Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge


From this Side of the Pond

1. Thursday is National Walk To A Park Day. I know these celebratory days are mostly made up, but some are fun to think about. Do you live close enough to a park to walk to one on Thursday? Will you? The most famous park in the world is Central Park located in NYC. Have you ever been to Central Park? What did you think? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to see? 

I live about 30 minutes away from a park, Hungry Mother's State Park and the Creeper Trail.  Also, there is a walking park about 3 minutes away from me.  In the summer, I go to the walking park.  I will not walk on Thursday because of a high school football game.  Yes, on a Thursday night because of not being able to find enough referees . 

I have been to New York City several times but have never been to Central Park.  Maybe one day I can go. 

2. Something you've done recently that turned out to be a 'walk in the park'? 

Digging up my potatoes.  Because of the dry, hot summer, my garden was almost a wipe out.  A friend used his tractor to dip up the potatoes.  Last year, it was some work, turning the potatoes over by hand  to let them dry.  Not this year, it was a 'walk in the park' because I didn't have that many.

3. Can you parallel park? Do you have to do this often where you live? 

I CANNOT parallel park!!!  I have to do this often, BUT I won't.  I drive around till I can find a place to just pull in.

4. The colors of fall...red, brown, russet, golden bronze, golden yellow, purplish red, light tan, crimson, orange red, and scarlet. Are these colors you like to wear? Is this your season in terms of color? What about your home? Would we see these tones in your home decorating? 

Most of these colors I wear...red, brown, russet, golden bronze, golden yellow, light tan, crimson, orange red, and scarlet, and I like wearing these colors.  The color of this season is beautiful. I always tell myself, fall is when God gets out his paintbrush and paints the mountains.  

In my home, I do have light tan and golden yellow walls.  I have crimson rugs and scarlet pillows. I have been wanting to change some wall colors but just haven't had a chance yet.


5. What part of history do you find most interesting? Elaborate. 

I find the Holocaust interesting. 

My aunt was a  Jew.  My uncle (on my mother's side) met her during the war; they were married and lived in Baltimore. I can remember listening to her stories she often told me during the summers when I went to Baltimore.

Teaching the Holocaust to my students, is my type of literature. I always tell my students studying the lives and struggles of my students helps us appreciate culture and ideas. History repeats itself and helps us learn a lesson.



6. Insert your own random thought here.

Many people have shown up to help others this past week.  There are still roads that are impassable, but we have been in school on a 2hr. delay schedule.  Students need to feel some normalcy in their life.  

I mentioned to my Sunday School Class on Sunday, that most have all they need at the moment.  I am concerned about the future. It is almost like a death.  All show up at the beginning, but a couple of weeks later the need is still there and no one helps. And we have to remember these people have lost EVERYTHING!!!  They still have no where to live!  We need to think about the long term needs...blankets, warmer clothes, and little children have lost their favorite stuffed animal..so we plan on doing something around Thanksgiving.

There has been another ripple in the pond.  My principal resigned the first of October.  No one knew or saw this coming....so we (teachers) are trying to survive.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!


Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge

From this Side of the Pond
1. Hey, it's October...what's one fun thing on your October calendar? 

A few things are on my calendar....attending a wedding, wine festival, and a fall festival.

2. Thursday is National Poetry Day (first Thursday in October)...do you like to read poetry? If so, what's a favorite poem, or whose poetry do you especially enjoy? 6

Yes, I like to read poetry.  I enjoy Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and my favorite poem is " A Psalm of Life'.   I can relate to this poem because life is real (not a dream), live in the present (not so much the past or future), life is precious do not waste it, and strive to leave a positive impact on the world. 

3. Tell us about something you've seen recently that could be described as 'poetry in motion'

A few weeks ago, I went to a high school football game.  The quarterback threw and the ball and the receiver caught the ball. It was definitely 'poetry in motion.'  After the game, I told the receiver he should insure his hands like Tina Turner insured her legs.  He had no idea who I was talking about. lol

4. What's one song on your autumn playlist? Do you have an autumn playlist? If not, pretend you do. If yes, then feel free to share more than one. 

"October Road" by James Taylor and "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young.  AND who can forget "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire.


5.Share a quote that inspires you this time of year especially. 

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree". by Emily Bronte

6.Insert your random thought.

This past weekend was our Apple Festival.  AND the hurricane came!! I had friends coming in Friday for the festival activities.  For the FIRST time in 70 years, the parade and band competitions were cancelled.  Out of 83 vendors, 60 cancelled.  My friends and I did go to the festival and to listen to the band, Phatom later that Saturday evening.  Many people complained that the festival was still happening, BUT there were others who were so glad that the festival continued; they were able to grab a bite to eat and just get out of the house.

My friends made it back home safely on Sunday.

But on my the devastation my community has endured.  Many places are completely wiped away. Schools have been closed.  My church has welcomed people to come and take a shower and get a hot meal.  On Monday, before 3pm over 40 people had come in for showers!  On Tuesday, I went to school to help serve hot meals to residents that could get out.  We served breakfast and dinner. We also offered to wash clothes for people who were desperately in need for clean clothes and we opened up the Panther Parlor for the ones who needed some toiletries and clothes. Many people are still without electricity and water.  Some of my friends still can't believe I choose to live here.  It is a small, rural area, BUT in times like this, I am so grateful.  People pull together to help each person. I have seen people use their own chainsaws to help cut down trees, travel to Bluefield, West Virginia to get water (water is very scarce here).  Roads are completely washed away in a lot of areas and bridges are completely gone.

During this, I never lost electricity or water.  I thank God daily for this.  FEMA is here and helping out. Please continue to pray .

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life


Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Thursday is National Walk To A Park Day. I know these celebratory days are mostly made up, but some are fun to think about. Do you live c...