downhill from there. But, that is a story for another day.
4. Do you wear nail polish? In the summer I wear outlandish colors on my toes. I also wear a toe ring. On my fingers I wear a muted shade when I go somewhere special. 
5. Please finish this sentence. I wish I could___go to Maine for the summer. I've never been, but it is on my list._____.

Everyday Rurality Chat #143

QUESTIONS

1. Do you have a vegetable garden this year? Have you in previous years? I do have a vegetable garden. Last year was the first year in many years (ever) that I gardened. I used children's swimming pools as my gardens. These are pictures from last year. Our Spring planting time was so late this year that it is with a prayer and a dream for the gardens this year.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What is your computer sitting on right now? Desk, dining room table, lap... I  have a big comfy chair. Overstuffed is what it is called. It has huge arms which have flat tops. Perfect for setting a computer.
3. Do you go shorter with your hair in the summer? If my hair were any shorter there wouldn't be any. Which is something I have been considering. My hair is getting thinner and thinner, with more patches of skin showing through. I have been contemplating cutting it all  off.
4. Are you an early top bed person, or a night owl? I go in the bedroom about 8, climb into bed, an read til about 10 or so. I like to get up early and hear the woods waking up.
5. Tell me something funny. I'll tell you something funny too. :) A couple of weeks ago I told my neighbor that we had had a bear walk through the yard. She laughed and said I could keep it my yard. I laughed and told that no I was going to send him down to her. She let me know yesterday that he had in fact made a nighttime visit. She told me again to keep him at my house, I laughed and said now that he was there he was going to have to stay. This is a discussion we have every year. She trumped me this year though by having a cougar come to visit. I think I'll take my bear back.                                   (was this funny)

Everyday Ruralty May 7, 2014

 

QUESTIONS

1. Do you like beans? (the dried bean variety) What do you like them in? Dried beans are a staple in my house. I don't usually use them dried though, I usually buy the dried kind already canned. As in chili beans. However, I do make lots of lentil soup and navy bean soup from dried beans.
2. Does your house have enough storage?  Storage? What is that? I have 1 clothes closet. But, I do have a nice size closet for food related things. 
3. Do you have any childhood memories of a store? I have a couple actually. One is of a bar. When I was little my uncle would come over on Saturday mornings and take me uptown with him to the local 3.2 beer joint. I remember sitting on the bar, drinking grape pop, eating Three Muskateer bars,and playing the bowling machine. I treasure that memory of my uncle.  The other of a store was our local Ben Franklin. We would go there for our penny candy that was actually a penny. Sometimes 2 for a penny. We got bubble gum cigars, minty cigarettes, licorice whips, gum. Oh just all kinds of things. This might have contributed to my sweet tooth.
4. Do you ever shop at a farmers market? I love the farmer's market! I go as often as I can. I always stop at road side stands too. Nothing could possible fresher than right from the garden.
5. Do you still have your wisdom teeth?Are you wise? :) :) :) No I do not have my wisdom teeth. I had 3 removed in my 20s and was told that  it was most likely  the forth would not come in. In my 40s I went to the dentist with a tooth ache. It was a an abscessed wisdom tooth! It was pulled then.