Ho-ho-hot Hodgepodge

 

Thank you, Joyce!

What is a childhood habit or preference you will never outgrow?

Even tho' Alabama doesn't boast winter wonderlands like those I enjoyed in northern New Mexico, I still love all things Winter!

Did you know, July is beans month.  What's your favorite bean?  Your favorite recipe that calls for beans?  When it comes to chili are you "Team Beans" or "Team No Beans"?

Refried, please ... like this!

Chili?  We're definitely team "no beans"!

Some historical figures have a tag line after their name -- something like 'the brave' or 'the wise' or 'the mad.'  What would your tag line be?  Explain why?

'the dreamer'
That used to be a demerit on report cards -- but it didn't take.
Sometimes that beats reality!  

The way to my heart is:

Dogs ... and Food

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

Icky, Sticky, 50 shades of HOT
... but blessed
 

Insert your own random thought here.

Happy Blogaversary to me!

Back in July 2008 I'd little idea what exactly was a blog or what to do.  Nevertheless -- in spite of numerous stutters and wrong-way turns -- Respice Prospice became a thing, not just an inscription on a locket.

I'm so grateful to y'all .....

my Confidantes, my Intelligence Stretchers, my Role Models and of course, my Chicken-Soup Bringers.
(*Sid Simon*)

Off the top of my head

 

G'morning friends,

How the heck are ya? 
It's been a busy, albeit boring kind of week:  filling (more) boxes to take to the thrift shop, repacking Christmas-y decorations ... honestly, wondering why I ever thought all this 'stuff' was necessary to my wellbeing.

Today seems like a fine time to borrow a prompt or two.

Out my window?

At least these (fungi?) are enjoying the wet weather.  This is the first I've seen in 6 years ... mildly concerned one of the girls might fancy a bite.

We seriously need to get out there between rain showers -- or lease a herd of goats.

Grateful
The  girls' vet doesn't think Macie's ragged cough is anything more troubling than allergies.  Just in case, we've begun giving her steroids and antibiotics.  Caring for two sure isn't easy on the bank book, but we're determined to do whatever it takes to keep them healthy.

Enjoying
Tom's interest in eating 'out' each week.  I'd never tried Thai food, but was relieved when he said, "Sure!"  ... even better, than he enjoyed it.  (My track record for suggestions hasn't been optimal.) 

Perhaps it was my choice (beef and cashews), but I couldn't tell much difference between it and Chinese.   Thinking I need to try, try again.

In the kitchen?
Lots of take-out fried chicken (him), salads (me) ... provided they're the Green Leaf variety. 

Does anybody actually eat Spring mix on purpose?

 
I'm collecting lots of yummy recipes on FB, but they all call for oven-time.  That's not happening until the temperature outside drops below my age!

Pondering
Having my ears re-pierced.  After retiring, I didn't often bother with earrings.  Then come the pandemic, not at all.   I'm not a big fan of jewelry, but it seems a shame having a few 'good' pieces just taking up space in a box.

Loving
These two celebrating their anniversary week.
July 24, 1992 and again last July 28 when they renewed their vows in Santa Fe.

Finally, a thought:
Borrowed, in part, from what a friend's cousin wrote:

" ..... not what St. Paul famously mentions ('I have learned to be content ...') because this isn't learned.
It's developing free of my supervision.
The unwinding, a quiet letting go of coiled springs of youth and middle age with their loud, demanding voices.  Ambition, dreams, discipline, acquisition, fear, the imagined life.

It happened; I don't know when."

I loved that.  Love y'all!

Hugs, Myra

 

Best Laid Schemes ...

 

"... gang aft a-gley"! 

So where was I?
Oh ya, prepping for our Christmas in July house party.

Admittedly, we're not 'party people.'  In fact, I'm known to stress with more than 6 souls to feed.   Nevertheless, I cleaned -- and recleaned -- every surface, every cranny.  Even our usual trash bags were replaced with pretty white ones specifically meant for collecting used bits of Kleenex and miscellany.  OCD much?
(Not naming names, but 'someone' may have foolishly remarked, "Are you sure this is worth it?")

Oh, I planned where every body could sit comfortably.  And decorated.  With a little help from friends, the menu included Boston Butt, smoked turkey-and-dressing, and traditional sides.

Exposed to Covid, Troy and Lois called out; another cried 'migraine!' ... but sent Billy with these adorable fruit creatures.

I didn't get a photo, but Linda's Coca-Cola cake was soooo good.

Mustn't forget the frozen (adult) hot chocolate!   Except ...

After seeing the contents of Tom's 'juice cabinet' the men folk elected for a stronger sort of beverage ... the girls, wine.   Oh well ... 

Frank and Cindy's brought their guitars and we'd planned a sing-along.
What actually happened .....

Everyone crammed into the family room and happily yakked for 3 hours about politics, this n' that.  So refreshing to be among like-minded folks and not concern myself watching what I say.  Or not.

Cindy assured me, "We'll do it again."
(I don't know whether to feel reassured ... or terrified. lol)

🎄

In other news ...

While leaving Bible study Monday morning, my not-1 yr. old car decided to quietly and suddenly lose all power.
Volkswagen was in a word, unsympathetic -- "the earliest we can see it is August 20."  Sorry, not sorry.

That was before Tom got involved.
At least now it's sitting at the dealership in Montgomery, waiting for an opening in their schedule.

.... and I've a pretty new Tiguan (loaner) in the driveway.
Unfortunately, I love it.  That's probably what dealerships are counting on, ya know?

🎂

Our 'lady girls' are turning 11 years old on Sunday, so I've ordered them new beds and Chewy cake pops.

... and put together a little video.
(Hope this works; my middle name's probably Technophobe.)

On that note, I'd better get to moving!
Thanks so much for making time to visit.  I appreciate y'all!

Hugs, Myra

Peachy Keen Hodgepodge

 

Thanks again to Joyce for hosting her #560th 😮 weekly episode of the Hodgepodge. 

💚

What's an adult problem nobody prepared you for?

I remember being warned about the importance of self-care, but I suppose I presumed I was bullet-proof.
My back and hips -- and wrinkles -- would disagree!

Then of course, there's the sad truth of being an adult orphan. 

Without mentioning any tech, what's your most prized possession?

'dem girls

It's National Peach Ice Cream Day (July 17).

Will you be celebrating?
Probably not

Do you like peaches?
Every now and then.  Peaches/pears/bananas/grapefruit are about the only fruits I eat on purpose. Sparingly.

Given a choice, would you prefer peach ice cream, peach pie, peach cobbler or just "hand me a peach"?
Cobbler, please! 

Do you own anything that is peach in color?
Not any longer, no.

What makes a friendship successful?

I'd like to say shared interests -- but there are two individuals I consider close whose Spiritual beliefs and politics differ significantly from my own.  In our case, I'm going to say mutual Respect.

That, and a sense of humor.

Let's give our brains a rest and do a little summertime This-or-That --

Beach or pool?

Ice Cream or Snowcone?

Amusement Park or Camping?  

Burger or Hot Dog?

Watermelon or Strawberries? -- neither, thank you.  

Get up early or Sleep in late?

Sunrise or Sunset?

Insert your own random thought here.

Hugs, Myra

When I wasn't paying attention

.... Life happened, and a whole week disappeared!  Let me touch on a bullet point (or several).   

Last Saturday we enjoyed a great day on the lake with son and Lois.

Shortly after this picture was taken, however, there came a fast angry shower -- saving me the humiliation of having to don my bathing suit.   Instead, we did this.
Who can guess?

"Baby, light my fire!"

Because I put so much product on my hair, Lois was kind enough to provide a cup towel!

Son's struggled with ear issues all his life, so was pleasantly surprised when Daughter #2 introduced her parents to the 'art' of candling (aka, coning).

Thankfully, there's no photographic evidence of what came out, but it felt strangely refreshing.

Of course, there's many naysayers, but they probably say the same thing about Q-tips.

Thankful!

..... for Tom's successful retinal surgery.
Not so much 3 day's trips to the big medical center in the sketchy part of Montgomery, but we do what we gotta do.

When I presented my bag to the Security Guard she said, "Sorry, I have to check for guns."
Me:  "No worries, I appreciate you.  I'm not so fond of driving into Montgomery as it is."

SG:  "I don't blame you."

..... that instead of watching hours of spirited(?) Senate debates or woke television dramas, Tom found a great YouTube channel:
Put a Nickel in the Jukebox
(Click the link and sing along!)

I want to look for something from the 40's ... sometimes I think I was born 10 years too late.

..... to find Mrs. Meyers 'Peppermint' and 'Snowdrop' hand soaps before next week's party.
The weather outside may be frightful, but I can surround myself with simple Wintery pleasures.

I even bought my first Christmas present!
(Not on purpose, but I've learned the hard way when I see something out of the ordinary that practically shouts a loved one's name, get it!)  

..... that Publix's brand-new store opened its doors not two miles away.
Judging from the media coverage and crowds, you'd think no-one ever saw a grocery store, lol.

We waited until yesterday, intending to get but a couple things. Of course that all went out the window!  $127 later (*sigh*) I console myself with a popular ad line: "Compromise elsewhere."

The employees?  They appeared to have come from Hallmark casting ..... a toothpaste commercial, perhaps.
I'm really big on customer service but to a person, every single one that walked by asked how we were doing.

Tom even said something in the car, didn't that feel a little strange? For a little while there I felt like we were in an episode of Stepford Wives. (lol)

Oh I've more, but let's save it for another day.
I'm thankful for each of you, making time to visit!

Please, take Good Care.

Hugs, Myra

DIL's succulents

Saturday Smiles

 

Smiles?
I really intended to do a Friday Favorites post, but ... Life Happened.  (No worries, it's all good.)

So without further ado, here's a few things that brightened my days --

I'm not especially fond of ice cream, but.
Seeing adverts for this on FB (Keto page), I grew curious.

Zero grams sugar, hmm?

I was doubtful, but still wanted something to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Oh my goodness, y'all!
This may be the best ice cream I've tasted in years.

He's no Sean Dietrich, but close!

I've begun following Rick on FB where he profiles human-interest, 'feel good' stories.
Real news for real people.

Another someone I discovered

Terrance Haanen (Images)

... whose FB page says is, "Living his best life in New Mexico."

I don't know that I'll ever get back home to visit, but this may be my new favorite coffee mug.
Santa Fe snowstorm

These days of disrespectful heat ...
I can still daydream of crisp Winter days spent on Canyon Road ...

and warm bowls of green chile stew.

Okay, I need to pour another cup and get ready to visit Troy and family.  

They didn't ask us to bring anything, but I've a taste for some Boursin hard-boiled (aka deviled) eggs.

So good!

I hope y'all have a super Saturday!

Hugs, Myra

Yankee Doodle Hodgepodge

 

Welcome back to the Hodgepodge!
There's been so little of note going on, I've begun to bore myself. Then just in time, here comes Joyce with a few suggestive kick-starts.   Thank you, Joyce!

🎇

It's a big week in the US of A as we celebrate Independence Day.  Do you have any special plans?  How will you mark the day?  BBQ?  Pool-lake-beach time?  Fireworks?  Homemade ice cream?  If you're not an American, you can tell us what's happening in your corner of the world tomorrow.   

We've no special plans for Independence Day, but Troy and Lois have invited us to come 'hang out' Saturday.  Weather permitting, I might even take a 'leap of faith' off their dock.

What's your favorite 'All-American' dessert?

Little can beat my DIL's banana pudding.

But, keeping the holiday in mind ...
I want to share something I brought to the 5th Sunday potluck at church.

My criteria was simple:  Nothing more difficult than Betty Crocker 101 .....nothing that required turning on the oven ..... and, nothing I'll be tempted to eat.*

Cherry Fluff for the win! --

8-oz. pkg. cream cheese (softened)
3-oz. box Cherry Jello
24-oz. can Cherry pie filling
8-oz. tub Cool Whip
1/2 c. walnut pieces
Tiny marshmallows (sprinkled on top)

PS -

*Since 7th grade when I became violently ill on cherries, that's something I'm not even ever tempted to consume.  (Right up there with raw oysters!)

One of the Bible study ladies brought everyone fresh blueberries she'd picked, so next time I'm thinking of using them v. the pie filling (above) to create a red, white and blue swirl.  (Or mess. Depending.) 

Does that patriotic feeling come easily to you -- or are you having to work for it more these days?  What's something that makes you proud to be a citizen of your country.

Whoa boy!
Honestly, I'm having to work for it lately.  Dig deep down and not let my gaze linger too long on those whose interests aren't in line with my own.  Pray!

Proud?  Just look at the faces of those uniformed young men and women, returning home from conditions we can't even imagine, heads held high.

Too ...

Years ago, while riding a donkey down a Haitian mountainside we (tourists) witnessed poverty that defies (my) description.  Someone commented, "Every American teenager should see this."   I've never forgotten his words.  

Your favorite 'patriotic' movie?  Favorite 'patriotic' song?

Saving Private Ryan
God bless the USA

One simple pleasure on your July 'bucket list'?

We're having a party!
Not that we're 'party people' mind you ... actually, the opposite.

It's been niggling at my brain a couple years now -- wanting to do something for a few friends who've extended us invitations and kindnesses.
So ...

There's going to be (smoked) turkey n' fixings.  Maybe a snowman cheese ball if I'm feeling creative.  I've ordered decorations and found Jimmy Buffet's Christmas CD.  No 'ugly Christmas sweaters' but I got these t-shirts for Tom and myself.

Insert your own random thought here.

Yes, siree.  Bottoms up!

Hugs, Myra