Wednesday, July 27, 2016

A Super Duper Hodgepodge

Joining Joyce and other bloggers for

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?
(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)

I would rate it a 6!  Not the best but not the worst by a long shot.  Why?
Downer?  Cervical surgery
Upper?  Surgery went great; pain free; spent three weeks recuperating with my family.
Downer?  Spending six weeks in a confining, suffocating neck brace 24/7.
Upper?  My healing went without a hitch and the x-ray looked great to the doc.
Downer?  Pretty confined during that six week period.
Upper?  It was too hot to be outside anyway.
Downer?  Couldn't drive.
Upper?  Am now able to drive my new car and planning upcoming day trips.
Super Dupper Upper?  My daughter and her girls are coming this weekend for a few days.  Yippee!

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).

This is my aunt Thyra.  She was several years older than my mother and played a very important role in my mother's life growing up, therefore ours as well.  She was the most elegant, and classy lady I knew growing up.  She and her husband were educators, she a teacher and he a principle.  He was also a member of the state legislature.  Aunt Thyra had what to me at that time was a magnificent wardrobe which was housed in the very first walk-in closet I had ever seen.  She cultivated my interests in fashion and decorating by letting me play pretend in her closet and in her large well decor'd living room.  These are all wonderful memories that helped shape my future tastes.  But, the best memory was when she asked me, a high school senior to chauffeur her on a road trip in her new yellow 1962 Chrysler Imperial that looked just like this.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven, but I mostly treasure the one-on-one time with her.

Yes, I am an aunt to five big, successful nephews.  They each know their Aunt Bibby loves them very much.

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?

I think anything is better dipped in chocolate!  Favorite dipped in cheese would be Nachos.

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.

I am astonished every time I hear of an attack by someone who is willing to kill innocent people and themselves be killed, because they believe it is their right to do so.

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?

Ironing board and Pinterest board.

6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?

How do you choose just one?  It would be a toss up between two - the story of Ruth because it shows first of all God's unfailing faithfulness to His people and that He has a perfect plan for each of us.  The other is the story of the prodigal son.  It is such a beautiful picture of God's unconditional love and that He draws us to Himself even though we aren't worthy of such love and salvation.

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?

I am not drawn to cities but to the landscape so I will have to ponder this a bit.
I would start in New Hampshire and go to Boston, New York City, down to Roanoke, WV, then across the country to Denver then Seattle.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We had baby Mockingbirds on our front porch for a couple weeks.  They have made a mess for sure, but they have been so much fun to watch.  I was able to stand inside my front door and capture these pictures.
These are the babies waiting for Mom to come with food.



 She did show up with a berry and made this little one very happy.

 I loved watching them groom.  They were quite the contortionists.
This little one had called and called and finally heard her mom coming.  It was so much fun to catch her looking for her and finally, there she was.
Today, they were gone, so I guess they passed all the flying tests and it was time to move on.
Elizabeth "Libby" Day
Elizabeth "Libby" Day

Hello, My name is Libby. I enjoy reading good books, painting, blogging, spending time with friends and whatever my "Heart" leads me to do. Welcome to Beauty Without Within.

14 comments:

  1. I loved the description of your aunt...so special to have people in our lives who love us and set wonderful examples. Glad you're doing well and feeling better. Enjoy daughter time!

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  2. Our bird feeder is right out our window, all winter we watch cardinals come and go.

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    1. Aren't they amazing? We have enjoying watch a cardinal family this summer from our sunroom.

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  3. Glad you are feeling better-enjoy your visit with daughter!! Ruth and the Prodigal Son came to my mind.

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  4. I love your cup half full!!! And all the rest of your answers. Your aunt was truly amazing to let you drive that great big car. Our youth leader gave me his keys to his big Buick and I almost threw myself through the windshield when I hit the power brakes which I wasn't used to.

    Glad you get to see your daughters. We have been watching the dove family on our back deck and I have been taking pictures of the babies. They are so sweet. Love your pics. Also your favorite stories from the Bible. All of the Bible is special and meaningful to me and it is hard to choose one.

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    1. Yes, I remember the power breaks and windows and steering. I was one happy girl!

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  5. Your aunt sounds like one special lady, Libby! Wow...that car! Yes, the Prodigal Son is my favorite story for obvious reasons. Enjoy your day, my friend!

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  6. I am so glad your period of 'confinement' is over! Praise the Lord. I'm so happy that your x-rays looked good and the brace could come off. Phew! I enjoyed your entire Hodgepodge, but especially liked reading about your Aunt Thyra. What a special lady she was! And what a terrific treat you had in your road trip! Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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  7. That is a lovely memory of your Aunt Thyra. I too use my ironing board. Will never live without one! Those mockingbirds are so precious.

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  8. Visiting from Hodgepodge! I answered the same way on the nachos! Great answers and I am so glad I found your blog! You can follow me back at Annster's Domain! Have a great day!

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  9. Those are such amazing photos you were able to get of the mockingbirds. Your aunt sounds so special and I would have loved to drive that car too! I love New Hampshire, don't know why I didn't include that and Maine in my answer. I guess I was thinking of moving in order from east to west ;)

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  10. Great post and lovely photos!

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  11. What a fascinating blog post you have written! I love reading about how you played in your aunt's walk-in-closet and that you got to drive her fancy car!

    And the pictures of the Mockingbirds were amazing -- especially the live action shot of the very last one.

    Sorry to read about your cervical surgery but I'm so glad it turned out well. That was a clever writing technique as you described the uppers and downers of your summer, thus far.

    Surely what remains of your summer will be even better with your positive attitude!

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  12. Sorry I missed this HP but my wagon was loaded with company. Loved hearing about your Aunt. And, enjoyed the description of your summer. :o)) The birds were too cute, such great pictures. We have been over run with Swallows here on the hill and they are nasty, nasty and we've finally rid the front porch of them and about to rid the back porch of them. Know it's been a special weekend with some of your girlies.

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