Another Wednesday ...

 

... another Hodgepodge. 
Tell me it doesn't feel good when someone solicits your opinion.  

This week Joyce asks ...

 

¿?¿

Do you know much about (or understand) Artificial Intelligence (AI)?   Does it worry or excite you?

Pretty sure AI's already become a part of our lives.  But no, I can't claim to understand it.

I'm mostly amused/fascinated by the possibilities.

At the time same, however, I pray it's used for the betterment of society -- not a tool for some madman's personal gain.  Sometimes it feels like we're living in an old James Bond movie.

What was the last song you listened to?

Traveling Wilbury's 'Handle With Care'

Your favorite movie soundtrack?

It's a toss-up between Forrest Gump and Mama Mia!

What song always puts you in a good mood?

There's so many!  For instance ...

Daydream Believer, Georgy Girl, anything by the Seekers.

and how about ...

Click here ... don't forget the lyrics!

What were you doing 10 years ago?

May 2013 wasn't a particularly happy chapter -- we'd recently lost our 'heart' dog + Tom was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer, undergoing both chemo and radiation.

Nevertheless, due to friends and family's prayer and support we got through!

I did a lot of singing along to this song!

Your favorite no-bake summer dessert?

Edwards Key Lime Pie

Something you're looking forward to in June

We had such a good time with friends on Memorial Day (pictures coming), they've invited us back for grilling and music making.

Insert your own random thought here

Have a beautiful day, y'all!

See you Friday ... hugs,

Myra

 

Tuesday 4: Beddy Bye

 

... It's been a while since I joined Annie in keeping Toni Taddeo's memory alive.

Let's go Beddy Bye!

How do you make up your bedroom and bed ... colors?  Blankets?  Quilts?  Bedspread?  Comforter?  Throws? Pillows?

What goes into making your bed comfy for you?

When I spotted these hanging in another bedroom -- realizing they perfectly matched my furniture ... I asked nicely and Tom changed them out for me.

The bedding is a blend of muted greens and purple; and yes, I'm a 4x pillow hound.

Unfortunately, the mattress needs replacing, but I'm not ready to put money there right now.  Instead, I took the weighted blanket and an old quilt to lay under the bottom sheet for extra support.

What is in your dresser?  Is it organized or messy?

What a timely question ... ouch!

Last month I began unpacking neglected boxes to sort/purge, then got distracted.  I dumped 'stuff' into my dresser drawers, thinking "out of sight, out of mind" ...

but my mind doesn't work that way.

Maybe having a drawer of neatly-folded under-pinning's 😉

isn't a big deal to some people -- but it makes my heart happy.

What's in and on your night stand?

I've not had a night stand in years!

Instead this - that my dad made for mother's sewing room.

Water, journal, charger, etc.

... and the headboard

Caraleigh ... always on my mind

Do you read in bed or watch TV before going to sleep?

No ... and no.

I may, however, try using Audible's timer app to 'read with my ears.'  And if I happen to fall asleep, there's always the option to rewind!

(Wouldn't it be lovely if Life were like that?)

💜

Would anyone like to join Annie's team?

Just click here!

Hugs, Myra

 

Mondays Matter* (Vol. 6)

 *Matter: (noun) An affair or situation under consideration; a topic.

Doo, doo, doo ... lookin' out my front door

Aw, thanks for all your well-wishes!  Between getting stuck in an absurd traffic jam on I65, then waiting nearly 2 hours to see 'McDreamy', we tabled thoughts of a nice lunch.  Besides, it's hard to beat Publix's fried chicken enjoyed right here at the kitchen island.

Speaking of Publix

.... Don't they have the best customer service?  A while back I enjoyed conversation with a chatty young lady who accompanied us out to the car.  (In order to bring back Tom's motor cart.)

Because the skies were turning a sickly greenish purple and my phone warned of an upcoming blow, I was curious:  "What safety measures do y'all have in place in the event of a tornado?"  (Granted, we never had tornado warnings in Phoenix, but after 15 years of sitting through monthly safety training exercises, that's the way my mind works.)

She was happy to explain:  They're to go to the little hall near the manager's office, behind the bakery.  That, or gather between the frozen food uprights.  "Not in the storeroom?", I asked.  "No, because of the risk of falling shelves."

Am I the only one who wonders about these sorts of things?  Every time we're at a restaurant, I remember a popular seafood place whose staff ushered guests into the kitchen/walk-in freezer when a tornado threatened.

Challenge update:

Great intentions!  Unfortunately, mid-May my creativity decided to take a siesta.   Reminding myself, baby steps are better than no steps at all.  

Then!  Blog buddy, Sandra, introduced us to a fun new tool -- AI image creator.  (You can click here.)  I've neither her imagination nor talent, but I'm counting it.   

Free-for-nothing, and I can do it in PJ's!

Using words to describe some of my favorite things, here are a couple:

No matter how many times I told it, "Icicles OUTSIDE the window", the silly thing kept coming up with this.

Oh!  And among the samples it returned, there were some freaky-looking people.  I had to revise my search, "NO humans!" 

So, I'm taking a break from purging and making plans for nobody.  We've been invited to a friend's home this afternoon for brisket and all the fixin's.  Susan's one of my favorite people, but Tom's been reluctant to mingle while in church.  Cross fingers he and John hit it off.

Before I go ... 

Here's a couple quotes that I enjoyed from Pastor Janet's sermon yesterday morning.  Perhaps you'll like them, too.

"We're not about religion.  We're about relationships: between God and between each other."

"I look around this room and I don't see congregants.
I see family."

(Know what? I feel the same way each morning when I open my blog reader!)

Y'all have a blessed day!

Hugs, Myra

 

What-nots

 

Current status ...

 

Anyway!  Lately, I'm loving 

... these temps!

Take that, Phoenix!

... the VA audiologists who re-restored Tom's hearing aids yesterday.  No more trying to communicate via charades!

... good friends who, when learning of Tom's recent health challenges, recently showed up with homemade supper.

Coleslaw, cornbread, pork loin, peach cobbler

Uh-oh!

Did y'all hear about the recent Facebook glitch?  Supposedly, whenever you went to someone's page ("I spy with my little eye") it automatically sent them a friend request.

Thankfully it was caught and corrected.   Yes, I've been known to let my fingers do the walking and look up former classmates, co-workers, crushes ... but why'd that smarty-pants journalist have to go and refer to me/us as 'Nosy Nellie.'  (LOLOLOL)

Looking forward!

After a few weeks' uncertainty, things are starting to fall in place.  We were able to see a Gastroenterologist who's ordered a couple diagnostic procedures.  Before doing so, we need to get the okay from UAB's 'Dr. McDreamy' tomorrow -- but I'm hoping this time we'll be able to enjoy a nice lunch afterwards.

Quick question!

I wasn't feeling today's Hodgepodge posers; some days are like that.  Still, there's usually one or two questions (ie, Hodgepodge, Saturday 9, Sunday Stealing) that pique my interest.

Do y'all think it's rude to 'cherry pick' questions here and there to use in a separate post?   Of course, I'd give credit where credit's due, but I'd hate anyone to think I'm going behind their back.

I hope you're enjoying a sweet week ... stay safe!

Hugs, Myra

  

Who's on Your Team?

 

Facebook imagery by Bob Freeman

Excerpted from Max Lucado's He Chose the Nails

I love how, in our most recent Bible study, Max illustrated Christ's love.

Now I've attended several golf tournaments; watched televised majors.  That certainly doesn't mean I'm a player, yet I've a rudimentary idea of what's what.  For instance...

Lucado began by telling how, a friend (who happens to be a Director of Golf) once invited him to participate in the Texas Open's Pro Am.

Each team consists of 4 players -- 1 Pro and 4 amateurs.  The lowest score from each of the amateurs is the one recorded.  So -- even on the times where he stunk -- if one of his partners did well, he did well.

17 out of 18 holes where he'd typically score an 8, someone else scored a 3.  Guess which one was recorded?   The 8 was forgotten.  He got credit for the good work that someone else did because he was on that team.

Christ has done the same for us.

What the team did for Max that day Christ has done for us.  Always.  It doesn't matter if we slice into the woods or shank into water, what matters is if we show up to play -- and join the right foursome:  Me, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

Who's on your team?

Hugs, Myra

Reading - Part II

 

So, (just) one of the odd things about me ...

I've always been fascinated by names.  Persons, their pets, even streets and villages.

One of my new favorite writers, Keri Beevis, recently fed my fascination on Facebook, citing a fellow author's post.

https://authordebbieyoung.com/2023/01/25/9-ways-authors-choose-their-characters-names/

My personal favorite is #6 - Sweet Revenge

While it's unlikely her books will be deemed a "Classic", I'm thoroughly enjoying Keri's 'new to me' British psychological thrillers.   I recently finished The Sleepover and downloaded The Summer House (free on Prime - woot!).

If you're not into that genre, why not check out her FB page?  Keri Beevis - Author.  Some are a bit naughty, I'll give you that ... but how they make me snicker.

Like this ...

or this ...

What if?

Some of you are published authors.

If you don't mind, how do you choose your characters' names?

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Myra

 

 

Reading

Anni says...

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4!   We enjoy having you here and love reading your responses on your own blogs.  I sure hope you enjoy the questions and seeing what others have to say!

Would you like to talk about books?

Isn't this setting so dear?

I'd just replace the blue with burgundy (to match my wine, lol) ...

the coffee table for an ottoman ... and the plant with a comfy dog bed.

If you had to flee this life and there was a possibility to actually live in a place based on a story or book or movie, which would you choose.  Why?

How about The Woman in Cabin 10?

It's no secret, I used to adore cruising -- when ships actually resembled ships, not an over-crowded albatross.

Why?

For starters, I'd never have to clean house.

Dining was an intimate, elegant experience.

Imagine waking up to a whole new vista every morning ... the waves gently rocking me to sleep each night.

What kind of story line do you just not like either in books or movies?

Please, no sci-fi.  No historical fiction.
This sounds terribly selfish, but if I can't identify on some level with the characters or setting, I'm challenged to enjoy it.

How many of the Great Classics have you read and/or popular book series?

I'm sure I've read a Classic or two while in school, but that was a looooong time ago -- and I don't much like being told what to read.

There are reading playlists available for various genres of literature.  Do you play any music while reading?

Interesting ... like a movie soundtrack!

Unlike sitting in a darkened theater, however, I think it would feel terribly distracting.

What book(s) are you currently enjoying?

Have a blessed day!

Hugs, Myra

Woo-hoo, we've made it to another Wednesday ... and you know what that means. 
Happy Hodgepodge!

This week Joyce wants to know ...

Did you watch the coronation of King Charles III?   Share some of your thoughts about that, or about the royal family in general.

Nuh-uh; only the excerpts.
It hurts my heart seeing all the adulation afforded Charles and the Rottweiler (Diana's term for Camilla).

What's not to love about William and Catherine, their little Wales'?  Princess Charlotte poised beyond her years!  I pray I'll be alive to watch when her father ascends to the throne.

I felt a bit sorry for Harry's obvious discomfort, but like the old saying goes, "He's made his own bed."

What are you the un-crowned queen of?

Good intentions?

In a box of chocolates which one do you usually go for?

White chocolate or the knobby nutty ones.
Please no ooey-gooey innards!

Something learned at your mother's knee?

This sounds awful, but I can't think of a thing.
Not because she didn't try, time and again; I was never interested in learning to sew, to knit.  All things domestic.

Fortunately for me, she taught by example those things which matter most.

'Like mother, like daughter' ... in what way is this saying true for you?

More often than not, I find myself uttering her phrases, her prophecies.

 "E'ery an angel on earth" is how my husband referred to her.  I'll never measure up, but any time I catch myself about to say or do something unkind I ask myself, "What would momma do?"

Insert your own random thought here.

Made me giggle. That's all.

Thanks, Joyce!
... and thanks for all y'all for visiting!

Hugs, Myra

Friday Fotos

 

Hello friends!

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who inwardly groans when invited to a friend's 'product party'?  At one time or another I owned cupboards-full of Tupperware.  Decor by Home Interiors.

Then last month, an invite to attend an on-line Pampered Chef party hosted by a dear lady from church.  What to do but smile and say "Yes, I'd love to participate."

Going in, I knew Pampered Chef products aren't inexpensive.  Still, I found this microwave popcorn maker -- rationalizing the $ I'd be saving by not buying those bags containing gosh-knows what, masquerading as butter.

Ta-dah!

I prefer mine plain, but the little cup on top is for adding butter or flavored oil.

Love the collapsible silicone

Good things sometimes come in unexpected ways!  

😋

Dear Tom, 

You knew, didn't you, I'd be clamoring to check-out Buc-ee's when they recently opened in Auburn.

Except!  Despite the promise on their webpage: "Potty like a Rock Star" you informed me "I'm not driving an hour to go look at a toilet."

"OK, then. I'll just drive myself."

It wasn't a couple days later you allowed (that) a little road trip might be fun.

The web refers to Buc-ees as a convenience store.   Well, ya.  But that's like calling the Grand Canyon a hole in the ground.

We did save 19-cents a gallon on gas, but.   Along with hordes of fellow curiosity-seekers, I found myself cheerfully throwing money at over-priced food and merchandise.

We indulged in giant brisket and pulled pork sandwiches; Tom couldn't resist their freshly made 'real' potato chips.  Truth be told, I could have filled my cart.

Complimentary coffee flavoring.  Nice touch, don't you think?

Besides the fudge-making ladies there were rows upon rows of salt-water taffy ... wax bottles ... honey ...

.... and more kinds of jerky than I knew existed!

And yes, their claim to fame is right.  I've never seen so many individual 'potty suites', nor a cleaner restroom.

As seen in the ladies room

I doubt we'll be taking time to come back,  but oh what fun experience!  (#7 of 52's in the book - whoop!)

😘

All's not sunshine and pixie dust.

A recent windstorm tried to KO this tree limb.  Our tree guy's agreed, the whole thing needs to come down; we're on his 'list.'

Meanwhile, it's hanging in there.

I'm calling it 'Sloopy.'  (Sing along with me?)

I hope y'all have a great weekend.
Please stay safe!

Hugs, Myra

 

May Hodgepodge

Welcome friends!
So what if the Hollywood writers went out on strike, I think reading blogs is far more entertaining.   Thank you, Joyce ... and thank all y'all!

💜

What's something you 'may' do this month?

I may stop thinking about drafting my Life History and start. There's a good chance I'll wind up burning it all, but at least I'll have gotten it out of my system.

"All things seem possible in May" ~ Edwin Way Teale.  Do you agree?  Why not?  I like what someone(?) wrote, "Genesis, rewritten with every dawn."     

If not May, then in which month (if any) would you say all things seem possible?   January!   I don't make resolutions, but I can't escape the powerful rush of Possibilities that comes arrives each New Years Day.

April showers bring May flowers ... is this true where you live?   Yep!   What's your favorite color of the rainbow?  Yellow.  

Your favorite May bloom?  

Magnolia, just outside our dining room window.

Do you enjoy visiting gardens?  Not really, no.   
What's a 'famous' garden you'd like to visit?  Honestly, I can't imagine spending precious time and dollars to visit a 'famous' garden.  There's so much beauty to be found all around in nature.

Are you a fan of the Star Wars series of films?  No; I've not seen any.   Are you a fan of the sci-fi genre in general, in either books or movies?  It's not my preferred genre, but there are some good ones.  

What's your favorite sci-fi book or movie.  E.T.!  Okay, I had to consult Google and was mighty surprised to discover some titles I never would have thought were sci-fi.  Somewhere in Time, for example.  Oh, and who can forget The Boys from Brazil.  (Still gives me chills!)

Cinco de Mayo lands on Friday of this week.  Do you enjoy Mexican food?  I LOVE it!  How often?  Maybe once a month; more frequently in our cold-weather months.  Do you eat out or make your own?  I've never attempted to make it, but we order the flash frozen chile and chimichangas from Hatch, NM.  Your favorite thing to order in a Mexican restaurant?  I've been stuck on chicken taco salads with guacamole.  LOTS of guacamole!   Have you ever been to Mexico?  Regrettably, yes.

Insert your own random thought here.

Not mine, but this rustic easel captured my fancy.  We've plenty of 'tree refuse' from the Spring storms; perhaps Tom could fashion something like this, and let Mother Nature do the rest.

No maintenance necessary, yay!

Thanks so much for spending a little time with me today; I appreciate you!

Hugs, Myra