Heavy Air and Airheads in the Hodgepodge

Although the questions are light this week, I know that our hostess, Joyce, has a heavy heart. Her beloved old dog, a faithful Gordon setter, died suddenly on Monday.  I'm so sad for her and her family. The loss of a sweet pet is always very hard,  especially in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, life changes and upheaval.  Sometimes I wonder if maybe our animals can't bear to see our pain, or maybe when their world is so rocked by seeing their humans go away (by moving away, being hospitalized, going off to college), they say their goodbyes, too.   I don't know. But I've witnessed it personally many times. 

Anyway, that was a heavy start to the light Hodgepodge today, but pain has to be acknowledged and grief has to run its course. It runs more smoothly when pals are there to hold your hand and lend a shoulder to cry on, even if the hand and shoulder are only figurative. 

1. Is your home air conditioned? If it's not air conditioned, is that by choice? Did you grow up with air conditioning? If not how did you cope with the heat? Share about a time or place you remember as being too hot-the temperature kind of hot, lest anyone be confused.

Our house is absolutely air-conditioned! The heat and humidity of a typical Maryland summer day are unbearable for this spoiled chick.  

No, I did not grow up with AC.  We had fans, and I remember how my sisters and I would scrunch up together (not touching, of course--too sweaty!) in front of the box fan on the floor and say "ahhhh" into the motor and listen to the wonky vibration. Hey, it's what you did when it was too hot to do anything else!  

The last place that was too hot was actually this past Sunday outside, from the car to the church building. The air was so hot and muggy that it made talking difficult .  Yes, for me!  Whaddya ya know? 

2. What's something in your life right now that falls under the heading 'up in the air'?

A job situation. I've applied online for private tutoring jobs, as I like to set my own schedule and rate. I already have one with a little girl who will be in kindergarten. I'm so happy to report that after a year of c0-teaching her with my daughter (I'd go Friday and Sarah would go Saturday), the little girl was awarded Best Reader in the Head Start Program in her school! That makes my heart sing and worth all the effort!

3. Your favorite light and airy dessert?

Strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream on top.

4. When did you last feel like you were 'floating on air'?

I really can't remember.  

5. Airport, airmail, airtight, airhead...which have you most recently encountered? Explain.

Airheads! Hands down.  Lawyers, contractors, salespeople, drivers; I wonder if I attract them or what???

6.  Have you ever been to the Alps? If so where did you go? If not, is this a destination on your must-see list? If you were headed that direction this summer, which of the following would be your preferred activity...a gentle walk, a serious walk, a bike ride, a boat ride around one of the lakes, or summer snow skiing?

Never been to the Alps. I'd like to, certainly. If I were headed there now, I'd prefer to boat around a lake. That's always on my must-do list for enjoyment. 

7. What is one saying or phrase that was considered 'cool' when you were growing up?

"Respectable" was a term I remember from when I was about 16.  At the ocean there were respectable waves. Guys had respectable cars.  Friday paychecks put respectable cash into your weekend fun.


8. Insert your own random thought here.

My dear friend and neighbor, Bonnie, had to put their own 14- year -old dog, Buck, to sleep while we were away.  He'd been having digestive issues for a year, but since May, he had witnessed a lot of change in the home life he was used to: Bonnie's son got married in May and moved away, her older daughter is preparing to go away to college, which makes the parents grieve in their own way. I think Buck internalized it. An old man, a precious chocolate lab, Buck hung on as long as he could, and everyone got to be there with him when he breathed his last. 

My heart goes out to Joyce and Bonnie as the summer of 2015 will always be remembered with choked-back tears. 

Bitter and Sweet in the Hodgepodge

Once more, Joyce has given us seven questions to ponder and answer. Click the cute button above if you don't know what I'm talking about. And please join in; we love company. 

1. What's the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word 'spring'? Which phrase

 best describes the season of spring where you live right now (today)-sprung! almost there, 

or still waiting?

First image that comes to my mind when I hear the word "spring" would be robins, then crocuses, daffodils, and tulips, in that order.   But daffodils make my mind "spring back" (not forward!) to the day I gave birth to my first child.  In a couple weeks, he will be 27 years old.

Where we live, I do believe that spring sprang yesterday. Even though there are still patches of snow everywhere, the birds are declaring that spring has arrived. 

2. Bed, couch, stapler, garage door, computer mouse, recliner, flashlight, door knob...which

 household item containing springs most needs replacing in your home? Speaking of 

springs...did you ever own a Slinky?

Garage door needs replacing.  Yes, I owned a Slinky. I remember watching it 

crawl down our long, wooden staircase in the parsonage when I was 9 years 

old. Very cool toy. 

3. March is Women's History Month. Share a favorite quote by a woman.

This woman and I share a birthday: 

4. What's a question that looms large in your mind right now?

The question that looms largest is so close to my heart that I can't even write it in on paper, let alone here on the internet.  

So I'll give you the one that's looming large but doesn't choke me up.  "What can I be doing to love Jesus more?"

5. Are you a sugar freak? By that I mean how much do you love sugar? With all 

the bad press sugar gets these days, have you made any efforts to reduce the 

amount of sugar you consume?

I am definitely a sugar freak and have made no real efforts lately to reduce my intake. 



6. Would you rather have less work to do or more work you enjoy doing?

The latter.  Vocationally I would gladly take on more tutoring students.  I love teaching.  Avocationally, I have enough quilts in my head to keep me busy till I die. 

7. Ever been to Texas? Of the top ten Texas tourist attractions which would you most like to 

see-The Alamo, The San Antonio River Walk, The State Capital, Dallas World Aquarium,

 Padre Island National Seashore, Houston Space Center, Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New 

Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas,  Moody Gardens, or Galveston Island?

As a matter of fact, my older sister lives in New Braunfels, so I have been to Texas. Unfortunately, the week we were there in September of 1999, I was having my second miscarriage, so my memories are all bittersweet. I have been to most of those places, and all are associated with both beauty and loss. The Alamo--I couldn't concentrate on the placards; I was holding back tears. The River Walk? Beautiful, but I had to stop often to rest. Padre Island was good for my soul--to be near the God who loved me even though He was taking my baby back to Himself before I was ready.  Six Flags? Umm, I mostly sat while waiting for Paul and the kids to ride the rides. We went to Schlitterbahn and that was somewhat of a good distraction to me, but there were babies and strollers everywhere; that was hard.   To tell you how time flies, my nephew is now a lifeguard at Schlitterbahn in the summer. 

Sorry to get all melancholy on you, but this is where the Hodgepodge sometimes takes us when we least expect it, right? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

As I'm writing this, it's Tuesday, March 10th.  My first son, Ben,  and daughter-in-law, Deirdra,  have been married three years today.   Gosh, three years. Seems like three months ago that I was blogging about their wedding.   

 They have a sweet marriage; we are the richer for having Deirdra in our family. 

Healing in the Hodgepodge

1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?

I have two favorites:  from about 9 am till noon  because I  feel most alert (after my yummy cup of coffee), the  most productive physically, and the day is fresh.   I also enjoy from about 7 till bedtime when we sit and veg, watch TV, play on our screens, relax (unless there's homework that the boy needs help with). Sometimes I go to my sewing room or sit in the family room doing some hand sewing.

2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house? 

The blender is missing a small part (just the gasket, I think) that would be a cheap, easy fix, but since I hate to clean a blender (all those parts plus a sharp blade) I hardly used it after a slew of smoothies a couple summers ago. No appliance needs replacing right now, thankfully.

3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?

Honestly,   chitchat ad nauseum while waiting for a meeting to get started is something that makes me grumpy. The older I get, the more I appreciate when leaders "rein in" the talkers and get down to business.

4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?

One time I went to Toronto with a college friend and her mom and another lady to visit my friend's aunt.    We drove through the night so completely missed Niagara Falls except in the dark fog.  We stayed with the aunt who lived in an apartment above an electronics store on a busy city street.  Just as we were about to fall asleep,  we heard a loud crash and glass breaking, then a security alarm.  Burglars had broken the storefront window and grabbed stuff. And by "stuff" in the early 80's, I mean probably a Walkman or boom box.  Scared me to death. Not sure I slept in Toronto, but I've spent the night there!

I would like to revisit Canada, sans burglary, and see Niagara Falls in all its glory.

5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?

Grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Yes. 

6. Do you cry easily?  

I used to. I've toughened up with age. In fact, I am moved more toward irritation than compassion when anyone cries with very little provocation.   I just wanna say, "C'mon, get a grip."

Gosh, as I write this, it sounds like I've become quite the curmudgeon in middle age, huh? I used to cry over the littlest thing, but not any more. I may get choked up, but tears? Not so much.

Two things that get me every time though? Seeing a baby being born (even on TV) or watching  the baptism of a new believer.  I am undone.

7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?

Yes.  I've made doll quilts all year to send in shoeboxes along with other little things for Operation Christmas Child.  I have also bought something for my daughter-in-law. I never really get into the whole swing of things until after Thanksgiving, though. I like to take one holiday at a time, thank you.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

A friend of mine gave a testimony in Bible study this morning. She has suffered chronic back and knee pain for many years, and yet perseveres to care for her disabled veteran husband.  And there's always a big smile on her face. (She's the friend who made the blue dress for me for my son's wedding--free of charge!) 

This past weekend Bonnie attended  a special service at her church, expecting something from God, but not sure what. 

Soon after sitting down (in great pain), she noticed a man near the front get up out of his seat--someone she'd never seen--and he came and sat down in an empty seat right beside her.  Bonnie said nothing, just observed. The man was shuffling some cards that said "hope" on each one, but was intently listening to the speaker as well. When the offering basket was passed, Bonnie noticed in his wallet a 50 and a 10. He put the 50 in.  At the break, she finally introduced herself. 

"Hi, I'm Bonnie." 

"Hello,"  he said, reaching to shake hands. "My name is Gabriel." 

That was all he said. He was friendly but quiet, and went back to shuffling the hope cards.  Bonnie turned to say something to her friend, Joan, on her left, and  then looked back to say more to Gabriel. But he was gone. It was seconds, literally, that she had looked away. 

Fast forward to after the meeting. She went to the car. Her friend Joan found her crying in extreme pain. Joan asked if she could pray for her. 

"Sure." 

Well, Joan did, and then said, "I want you to get out of the car and walk around it. "

Bonnie balked. "Get out and walk around the car? But--"

She did, and as she walked, the pain was gone! No pain in her back. No pain in her knees.  

She went home and looked up Gabriel in the Bible. He's a messenger angel.  The hope cards were the message God had for her. Hope in God. Trust and obey. If she hadn't had hope, she wouldn't have gone to the meeting expectant. If she hadn't gotten out and walked around the car, she would not have experienced the instant healing that just took place. 

Is that amazing or what?? We serve a great and powerful God!