Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Do you (or did you used to) watch talk shows? Which are or were your favorite? 

 The Tonight Show (is that a talk show?). I liked Jay Leno and one episode I remember (about broke my heart) was when he was talking about his dad that he had just lost.  I remember him actually crying.

2. Would you describe yourself as resilient? If so what do you think makes you that way? If you answered no explain why? 

Somewhat resilient.  There are some things you just can't bounce back from, but life goes on.

Calling my friends when having a bad day really helps me.

3. What parts of life have surprised you the most? Explain. 

What has surprised me the most is when life throws you a double header curveball that you NEVER EVER thought about.

4. Why do you live where you live? 

I live where I do now because this is hub grew up.

5. A memory from this week that made you smile? 

These three precious boys were at our high school football game last night.  The twins first football game and surprisingly they sat still (well for the most part and probably because of food).

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I was so hungry a few nights ago.  I had been rushing around trying to get things done...housework, laundry, yardwork,etc. that I had forgotten to eat lunch.  So I was pretty hungry.  

So I put this in the microwave

didn't read the directions and this was a first for me.  

I had to throw it away

I didn't add the water!!!  I was so mad at myself but so hungry!!  Potato chips to the rescue!

Have a great rest of the week!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What obligation do you believe you have to your country? 

Respect---respect the flag, celebrate holidays, and use social media appropriately AND obey the laws.

2. October 12 is National Farmers Day? Do you know any farmers? What do they farm/grow/raise? Are there any farm stands where you live? Do you shop there? 

My dad was a farmer.  We owned a farm as I was growing up and even in my college years BUT we never lived on this farm.  We grew tobacco (this was hard work) hay (which was also hard and sweating hard work), and my dad had beef cattle.  

Dad would never use roll hay bales....had to be square.

There are a couple of Farmer Markets close by.  There is one in Abingdon, Va. and it is fantastic.  They are open on Saturday mornings till around 11 and you must get there early. I have often shopped there.

3. What's a skill you think everyone should have? Tell us why? 

Communication skills--allows others to understand you.  Poor communication skills lead to a lot of misunderstanding and frustration.

Another skill I think everyone should have is empathy.  Empathy is important in almost every aspect of daily life.

Communication and empathy skills should me taught at home and in school.

4. Favorite thing you've purchased this year? 

My car.  In May, I purchased a 2021 a Honda.

5. What's your favorite place to visit in the fall? 

Great Smokey Mountains.  I miss those trips hub and I would take to the Smokey Mountains.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

College friends (one I just found who lives in Roanoke) and other friends are getting together to celebrate two special friends who will be having Birthdays this Saturday.  I am looking forward to seeing all and having a great time.

Have a great day and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Thanks Joyce. 

1. Do you think intuition is as valuable as rational thinking? Explain why or why not. 

I think intuition is just as valuable as rational thinking.  There are many factors which determine my decision.  I do rationalize-follow steps BUT sometimes my thinking comes from my 'gut'.  My 'gut' just knows.  Truly having both intuition and rational thinking is a good thing.

2. In the grand scheme of things____________________________. 

It is the NON-MATERIAL things that are important.  Moments of enjoying  the small things in life is what really matters.  In the grand scheme of things I take it one day at a time...and Release the toxin.

3. Last place you went that felt like 'Grand Central Station'? Have you ever actually been to Grand Central Station (and by Grand Central Station I mean Grand Central Terminal)? 

This summer in Savannah, but I enjoyed the trip.  I have never been to Grand Central Station.

4. October 6 is National Noodle Day. What's your favorite dish made with noodles and have you made/eaten this dish lately? 

Scallion Noodles...it is so easy and I love scallions.  I haven't made this dish in a few years.

5. A time recently you had to really 'use your noodle'? Elaborate. 

A few weeks ago, I was mowing.  I have a riding mower (I haven't quite got the hang of it yet) but I use a push mower a lot.  I was mowing and all of a sudden I hear this strange noise and the mower stopped.  I tried starting the mower, but even though I was making every effort to start the dang thing, it wouldn't.  So I pushed it over to my building and kept thinking what on earth did I hit.  I know, for a fact, there wasn't any tree limbs laying around (I had picked them all up).  I used my noodle....With all my strength I turned the mower over.  There was a slinky on the blade!  My next door neighbor watches children and I knew this is where the slinky came from.  After removing the slinking, the mower started right up and I was back to mowing.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last Sunday, my Sunday School Class had a get together at a friend's house.  I haven't been anywhere like this since my husband passed away.  I was just feeling like a third wheel.  I decided to go and rode with a couple.  Such a fun time and so glad I went and finally pulled the trigger to begin socializing again.

I took some yummy desserts...didn't bake them myself, but ordered them.

Vanilla Strawberry and Chocolate Salted Caramel...YUMMY!

It was raining so I left my purse in the car along with my phone, which was a mistake because the view was spectacular!

A friend sent me these pictures.

Have a great rest of the week!

A recap of the Apple Festival

 

Hello All,

I have been pretty busy the past couple of weeks, no complaining on my part!  I like staying busy.

A couple of weeks ago, my community celebrated the Apple Festival.  This years theme was 'Flavors of Fall.' You could not have asked for better weather!!  Usually the weather is swelting hot (90s) or rainy and cool. BUT not this year, PERFECT 70s.  Even though the mornings of Friday and Saturday were a little chilly (40s), it warmed up nicely by 10:00!

Thursday, I registered the exhibits.  There were quite a few considering last year it was cancelled because of you know what. I was still registering exhibits at 7:30 that evening along with many other volunteers.

Many canned items.  There was even quail canned eggs.  I had to ask what those were...never heard nor have ever seen them.

Beautiful quilts

I can tell the students had read Johnny Appleseed!

And many crafts!  Students are so talented, if we just give them a chance!

I had the visitors on Friday evening.

We had to play with cars, trucks, and other things.  Blake, who is 3 (almost 4), loves playing with trucks and cars.  The twins, being only 18 months, well, nothing keeps their attention very long!  But that is okay with me.

Saturday morning was the parade.  Many floats and bands!  

The new owners of the pharmacy entered a float.  

In loving memory of my daughter and husband.  Tears streamed down my face.  Happy and sad tears can come at the same time.

All was ready to come back to my house and play in the yard.

And that is exactly what we did the rest of the afternoon!! Such great memories of this Festival.

Until next time...Enjoy Life!

'Fallin' into the Hodgepodge

1. It's fall y'all! Officially that is and in the northern hemisphere only, so if you're visiting from down under happy spring! Does it feel like fall where you live? Does it look like fall aka are the leaves beginning to Orange change? What is your favorite fall color? Scent? Flavor? 

It hasn't felt like fall with temps in the high 80s BUT a change is supposed to be coming this weekend with much cooler weather and rain moving in. The leaves have not started changing.  Orange and gold tones are my favorite color.  My favorite fall scent would be a bonfire, and favorite flavor would be apple cinnamon.

2. What's something you're not? 

I am not technology enhanced person.  Quick as I learn a part of technology and become confident BAM it is changed.  I find the older I get, I just like sticking to my ole ways of doing things and the gadgets they have on new vehicles now a days...that is a different story!

3. Share a favorite quote related to fall and tell us why it's a favorite. 

"I loved Autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it." Lee Maynard

Fall is beautiful time of the year with all the trees changing colors. And we just need to enjoy the beauty and embrace it because we know what follows fall.

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite fall meal? 

Homemade soups and chili

5. Share a favorite photo you took last fall? 

The boys were growing.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It has been a busy week so far and it is only Wednesday.  Looking forward to the Apple Festival and the cooler temps this weekend.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. How would you define 'old'? At what age is someone old? 

Old is no longer young!  I am no longer young because I have lived longer than I am going to live.  

100 years old is old to me.

2. A place you've been that's old? Tell us something about your visit there. 

Hub and I use to go to Backbone Rock.  It is, I think, the shortest tunnel in the world.  There are steps one may climb up and walk across the tunnel as you see the highway below. 

On the other side of the tunnel is a creek and picnic shelters.  It was beautiful in the fall.

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

Kindness and Respect!  People were always willing to lend a helping hand.  I still see of this today, but not as much.  Respect---Oh Man! if you weren't respectful, you were put in your place real fast.  Of course there were a few, in the minority, who wasn't respectful BUT the majority was respectful.

The 'good old days' I would have to say the late 70s and early 80s.

4. In what way are you a 'chip off the old block'? Or if you'd rather, in what way is your child a 'chip off the old block'? 

I have been compared to my dad...saying I was a 'chip off the old block'.  Having his demeanor and his work ethic.  

I need to add, my youngest daughter is a 'chip off the old block' she definitely has my short fuse and can pout for days!

5. Old fashioned, Old Testament, old timer, same old same old, old glory, good old boy, old wives tale...choose an 'old' phrase that relates to something in your life or the wider world currently and explain. 

Old wives tale....According to my bean count, we will have 22 snows because this is the number of fogs we had in August, bees coming up out of the ground means a cold winter, and the corn shucks are tough this year which means a hard winter  When I tell the younger teachers this, they just look at me like I am crazy.  We will see if my old wives tales, that I have heard for many years, is true.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Having a busy week...This is Homecoming Week for the school I am currently teaching out.  Dress up days every day, Homecoming Parade Thursday, and the ballgame Friday night...plus I have church activities going on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Next week starts Apple Festival Week!  This is something my town has done for over 50+ years, many crafts, vendors, decorating our town, a parade, a 5K, and band competition.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Something you've done recently that required you giving 110% ?

I would have to say going back to teaching part-time after retiring is requiring me to give 110%.  I arrive early, stay late, bring papers home to work on, and I am helping a new teacher who is in my field...I hope she doesn't regret her major...but we have both had some real 'eye openers' this past week which was only yesterday!

2. What task-sport-chore-hobby-activity have you participated in or completed, that if judged, would land you a perfect 10?  

Being a Mamaw!

3. What are ten of your favorite things right now? 

1.  Seeing grandkids

2. Being able to attend outings with family...birthday celebrations, cookouts

3.  Attending church service in person

4. Seeing young adults at schools with friends and enjoying themselves

5. Enjoying less humidity

6. Attending high school football games

7.  Watching college football games on television

8.  Drinking iced coffee

9.  Packing backpacks (full of food)for kids less fortunate...packed over 360 last week

10. Teaching and learning new things

5. Where were you when the world stopped turning, twenty years ago this week? 

I was at school and was having to leave at lunch for a conference out of town.  I just knew I wouldn't have to go, BUT I did.  Thankful, I had reservations at the hotel because so many people were stranded from the airport.  I remember the sky being so eeie feeling....no sound at all and all the restaurants around the airport had closed so the snack machine was my food source.  The next day at the conference, the topic was not on Reading but on what had happened in New York.  I was so glad to get home and just hug my daughters.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Something funny...Last Thursday, I had my mom calling me and my aunt.  Well, I hadn't checked my voice mailbox in forever and it was full.  They both became worried because I wasn't answering my phone.  I also had a message from our youth minister, which I hadn't replied.  My aunt called my minister and asked him if he would come by and check on me.  I was at the CAR WASH having my my car cleaned and vacuumed.  I didn't hear the phone ringing. I was totally surprised and shocked when I got home and had realized my messages!!  Lord, they had a tribe looking for me. Glad to know I have people who care!!!  Since then, I double check my voice mailbox!!

Have a great rest of the week!