Fair Well October

Yes, I will be one year older on Saturday, Nov. 1.  Thank you, Mother, for holding off one more day to bring me into the world.  Who wants to be a Halloween baby!

And, thank you, Joyce, for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Are you a risk taker? To what degree? 

No, I am not much of a risk taker.  For one who likes to be in control and able to predict to some degree what is coming, taking a risk is not something I desire.  However, I do enjoy planned spontaneity.

2. What's your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth?

Most anything chocolate is good for me.  I could eat my weight (and that is getting higher every year) in my friend's Millionaire bars.  Thank you, Judy!

I wrote last week about our Greek grandson-in-law, who runs his family's patisserie, which is one of the best in Athens.  He brought our granddaughter and our adorable great-grandson to Dallas last week, and they were so thoughtful to bring gifts.  One is a little jar of the most wonderful chocolate-covered hazelnut balls.  This is my new favorite.  We are allowing ourselves only one a day.

I do have a sweet tooth that is being controlled these days.

3. Somewhere you've been recently that had you feeling 'like a kid in a candy store'?

I hate to bail out on this one, but I haven't been anywhere that meets this description lately.

 

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world?

Live and love as Christ did.

 

5. Do you like surprises?

Only if I can choose the surprise. Refer to the answer to #1.

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We got to meet our little Greek great-grandson last Friday, and we totally agree that he is the most adorable little blessing.  He is such a happy, healthy, beautiful, big nine-month-old.

Now, how about the cutest little 3-year-old boy's school picture and his sassy little 1-year-old sister?

Have I told you lately how wonderful our great-grandchildren are?

Who Loves Orange?

There has actually been a bit of Fall wind in the mornings around here this week.  I was finally in the mood to plant some flowers in my entry pots that will last all winter.  Ornamental cabbage and a colorful mix of petunias did the trick.

Thank you, Joyce, for hosting the Hodgepodge as always.

1. What do you like most about your family?

What's not to like, I ask thee!!  My family has personality overload, especially the grandchildren.  We are a loving family with a sense of humor that is delightful.  Everyone is an individual with their own likes and dislikes, personalities, and gifts.  Some commonalities are family traits, yet we are all so different and unique.  I like that!

2. What's something nice that's happened to you recently?

I was recently told by a new friend that she thought I was in my 60s.  That was something pretty nice, since I will have my 81st birthday next week.

We had a gathering after church to celebrate our youngest granddaughter's 19th birthday.  Any time I'm with my kids is nice.  We also celebrated her boyfriend being selected as 2025 PCA Homecoming King.  That was a pretty big deal as well.

3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what's something orange you love?

Orange is probably my favorite color besides an orangy red, so yes, I like that color.  I love orange clothing and have several items in my closet.    This is a picture taken a few years ago on the 1st day of Fall.  I do not, however, use orange in my home decor except in the fall.

4.  What's something you have now you couldn't have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What's possible now because of it?

 Five years ago, we could not imagine living in Plano, TX, near our daughter.  We were not ready to move, yet when the decision was made, we were more than ready for the change.  We could not have imagined being as happy and blessed as we are at this point in our lives.  God has been so faithful, and we will be forever grateful.

What is possible now because of this move?

We get to sit with our daughter, granddaughters, and family for worship on Sunday mornings. We are close enough for occasional family gatherings.  We have immediate access to all aspects of our healthcare.  We have made life-long friendships and have had opportunities to serve and grow spiritually that he didn't have before this move.  We are 2 minutes from our church and 30 minutes from the DFW airport.  We can easily pick up visiting family members and out-of-town guests.  As I said, we are so very grateful!

5. Let's wrap this one up with an October this or that...

• pumpkin bread or apple cider donut
• pumpkin bread w/apple cider
• cozy sweater or cozy hoodie
• cozy sweater but only after October
• apple picking or pumpkin picking
• pumpkin picking from a grocery store
• scary movie or Hallmark movie
• depends on how scary; otherwise a Hallmark movie
• hay ride or corn maze
• hay ride, if I were still a teenager, but neither is appealing at this point
• twinkle lights or candles
• candles but twinkle lights are also good
• autumn hike or autumn bonfire
• a slow autumn hike with few inclines.   Winter firepit fires are enjoyable when in Northern Indiana.  We just don't have bonfires in Plano, TX

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Our granddaughter and her husband who live in Greece, gave his father a surprise trip to NYC for his birthday.  He is a lifelong resident of Athens, Greece, and it has always been his dream to visit this city.  Below are a few pictures of their week.  He especially enjoyed spending this special time with his only grandchild, Noah.  I think Noah enjoyed it as well.

Later this week, Noah, along with his mom and dad, will arrive in Plano to meet his Texas family.  We can't wait.

Peaceful Hodgepodge

"I am the Lord.  I have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand.  I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, in order to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness from the prison house.  I am the Lord.  That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another..." Isaiah 42: 6-8a

What a week we have been blessed to experience.  May God be praised and no other.

Thank you, Joyce, for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music? Last time you went somewhere for live music?

 I assume you aren't including the Sunday worship service.  In that case, we made an effort to attend our youth's annual Fall Follies last Sunday night.  It was an amazing production with unbelievable talent.  They give four performances and every one only gets better.

It seriously is Broadway-worthy.  No kidding!   Other than that, we do not make an effort to attend live music performances.  Before moving to Plano, we had season tickets to the Shreveport Symphony. 

2. According to HGTV, the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here's what's on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)

• Sherwin-Williams universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)
• Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)
• Valspar-warm eucalyptus (a warm silver-tinted green)
• Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey-tinted beige)
• Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)
• Krylon-matte coffee bean
• Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)
• Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)
• Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere) 

First question: Did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers? Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style? Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so, might you choose a color from this list?

 No, I wasn't familiar with some of these.

Sherwin-Williams universal khaki is the only one I would consider, but I would prefer a lighter shade of this color.  It is similar to the wall color in our previous house.  The Behr Hidden Gem

would be a color you might find in my closet but never on my walls.

I do not plan to do any wall painting any time soon.

Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most?

Midnight Garden

3. What's something in your life you have to do - watch - or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'?

Housework?  Did I mention previously that we have a housekeeper who comes monthly?  She asked me last time if I cleaned between her visits.  I did sort of lie and insist that, of course, I do.  That was partly true because I do run a swiffer over the furniture and vacuum a couple of times.  May I just say that I did not appreciate that remark and wanted to say, "Why do you think I pay you to come?"  But I was nice because I do like her, and she does a great job.  You can be sure that I will have cleaned before she comes next time.  Does anyone else clean before the housekeeper comes?

4 . Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert Day...did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What's your absolute favorite dessert? Yes, just one. I know!! 

Brownies are my favorite dessert, and as I am writing this on the 14th, I think a celebration is in order.

5. Perhaps today is the day I will start a new book to complete the series I started a few weeks ago while eating a plate full of brownies.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This past Saturday morning, we picked up friends to visit the Coppell Farmer's Market.  Our friends frequent it often and were familiar with many of the vendors and their products; however, this was our first time.

It was a lovely morning and such a nice location.  It was not as busy as it obviously is because they were having a "Dressed Dog Show" in the pavilion, which left the shopping wide open.  We did not attend the show.

This lovely lady at the beSpiced station sold me on a jar of Turmeric Churna.  I have made a couple of cups of tea and can't wait to be inflammation-free.

These cute ones sold Dick on pita bread, homemade chips, and humus.

These folks at the Jersey Dairy tent sold us on their Peach Yogurt.  Delicious, but the bottle was too small for my liking.  We would have loved to bring home a gallon of fresh Jersey milk, but at $9 we decided to leave it there.

After doing all the walking and looking that we cared to do, we found a delightful brunch spot nearby.  Let me just say that the Pumpkin pancake topped with toasted pecans and a delicious sweet cream was the pièce de résistance.

I think Dick and I may return, perhaps when it gets cooler.

Apples & Nuts on the Hodgepodge

It appears that we will not experience Fall in North Central Texas any time soon.  It will remain in the upper 80s and 90s until late October at the earliest.  By then we will be more than ready for the slightest drop in temperature.  In the meantime, I will stay inside as much as possible and hope for a road trip out of town to see some sign of Fall somewhere.

Thank you, Joyce for this week's questions and Hodgepodge connections.

1. 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made?

I inherited my mother's brown eyes and passed them on to my son.

My personality is similar to my dad's, and I have also passed those same traits on to my son and a bit to my daughter.

My dad's eyes were a beautiful blue, and my daughter inherited those.

I inherited my parents' love of reading and Bible study, as well as my dad's love of history.

My parents passed on their legacy of faith, and thankfully, we have passed that on to our children.  In this respect, we are so grateful the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

2. Something you're nuts about these days? How about something that's driving you nuts?

I really can't think of anything that I am nuts about other than nuts themselves.  I read that if you have thyroid issues, you should have nuts at every meal.  I have no idea if that is true, but it sure sounds reasonable to me and something I can do happily.

Something that drives me nuts!  I know this sounds very persnickety, but I can't stand for my dining room chairs to be out of place.  And by that, the legs must be perfectly placed against the table legs.  I have a round table with four chairs, if that helps you envision my issue.  There are other OCD concerns, but let's leave it here with the chairs.

3. What does abundance mean to you?

Over and above what is necessary or common, a rich supply.

 Jesus said that He came that we might live life abundantly.  The Old Testament gave this example of abundance:

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast   anointed my head with oil;
My cup runneth over
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (Psalms 23:5-6)

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto...what's your caramel treat of choice? 

Caramel Cake

5. What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall?

I remember vividly playing in the woods with my younger sister.  We loved making "houses" by doing the outline of the house and rooms out of pine straw.  We loved being outside all year long, and could do that in the south, but the fall was a particularly fun time of the year.  We also enjoyed squirrel hunting with our dad.

 

6. Insert. your own random thought here.

I have learned how to keep avocados!  Once they have reached the desired stage of ripeness, put them in a large container, covered with water, and put them into the frig.  I keep mine whole.  They will last about two weeks like this and peel quite easily.  Make sure they are ripe, because the ripening process is stopped once you put them in the frig.  You can thank me later.

 

All About Cone'try

Thank you, Joyce, for these fun questions this week.  Goodbye to September and Hello October.

  

1. What's your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now? 

It used to be the smell of a roaring fire in our fireplace.  Now, we simply enjoy the ambiance of a gas-run fireplace and a lot less work.

Cinnamon and apple candles burning in the kitchen

A pot of soup cooking on the stove

None of these can be found in my kitchen tonight.

2. October is Country Music Month...are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse?

I am not and have never been a fan of country music, therefore no favorite artist.  I have been to Nashville a few times and enjoyed it.  I think I would be a "councity" mouse.  I grew up in the country, but have adapted amazingly well and quickly to city life. 

3. How about 'country cooking'? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)?

chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits, and gravy, mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, collard or turnip greens, deviled eggs, 'barbecue', gumbo, banana pudding

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you haven't tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered?

Yes, all of the above.  They were all favorites once.  Again, I grew up eating this way - what other way was there in the south?  These days, we don't eat southern soul foods so much; however, we do still miss that way of eating at times.  We don't eat big portions, fried foods, rice and gravy, potatoes and meat dishes like we grew up on.  However, we still love to make a big pot of gumbo, as well as cheese grits, biscuits, sausage gravy at Christmas, and cornbread with soups.  No good southerner will ever turn down a bowl of banana pudd'n.

 

4. What's something that always has a positive impact on your mood?

Being with my family always has a positive impact on my mood.  Spending time with good friends, and worship on Sunday

5. As we say so long to September, share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you. 

Celebration - Fellowshipping - Summery

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am so hoping October brings fall weather.  We are out of the 90s, but the upper 80s are still too warm for me this time of year.  I did finally put out a few fall touches in my house and am enjoying them.  I'm seriously thinking about leaving my pretty glass pumpkins up till after the first of the year.  As I don't decorate for Christmas and will be gone most of December, I don't think it will matter.

Hodgepodge of Remembering

Without love, there would be no grief, and grief is the result of having loved.

Thank you, Joyce for the questions this week.

To see more answers go HERE

1.  Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle, which side of the middle do you lean towards more?

I am in the middle, but I lean more towards the party pooper side.  I don't enjoy being in large groups and don't really enjoy chit-chatting.  I would much prefer sitting on the sideline, watching and judging.

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what's your favorite kind of party?

 

I do enjoy an intimate dinner party with friends, either in someone's home or a nice restaurant, when we can sit around the table and share meaningful conversation.

2. Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list? 

Contentment!  I think as we get older, or at least this has been my experience, we learn to be content in whatever happens to us or around us.  This doesn't mean we necessarily like what's happening, but we have learned to accept it and either do what we can to fix it or simply move on.

The Apostle Paul set the example in Philippians 4:11-13.  Through many adversities, and rooted in his learned ability to find peace and satisfaction in any circumstance, not due to external factors, but through his strength found in Christ, he found contentment.  I think this state of contentment can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

3. How do you feel about your birthday? How do you want to be celebrated? Or don't you?

Birthdays in our family don't get a lot of recognition unless it's a big one, and I do enjoy celebrating my husband.  I really can't think of ever having a birthday party since I was a small child; however, I was a little let down when my 80th went by without acknowledgment, especially when friends all around me were being given big parties or at least a special time with their family.  Dick took me out for a nice dinner, and that was enough.  This goes back to the previous answer - being content in whatever circumstances one finds herself.  I was just jealous and feeling sorry for myself, which is not a good look on me.

4. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month.

    November 1

• 835 Pope Gregory IV decrees All Saints Day a holy day of obligation for the Catholic religion
• 1611 Shakespeare's romantic comedy play "The Tempest" is performed at court in front of James I at Whitehall Palace - its first recorded performance
• 1896 First bare-breasted women (Zulu) to appear in National Geographic Magazine
• 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor.  Japanese naval staff officers Suzuki & Maejima arrive at Pearl Harbor
• 1966 NFL awarded a franchise to New Orleans; the name "Saints" alludes to November 1, All Saints Day in the Catholic faith

5. Share two good things about your life right now. 

1:  A comfortable state of financial security for our future

2:  A loving relationship with my Lord Jesus, my husband, family, and friends

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This has been a very traumatic week on numerous levels - remembering 9/11 and the tragic death of Charlie Kirk.  I won't go into all that because most of you have also experienced the same emotions - unbelief that this could happen, why?, sadness, anger, disgust with so many negative and hurtful responses, etc., as I have.  And yet to see what God is doing among His people despite what the evil one intended.

On Thursday, we also lost a great saint, Virginia Revels, who has been a mentor to many in the First Baptist Church of Bastrop, LA.  She celebrated her 99th.

I will do a separate post on this extraordinary woman tomorrow.

A Blessed Hodgepodge

Thank you, Joyce, for this week's questions.  They were food for thought.  Jump over to From This Side of the Pond to see how she and others answered these questions.  How would you answer them?

1. What gives you energy? What takes it away?

A regular early morning workout routine, and anticipation/completion of a plan.

Being around highly energetic and loud people depletes me of energy.  It literally wears me out and gives me the heebie-jeebies.

2. How often do you shop for clothes? What accessory do you always wear?

I do not enjoy shopping, so I rarely go into a store to just look and shop, unless I need something specific.  The most recent items have been purchased online.

I always wear a pair of earrings and a bracelet, and when it is not charging overnight, I wear an Apple watch.

3. What's something free that you feel grateful for?

Grace is free to me, but it cost my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, His life.  I will forever be grateful for the gift of salvation because I am so unworthy.

4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner...which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What's your go-to comfort food? 

Breakfast!  I do not normally eat breakfast unless we eat out.  It is our favorite eat-out meal, and we enjoy meeting friends mid-morning on Saturdays.

My go-to comfort food is scrambled eggs and bacon/sausage

5. This week, the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way? How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges? 

We do not mark the day in any way specifically, other than being grateful that our precious Ginger's life was spared on that day.

I don't know that historical events shape my perspective other than to allow these events to serve as a reminder that a sovereign God is in control. He knows my needs and has a plan.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

In 2 Chronicles 20, God gave King Jehoshaphat the following instructions for dealing with a huge challenge in his life, and this is how I seek to face personal challenges as well.

The battle is the Lord's!

Don't be afraid or discouraged

Face the battle or challenge - don't ignore it

Position yourself where God wants you - in His will

Stand still - don't try to solve it on your own

Watch what God will do!

Then worship and praise Him for what He has done or is continuing to do

Wait for the blessings!

Speaking of blessings, you are invited to hop over to my previous blog covering the past 60 years of our marriage.  Warning:  Picture overload.

WOW! 60 Years

A Greek Hodgepodge

This was such a fun Hodgepodge this week.  I hope you enjoy reading my answers as much as I enjoyed composing them.

Thank you, Joyce

1. When someone finds out what you do or where you're from, what's a question they always ask? 

When someone learns that I am from Louisiana, they want to know if I'm from New Orleans.  Unfortunately, that is about all some folks in other parts of the country know about my home state.  Actually, Louisiana could be one of the most culturally diverse states in the nation, and I've lived in every corner and in the middle of it, but never in NO.

2. Did you participate in 'Greek Life' when you were in college, or have children who did? If so, what was your experience like? Taking another tack...have you ever been to Greece? If not, is that a destination on your bucket list?

No, I was not in a sorority and neither did my two children participate.  Three of my granddaughters were/are into 'Greek Life.'  

Our gangster days at the Acropolis in Athens

Yes, we have been to Greece and loved it.  We only saw Athens; however, one of our 'Greek Life' granddaughters has now made Greece her home.  She met a "Greek god" while studying in Barcelona, and they now have a beautiful, fifth-generation Greek baby boy.  Angelos runs his family's boutique fine pastry shop, "Melissa", in Athens, and this year marks their 100th anniversary.  How exciting for them to add the 5th generation at the beginning of this special year.

When they aren't in Athens, they are enjoying their 2nd home on the island of Paros.  Sounds like an enchanted life to me.  We can't wait to meet this precious baby in October.

3. Do you like Greek food? If so what's your favorite dish?

Most anything from Melissa's would soon be a favorite for me.

  

4. What incredibly common thing have you never done?

Tasted beer

5. What is a telltale sign that you're upset?

I withdraw.  It's best to allow me to work through what has made me upset by myself.  Once that's done, I may then be cordial.

  

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Check out my previous post to read about our road trip last week.  We are looking forward to doing this every week for a while.  I think you will want to check in next week to find out what interesting place we found.  Anyone want to go to Paris?