Wednesday Hodgepodge

Because there is no going to the gym early in the mornings any more, I have tried to take a couple long walks in and around our neighborhood every day.  Below is my favorite walking path and my 5-day Fitbit report this morning, Tuesday.

I am especially loving these cool temperatures right now.

Also, we were able to participate in our Easter service responsive reading by video.  Isn't it wonderful that none of this came as a surprise to our God and in His great wisdom, made it possible for us to continue not forsaking the assembling of ourselves in worship; albeit in a different mode.

Now, to the purpose at hand:

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I always look forward to Tuesdays because I get to answer the questions Joyce from This Side of the Pond comes up with for the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. In Monday’s post I mentioned I would incorporate the word I was given for letter K into this week’s questions. That word was karaoke. On a scale of 1-10 how excited would you be to find out there was karaoke happening at your next gathering/outing with friends? 

10=gimme that microphone!, and 1=I suddenly remembered there’s somewhere else I need to be.

Definitely a 1

Have you ever actually done karaoke? If you had to perform karaoke what would be your ‘go-to’song?

I have only done karaoke once and that was so many years ago I can't remember the occasion, only the horror of it.  There surely isn't a go-to-song these days of not being able to sing at all.

2. How do you listen to music these days? Favorite app or do you listen the old fashioned way? Do you have music playing often in your home? Is there still a CD player in your car?

We usually have music going most of the day in the house.  I will either ask Alexa to play a particular artist or genre; play selections from my stations on Pandora through a Sony speaker or the TV app.

Yes, there is a CD player in both our cars, but we don't use it often.

3. The HP lands on US tax day this year. Or what used to be tax day before everything including filing your taxes was cancelled, delayed, postponed or extended. FYI- filing your taxes has not been cancelled, only delayed for a bit.

Besides staying away from anyone and everyone, what have you found taxing lately?

Honestly, I really haven't found anything to be taxing.  I am perfectly content to be home; socializing has never been a must for me.  Okay, there is one thing, and that is just knowing I can't travel to see my family in Dallas (lest I be arrested or fined) or make our scheduled trip to Northern Indiana in May.  We did do a big joint ZOOM visit on Sunday with everyone (except John who had a new hospital to open). It was wonderful seeing everyone all together and to catch up on each other's goings on right now.  Loved it!

4. You’re without power so no oven, and you can’t open your frig or freezer in order to keep what’s in there from spoiling. And you don’t have access to take out. What will you make us for dinner?

You will be offered the basic mixed - never layered - peanut butter and jelly sandwich with options to add a variety of toppings such as bananas, sliced to your liking, and either crumbled or strips of bacon.  This will be served on your choice of china, pottery, corelle, or paper napkin.

5.  I’ve seen this exercise going around Facebook and thought it would be a good one to include in the HP...what are five things everybody seems to love and go crazy for that you personally don’t care for?

1.  Country Western Music

2.  Shopping

3.  Cartoons

4.  Star Wars Movies
5.  Ripped/torn jeans

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have received some of the most adorable pictures of my granddogs this week, and cannot resist sharing them with you.  Can we just say they are loved and adored members of their respective household?

Sophie is our oldest and mildest mannered of the bunch.  She recently had to have an eye removed but I think it just made her more adorable.

Her main activity during the day is to keep her favorite person, my daughter company in the chair while Christy works from home.  Sophie stands in the kitchen doorway every morning waiting to hear, "Let's go to work!"  Off she goes and there she stays.  I love this sweet dog and she loves her Bibby holds.

Big Goldenboy Samson is the only male in the bunch and has his own Instagram account.  How is that for special!  As a typical Golden Retriever this 75 lb baby is extremely friendly and loves his family.  However, Chandler told us he has let them know they are infringing on his alone time during these work-from-home days.  We love our red-headed big boy.

And then there is the diva of the bunch, Miss Skye Lane Day.  Skye is a mini Golden Doodle and pretty much rules the roost at the Day house.  She bonded most deeply with Savannah when they got her but is thrilled that all her favorite people are back home and she is the full center of attention.  She celebrated her 2nd birthday this week, and was celebrated with plenty of snuggles.  Is there ever enough for a diva puppy?

And what do this pictures have in common?  There are three pooches out there that are very much spoiled and loved.

I trust you have a great week.

Easter, Faith, Celebration

We are joining Joyce for our Easter Week questions today.  Click on the link and join us to answer these questions for yourself.

1. How will you celebrate Easter this year?

We are celebrating Easter all week long.  One way is to listen to beautiful, stirring music such as the video from Shadow Mountain Church, 

Is He Worthy?

We are reading scripture in preparation for Easter Sunday.

Our church will host an online Maundy Thursday service that we will virtually attend.

Our church has also posted a virtual Stations of the Cross that we will do.

On Sunday, we will join with members of our Sunday School class for Bible Study on our FB page.  My husband teaches and we have had excellent response from our members as well as family and friends.

Afterward, we will join our church family for online worship.  Just because the church doors are closed doesn't mean the Church of Jesus Christ is closed down.  We are very much alive and well, and look forward to Praising the Risen Lord together by whatever means available.

2. Is it easier for you to receive grace offered or extend grace to another? Explain.

That is such a good and thought provoking question, Joyce.  Grace means unmerited favor, and for some reason we want to feel we have some hand in the act of grace.  We also think we have to be worthy of grace in order to receive it.  Neither could be further from the truth, because if it were, then it wouldn't be grace.

Because God has poured out His unmerited favor on me, I am better able to both receive and extend.

3. Do you say grace before meals? If so do you have a standard dinnertime grace or is it more 'off the cuff' ? Do you say grace when dining out? Do you have a favorite grace? Any special memory associated with 'saying grace'?

Yes, we always give thanks before a meal.  As a family and as a couple we hold hands, close our eyes, and bow our heads.

Each prayer is "off the cuff" and we pray for other things as well as being thankful for the food.

Yes, we also hold hands and pray when eating out.

No, we do not have a favorite prayer.

As children, we prayed the familiar prayer, "God is great, God is good, Let us thank Him for our food. Amen!"  I remember seeing my sister peaking and naming each dish on the table at times when it was her turn to say the blessing.

4. What are some challenges you think the next generation will face? (Generation Alpha-born between 2011 and 2025)

I think many of those challenges depend on how and when we come out of this crisis period and how we adjust to the new normal.  Whether or not jobs and the economy bounces back, will determine the lifestyles of families in the future.  I do think each generation has the opportunity to learn from the past and become stronger than the one before.  This is my hope and prayer for my grandchildren and yet to be born great grandchildren.

5. Share a favorite quote or lyric featuring the word faith.

"My faith has found a resting place

not in device or creed.

I trust the Everliving One, His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument

I need no other plea.

It is enough that Jesus died,

and that He died for me."

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Today is the 27th birthday of our first grandchild, Chandler.

From day one, this child was all JOY!

Bali - 2020 Trip

She loves life and all it has for her.  She and her husband Brad love each other deeply and others generously.

Spain - 2019 Trip

She is gorgeous and good.  She loves to travel.  She loves her dog child, Samson.

She loves her Kindergarten children.  She loves her family and gives of herself to them.  She loves the Lord and is devoted to His call on her life.

And, we love our Chan!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANDLER

from your BIGGEST fans,

Daddea and Bibby

What Are You Wearing?

A fashion blogger I follow, posed the question "What are you wearing?".  My initial response, to myself of course, was "You really don't want to know."

To be honest when life was the old normal, I might stay in my work-out clothes most of the morning if I didn't have anywhere to go.  Later in the morning or early afternoon after I finished all the work related activities for the day, I would bath and put on something even more comfortable for the evening.

Are you seeing a pattern here?  Yes, comfort was definitely the word most winter days around here.

Now that my days consist of several walks in the neighborhood every day, and not going out or seeing anyone, my dress theme is still comfort and convenience.

My friend Lea at CiCi's Corner, however, is one of those who gets up early, showers and dresses to the nines every day.  She is amazing and I wish I were more like her in this way.

I hope she doesn't mind my borrowing this picture from her Facebook, but it is perfect for showing how she looks every day, even in the kitchen.

These days of isolation have not changed a thing for her.  That's who she is.

What about you?  Are you dressing well every day?

My blogger friend did offer a few suggestions for dressing well and/or comfortable during these days at home.

She suggested wearing a color or a combination of colors that nourish you.  I found that an interesting use of words.  Since my diet right now may or may not be the most nourishing, I now need to worry about wearing clothes that nourish?

This was causing thought overload, if not a bit of guilt!

She went on to tell us that she wears a certain color when she walks because of how it makes her feel.  Well, I do too!  My black workout tights make me feel skinny and in my imagination, they make my legs look long and powerful.  This imagined picture, whether accurate or not, makes me feel pretty good about myself.

Enough sarcasm!

Seriously, my blogger friend's purpose was to encourage so let me share that with you. 

The color she wears outside to walk is white because it symbolizes hope.  I admire her for this because hope is precisely what we need right now.

She offered some other nourishing colors that might be useful at this time.

Pink exhibits lasting devotion to people, places, and ideals.

Violet can give you a strong sense of inner self and life direction.

Green is nurturing, peaceful, and helpful.

Blue is soothing and inspiring.

Turquoise/aqua is kind, soothing, and friendly.

Periwinkle can put you in touch with quiet inner strength.

Black stands for sophistication, power, and sensuality.

Yellow was not one of the nourishing colors she included but I cannot think of a more nourishing color to me.  It evokes sunshine, brightness and cheer.

So should you be in need of some nourishing color connections while being at home, maybe my friend and I have given you some ideas.

Credit to Soft Surroundings for all the pictures

COVID Easter Table Decor

I am seeing so many beautiful ideas for decorating your table for Easter.

Can you imagine sitting at this beautiful breakfast table with 8 members of your family on Easter Sunday?  It would mean breaking a lot of arms and rules for me to pull this off.

I loved this one; however, it is well past tulip season where I live and florists are non-essential businesses here. I do have lots of grass though that I could use.

This woodsy theme would definitely be an option, since the woods are about the only place we can go without counting the number of others there.  So keep this one in mind.

Again, unless you have faux tulips, this table arrangement may pose a problem but it does offer inspiration. You could always stick some other fake flower stems in a vase or bring in a potted plant you bought before being quarantined.  For the place mats, let me suggest you go into the attic and find some small Christmas wreaths.  It's possible and probable your housemate(s) will never notice that there is red instead of pink ribbon on them.

As you can tell I have put a lot of time and research into designing what I feel is most appropriate for my husband and me.

So let me share.

During these extended days of isolation we have come up with ways of spending time separately as well as together.  One thing we have discovered that we enjoy doing together is playing a couple of our favorite games.

Thus my 2020 COVID-19 Easter tablescape!

Instructions for doing this in your home:

1.  Rummikubs:  Carefully dump the pieces on the table then turn over so that only the plain side is on top; shuffle again after your husband has done it; the of angle the trays is crucial.  They must be placed so neither player can see what will be on the other.

With this arrangement done, you are ready when the mood strikes you.

2.  Mexican Train:  I am not sure how long the name of this game will be politically correct, so use it while you can.

In my particular arrangement, we have the game pieces already shuffled and arranged; however, you may want to redo that again later.  I also strategically placed the "train organizer" on top of the pieces for convenience and the two colorful trains where they can be seen and easily found.

One special point I want to make is that when you do this at home, you will always want to have the right domino for the next game in place.  This means going the extra mile, but it is so worth it.

Let me stress that you do not have to go this extreme to be as thematic as I have.  To satisfy my sense of decor and need for symmetry, I placed a faux arrangement on a beaded placemat that is actually Easter related, to serve as a background. 

One more suggestion before encouraging you to try this for yourself, is that you will want to leave room at each person's place setting for a large bowl of popcorn and drink of choice.

Please do not be intimidated by my extremely high standard.  You can do this!

Saturday 9: Could've Been

What was going on at my house in 1987?

My son was a high school senior and my daughter was a sophomore.
I was taking part-time classes at a local college, driving a school bus, trying to pay for clothes for two teenagers, pay off a car note and keep the house running, while supporting a very busy husband and all the church activities that we were involved in.  They were stressful and busy days for sure in 1987.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This wistful song is about a love affair that ended. What song reminds you of a long-ago love?

"There's a Place for Us" from West Side Story

2) It was written by Lois Blaisch, a singer-songwriter who performs at clubs around Los Angeles and has sung outdoors at Disneyland. Would you prefer to attend a concert indoors, or outside under the stars?

That would depend on the time of year.  Outdoor concerts under the stars in the south not only bring hot, humid conditions but bring mosquitoes as well, so I would prefer an indoor concert at that time of year.  Winters could also be nice for outdoor events if you bring a blanket.  Now the fall and spring are wonderful times to be outdoors under the stars.

3) This week's featured artist, Tiffany, appeared on the TV talent show Star Search when she was just 14. She came in second. Though she was disappointed, she admits she learned from it. She studied the singer who won and says it made her a better performer. Can you recall a time when you weathered a tough time and came through stronger?

Suffice it to say, there have been times.  Because I believe that God can and does bring good from bad, I build my life on that promise.  I have come out stronger from each difficulty, because I put my faith and trust in Him.

4) Early in her career, she toured Alaska, opening for country legend George Jones. Have you ever visited our 50th state?

We visited Vancouver and Victoria Island prior to boarding a ship that took us to various ports of Alaska.  At the end of the cruise, we took a train ride from Seward to Anchorage.  It was a wonderful trip and from what we saw of the 50th state, it has amazing natural beauty.

5) Tiffany provided the voice of Judy Jetson in 1990's Jetsons: The Movie. Which cartoon did you enjoy more: the space-age Jetsons or the pre-historic Flintstones?

I have never been a fan of cartoons.

6) In 2007, she appeared on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club and lost 28 lbs. Are you making an effort to stay fit during this stay-at-home period?

Yes, I take several long walks in the neighborhood each day, and do stretches and strengthening exercises.

7) In 1987, when this song was popular, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What's your favorite Aretha song?

I really do not have a favorite Aretha Franklin song.  I like the way she sang "Amazing Grace" but I would not consider that one of her songs.

8) Also in 1987, third-generation race car driver Marco Andretti was born. Are you a race fan?

No

9) Random question: Do you find it easy to sit still, or are you fidgety?

I have no trouble sitting but I am always doing something with my hands or reading.  I cannot just sit idle.

Agreement over Unity?

While on one of my several walks through the neighborhood today, I listened to a podcast that really spoke to me.

Let me give you some background.

I am friends on Facebook with persons who have a different ideology and political and religious convictions than I do.  Lately, some of the posts by one in particular have been so against everything I believe to be true.

Most of the time I can let it slide and consider the source.  If you know me, you probably have a good idea how difficult this is for me.  The other day, something was posted to which I couldn't resist making a response.  (Is this one of those "the devil made me do it moments?) 

Well let me just tell you that the comments I got to my 3 word rebuttal from people who are total strangers to me involved words and descriptions of my mental capacity, health, morality, and other aspects of my character.

I had a dilemma.  Was unity more important than agreement?  How could I display a Christian spirit on social media while being in total disagreement with most of what this person and his/her followers post?  

I chose UNITY!

I realized that if I continued to see that person's posts, that go against my beliefs, I would not maintain a spirit of unity with this person on a personal level.

So, I hit the BLOCK button!

This way, I will not be tempted to get snappy and/or divisive.  We will remain distant friends who disagree without resentment.

Another example was someone who disagreed with something I wrote on someone else's post.  We were able to carry on a written conversation about our differences without being cruel or ugly.  I soon realized that although we disagreed on one point, we had other things on which we do agree.

We ended our conversation with a mutual respect for each other.  I even learned that he is a 2nd cousin I didn't know I had.

In this case, UNITY inspite of disagreement was the end result as well.  Just handled differently.

How do we handle fights or disagreements whether with a friend, in the home or on social media?

First, we don't need to be defensive.  This is a hard one for me.

We need to see if there is something in the disagreement that we can or need to learn from.

Could there be something in us that we are dealing with that has nothing to do with the actual disagreement or person?

Is there a way to smooth over the argument or disagreement without compromising your own convictions?

How can we show God's love in and through the situation by being more understanding or forgiving?

There are times when we need to move away.  We need to separate a while in order to cool off and come to an understanding of how to proceed in a healthy way.

I think the best thing I learned from the podcast this morning was reminding myself to simply ask God, "How can I love this person well in this disagreement?"

Sometimes, it is enough to take someone's hand and simply say, "I want you to know I am fighting for our relationship not against you."

These are days that accentuate differences and especially in an election year we will be tempted to argue and disagree.  Let us take the high road even if it means moving away from a social media friend in order to retain UNITY and allow God to work in our heart.

A Pink Springing Spring

We bloggers are using our isolation to join together for a weekly time of community to answer questions given by Joyce.

1. Has spring sprung in your part of the world?

Yes it has.  Northwest Louisiana is really greening up more every day.

   How can you tell?

First of all my across the street neighbor's Bradford Pear trees are profuse with blooms.

The the azaleas bloomed.  We did not have a good azalea season here though.  Even the large gardens in town didn't have the lush blooms and flowers that we normally do.

The birds are another indication that spring has sprung.  We have another generation of doves to nest over a column on our front porch.

   Did March come in like a lion where you live?

March came in with storms and a lot of rain, so I would call in like a lion.  We didn't have tornadoes from these storms, but other states and towns did, unfortunately.

   Going out like a lamb or something more ferocious?

We missed the storms predicted for us yesterday and last night thankfully, but we did have rain and cool temperatures.  I could live with 60 degree days all through out spring and summer.

2. The last thing that caused you to spring to your feet?

Oh goodness, springing to my feet is more of an intentional action these days.  What makes me move a bit faster is when Dick calls my name and tries to communicate from another room.

3. Do you have a spring clean to-do list?

NO WAY!  I try to keep the house fairly clean and even more so during these days.  I do not do spring cleaning as such, because it is an on-going process all year round.  There are projects that need to be dealt with but they fit in all during the year and not just for spring.  No rug beating around here.

   What's one chore on the list you've already managed to accomplish? 

Although there is no list to refer to, I have cleaned out my winter closet and have bags and bags of things I didn't wear this winter to take for donation.

  What spring clean chore do you most dread?

The most dreaded job would be cleaning windows and doing a thorough cleaning of all my plantation shutters.

4. Tell us something you've learned about yourself or the wider world as a result of social distancing/the virus crisis.

This video presents such a wonderful perspective of how we can deal with this strange time in our lives and our country.

It isn't the end of the world.  It is the most amazing picture of global solidarity we have ever seen.

I see neighbors doing for each other as I've never seen or been a part of before.

On my walks all during the day, I see dads out playing with their children, teaching them to ride without training wheels, playing ball in open fields and yards.

Children being creative with chalks on the sidewalks and driveways.

Dick and I are discovering that being together 24/7 isn't at all as bad as we thought it might be.  We are enjoying each other's company while also giving each other space.

I've also been reminded that people can be very mean and judgmental and that it is especially noticeable and ugly in times such as this.  But, there is also a lot of forgiveness and reconciliation right now.

Actually, this is an amazing time to be here on this beautiful earth.

5. Something you love that's the color pink?

Pink is not a color I use much in my clothes or my home.

However, I do think this might be my Easter attire for this year.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

This week two of the most precious people, dearest friends, most devoted followers of Christ, dedicated parents and grandparents, and the most in-love couple I know, are facing the most difficult fight of their lives.

Wayne and Nancy, the couple second from right, were both diagnosed with COVID-19.  Nancy is in critical condition in ICU.  Wayne was hospitalized yesterday with severe symptoms.

We do not know or can begin to understand how God works.  Could it be that Wayne is in that hospital to see Nancy when he is allowed, to speak words of love, comfort and faith to her?  To pray over her?  Being together even for a short time, may be the healing balm both of them need.

Please pray for our friends.