The Wednesday Hodgepodge ...

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

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 562

1. What is a childhood habit or preference you will never outgrow?  Childhood was a very long time ago.  I don't suck my thumb anymore but I do still love cheese, cheese on pasta, cheese on broccoli, cheese on cauliflower, grilled cheese, crackers and cheese, and cheeseburgers...  My granny always had a brick of cheddar in her fridge when I visited and there was always cheese at home.  Then I married an Italian and learned about ricotta, mozzarella, provolone...

2. Did you know July is beans month?  I did not know that.  What's your favorite bean?  I love beans and a favorite would have to be a toss-up between black beans and kidney beans.  Your favorite recipe that calls for beans?  I don't use a recipe for chili, ham and navy beans, or yellow rice with chicken and black beans, but those are my favorites.  When it comes to chili are you team beans or team no beans?   Definitely pro-beans!

3. Some historical figures have a tagline after their name, something like 'the brave' or 'the wise' or 'the mad'...what would your tagline be?  The Tired; The Plump; The Lazy...  Explain why?  No need to explain (giggle).

4. The way to my heart is laughter and love. 

5.  The calendar rolls into August this week, but before we go give us four adjectives that describe your July.  Hot. Humid. Blessed. Long.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I've been airline shopping for my trip to Ohio in September. There are no straight-through flights anymore.  Granted, this is the first time I will have flown since before covid but every flight/airline includes a layover in (get this) Miami, Atlanta, New York.   Atlanta I understand, but Miami or New York?  Look at a map!!  Good grief!  Reminds me why I hate flying.   I even looked into Amtrak but trains don't get closer than 4 hours to my Ohio destination.  The worst thing done in this country was tearing up railroad tracks. Rant over. Sigh. It's a hard two-day drive by myself and I'm too old for that now.

Peace and Hugs!

… Up, up and away in

My beautiful, my beautiful balloon

… The world's a nicer place in my beautiful balloon

It wears a nicer face in my beautiful balloon

We can sing a song and sail along the silver sky

For we can fly, we can fly

The Tuesday 4...

 Thanks to Annie for today's Tuesday 4!  You can join the fun HERE!

Painting With Tom Sawyer

Norman Rockwell's Whitewashing the Fence

Well, we are on the doorstep of August. How do you like that?   A lot of Tom Sawyers' adventures take place in the summer like whitewashing Aunt Polly's fence.

Hannibal, Missouri has fence painting contests in July, and July 4th is National Tom Sawyer Day there.  They have a parade, carnival,  fireworks, and a general good time is had by all it seems.

So here is another set of questions for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  I hope you enjoy them.

1. What special things happen around you in summer? If nothing, have you ever considered organizing something?  When the grandkids were younger, they would come in the summer and stay a couple of weeks with us.  That was always fun.  We don't have little ones anymore and the adults know to stay away in the summer.  It's too darn hot.  Late September and October (through April, actually) are much more pleasant times for visiting and sightseeing.  

2. Tom hated painting. But on the subject of painting, what color is your house? White, with black shutters (vinyl siding).  Your living room? A buttery tan.  Your bedroom?  White.  Thinking of changing anything?  Yes.  I'm thinking of changing my white kitchen to dove gray.  Haven't gotten farther than that!

3. Were your childhood summers carefree and did you have any adventures or chores like Tom did?  They were carefree, but I did have babysitting chores.  I was the oldest of four and both of my parents worked full-time.  I did some of the cleaning and helped get dinner going... There was still time for climbing trees and making up adventures.  Our small town was safe and everyone in town knew everyone else. We had to stay out of trouble!!

4. Did you ever help paint a house or a fence or anything at all?  How did that go?  I'm a good painter.  Joe and I painted the outside of our first house here in Lakeland and I painted every room inside.  I will hire it done now.  Too old for ladders.

Peace and Hugs!

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Recap on Monday...

 Another weekend sped by and August is just ahead.  Good golly!

I had lunch with my friend, Shirley, on Friday, after work.  We went to Cheddar's and had some good food and good conversation.  You might remember that her son moved to Lakeland several months ago.  He bought a house five or six miles from Shirley's home.  She sees him once or twice a week and he goes to church with her on Sundays.  I'm so happy for her that he is here.  She told me he bought some new furniture for his living room and she had to go see what he bought.  She approved.  Shirley will be 88 in September.   This was on her birthday last year...

I had no place to go on Saturday so used the time to scrub my bathroom, clean the litter box that lives in my bathroom, washed the throw rugs from my bathroom, and went ahead and changed the sheets on my bed.  Some of you may have seen this photo on Facebook, but here it is again.  I said that "the struggle is real..."  Casper had to help me.

After church yesterday, I went to lunch at Chili's with friends from church, Pam and Walt.  We haven't socialized before, other than chatting at church.  It was so nice talking with them and learning more about them.  They aren't in our small group, but Walt is one of our Deacons and  Pam teaches the little kids for Sunday school.  They have four grown kids and a few grandkids now.  Our Sunday school takes off when the schools are off for the summer.  We start back this coming Sunday.

I did laundry when I got home from lunch.  I'm still enjoying Expedition Bible on YouTube, with Joel P. Kramer.  Science ties in with the Bible through archeological evidence.  Fascinating!

My week ahead is open so far, other than work in the mornings.  I have Megan's wedding shower on Saturday.  She is marrying my nephew, Mike, and I am going to Ohio for the wedding in September.  The shower is at her parents' house, northeast of Orlando.  It will take me a couple of hours to get there.  I'm happy to have been invited!  She had a shower in Ohio that my sister got to attend.  They are a cute couple...

Thanks for stopping by!!  Peace and hugs!

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!

The Saturday 9...

 Thank you to Sam Winters for today's questions!  You can join in by clicking HERE!

Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)

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: Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You) 1969

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

1) In this song, Liza Minnelli acknowledges that she may be "taking a terrible chance." Have you done anything risky lately?  Not that I can think of in this moment.

2) In 1969, when Liza recorded this song, she was 23 and her career was really beginning to take off. She was a sought-after guest on TV talk and variety shows and received her first Oscar nomination. Give us a quick overview of your life at 23.  Married for four years and my husband (back then) had finished college on the GI Bill and started working full-time as an IRS Agent.  We lived in Huron, Ohio, and worked in Sandusky, Ohio (on Lake Erie).  I did accounts payable for a small, family-owned, wholesale plumbing and electrical supplier.  This was the first house we purchased, on the left, and Lake Erie at the end of our street.  It was COLD in the winter!!  He got promoted and we moved to the Washington DC area in 1977. 

3) Also in 1969, the first Gap store was opened in San Francisco. What have you recently added to your wardrobe? If yes, where did you buy it?  I found two Kim Rogers t-shirt tops at Belk, and they were on sale for $11.99 each.  

4) Liza says she always has apple juice in her refrigerator. What's something you're certain to have in your frig?  Eggs, cheese, milk, butter...

5) Liza's favorite card game is poker. What's yours?  I'm not an avid game player, but I enjoy Hand & Foot, Eucher, and the Aggravation game played with two decks of cards and a marble chase-around board.

6) Though Liza recorded the song in 1969, "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" was written way back in 1931. It has been recorded more than 50 times by artists as diverse as Bing Crosby, Andy Gibb and Bob Dylan. Before today, had you heard it?  I have heard it before. I listen to the Sirius 40s station and the Sinatra station often.  I don't think I've ever heard Liza's version.

7) "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" is credited to Bert Kalmer and his partner, Harry Ruby. Another one of their hits was "Who's Sorry Now?" Do you owe anyone an apology?  Not that I can think of.  If I do, I'm sorry!!

8) Together they also wrote "Hooray for Captain Spaulding," sung onscreen by Groucho Marx in the movie Animal Crackers. There were five Marx Brothers in all. How many can you name?  Groucho, Chico, and Harpo.  I had to look up Zeppo and Gummo.

9) Random question: Do you believe talking to plants helps them grow?  I kill plants before they are ever big enough to have a conversation with me.  Haha!  I have heard that music is good for them, so a soft voice might also help them stay happy and grow.

Not me, ever!

---------------------------

Peace and Hugs!

“Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. 
The harvest can either be flowers or weeds.” — William Wordsworth

A 'Currently' on Friday...

 I have no new photos for Friday Fotos so I will use a few of the "Currently" prompts instead...

Currently...

Outside my window, it is getting ready to rain again.  We have rain every evening these days for 20-30 minutes.

I'm enjoying a new detective show on Britbox called Grace.  Roy Grace is the detective.  It's pretty good and there are four seasons.

I'm grateful for my family and friends, always.

I'm loving Kroger groceries delivered!  Twice this month!  Got a delivery yesterday!

In the kitchen I am keeping my pantry organized after the four-hour cleaning a week ago!  So far, so good.

A thought...  I've been window/computer shopping for dresses lately, thinking about what to wear to my nephew's wedding in September.  I really hate wearing a dress so my thoughts are leaning toward a nice outfit with pants. Palazzos seem to be making a comeback... any advice?

A giggle...

Peace and Hugs!!

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Whimsical Fashion Fun...

 

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

Check out the dress and help her decide which shoes to choose.

It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty!

It's purple.  Need I say more?  How about the beautiful way the fabric drapes.  I saw this one and had to share it!!  Count down on the shoes 1-2-3 and tell us which ones you like best for this gown!  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  It's purple!  I really like this dress, even though I could never wear it now.  Maybe 30 years ago!!  I am choosing #3 this week because they look the most comfortable. I like #1 the best, I think, but that pointed toe looks extreme to me!  What are your thoughts?  

Peace and hugs!

The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

The Lord God made them all.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is all Relative today...

 Thank you, Joyce, for today's questions!  Y'all can be Hodgepodgers by clicking HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 561

1. The Olympics kick off this coming weekend. Will you be watching? If you could watch just one event in person, which one would you choose?  I will be watching in bits and pieces.  I enjoy the women's gymnastics, the swimming, and the diving. I think I would enjoy watching the diving in person.  Not much into the runners or any of the other sports.  I appreciate the time and talent (and used to run track in high school) but I prefer the Winter Olympics over the summer events.

2. Have you ever been to Paris? Is this a city you'd like to visit? What's your favorite 'French thing'?  I have never been to Paris and it is waaaay down on my list of places I'd like to go.  My favorite French thing is a bowl of French Onion Soup!  LOL

3. Macaron, creme brulee, chocolate soufle, mille feuille, or an eclair...your favorite French patisserie from the ones listed?  I wouldn't turn any of those down but my favorite is definitely creme brulee!!

4. July 24th is National Cousins Day...do you have many cousins? Are you close to them? Will you see any of your cousins on July 24th?  My two first cousins both died of cancer many years ago.  I have a lot of 2nd cousins on my mom's side of the family but have lost too many of them as well.

In 2017:  Tysa, Vicki (died), me, and Lana (died)
Tysa is my youngest sister's age.  Lana and Vicki (one & two years older than me) gave me their hand-me-downs when we were younger.  I always looked forward to getting a bag or box full of new-to-me outfits! Then I got taller...

Cousin beach reunion in 2015.  Check the row standing and the first four loved ones are gone (Lana, Joe, Jim, and Vicki).  So glad we had that week together!!

Same beach gathering.  Lana, me, Jim, Vicki, and Pam.  

This is my mom's maternal side of the family, 

gathering at my grandma's house many years ago.

I took the picture and that's Joe first on the left, back row.

I couldn't find more current photos of my two first cousins, but here we are many years ago.  Tom, Peggy, me, and Aunt Phyllis.  Tom and Peg both died of cancer.  My dad's sister, Aunt Phyl, has been gone for many years.

After TMI for my readers (sorry - I went down memory lane), I won't be seeing any of my cousins today.  Tysa is the closest and she is two hours away and just moving into a new house.  She and her hubby are raising three of their grandchildren and needed some more room.

5.  Last time you went somewhere that felt like 'everyone and his cousin' was there?  That 70th birthday party I was at last Saturday!! Bob and Ginny have a BIG family and there were a lot of people (kids included)!  It was a fun crowd full of siblings and cousins.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I was blessed to grow up with cousins who were more like siblings and we had family reunions and get-togethers often. I miss that.  I wish there were more photos of those days.  No cell phones or digital anything back then.  Cameras with film were cumbersome and no one wanted to carry one around or be responsible.  The memories are tucked away safely in my heart, though!

Peace and Hugs!

  Will the circle be unbroken

   Bye and bye Lord bye and bye

   There’s a better home a waiting

   In the sky Lord in the sky

Tuesday 4...

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

Great Architecture

 

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. She would be delighted you are here to join in and so am I.

The photo to the right is the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey.  It is the largest cathedral outside Europe. Not only is it beautiful inside and out but has a magnificent pipe organ Its cornerstone was laid in 1899.

As buildings go she is a masterpiece of great workmanship.

1. What are some beautiful buildings in your neck of the woods?  There are beautiful homes in a couple of the more affluent areas in Lakeland but no castles or ancient masterpieces.  We have The Lake Morton Historic District, with lovely 1920s Craftsman-style homes.

And, we have THE largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings in one place - Florida Southern College.  The man himself was here directing the builds back in the 30s. Check out this LINK for photos and more information. I always include the campus when touring visitors...

Me, Frank, and Myra (Mevely - Respice, Prospice)

Barbara (My Journal Memories) in the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel

2.  What buildings of renown have you experienced or would like to experience? The Louvre? Maybe Versailles? Things closer to home perhaps?  I got my fill in Italy and can bask in the memories for the rest of my life.  

3.  What do you think of the current trends in modern buildings?  I prefer older buildings but some modern structures can be breathtaking.  This is Lakeland's Florida Polytechnic University, designed by Santiago Calatrava. 

4. If you could choose any style of home you would like, what would it be? Victorian, Farm House, Craftsmen, Ranch, Georgian, Tudor, Cape Cod?  Farmhouse, Craftsman, Ranch, or Cape Cod. Victorian, Georgian, and Tudor are a bit too foo-foo for my taste, though certainly lovely. I prefer more simple designs.

Peace and Hugs!

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,

Soldiers of the cross.

Monday's Weekend Recap Time...

 

It was a nice weekend, just past!!

I was invited to dinner at Mike and Mary Ellen's house on Friday evening.  We have been friends for over 25 years.  They were part of a dinner group from my old church, Resurrection Catholic, and we three are the only ones still around town.  You might remember that they were at my house for Easter this year.  I cropped them out of the Easter photo since I didn't take any pictures Friday...

They have been spending lots of time in Pennsylvania.  It's been a tough couple of years with their parents (all in their 90s) passing away and/or needing extra care.  They left again after Easter and are just back in the last two weeks.  They are blessed to be able to "work from home" while they travel.  

On Saturday, I found myself back in my old neighborhood for my former neighbor's 70th birthday party.  Bob and Ginny were our neighbors for 21 years before we moved to Mas Verde.  They have lots of family in Lakeland and close by so it's nice that they include me as part of the family.

There was lots of good food.  I made pasta salad to contribute to the feast. I don't have a picture of the birthday cake, but it was well done by Publix!

The birthday boy, Bob...

Their pool was the popular spot after everyone ate.  I stayed a couple of hours and headed home about the time they were going to FaceTime with family stationed in Hawaii.  Good people!  

The friends I have who also knew Joe make my heart feel hugged.  New friends who didn't know Joe are wonderful, but those who also knew my Joe are extra special to me (that includes Mike and Mary Ellen).

This was our pool (and our cat, Onyx), and you can see Bob and Ginny's house next door (tan)...

I went to church yesterday.  Did the laundry when I got home and did little else.  Should have done some cleaning, but I didn't.  There isn't much going on this week, so I will get some cleaning done, after work, here and there!  LOL

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you a blessed week ahead!

Peace and Hugs!

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The Saturday 9...

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

Disco Duck

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: Disco Duck (1976)

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

1) In this song, Rick Dees begins by describing a party where he can't resist that disco beat. What's the last party you attended? Was there dancing?  It was my friend, GInny's retirement party a few months ago.  No dancing.

2) While this record was a massive international hit in 1976, it got off to an inauspicious start. Rick Dees said it took him less than a day to write the song, and more than three months to convince anyone to let him record it. Tell us about a time you were tempted to give up, but were glad you didn't.  I don't give up on things easily.  I really can't think of a time I was tempted to give up but didn't. 

3) In the hit movie Saturday Night Fever, students are briefly seen learning to dance to "Disco Duck." Can you name another song from Saturday Night Fever?  Stayin' Alive.  How Deep Is Your Love.

4) Dees was already a top disc jockey in Memphis when "Disco Duck" was released. With the record's success, his radio career soared and he got a better job reaching a greater audience at a radio station in Los Angeles. Are there any disc jockeys you loyally listened to every day?  I can't think of any.  I did watch WKRP In Cincinnati every week when it was on TV so maybe Dr. Johnny Fever!!  

5) After more than 20 years, Rick lost his regular radio slot to Ryan Seacrest. But he still shares "the hottest music on the planet" through the Rick Dees Hit Music app (available at the Apple App Store or Google Play). What app have you recently downloaded to your phone?  I really don't remember.  I don't download apps very often.

6) He used his favorite radio format to create a cookbook called Rick Dees All-Time Top 40 Greatest Desserts. If you could finish a delicious meal with the dessert of your choice, anything at all, what would you order?  Coconut custard or coconut cream pie. Yum.

7) In 1976, when "Disco Duck" was a hit, The Bionic Woman premiered on ABC. Because of her "bionic parts," Jamie Summers could run super fast, had super-sensitive hearing, and super-human strength. If you could have one of those qualities enhanced -- speed, hearing or strength -- which would you choose?  Strength, I guess, at my age!! 

8) Also in 1976, like this year, the world got together for The Summer Olympics. Will you be following the international competition?  I will!! I love the gymnastics, especially.

9) Random question: You're bone tired, exhausted, and you have an early day tomorrow. As you wash your face and brush your teeth before bed, one of the two bulbs in the bathroom fixture goes out. Do you 1) change the bulb before bed or 2) promise yourself to do it in a hurry tomorrow as you're rushing around in the morning or 3) decide you can live with one bulb for a while, go to bed, and replace the burned-out bulb when you get around it?  #3 as long as there was another bulb for light, I'll get to it when I can.  There is one out in my bedroom right now and I noticed it a couple of weeks ago.  LOL

Peace and Hugs!

Many in darkness are far astray,
Carry the light, carry the light,
Spreading the beams of the Gospel day,
Carry the beautiful light;

A Few Friday Fotos...

 

I snapped a few photos this week.  Not much but here they are...

Southside Cleaners wisdom...

And just the next day, a new message...

This is Lake Hunter.  I drive past it every day on the way to work.  

This was last night, on my way home from dinner with the 

Mas Verde group.  The sky was so pretty...

And another view of that sky last night...

How about this lazy Vinny cat on my bed...

Peace and hugs!

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In his presence daily live.

Whimsical Fashion Fun...

 

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

Check out the dress and tell us which shoes she should choose.

It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty

A vintage look always grabs my attention, but everything old is new again!!  Which shoes do you choose for this dress?  Count down 1-2-3 and let us know!

My thoughts:  I would wear this dress if I was younger and thinner and had a place to go while wearing it!  I think I'll pick pair #2.  What are your thoughts?

Peace and Hugs!

                                                    I need Thee, O I need Thee!

                                                        Ev’ry hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Saviour!

I come to Thee.