Friday Fotos...

 

Still joining in with the old Friday Foto Friends, started by our blogging friend, Deb, quite a few years ago.  She is back, but not asking for link-ups - you should still check her out!! 

I only have one new photo to share.  I just haven't been anywhere that caused me to take a photo... except for this one at Southside Cleaners.  I was waiting at the traffic light, which gave me time to roll down the window and snap this picture.  I love what it says!

Some of you might remember a year ago, at the beginning of hurricane season, my boss gave me a 'hurricane lily'.  I asked my neighbor, Susan, if she had room to plant it in her flower bed and she was thrilled to do that.  It blooms at the beginning of hurricane season each year.  It bloomed the week I was home sick with that cold three weeks ago, and I didn't get to see it.  She took a picture (her photo) and sent it to me. The flower doesn't last very long.

I am having lunch with my neighbors, from the old neighborhood, Bob & Ginny, and Ginny's sister, Mary Jane (my cat sitter) today.  I am meeting them at a new restaurant that just opened last week called 4 Rivers.  It is BBQ.  I'm looking forward to seeing them and also trying the new place to eat!

What happened to June?!!

Peace & Hugs!

Life is passing quickly as a vapor;

Soon our opportunities are past.

May God give us grace to work and labor.

Only what is done for Christ will last.

Whimsical Fashion Spree 2023...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and pick the shoes you think the model should wear.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from the Storybook of Dreams & Beauty!

I just fell in love with this dress and especially the emerald green color!  Check out the shoes and count down 1-2-3 and tell us which shoes you like best!  It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Oh, to be that thin again and to have a place to wear this beautiful dress. Sigh.  As for the shoes, I will choose #3 but would have some flats hidden somewhere to change into later.  Where do you think she is going in this gown?  It's only dress-up for us! 

Peace & Hugs!

Precious Lord, take my hand...

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

 It's Hodgepodge time!!  You can join Joyce and all the Hodgepodgers HERE!! Thanks, Joyce!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 510

Note-there won't be a Hodgepodge next week (July 5th). The Hodgepodge will return the following week, July 12th. God bless America! 

1. What's one thing you're excited about in the coming month?  Other than the 4th of July, there is nothing different going on.  There is a potluck at the Clubhouse on the 4th and I have the day off (making up the time) so I really am looking forward to the potluck. I haven't been to anything at the Clubhouse since last November.

2. What was your life like when you were ten years old?  We moved from Washington Court House, Ohio, to Millersport, Ohio when I was 10.  I started 5th grade in Millersport. That is when I met my BFF Elaine and that is also when I started taking lessons on the trumpet.  That was the start of my Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drew days.  I fell in love with reading mysteries!!  My brother and me on the first day of school in Millersport.

3. What's something from your childhood you still enjoy today?  Reading mysteries, for sure, and Elaine and I are still good friends.  I also still have a soft spot for trumpets and brass in general.  I have been known to say 'All you need for a good band is brass and percussion'.  No offense intended to woodwinds!!

4. What state (that you haven't been to) do you most want to visit?  Tell us why.  I don't have any state in mind to visit.  

5. Do you like to drive?  I do like to drive.  Tell us how you learned to drive.  I didn't have to take Driver's Ed back in the day.  My dad taught me to drive and I learned on a standard transmission.  Dad always said if you can drive a standard, you can get in anything and drive it if you have to (even a big truck).  I passed my driving tests (written and driving) on the first try so he taught me well.  He also made me change a tire several times in front of him (in the yard) and showed me how to check the oil and wiper fluid.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I scheduled an appointment for my cataract surgery.  The left eye will be done on September 6th and they will do the right one a few weeks after the first one.  I changed ophthalmologists and am using the one who did Joe's cataract surgeries (a dozen or so years ago).  I opted for manual surgery, rather than laser.  He will keep me near-sighted and I will still need glasses for distance but the strength will be much better.  I've worn glasses since first grade so I'm not concerned about that.  I just want my distance vision to be better.  Everyone I know who had cataract surgery (including Joe) still had/has to wear readers for close-up, or glasses for distance (laser 0r manual). I feel good about my decision and Medicare will cover the costs.

I am also getting my AC fixed in the car next week.  It needs a new compressor and isn't the inexpensive fix I was hoping for.  It is what it is.  I am too blessed to be stressed. God is good and makes provision.

Peace & hugs!

I'll fly away

To a land where joy shall never end

I'll fly away...

The Tuesday 4...

 Big thanks to Annie for today's questions!  You can join in HERE!

Summer Solstice

 

Welcome, it's Tuesday 4 time.  I keep it up in memory of my friend Toni Taddeo who really enjoyed her blogs. 

The Summer solstice arrived and some got hot weather and some got chill and rain.  But summer is the time for holidays or vacations, summertime activities, and being outdoors more.  It's also a time, like winter, for complaints and we realize that people in Texas, Arizona, and Florida stay inside in summer.

1. How is summer treating you so far this year?  Summer is no different from the other seasons for me.  I am blessed all the time!  Could things improve?  I think things can always improve.  How do you make summer fun in your neck of the woods?  Before skin cancer and in my younger years, the beach would have been on the calendar for at least two weekends a month.  Joe loved the beach, even though we had a great in-ground pool at the other house.  I try to stay out of the sun these days.

2. We give you magic powers! You can change the climate, the surroundings, even your house, and anything you like. Tell us what you are doing to make your summer or your entire year better..... GO!  I would just hire out the cleaning and the painting and changing the backsplash in the kitchen.  I might also put an RV van in the carport to make my dreamed-of road trips more comfortable!! 

3. The puppy on the boat at the right is your new friend.  He wants a name.  What name will you give him and would you like to be in that picture (if you can't sail we will provide someone for you!)  Let's just call him Jack.  You can put me in the picture, but I would need a Captain who knows how to sail.  I am happy rowing, however!

4.   It's friendship potluck day at your house this month.  Everyone is coming. Please assign us what dishes each of us is to bring to make for a great day. (by the way, you needn't use names. Just name some dishes  you would like people to bring along)  I don't assign dishes but just suggest desserts, salads, fruit, or sides. Bring what you want.  I'll do the burgers and brats on the grill.

Peace & Hugs!

Sailing home! we’re sailing home;

By and by we’ll anchor there;

Sailing home! we’re sailing home!

Life’s unfading crown to wear.

A Quick Weekend Recap...

 

Yep... I FINALLY got my dirty house cleaned!!  I got up Saturday morning and got started.  I finished around 2:00 in the afternoon.  It sure feels good to have a clean house.  I didn't move the furniture, which really needs to be done, but I did get to some of the baseboards, got into corners, and vacuumed up enough cat hair to make another cat (if not two)!!  Whew!

I went to church Sunday (no Sunday school this summer), then went to Aldi's for some groceries.  I got some meat, too:  pork chops, chicken tenders, and hamburger.  When I got home, I split them up into single servings and got them in the freezer.

I did my usual two loads of laundry and it was also time to get my pills organized for the next three weeks. Done and done.  Put my feet up and became a slug for the evening.

This morning, I am dropping my car off at the mechanic who does our State vehicles and also works on some of the staff's vehicles.  My boss trusts him.  My AC is not working in my car and my mechanic doesn't have the equipment needed for my car's AC.  I am hoping for an inexpensive and quick fix.  Danon is picking me up and will drop me off after my shift.  I have an eye doctor's appointment after work, so will need my car. Fingers crossed.

Tomorrow is my church small group.  We are meeting at Livia's house.  Next time will be my turn.  We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.

Peace & Hugs!

My soul is purchased by His blood 

My life is hid with Christ on high 

With Christ my Savior and my God...

Sunday Stealing...

Thanks to Bev Sykes for today's questions!  You can join in HERE! 

Stolen from signup genius 

1. Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car? Car, with the horse in second place.

2. Who is your favorite author?  Janet Evanovich.

3. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?  Neither, but I'll pick Alaska if I have to.  

4. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?  I wouldn't go back in time but for the sake of the question, I would go back a few generations to meet the great-great-great grandparents.

5.  What's your favorite zoo animal?  The big cats.

6.  What's the tallest building you've been to the top of?  The Empire State Bldg.

7. How often do you buy clothes?  Not often and only on sale.

8. What was the last thing you recorded on TV?  I can't DVR anymore and don't remember the last thing we recorded because it was over three years ago.

9.  What was the last book you read?  I am reading book 7 of a 12-book series called Whispering Pines Mysteries. The author is Shawn McGuire and they are "cozy".

10. What's your favorite type of foreign food?  Italian!!

11. What kitchen appliance do you use every day?  The coffee pot!

12. How old were you when you learned Santa wasn't real?  He's not real?!!!  How did you find out?  I don't remember how I found out. I helped keep Santa 'alive' for my younger siblings and that was always fun.

13.  What was your favorite subject in school?  Art, English, Biology...

14. What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?  Alligator.

15. What's your favorite family recipe?  My mom's red velvet cake icing.  You can find it in the recipe tab above.

Peace & Hugs!

Come all you weary, come all you thirsty 
Come to the well that never runs dry 
Drink of the water, come and thirst no more

Saturday 9 time...

 Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!  You can join in HERE!

It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over

Welcome to Saturday 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every

Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so to speak. We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over (1991)

Unfamiliar with this week's song?  Hear it here.

1) In this song, Lenny Kravitz sings about all the tears he's cried over this relationship.  Scientists theorize that human tears fall into two categories: emotional and irritant. "Emotional tears" are most often shed over physical pain, empathy, compassion, depression, and anger/frustration.  Think about the last time you cried. What triggered your tears?  A TV show about a widow starting her life over for her and her three sons.  Just for the record, I'm a crier.  If I see someone else crying, you can count on my tears to start.  

2) We also cry "irritant tears," which means we well up when a foreign particle gets in our eye. Over-the-counter drops can help. What's the last thing you bought at the drugstore?  A prescription.  Was it a medication (OTC or prescription) or something else entirely?  As mentioned, it was a prescription.  It was a free generic so not sure it counts since I didn't "buy" it.

3) TV actresses have played a big part in Lenny Kravitz's life. His mother was Roxie Roker, who played the neighbor Helen on The Jeffersons. His wife (and the inspiration for this song) was Lisa Bonet, who played one of the daughters on The Cosby Show. Their daughter, Zoe Kravitz, appeared in the HBO series Big Little Lies. What TV series do you never tire of, and could watch again and again?  I mention "Somebody Feed Phil" often but I have also been stuck on "Barnwood Builders" lately.  I hope "Virgin River" comes back for another season.

4) Thinking of Big Little Lies ... Zoe Kravitz co-starred with Nicole Kidman. Shortly after Kidman divorced Tom Cruise, she dated Lenny Kravitz. Have you ever been curious about a partner's past love?  No, not the way this is implied.  Joe's first wife died from a brain tumor. I never felt threatened by her memory.  She loved her boys and so do I.  She and Joe were married for 24 years.  I was blessed to have him for 36.

5) Lenny Kravitz and Today Show weatherman Al Roker are second cousins (their grandfathers were brothers). Do you turn to a TV weatherman for the forecast?  No. Or do you check a website or app? I have The Weather Channel app on my phone and it alerts me to bad weather.

6) Also a talented photographer, Lenny's work has been displayed at the Leica Gallery in Wetzlar, Germany. What's the most recent photo you took?  I posted them on yesterday's blog!!

7) In 1991, when this song was popular, Murray Bicycles were the top seller among the younger set. Popularity is fleeting, though. By 2004, the company filed for bankruptcy and no longer produces bicycles. Was your bike a big part of your summer when you were a kid?  It really wasn't that big because we liked hiking in the woods along the Ohio/Erie Canal towpath and walking along the railroad track.  We couldn't ride there!  I am from a very small town.  By the time you would get your bike out, you could almost walk to town and be back home.

8) Also in 1991, Gene Roddenberry died. Mr. Roddenberry is best known as the creator of Star Trek. Who's your favorite Star Trek character?  I have never watched one episode of Star Trek. I have no idea which character would be a favorite.

9) Random Question: How do you think your high school classmates remember you?  In that small town mentioned above... my senior class had 47 graduates.  I am still in touch with many of my classmates, some just on Facebook but I still see some of my good friends from school at least every few years.  We had a good class and most of my closest friends were in the band with me.  Good times.  I hope I am remembered fondly!!

 

Peace & Hugs!

Awake my soul and sing, of Him who died for thee 

And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Friday Fotos...

We had yet another cookout at work this week.  We have a few new employees working out of our Education Center.  Callie is the new Youth Camp Director and she has hired three part-time people to work with her this summer.  She supplied the food this time and invited us, from the Field Office, and staff from the Welcome Center.  It was fun to meet the three new "kids" who will be working with the kids who will be attending the (day) camps.  There are over 80 kids registered for the first week which starts on Monday.  Anyway... after we ate and people were heading back to the office, I walked down to Derby Lake to take pictures from a different dock.

Pappa Osprey caught a fish and was waiting for it to die.  

He took it to the nest for the babies. We watched him

fly up there with the fish in his claws.

Looking toward the picnic pavilion and restrooms.

I didn't ask permission so hope it is okay for me to share this and brag about the terrific work my BFF Elaine did!  From a picture of her son's dog, she created the wall-hanging rug.  I am so impressed by her creativity and I'm sure her son will love this gift!  Well done!!

The Mas Verde dinner group went to Miller's Ale House last night.  I hadn't been for two weeks because of my cold.  It was good to catch up with Larry & Sharon and Tim & Judy.  Only five of us right now. Missing our snowbird friends.

Peace & Hugs!

I can only imagine...

Whimsical Fashion Spree 2023

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and pick the shoes the model should wear with it.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing.

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams & Beauty.

I saw this sweet dress and wanted to share it today.  She will have to change shoes so count down 1-2-3 and tell us which pair you think she should choose.  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  Well, I think she should just wear the sneakers she has on but for the sake of beauty, I will choose pair #1 for the dress.  What do you think?

Peace & Hugs!

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; 

I'd rather be His than have riches untold; 

I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. 

I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand...

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Thanks to Joyce for today's questions!  You can be a Hodgepodger HERE!! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 509

1. Hello Summer! In the northern hemisphere anyway. What's something on your summer bucket list? Do you have an actual summer bucket list? If not, use your hypothetical list.  I don't have a summer bucket list. I guess I could say to just stay inside where the AC is working!!  My sister, Tammy, might be coming for a visit in August!  I'm hoping that happens!!

2. What for you is the defining scent of summer?  Fresh-cut grass and chlorine.

3. What's a (music, food, wine, or flower) festival happening in your part of the country that you would like to attend if tickets/travel/timing was no object?  Here in Florida, even the Saturday Farmer's Market takes a break in the summer.  It is too dadgum hot to be outside doing anything.  Locals don't go to Disney!!    

4. Apparently a military whistle-blower claims the US has a UFO retrieval program. What say you? Do you believe aliens are out there?  I've never seen a UFO, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is other intelligent life out there somewhere.  I don't want to find an alien at my door though! 

5. Besides your wedding day and the birthdays of any children you may have, what are three of your top experiences in life?  Graduating Magna Cum Laude from college in 2002, at age 50; moving to Florida in 1989; going to Italy with Joe in 2007.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I've been watching "Barnwood Builders" on TV and now I want to live in a 200-year-old cabin with a sweet little spring/brook in my backyard, located somewhere in a holler in West Virginia!!  Maybe South Carolina would be better since I don't want to deal with snow!  LOL

Peace & Hugs!

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus...

The Tuesday 4...

Thank you, Annie, for today's questions!  Y'all can join in HERE! 

Personal Snapshot

 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we try to get you talking, thinking, and making new friends while you get to know old friends better.

Today is a hodgepodge of questions for you to ponder:

1.  What TV programs that everyone else loved/loves did/do you dislike and why? Conversely, what program did you love while everyone else thought it was awful? (or maybe a song, book..etc).

Gosh, I don't really know.  I watch a lot of TV and don't know what other people do or don't like.  I sing the praises of "Somebody Feed Phil" and know some folks love it and others could care less.  I don't watch sports anymore, since Joe died.  Not that I don't like watching sports, I just don't like watching them without Joe because he made it fun.  I liked "Walking Dead" the first two or three seasons and then got tired of it.  I loved "Game of Thrones" and many didn't.  Lots of people love "Yellowstone" and I have tried three times to get past the third episode.  Not trying again.

2   Do you resent serving without thanks or see a higher purpose behind it?  I don't help people for thanks, nor do I feel pumped up because of it.  We are to love our neighbors and I help when I can.  I prefer anonymity when possible.

3.  What flavor of ice cream is your favorite and how do you like it served? (Sunday, Blizzard, cone, dish?) What toppings make your day?  I like anything with chocolate, caramel, or toffee in the name and will eat it however it is served.  I will say if it's in a cone, there aren't any dishes to do!!  LOL

4. How many pairs of shoes do you own?  I counted 31 but more than half are sandals and/or Crocs.  How many handbags? There are now 15.  I donated 10 or so and threw away two just a week ago.  Do you use/wear them all?  Yes. Should you weed them out?  I did just weed out my purses.  If the footwear hurts my feet, they get tossed or returned.  Stores don't carry my size so I need to order them.  I have big feet (can't put a castle on a foundation only fit for a chicken coop!) and shoes are hard to find.  Size 12 wide.

Peace & Hugs!

This is my Father's world:

He shines in all that's fair;

In the rustling grass, I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

I don't have much to report.  I had lunch with my friend, Shirley on Friday.  We went to Fish City Grill and enjoyed our food and the visit.  She is excited that her son has purchased a home here in Lakeland.  He is back in Texas, packing up the apartment he has lived in for the last 20+ years. She said he will be moving in at the end of July.

On Saturday, I slept in and got up with good intentions to clean my house.  Nothing got done last week while I was sick.  I was so tired and still coughing and blowing so I gave up on trying to do any cleaning.  My church did a fundraiser for our kids' mission trip to Jamaica coming up next month.  It was a box BBQ dinner drive-through.  I purchased my ticket a couple of weeks ago so got myself into the car and off I went to get my dinner.  A quarter chicken, baked beans, potato salad, a brownie, and a beverage.  It sure tasted good and was so off my low-carb diet.  I ate it all.

At church yesterday, they announced that they sold over 100 meals and made a bit over $3,000 with ticket sales and donations.  Great effort!  When I got home I did my laundry and pretty much nothing else but I do feel better and think a corner has been turned with this cold.

Off to work and I'm happy to be back to my normal schedule. Nothing special on my calendar until Friday.  That gives me afternoons to get some cleaning done!!  I'm having lunch with my friend/cat sitter Mary Jane after work on Friday.  It will be good to catch up with her.

Wishing you a good week ahead!

Peace & hugs!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow...

Sunday Stealing...

Thanks to our hostess, Bev Sykes, for today's questions!!  Join in HERE!

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and was published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves

Stolen from SwapBot

1) What is your favorite way to spend a lazy day? No alarm clock and nothing on the calendar. Just puttering around or doing nothing.

2) What do you look forward to every week? Since I started working again, I look forward to the weekends!

3) Name three pet peeves you currently have. People who are always late; drivers who don't know what they are doing or where they are going; a dirty house.

4) If you were to win an all-expense paid vacation for two weeks to anywhere in the world, where would you choose to go? Scotland. What are some of the things you would like to experience while you were there? How the locals live and where my ancestors came from.

5) What was one of your favorite toys as a kid? I liked my books. Did you save any special things from your childhood that you still have today? I had a younger brother and two younger sisters... everything got passed down and is long gone.

6) What is your favorite holiday? Christmas is still #1 but closely followed by Thanksgiving. What is your least favorite holiday? Halloween. I don't "play" anymore.

7) Have you ever met anyone famous? Yes. What concerts have you attended? I'm not a concert lover but Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass; Bette Midler; Gallagher (is that considered a concert?). Probably a few others that I don't recall. Not a big thing for me.

8) Are there any expressions that people use that really annoy you? Only if they keep repeating it... If so, what are they? You know; um; and...

9) Do you like your name? It's okay. Are you named after anyone? My middle name is from my great-grandma. Is there a story about how you got your name? No. Would you change it if you could? Not now, in my 70s. If so, what name would you give yourself? My dad wanted to name me Paula. I like Paula better than Teresa. Terri is okay. Not sure where Teresa came from.

10) It is said that it's the little things that make life worth living. Name five of those little things in your life. Coffee in the morning; favorite things in the BOGO bins at the grocery; a full tank of gasoline... (I can name BIGGER ones, but those are little ones.)

Thanks for your visit!!

Peace & hugs!

So put Your hope in God alone 

Take courage in His power to save 

Completely and forever won 

By Christ emerging from the grave

Saturday 9...

 Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!  You can join in HERE!

Beautiful Boy

Welcome to Saturday 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so to speak. We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Beautiful Boy (1980)

This song was chosen in honor of Father's Day. Hear it here.

1) Paul McCartney has said that "Beautiful Boy" is one of his favorite John Lennon solo songs. What's yours? (This link will take you to his greatest hits.)  I love "Beautiful Boy" and also "Woman".

2) Lennon wrote this for his son, Sean. Father and son share an October 9 birthday. Does anyone in your life share your birthday?  Nope. 

3) John asks Sean to take his hand before they cross the street. Name another song that references holding hands.  The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand".

4) Today Sean Lennon is in his late 40s. He lives in Greenwich Village, creating art and music from his elaborate home-based music and film studio. Are you into the latest in electronics?  Not the latest and greatest but I can't imagine life without my cellphone, smart TV, computer, and Kindle Fire.

5) In Thailand, Father's Day is observed on the birthday of the current King. Are you celebrating any birthdays this month?  Both of my sisters, my son Jeff and my niece Sara.  My grandma also had a June birthday.  Several friends also celebrate in June.

6) Crazy Sam vividly remembers her long-ago high school days when her father gave her driving lessons. Do you consider yourself a good driver?   Yes, I do, and my driver's license even says "Safe Driver".

7) Sam's dad is a stickler about car maintenance and reminds Sam to change her air filter regularly so her a/c and heater can run efficiently. Share a car maintenance tip.  Keep the oil changed, the tires inflated, the fluids filled, and change the filters!!

8) When he fills up the car, Sam's father also stocks up on his favorite candy: Life Savers. He always has a bag in the glove compartment. What's something you don't leave home without?  My purse!! In it you will find gum, cough drops, sanitizer, an old mask folded up, my wallet, chargers, bandaids... everything but the kitchen sink (as Joe would say).

9) Random Question: How long can you go without checking your phone?  I can go all day, actually, and do sometimes.  I miss notifications, and phone calls, and then see them at bedtime when it is too late to respond.  I don't carry my phone around the house with me and don't always hear it from another room.

Peace & Hugs!!

This is my Father's world 

Why should my heart be sad? 

The Lord is King, let the heavens ring 

God reigns; let earth be glad...