Goblins and goosebumps

 

.... at the Hodgepodge!

Thank you, Joyce!  These are her questions/my responses.

How would you answer?

What most recently gave you goose bumps?

Driving through town and struggling to keep my eyes on the road -- while the sound of military jets perform maneuvers overhead.  Chill bumps! 

Stock photo

The sound of freedom is amazing!

What does Halloween look like in your home and/or neighborhood these days?  Do you participate?

8 years now, and still no children have come knocking at our door on Halloween.
Just in case(!) Tom's more than happy to have his favorite mini bars on hand.

Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy, chia -- your favorite seed on the list?  What's something you like to make/eat that calls for one of these seeds in the recipe?

There was a time I never went anywhere without a little bag of sunflower seeds in my purse ... not unlike
church ladies who keep rolls of lifesavers in their bags.

One of these days I want to try a pumpkin seed.  Just because!

What's the most (or one of the most) 'fall photos' you've ever taken?  Share it here.  Just one.

Our first Fall in Alabama, I refused to let Tom bag up the fallen leaves.
I hope I'll never grow complacent at the sight!

Somehow, we're rolling in to November next week.  If your October were a chapter in a book, what would the title of this chapter be?

Anticipation
(Yes, cue Carly Simon)

Insert your own random thought here.

Hugs, Myra

Sunday sidewalk

G'evening sweet friends,

Whew, it's been a minute!  In spite of my best laid plans, Life often "gangs a-glay."  (Not textbook, rather the exact words of a late love.)

I've not the energy to write a proper post, so here's a few smidgens of life in the slow lane.  Maybe you can relate to one.  Or two?

My kitchen list of ingredients is growing by leaps and bounds.   Unfortunately, the season's inaugural pot of Conecuh and veggie soup was lacking.   In a multi-tasking moment, 'someone' drained most of the "good stuff" (juice) right down the kitchen sink.  I worry about me.

  

Sweet Grace is being seen every 5-6 weeks to monitor her liver levels.  Her waning appetite, however, was concerning.  The vet doesn't seem overly concerned but ordered a prescription.   I smiled.  Nodded like I understood (haha).   

Then a few hours later, standing in the kitchen with syringe in one hand, glaring at the bottle with the other.  "Tom, what is the difference between a milliliter and a CC?"     

AI to the rescue!  They're virtually the same thing.  Why, then didn't they put ML on the label?
Please tell me, someone else -- outside the medical field -- knew that already?

Thankfully, G is back on her game; getting whatever her little heart prefers.

I'm so sad!  My long-awaited company won't be visiting this week.  D and I were so excited to see one another again.  It's been 8 years!   Because of her mobility and waning eyesight issues her sister and brother-in-law were driving her here to Alabama ... we'd all planned a whee of a time!

I'd been sitting and researching local spots for brunch when my phone rang yesterday.  Without going into detail, D's doctors have ix-nayed the trip.   She's developed osteomylelitis; in her physician's words, "This stuff can travel quickly."   Prayers appreciated!   

On the Bright Side ....

There's nothing like a 3-hour-15-minute phone call with my favorite son and DIL to cheer my world once more.   Don't tell him I said this, but I don't recall ever chatting that long when I was a teen!

Then, there's seeing this at my front door.

Stock image

It's been marinating in my Amazon cart for the better part of a year, but I've no regrets.

Gifting myself a little trinket because today would have been my birthday if I was born today. (lol)

Of course, there's more I could say but truth told I'm a little weary.
I hope everyone enjoys a good night's rest!

We'll chat again soon!

Hugs, Myra

 

 

.... 

Back to the Hodgepodge

 

Thank you, Joyce!

This week's Hodgepodge lands on "Back to the Future Day."  October 15, 2015 was the date the movie characters (Marty McFly, Doc and Jennifer Parker) traveled to in the future in the 1989 film, "Back to the Future Part 2."

Did you see the movie?  Tell us something about what was happening in your life in the fall of 2015:

Would you believe, I've never seen neither the original movie nor Part 2.  For some reason, they never interested me.

In 2015?  Tom and I were living in Goodyear; a large chunk of my body and mind was spent working at The Legacy (Phoenix golf resort).  A tumultuous time, the previous year our company had been acquired by a Big Corporation and the "family" atmosphere we'd enjoyed was pretty much turned on its head.
It took me 3 more years to realize peace of mind trumps all else.

In some ways, re-reading some of my old October 2015 posts* feels like that was last week.  I've come a long way, baby! (lol)

Which -ber month is your favorite?  September, October, November, December?

November!
Tho' we've had a few tastes of cool weather, there's no cause to bring out my beloved hoodies until then.

Even tho' our family no longer exchanges gifts, I still enjoy the thrill of discovering little unusual and whimsical treasures.
I've never outgrown loving the Miles Kimball Christmas catalog.

Red, yellow, orange, bronze ..... your favorite fall color to wear?  To eat?  To see in nature?

I love Auburn orange, but someone once told me I look best in red.

What color is steak? Bronze?
To see in nature?  All the above!

What do you miss most about being 20?

Not a thing!

We're roughly three quarters of the way through the year.  What's one goal, habit or mindset you want to purposely carry into the final weeks of the year?

I'm going with the first thing that popped in my head

AC-centuate the positive, E-liminate the negative!

Insert your own random thought here.

Thank you for being here!

Myra

* - Oops! I linked the wrong post, but that's fixed.

  

Thurday Night Thought Bubbles

 

... because I didn't make it to the Hodgepodge yesterday.
My thoughts are all over the place; hence, several random bits retrieved from my grey matter.

First?

I still smile, remembering that tiny old lady climbing down out of her Hummer.  
... which reminds me: 

Do you ever play the "which car belongs to who?" game?  Recently we were sitting by the window at IHOP  perusing the parking lot ... the other diners.

So many vehicles look unremarkable, one from the other.  Still, I think it's fun to guess who's going to approach which car.

So much for presumptions ... I've been surprised more often than not.

Does anyone actually still use these little saucers?  Why?

We're mug people -- but I can't bring myself to throw these away.

Would you buy one of these for $39.99?

... when you could just

Corn cob back scratcher and plastic glove -- $.00.

Why, yes I did.
Feeling silly!

Finally,

The little boy I used to babysit recently shared something on Facebook -- a caption beneath his yearbook photograph:

"When life was long and possibilities were new and bright."

I love that!

When life was long

Good night now ...

Hugs, Myra

 

Monday, Monday

 

... so good to me!

First, I wanted to thank y'all for your prayers!   We were mighty blessed that old Hurricane what-his-name (no-one can pronounce) was more of a rain event.   There's lots of foliage and tree debris in the yard, but I'm going to worry about that later.

Thankful, too, that Sandra clued me in to the wonder of these little cordless rechargeable lamps.  I enjoy them mostly for the ambience they lend ..... but they were super to have when the power was stuttering.

From my settee out in the sunroom.

(Please excuse my ratty tennis shoes!)

I've slowly begun putting out our Fall decorations.  If I could live my whole life in Autumn, it would be enough.   The air conditioner is running as we speak, but it won't be long.   Tom had a good giggle the other day when I remarked, "Now that it's turned cold, Mexican food sounds good."  

74 degrees.  Yep.  "Cold" is a relative term here in Alabama!

I wanted to show y'all what I won!   Julianne Hansen is a bit of a local 'somebody.'  When in Prattville I like finding reasons to visit her art gallery.   She recently did a give-away and I was one of the lucky recipients of a mini stoneware pumpkin.

In other news ....

Our Bible study ladies are between studies this week, but most of us met this morning for breakfast and prayers, then gathered at Village Green for a class photo.

The City of Millbrook always outdoes itself decorating the park.

Made me giggle ....

Sally, "Why look, they even have a cross!"

Shannon, "Mom, that's a scarecrow."

Me, Barbara, Brenda, Shannon, Cindy, Kay, Sally, Bev

I couldn't resist turning us into scarecrows.

Girls just wanna have fun!

Dogs aren't permitted, but I talked Tom into driving over with Grace for a quick photo.

Because he was being so grumpy, I turned him into a scarecrow. 

Hahahaha! 

Oh sure, I could grow up, act my age.  We know that's not going to happen, anytime soon!

Y'all be good and stay safe!

  

                                                                            Hugs, 

                                                                                    Myra

 

   

Much ado?

 

Happy Friday evening!

Already weary of watching the Weather Channel, I wanted to hop on here before the power goes out.  

I'm not really expecting widespread outages ... but neither am I foolish enough to ignore warnings.  Gosh, not 3-4 days ago I believed the Storm was "much ado about nothing."   (Fortunately, the only one who heard me say that was Tom ... who pretty much disregards what I say anyway.  haha.)

From the looks of Publix this morning, citizens are all prepared to stock the larder and hunker down.  The store looked like the day before Thanksgiving!     

The way we've been eating lately, it wouldn't hurt to go without a meal or two!

Have I mentioned, my favorite hobby is eating out?  

Since I'm Tom's designated driver whenever he has a doctor's appointment, my "gratuity" usually comes in the form of, "Are you hungry?"  (To which, I always act pleasantly surprised.)

Friday he was in the mood for comfort food ... and boy, oh boy, the Pub delivered!

Poppyseed chicken, squash casserole, broccoli casserole and fried okra.

Saturday afternoon Troy and Lois arrived with yummy pizza; I made a caprese salad.  Before they left to watch 22 month-old "Hurricane Penelope", we gave them our old power washer.  That's not back-breaking labor, but I've been successfully avoiding using it the last few years and didn't want to press my luck!  

Tuesday my 'Gatherers' group met for our monthly luncheon at a fairly new sports grill.  So far, I'd successfully avoided visiting Baumhower's due to the (reported) noise levels and crowds.  Happily, it was nicer than what I expected.  My lunch ("Hot Lips") a delicious mix of super spicy Buffalo chicken and tossed greens.

..... That didn't stop me from salivating over Bev's choice.  So, not 48 hours later Tom and I went back and each ordered the pot roast.  Their menu states, "no substitutions", so I snagged his green beans and gave Tom my mashed potatoes.   

What else?

We met Tom's new neurologist this morning.  Nice guy; I didn't get any particular vibes but appreciate his thorough manner.  He's read the radiologist's CT report but wants Tom to have an MRI.  

This made me giggle ... can anyone else relate?

Well, I'm going to try and become captivated with my latest book.  I've already used my second library renewal, but if "Buckeye" doesn't "do" anything for me in the next few days, it's going back.  

Having just finished Tess Gerritsen's, "Shadow Friends", I'm seriously considering going back to her first in the Martini Club's series, "Spy Coast."   Maybe it's my age, but I adore her protagonists -- a tight-knit, cocktail-sipping group of retired CIA operatives living in a Maine seaside hamlet.

I'd like to compare them to Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote), only a bit 'more.'    

I truly hope Hollywood never options the book(s) into a movie, because I'm having too much fun imaginary-casting each character.  Do you ever do that?

Just look ... it's wine-o'clock!

I hope everyone enjoys a lovely evening.  Chat soon!

Hugs, Myra

 

Don't Let it be Forgot

 

Hello friends,

    Thank you, Joyce!

                Let's do this!

What's something you recently forgot to do?  Is your memory these days more like a sieve or an elephant?

Because I dread missing anything, I probably over-compensate.

The only thing I remember forgetting a few years ago was my cell phone.  By the time I discovered it wasn't in my study bag it was too late to go home.

Silly, but I was so unnerved that something might happen the 2 miles between church and the house.

Hard to believe, I'm the same person who used to blithely travel about Texas with only a paper map in the glove box.

Share a trick/strategy you have to help you remember things you need to remember.

I'm a slave to the tickler file in my desk drawer!
If out and about, I'll send myself an e-mail.

What's your favorite Fall vegetable to cook with?  Do you prefer your Fall veggies roasted, blended into a warm soup or fresh in a crisp autumn salad?

If I'm cooking, corn is a favorite.  Or Hatch chili -- the real stuff v. canned wannabe.

Second question?  Every which way!
I am partial to butternut squash bisque, provided someone else makes it. 

October 5 was National Do Something Nice Day.  Did you?  If so, tell us about it.  Or maybe someone did something nice for you.  If that's the case, please share.

It wasn't the 5th, but close.  I was the recipient of an unusual act of kindness:

Tom needed something quick from Publix, but I elected to stay in the car.  Unfortunately, just when I'd found a prime spot by the door, this big black Hummer came wheeling in, totally blocking my view.  (Oh, vey!)

I wanted the driver to get out and go inside so I could move my Taos.  Oh, no!  This little old lady climbed down from the driver's seat and proceeded to direct me out ... like a crossing guard might!

Even with the rear camera, reverse gear isn't one of my strong suits, so I was appreciative ... and tickled, too!

Nathanial Hawthorne is credited with the quote, "I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."
Do you tend to spend more time outside this time of year?

Yes, provided it's early morning.  Our afternoon temps remind me, Summer's not ready to exit Stage Left.

Do you actively pause to soak in fleeting moments of beauty in your daily routine?

Oh yes!  Having spent so long in the Arizona desert, the first time I spotted all the Fall foliage it brought happy tears to my eyes.  Tom was like, "Why are you crying?" (lol)  

 

Insert your own random thought here.

I think some of y'all are familiar with Victor's blogs -- Time for Reflections and the Christian Lounge.

It's not unusual this time of year to see Fall festivals featuring a corn maze ... which reminded me of something I posted back in 2009.

Long story short, Victor was recently kind enough to include it here.
I hope you'll enjoy 'Labyrinth or Maze?'

Thank you!

Hugs, Myra

Go Tell it on the Mountain

 

Good morning, fellow Hodgepodgers and sweet friends!

Here in central Alabama, there's no mountainscape outside my window ..... but one can dream!  On that note, let's let our thoughts turn to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Joyce asks --

When you think of Autumn, what sounds come to mind?

I've not attended a football game in years.  Yet.  There's just something special about the sound of a high school band's pep tunes and pounding drums, accompanied by youthful chants and cheers.

These young people may not be as athletically superior as those in the NFL, the cheerleaders less sophisticated.  To me, however, little can compare to their enthusiasm.  Carpe diem!

Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy?  Crisp, piney air.  What's your favorite mountain?

I'd adore a trip to the mountains, but that's not in the cards right now.

My favorite mountain?
Technically, my hometown sits on something called the Pajarito Plateau (7,000+ elevation) -- not a mountain per se, but surrounded by the Jemez and Sangre de Cristos.

The road home ... Los Alamos, NM

What's something that once felt like a mountain but is now just a molehill.

I wouldn't call it a 'molehill', but navigating the health-care system no longer gives me "the vapors."  LOL.

Let's play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes, you have to choose. 

Pumpkin spice latte o.  Chai latte.  I've never tried it!

Apple cider or hot chocolate  Um, no thank you.

Stew or chili.  Both, please.

Sweet potato casserole or  Green bean casserole

Butternut squash soup  or creamy mushroom soup

Cranberry sauce or  Gravy

Sum up your September in a sentence or two.

I can't say it any better than this!
(Credit Facebook)

Insert your own random thought here.

Thank y'all so much for the prayers.  They were felt!

Not 24 hours after his scans, Tom's primary called.  She asked us to come back and pick up a new antibiotic; we've an appointment tomorrow at Wound Care.

We won't see the Neurologist for another 10 days, but I've gone online and copied the radiology results.
Hopefully, AI will translate them into "real people" verbiage.
Ha!  No more medical secret code-speak.

(It's always something, right?!)

Wishing all y'all a blessed day!

Hugs, Myra

All things considered ....

 

Life's pretty some of that all-right!

Earlier this week we enjoyed by a brief, unexpected day of high's in the mid-70's.  Woo-hoo! 

As if on cue, the empty lot next door erupted overnight in these.

"The spider lily is a symbol of reincarnation, often found around graveyards."

What's curious?  After 2, maybe 3 weeks they will have disappeared for another year.  Not unlike the mythical city of Brigadoon.

Walking about that land, I can't escape the thought, these lilies are also referred to as "dead Confederates."
(*goosebumps*)

After all, this parcel was once part of a plantation owned by the gentleman who founded our little church in 1840.

I won't be bringing any home to put in water, but I love looking at them and realizing the best time of the year's almost upon us.

Which reminds me...

I still haven't put away my mother's china service.  Even the sunroom's red-white-and-blue design needs to bow out and make way for Autumn.

We finally broke down and had a new, safer shower installed in the master bath.

What a mess, once they discovered "what lies beneath!"

I think Express Bath underestimated the time required, but at the end of the day, I'm delighted.

They even brought us a rubber duck!

Friday morning, I met with my new eye doc.  What a relief to know the film over my left eye isn't something concerning.  She said next year if I'd like, they can zap (laser) it in no time flat.

Meanwhile!  I may go back to wearing bi-focal glasses full time.
For a year now, I've kept inexpensive readers in every room of the house ... but while out shopping and I need to read the expiration date, etc. on something it's so annoying to dig in my purse.  First-world problems, haha.

Tom suggested I buy one of these around-the-neck chains to hold my spectacles -- but that's not going to happen anytime in this lifetime.

Together with AI, I've picked out several cute styles that will look best on my face. 

Oh, and you know what else?  I'm so excited, y'all!

AI's helping clothe me.

For most of my adult life, no matter my weight, my natural waistline's anywhere from 10-12" smaller than my hips.

There's little I dislike more than trying on jeans in some public dressing room with abysmal lighting.

Once I gave my "personal stylist" more info, it came back with recommendations -- the "whys", brands, descriptions ... and prices, too!  All without leaving my desk or spending a dime.

For a moment, it felt like I was in an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Well, it's going on lunchtime and Grace is living me her best side eye.  Mom, I'm staaaaarving!

There's nothing more pressing, but if you would, please keep Tom in your prayers.  Without going into detail, he's having 2 CAT-scans done tomorrow on his head and spine.

Thank you!

Hugs, Myra  

 

 

Falling into the Hodgepodge

 

Happy Fall, y'all!
... and thanks to Joyce for making Wednesdays so entertaining!

🍂

Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere.  Does it look/feel like fall where you live?  What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall?

Yesterday evening I spotted a crimson leaf all alone on our lawn.

Unfortunately, Central Alabama hasn't received the memo.
For the foreseeable future, I'll have to be content dreaming of a green and golden world I used to know.

What's a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy?

Mopping the kitchen floor.
The light-colored tile shows every stinkin' spec of dirt.

What's something you're falling for lately?

Christmas advertisements.
Yes, already.

Like gun sales, however, I give myself a "cooling off" period before hitting the "buy now" button.  More often than not, I'll go back after a week, maybe two and decide "no", that's not for me.

What's your buying M.O.?

Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year.  Are you a fan?  What's your favorite pumpkin-flavored food or beverage?

On a 1-to-10 scale, I'm about an "8."
Walking into Publix and seeing their beautiful display of decorated pumpkins and flowers my heart literally skipped a happy beat.

Not 2 minutes later, a pumpkin cream cheese pie happened to jump in my cart.
Unfortunately, it didn't taste as good as it looked.

I'm holding out for the day their pumpkin "monster cheesecake" slices arrive.  They're a bit pricy but worth every penny calorie. 

What's something you wish would never change.  Explain.

40-50 degree days.
That's it .....  that's enough!

Insert your own random thought here.

Hugs, Myra