Flights of Fancy

We are back on the Hodgepodge this week and all joining Joyce at

From This Side of the Pond

to answer her well thought out questions.

 Before you start reading my answers may I suggest you click on this video and listen to the music while you read.  It may put you in the mood for all these questions on flying.

1. Tell us about a time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'.

I suppose it would be when I became the Chief Facilities Officer for the five Louisiana Technical College Region 7 campuses.  I felt like I could do the job although I had had no prior experience doing so.  It was literally a daily 'flying by the seat of your pants' situation for a while.  But, with a lot of support and prayer, I did a pretty good job.

2.  When or where would you most like to be 'a fly on the wall'?

I think it might be interesting to see first-hand how Trump and his cabinet conduct their meetings and then to fly around and see what is discussed privately afterward.

3. 'Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.'-Henry David Thoreau 

Would you agree? Why or why not?

One thing I know is that we are not promised happiness; joy in the Lord, yes, but not necessarily happiness.  Things, people, situations, occasions, seeing something pretty, a hug, etc. are things that can make us happy; however, that emotion can just as quickly vaporize and be replaced with another emotion.

I  agree with the statement based on the fact that focusing on ourselves will never bring lasting happiness because it is a very fickle emotion and we are fickle beings.  It is only when we give of ourselves to others and seek to enjoy those things that do bring happiness that we are truly happy.

4. Share a favorite movie, book, or song with flying in it's title, lyrics, or theme somewhere.

The first thing that came to mind was an old, old 1956 movie with a star-studded cast, "Around the World in 80 Days."  It starred David Niven, Shirley MacLaine, and over 40 famous performers made cameo appearances, including Marlene Dietrich, George Raft, and Frank Sinatra.  Shirley MacLaine and Glynis Johns are the only ones still living.  It was a hilarious tale of Niven and his manservant traveling around the world in an air balloon.

There are many others such as "Flight", "Top Gun", "Air Force One" and most recently "Scully", which was a great movie.

As you can tell, a song that came to mind is "Fly Me to the Moon and let me play among the stars.  Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars".  It was first sung by Kaye Ballard in 1954.

5. What is one task or chore you tend to do 'on the fly'? Is this something that really needs to be done another way?

Dusting and yes, it probably needs to be done in a more concerted effort where I thoroughly do the whole house at one time.  It's just easier to swift something when it gets dusty.

6. What was happening the last time you thought to yourself or said aloud, 'Wow, time flies when you're having fun', and you meant it.

I guess it would be our trip to Fredericksburg, TX several weeks ago with friends.  There was so much more we wanted to see and do but just ran out of time.

7. This Thursday is National Garlic Day. Will you add garlic to your menu on Thursday? Do you like garlic? What's your favorite dish made with garlic?

I do like garlic but I doubt I will be using it on Thursday.  That night we will be joining other couples from our church for a "Domino Night" and everyone brings a snacky something.  Loading up on garlic to be shared is probably not the best idea.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Dick is a realtor and until it sold this past Monday - HALLELUJAH! - had a house and 30 acres in a very rural part of another parish.  Yes, this is Louisiana where we have parishes instead of counties.  I had never been there, so was delighted to join him on a recent visit.  We enjoy just getting out and riding sometime and this was a perfect afternoon for me to accompany him even if it was work related.

This will give you an idea of just how rural it was.

In a nearby village, there was a sight that can only be seen in rural USA - the General Store.

As you can tell they sale everything anyone within a 50 mile radius might ever want to purchase.  From hay, food for cattle, lumber, to hair brushes, clothes, food, band-aids, and a refrigerator, you can find it here.  Folks, these are a very rare breed.  I wish we had had time to just go in and rummage.  That's another road trip.

We crossed a beautiful lake where many well-to-do folks have mansions, and some not so well-to-do have shanties.

One of the things I love about this lake is the diversity.  You go from the open expanse to a more dense grove of cypress trees, to the typical Louisiana swamp with moss covered cypress.

Sorry about the blur of the pictures above but we were moving and I was using my phone out the window.  But you get the idea.

Then, we drove past this view and had to turn around and go back for a closer look because we couldn't believe what we had seen.

There were twice this many commodes placed around this tree and the circular drive.  Right on the side of the road!  I especially want you to notice the satellite dish hanging on the tree.  Of course the frayed US and LA flags rather speak for themselves in this part of the country, but the dish?  Someone suggested its there for better reception while sitting and watching a movie.  I don't know.  Some things just defy explanation.

Have a great week while flying around!