I am the only Tigger and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends,

It is Wednesday, that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

1. What was the last thing you celebrated?  

 

 Our wedding anniversary and your youngest son's birthday.

 

 

  

 2 July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what's the first  person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind?

 "The wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tiggers are wonderful things! Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs!"

  Tigger of Winnie the Pooh, he is a favorite of mine. 

  3. The expression 'eye of the tiger' describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to?  

I am focusing on the garden harvest right now. We process most of our garden goodness for winter eating and I will soon be in the thick of it.

  4. What was the last meal you cooked? 

I made a salmon dish last Friday.  

5. Describe your July using exactly five words.  

 America ~ celebrating the 250!!

Hot ~ Wisconsin has been in a heat wave for most of the month.

Smoke ~ wildfire smoke made things interesting.

 Garden ~ keeping the garden watered and tended. 

Praying ~  our military son was away for training.

  6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We do not receive many messages  from our military son often during training. We did receive a message after a nasty storm rolled through, with a photo and the following ...

"Hanging in there."   

 

 

Let Freedom Ring

 

 

Happy Birthday, USA!

♪♫♪ From The Mountains, To The Prairies, To The Oceans, White With Foam ♪♫♪

God Bless America

 

Eternal Vigilance Is The Price of Liberty.

Thomas U.P. Charlton

 

  And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea. 

 ♥

Carla 

Happy Birthday America and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

It is Wednesday, that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. What do you love most about your country? 

I live in the USA.  I love the spirit American's have to go help. No matter the situation, you will find everyday American's go help.

An example:

Steve Svendsen is a local pastor. He was stuck in Haiti when the country collapsed in 2024. He was rescued by regular citizens. Below is a snip-it of  an article written by Ruth Erickson a local journalist. 

 

The Rev. Steven Svendsen, a local pastor who spent Feb. 26-March 10 teaching at the Haiti Bible Institute in Haiti, only to find no way out of the country when hoping to depart a week ago due to an uprising of gang violence, arrived back on American soil on Sunday.

"Thanks for all the praying and encouragement, friends," Svendsen posted about 5:30 p.m. Sunday. "Thank you Mercury One and Congressman Cory Mills for a heroic rescue. I'm back in the USA. I have been in three countries today. There is no place like home. We have it really good here."

 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

The Star-Spangled Banner 

 

 3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

I am a big fan of blue. I have a lot of blue decorations. Our home has blue trim. 

My husband and I have T-shirts for the big 250th birthday that are red, white and blue. And has stars. 

 

 

 4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

 

We are planning on having more adventures.  

We will have our annual family gathering in August, we spend several days together at the farm. We have the opportunity to have fun, rest, find adventure, connect with each other after not seeing each other for a long while. 

 

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid?  

 

I loved swimming. We would head to the lake and go swimming weekly, sometimes daily. If we did not make it to the lake, we would go down to the river to swim.

I no longer swim as much as I use to do. Mostly, because I have to travel. When I was a kid, the river was in the backyard.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 
 

 

Here is to the Red, White and Blue and the Hodgepodge

 

A red, white and blue pot along our daily walk. I snapped this photo last year. We are just starting to plant out our flowers. Last week we dipped down to 35 degrees, but I think we are finally going to be frost free... fingers and toes crossed, this is Wisconsin.

 I too have gotten in the red, white and blue spirit for America's big birthday.  My planters are just getting started, I will share them with you soon.

On to the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names? 

 Yes, I like my name. My middle name is Jane, that is the same as my grandma Vida. She was Vida Jane and I am Carla Jane.

We are blessed to have two boys.

Our first son, Samuel Charles. Samuel is named after my grandpa Samuel. And his middle name is after my father.

Atticus Roy is our second son. I will let you guess where the name Atticus came from and Roy was my grandpa Lepke's first name.

 2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

I will have a slice of blueberry pie please.

I would pick strawberry shortcake as my second red, white or blue dessert.

  3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day? 

I would like to be a Lineman for a day. I think it is fascinating how it all works, not that I really understand it all, keeping our power grid going in all weather. 

I am sure there is a rush of energy that comes when they are called out after a storm to get that grid back up and running. 

 4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer? 

Yes, I have our front deck all decked out in red, white and blue. I am just waiting for the flowers to bloom a bit for photos. 

Our American flag is flying proudly and I have some small flags in my pots. 

It is a big birthday for America!!

We are ready to celebrate!!

 5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  

Mother's day fun,

Amongst the busy of spring,

Yes, said years ago, brings a little boys birthday cheer too. 

 I am not good at this.. Hee Hee...

We started our May with  Mother's Day. We are full of spring garden clean up and planting.  We celebrate our youngest son's birthday and on May 31st is our wedding anniversary. 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

From Columnist Harvey Mackay

Time is free, but it is priceless.

You can't own it, but you can use it.

You can't keep it, but you can spend it.

Once you have lost it, you can never get it back.

 

 

 

Memorial Day 2026

 

Hello Friends,

I am sharing a post I wrote in 2024. 

It is a good reminder to read about the bravery of our men and women. 

This is a story about a World War II soldier from Wisconsin. 

Enjoy...  

Today I am going to share a story I read in our Wisconsin Outdoor News. The author of the story is Dean Bortz. 

The Wisconsin Outdoor News 2023 Person of the Year, Rueben Kolpack. He is 103 years old and is the oldest licensed Wisconsin deer hunter.

Oh he has many milestones, I will share a few with you..

World War II soldier.

Recipient of the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Purple Heart, African/European Medal, Victory Medal, and a Belgian medal on the recommendation of the French government.

Married 77 years to his wife, Lucille, who passed away in March at age 97, just five days short of her 98th birthday.

Father to six children.

 Successful farmer.

 

 

I want to share a few things from the article that Rueben shared.

Rueben grew up speaking German. While he was at basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas an officer asked if anyone could speak German. Once Uncle Sam figured out Kolpack could speak German, he was sent to radio school and then to the 2nd Armored Division where he was a radio operator and interpreter in a tank battery.

It was a tough duty. He saw a lot of things he'd rather not have had to witness - the huge cost of human lives on the beach of Normandy, the tank ahead of him getting blown to bits by a German Tiger tank and its 88 mm cannon.

"If it weren't for the grace of God, I wouldn't be here today. It was a miracle anyone survived the mortar attack where I was wounded. The stronghold was just 200 yards away on the ridge above us. Those mortar rounds just kept landing around us and the command tank. When people say there isn't a God, they're lying to themselves.

He was struck by a mortar that damaged his right leg. He spent four months in the hospital and was not fully recovered when he was forced back into war for the Battle of the Bulge because of losses in his unit.  

 ♥ ♥ ♥

 

 

Thankful November and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Welcome Home 157th ... July 2023 Deployment Djibouti, Africa

Thank you Veterans!!

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge. 

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

I grew up with patriotism in my heart. My family has served in the military. Our family history defending our freedoms can be traced back to the Civil War, World War One, World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, War on Terror and today's current conflicts.

We love our country, we love freedom and we will do our best to defend freedom.  

A photo and text "Hi Mom"  from our son during a his month deployment to Fort Polk. 

 2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

 October

October in Wisconsin is full of color. The weather is usually very nice for autumn hiking and exploring. The garden harvest is finishing up, it is a month full of good eats.

 3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

I am on a Gordon Lightfoot kick right now, Thank you for the Promises. 

 

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

Oh yes I am a fan.

I love peanut butter and chocolate. 

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. 

  5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

Our oldest son was able to purchase his first house.

 

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone on many...

William Bradford

  

 

Veteran's Day 2025

 

I found this book several years ago. It is so powerful. I encourage you to read it. 
It is a children's book, it is so well done to bring the meaning of each veteran's gift of freedom to us. 
Thank you, Hero's!

A little - known tradition to the outside civilian world, "the white table" originated during the time of the Vietnam War as a symbol for and remembrance to service members held prisoner of war or missing in action. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.

Thank you to all men and women in uniform who dedicated their lives to freedom's cause.

 ♥
Carla
 
Honoring our Veteran's today.

 

 

 Below is one of my favorite photos of the welcome home ceremony for our son and the rest of the 157th.

That daddy holding his two little ones. 

Independence Day Playlist

 

♪♫♫♫♪ A few years ago my husband created our Independence Day playlist, we have added to the list each year. Here are some of the songs we have on our Independence Day playlist. ♪♫♫♫♪

 

The Star-Spangled Banner

Lee Greenwood - God Bless the USA

Centerfield - John Fogerty

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie

Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams

Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

Song of the South - Alabama

Fishing in the Dark - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Little Bitty - Alan Jackson

 Highwayman - The Highwaymen

On The Road Again - Willie Nelson

Jackson - Johnny Cash and June Carter

Hello Mary Lou - The Statler Brothers

American Made - The Oak Ridge Boys

The Gambler - Kenny Rogers

Faithfully - Journey

Your Love - The Outfield

Born in the U.S.A - Bruce Springsteen

Jack and Diane - John Mellencamp

 

 

♪♫♫♫♪ That is just a few of the songs we have on our Independence Day playlist, it is over 6  hours long. What would you add? ♪♫♫♫♪

We also have several polka's on our playlist..

Beer Barrel Polka - Roll Out the Barrel  

♥

Carla

 

 

Conversation

 

Conversation

I started something new here at The River, I ask a question to spark conversation.

"We need never be ashamed of our tears" Charles Dickens 

When's the last time you cried?

 

One of our boys best friends is leaving for basic training next week. My son Atticus' best friend will leave for Fort Jackson. Fort Jackson, the same place our son, Sam back in 2018 completed his basic training. 

Tears of pride.

Tears of worry.

Tears of memories... oh the many adventures our boys had when they were little and still do today as they are grown men. 

Tears of happiness... this is what our friend has wanted to do for a long time, it is coming true for him, he is an American Soldier. 

 Godspeed for C.M.H

 ♥

It is time for the Hodgepodge

 

Hello Friends, the photo above was taken in 2016.

 Let us all say "Hi, George, Tom, Teddy and Abe."

And now for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the question.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Many of our earliest presidents created words or expressions widely used today. Teddy Roosevelt is credited with mollycoddle, pack rat, frazzle, and loose cannon...which of those words/phrases currently relates to your life in some way? 

I will choose mollycoddle. My boys are traveling this week. I cannot help but get that mollycoddle feeling.. praying for them to have a safe trip and a great adventure.

 

2. Have you visited many (or any) of the US Presidents homes, monuments, libraries or related sites? If so what's been your favorite? Are there any you particularly want to see? Here's a link to presidential sites listed by state which is kind of fun to read-Presidential Places by State. And since several bloggers who participate in the HP each week live outside the US, here's a link to Presidential Places Outside the US. Have you seen any of those? 

 

We visited Mount Rushmore in 2016. It was a great family trip. 

My husband and I do plan to visit several of the sites in Illinois in 2025. 

I have not visited a Presidential Library, it is something I hope to do.

My uncle and aunt do not live far from College Station, Texas. During our next visit to Texas to visit my uncle and aunt we could plan to go to the George Bush Library.

 3. February 20th is National Cherry Pie Day...will you celebrate? Given your choice of cherry pie, cherry cobbler, cheesecake with a cherry topping, or black forest cake which would you choose? 

No I will not. I am not really a big fan of cherry. If I did pick something out it would be a cherry turnover.

 4. Last time you worked a puzzle of some kind? Something that had you puzzled recently? 

My husband and I are currently working on a puzzle.

Oh many times technology has me puzzled. I will say "why is this doing this now, I have not changed anything or pressed anything and here it decides to go bonkers." 

 

5. Of the early blooming flowers (January-early March depending on your zone) which one's your favorite? 

snowdrops, lenten roses, pansies, violets, snapdragons, reticulated iris, crocus, winter jasmine

Do you have any of these in your own yard/garden? 

From the list we have snowdrops, violets and crocus in our garden.

My favorite spring flower is the daffodil. 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Next week we order our chicks. I cannot wait, it is always so much fun to go to our farm store and pick them up. "Peep, peep, peep." they say on the ride home.

 

 

 

Thank You Veterans

 

Thank You Veterans

Today I am going to share a story I read in our Wisconsin Outdoor News. The author of the story is Dean Bortz. 

The Wisconsin Outdoor News 2023 Person of the Year, Rueben Kolpack. He is 103 years old and is the oldest licensed Wisconsin deer hunter.

Oh he has many milestones, I will share a few with you..

World War II soldier.

Recipient of the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Purple Heart, African/European Medal, Victory Medal, and a Belgian medal on the recommendation of the French government.

Married 77 years to his wife, Lucille, who passed away in March at age 97, just five days short of her 98th birthday.

Father to six children.

 Successful farmer.

 

I want to share a few things from the article that Rueben shared.

Rueben grew up speaking German. While he was at basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas an officer asked if anyone could speak German. Once Uncle Sam figured out Kolpack could speak German, he was sent to radio school and then to the 2nd Armored Division where he was a radio operator and interpreter in a tank battery.

It was a tough duty. He saw a lot of things he'd rather not have had to witness - the huge cost of human lives on the beach of Normandy, the tank ahead of him getting blown to bits by a German Tiger tank and its 88 mm cannon.

"If it weren't for the grace of God, I wouldn't be here today. It was a miracle anyone survived the mortar attack where I was wounded. The stronghold was just 200 yards away on the ridge above us. Those mortar rounds just kept landing around us and the command tank. When people say there isn't a God, they're lying to themselves.

He was struck by a mortar that damaged his right leg. He spent four months in the hospital and was not fully recovered when he was forced back into war for the Battle of the Bulge because of losses in his unit.  

 

Today I say Thank You to Rueben and all the other Veterans. 

And I say thank you  to all of those who are currently serving.

Godspeed.

 

Hello November and It is the Hodgepodge

 

Goodbye Autumn leaves... the wind and rain took the last of our leaves.

Hello Friends, it is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

1. What is one good thing you often take for granted? 

The freedom of going where I want when I want. I can just hop in our car and go.

2. What's the boldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe? 

 My winter bathrobe, it is grey with bright polka dots.  Hee Hee. 

3. Do you think common interests or common values are the key to people getting along? Elaborate. 

In my life it has been both. I have relationships with people who have different values, yet we have common interests. Those who I am closest with in life, we share interests and values.

4. November 6 is National Nacho Day...do you like nachos? How do you like yours? Do you make them at home or only order out? 

I love nachos! 

We make a chicken nacho board... it is so good. 

Chips

Cheese

Chicken

Black beans and white beans.

Peppers, olives, onions, tomatoes,  and more cheese.

Place in the oven to let it all melt together... yum!

A dash of lime. A dollop of guacamole. A wee bit of sour cream.

 

 5. Have you spent any time in Washington D.C.?  If so what did you think? If not, is that a place you'd like to visit? What do you think about politics as a career choice? 

I have not visited Washington D.C.

I would like to visit.. but at this time it is not high on my places to visit list.

Local leadership is where my husband and I have been dedicating our time. This year we have attended our local monthly Village board meetings.   

I am currently serving on two committees, zoning and the community building. My husband is serving on the library board.

I am not a fan of leaders becoming 'career' politics.

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 

"The United State of America is a true miracle."

 

 

10·4·24

 

 

Memories

10-4 

Do any of you remember saying 10-4 or do you still say 10-4 today?

My sister, me and our friends would play all kinds of games as kids. I remember riding bikes pretending we were semi truck drivers on CB's .. 10-4 .. Roger That!

We played other games that required us to say 10-4. 

Today I am saying 10-4 to all my readers.. 10-4  “10-4” is a radio signal that means "you have got it." or "OK".

Let us all pray for our friends, family and strangers who have lost everything during the past week. 

10-4

♥

Carla

Let There Be Peace On Earth

 

Hello Friends, today I am taking us back to Memorial Day.

Each Memorial Day our family attends the Rice Lake, Wisconsin service. It is held at Veterans Memorial Park in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. 

Bill Appleyard had the vision and dedication of having this park constructed.

His song each and every Memorial Day was ... Let There Be Peace On Earth. This year his granddaughter sang it, it was beautiful and brought tears to our eyes.

 

 " The nation which forgets its defenders, will itself be forgotten."

President Calvin Coolidge, 27 July 1920

 

 

 "Retreat. Hell. We just got here."

Anonymous Marines Officer, France 1918

 

 

 After the service we take a walk along Veterans Drive. Each year new flags go up honoring local heroes. The flags fly Memorial - Labor Day and after are given to the family. This is the third year that Rice Lake has done this, I think it is a fantastic way to honor our heroes.

 

 

 A trip to the cemetery to take time to be with a dear friends son who lost his life serving in Bosnia during the Bosnian War. 

 

 

Young and brave .... fighting for another countries people to be free.

RIP

 

 We will remember... 

 ♥

Carla

 

 

Hi Mom

 Hi Mom

 Our National Guard son just returned from Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk) Louisiana. He and his team were there for five weeks. They were taking part in a training exercise with 5,000 other soldiers from across the United States and Canada.

I received the above photo with a simple text ... Hi Mom.

The next time I heard from him ... Hi Mom.. out of the box... 16 days without a shower.. that shower felt great... a lot of bug bites.

I am happy to report Sam and team are back home and all went well. 

As always, thank you for praying for our troops.

God shed His grace on thee. K. Bates