A Hero of a Hodgepodge

Wednesday is here, and it's time once again for the fabulous Hodgepodge hosted by our friend Joyce. Be sure to click on the button to pay her a visit, and join in the fun!

1. Americans will celebrate Labor Day this coming weekend. Do you know what we're actually celebrating? (without consulting your friends Google or wikipedia, ahem) What's a project you're currently 'laboring' over?

Ohhhh, it's so hard not to consult my friends Google and Wiki. :) We are celebrating all the working folks here in the good ol' U S of A. Our church used to ask each of us to bring an item representing the work that we do to the alter for a blessing on Labor Day Sunday.
I am helping on a committee at church that is working on getting a website launched. While it is not actual 'labor' it is taking a bit of effort to get it done. :)

2. Labor Day also signals the unofficial end of summer for most of us...what summer food will you miss the most? If you're in the southern hemisphere feel free to substitute winter for summer.

My favorite summer food is corn on the cob, but this summer, due to the drought, it was hard to come by. I think we only had it one time. It will make me appreciate it even more next summer. I'll just share some photos showing the deliciousness.

Son Andrew, circa 1987, enjoying some corn on the cob.

His three, Matthew, Haleigh, and Ella, enjoying the treat some 25 years later. I call this series 'corn row.'

3. A well known proverb states, 'It's easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission.' Your thoughts?

I agree with it, for the most part, especially when it means taking initiative. Initiative, in the Sunday School world means, "seeing what needs to be done and doing it." Have you ever been on a committee that discusses things to death? In that case, I'm very willing to take the risk of needing to ask forgiveness, especially if it means making progress on the task at hand.

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic....which hat would you most like to wear?

This one is hard, but I will have to say food critic. Maybe a dessert critic. But that may be an oxymoron.

5. When you were a kid, who (besides your parents) was your favorite adult?

I have written about my Mamaw before, and she was definitely a favorite, but the first to come to mind when I read the question was my Uncle Bill. He was in college when I was born. I was the first grandchild, and, of course, the cutest and smartest thing ever. Lol. Of course, I'm pretty sure I was his favorite as well.
He called me Sue-bo, and he started a tradition of giving me boxes of Cracker Jack to match my age for each birthday. He wrapped them up in clever ways, to disguise what was inside. Now Cracker Jack may not seem too exciting to most, but I looked forward to that special gift each year.
He played the guitar, and our song was "Froggie Went A-Courtin'." He would change the line that says, "I'll have to ask my Uncle Rat" to "I'll have to ask my Uncle Bill" when the froggie asks Miss Mouse to marry him. I didn't know for a long time that the song wasn't really written like that. :)

He taught me to play the guitar, and I still have the 12-string he gave me. He is playing it in the picture below, with Jonathan, age 3, who got a toy guitar for Christmas that year. When my kids were born, Uncle Bill became a great uncle. But I told him he had always been a great uncle. I miss him.

6. The astronaut, Neil Armstrong, passed away last week. He was regarded as a hero by many generations of people all around the world. Do we still have modern day heroes? What makes someone a hero?

The picture below is of my grandson, Matthew, meeting Neil Armstrong last summer. Matthew is very interested in space exploration, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet a real hero. Of course, with the changes in the space program, little boys might not get to grow up to be astronauts any more. Neil Armstrong is a Purdue grad, a proud Boilermaker, and was back on campus for the National Football Foundation dinner.

 I think kids today look up to athletes, singers, and movie stars, and while that can be a good thing in terms of motivation for setting and reaching goals, I'm not sure those individuals should be classified as heroes. I think a hero must do something brave, something to make a difference in his or her own life or the lives of others. Heroes might be those who serve in the armed forces, fire-fighters, police officers, the woman who wakes her elderly neighbor when the house is on fire, the bystander who selflessly comes forward to assist someone in trouble, or the person that perseveres under the most difficult of circumstances. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and can receive national attention or quietly touch only those near to them.

7. I never get tired of __________________.

This view...

or these cuties.  
Tired, sometimes, but never tired of. :)

 8. Insert your own random thought here.
 Ancient proverb says: 
"A bat in a sticky trap is better than a bat in the bedroom."

I'm sure you've heard that one before. 

A Facebook commenter said, "Looks like a two-pounder. Name that movie." Can you? (I had to look it up.)

Have a wonderful bat-free Wednesday!

A Friday List

1.  Oh, to be newlyweds. 

Tootling around in your spiffy new car, cooking dinner for each other, 

and facing the world with bright eyes and big dreams. I remember those days. 

Actually, I don't really remember it all that well. 

It's been.   So.   Long.

God bless newlyweds.

2.  I do remember this. Soccer Saturdays. 

Find the shoes. Find the socks. Find the shin guards. 

Don't kick your brother. Cut up oranges. Pack the cooler. Load the chairs.

I even remember keeping a chart for the practice schedule 

on the sun visor in the van so I could remember where I needed to be next.

It worked. Most of the time.

These two cuties are just starting their soccer careers.

God bless soccer moms.

3.  This little girl is all ready for football season. 

Can you say Go Boilers?! She can!

God bless football.

4.  There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.

Thank you, God, for sleep.

5.  "Take my picture, Granny." 

Of course I will. Happy to. 

While you are still happy to let me. 

Some day she might not be so cooperative, but for now, she's got it down.

Thank you, God, for smiles.

6.  Grown up friends. Wedding days. Precious memories.

God bless friendship.

7.  A sweet evening boat ride with Gumbo.

Just chillin' on the back of the boat. Ahhhh...

God bless lake time.

8.  And then this happened.

Not something you see every day. 

Thankfully, no one was hurt.

"In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
    May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm."

Psalm 20:1

Thank you, God, for safety.

God is good, all the time.

Summer Slips Away

Here is a little collage of photos from the last few weeks. Because school started so early around here (August 1st!), it seems like the end of summer even though it's still August. The students (and teachers) will be experiencing a 'balanced calendar' for the first time, with 2 week breaks in fall, winter, and spring, and June/July off for summer break. I remember loving the start of school. It was exciting to see friends again, meet new teachers, and shop for new school shoes and supplies. I think it was 5th grade when several of us all had the same new shoes (we wanted it that way). They were brown oxford type shoes, with a removable flap similar to what golf shoes used to have. That was back in the olden days when kids had one pair of school shoes. Can you imagine it? That same year, several of us also had plastic flowered 3-ring binders that came in a matching plastic flowered bag. Sort of the 'flower power' look. So cool.

Now, on with the photos!

Cookies for teachers ~ Waiting at El Reparo ~ Full arms

Gumbo wants to stay ~ Sunset ~ Deep diver

Ella ~ Yummy snack ~ Hay

Snoozing ~ 1st day of 1st grade ~ Third grader!

Islands in the Hodgepodge

It is time once again for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. I'm glad to be back after a couple weeks away. Read my answers, then click on the button to visit our hostess, Joyce, and the other bloggers who are joining the fun.

1. Aloha! On August 21, 1959 Hawaii officially became a US state. Have you ever been? Upon arrival would you prefer an orchid or a hibiscus to tuck behind your ear?

I have never been to Hawaii, and I know I would love it, just wish it didn't take so darn long to get there. Either flower would be fine with me, or how about greeting me with a tropical beverage? (See next question).

2. Since we're talking tropical...what's your favorite food or beverage made with pineapple?

 A pina colada. Enjoyed on Seven Mile Beach. In the Cayman Islands.

 (source)

3. Do you believe in soul mates? Explain.

I have always thought that timing plays a big part in finding the right person. In thinking about this, I found a quote by Dr. Laura Berman that I agree with about soul mates:

"I’m not saying that there is just one person out there for each of us. In fact, I think timing is a big player in the search for love. It seems to happen when you’ve figured out your priorities, both in your own life and in what you seek in another, that Cupid sends his invisible arrow your way: You often haven’t been expecting it, and your beloved may not be exactly what you imagined either!"

4. Share a memory about the house you grew up in.

Well, I can never just share a memory, now, can I? 

I think I'm 3 in the picture below, standing in front of our newly built home. We would live in this house until I was 15. I'm not sure why I was pouting in the photo...

My mom converted the garage into a room where she taught preschool. I was in her first class, at age 4, pictured below. I am third from the left in the back row, with my friend Ann beside me. My brother, Ted, is in the front, on the far right. That room was so much fun. It was a place where we could play, work on projects, play the record player, and have all sorts of fun. My mom painted the inside of the garage door with chalkboard paint. Just one of her many great ideas.

Here I am with my brother, Ted, on the front porch. We were recently discussing the fact that Ted is squinting in most of the photographs from when we were kids. I'm always smiling nicely, and he's always tilting his head with a squinty smile on his face. Oh, Ted. I believe the jug on the porch was broken during a neighborhood game of 'Capture the Flag.' Who thought it was a good idea to tie the flag to the handle? I am sure my mother was not too pleased.

My mom built us an awesome tree house in the back yard, and we had a screened porch where we ate most meals in the summer. The kitchen window had a shelf so we could pass food and dishes to the porch for supper. I remember my dad mowing trails in the yard for us to run through before he finished the job. I also remember my dad taking us 'up the wooden hill' when it was time for bed each night. 

The family room had a fireplace, with an opening beside it meant for wood. We had the TV in that spot, and that's where we watched the first men land on the moon, in 1970.

My room was lavender, with gingham half-canopies over the twin beds. Another clever creation of my mother. I wish I had a picture of that room, but we didn't really take pictures of rooms back then. That was long before the world of Pinterest. 

The picture below is from my 13th birthday party, which took place in the preschool room/garage. I'm pretty sure it was a slumber party, and the whole gang slept out there. I know my mom had activities planned to keep us busy and out of trouble for the evening. I'm also sure she wasn't sleeping upstairs. :) That's my brother Michael in front of the table. Oh, Michael.

5. Are you comfortable with silence?

Yep.

6. You spot a giant spider on your bedroom wall...what's your next move? (all spiders are giant, right?)

I would go over and smack it with something!

7. My idea of fun does NOT include ______________.

Cleaning, exercising, going to the dentist, needles, math problems, and finding a giant spider on my bedroom wall.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
It's that time of year again... are you ready for some football? I am getting excited to see my favorite player and his team take the field. I also want to personally congratulate Drew and Brittany on the birth of their third son. Fun times ahead for their little family.

This may or may not describe me.

And I wonder if I need these shoes?? Who Dat! (More like 'who dat fallin' down' if I were to wear these shoes.)

 Happy Wednesday!

Lake Time

I spent part of last weekend at the lake, with a trip home for Heather's wedding in the middle. Andrew and Darci were hosting friends and cousins, and I was able to take a few photos of the fun.

Matthew and Abbi enjoyed the hammock without mishap on Friday.

On Sunday, they tried the pop bottle geyser using Mentos and a little device with a string that releases the mints into the bottle. When the Mentos hit the soda, it makes the liquid shoot out in an explosion of cola. The record blast is 18 feet! It's kind of the modern version of the baking soda volcano that appeared at science fairs year after year.

It is best to use diet soda so it doesn't leave stickiness all  around.

We used diet caffeine-free, and the results were, well, less than spectacular. Not close to 18 feet.

We thought it might have just been a bad bottle, so Abbi tried the second one.

She pulled the string and got out of the way...

but the second one wasn't much better. Would the lack of caffeine make a difference in the explosiveness? Explosivity? (Making up words now). Maybe my chemist son can answer this one for us. Hello, David?

A ride on the pontoon is always fun.

Shelly, who had finished a 3 hour bike ride on Saturday, and a 1 hour swim in the lake on Sunday, in preparation for Iron Man Louisville, passed on the boat ride to take a well-deserved rest on the dock. We will be sending prayers and good thoughts her way on Sunday. Good luck, Shelly!

Makenna enjoyed some tricks on the water mat.

Matt and Abbi.

Andrew and Ella driving the boat.

Darci and Haleigh.

Haleigh with her shovel.

Ella is a little boat girl.

Haleigh had fun in her little pool on the dock.

Relaxing in the swing to cap off another fun weekend at the lake.

My (Daughter's) Best Friend's Wedding

My daughter Jennifer's best friend got married yesterday. Jennifer and Heather have been friends since kindergarten, and it is a little surreal to see them all grown up and married. Heather was Jennifer's maid of honor just 4 short months ago, and Jennifer was the matron of honor for Heather.

Heather and Scott had a beautiful day for the big event. I think whatever conversation Heather had with God regarding the weather was a good one, because it was picture perfect. Jennifer and the other bridesmaids looked beautiful waiting outside the church for the bride and groom to exit.

They were greeted by bubbles and cheers of congratulations.

Mr. and Mrs.!

This is the hay wagon ready to transport the wedding party to the reception. They had a long ride through the countryside, with a stop for pictures, and much merriment along the way.

At the reception, there was a cute sign directing guests to the important stuff.

They also had a neat display of their 'people' with wedding photos of their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and members of their wedding party.

I know them!

Here they come, making their grand entrance at the reception.

Scott helps his wife out of the wagon.

The happy couple ready for the party.

Bryan was waiting patiently for Jennifer and the gang to arrive.

BFFs.

The wedding party was introduced, and Heather's brother. Devin. had a little fun as he escorted his bridesmaid.

Jennifer and best man Craig.

The bride and groom.

Pretty cakes. Scott (the groom) made the wood pedestals.

Soon it was time for Jennifer's speech.

To make sure she did a good job, Jennifer secretly brought along Heather's 'lucky pants.' The pants were worn by Heather's dad back in his cattle showing days, and Heather brought them to every cattle show, and even some big swim meets. Jennifer thought it was only fitting that the pants be there for the big day.

Heather's dad got a kick out of it too.

Jennifer shared special memories, and ended by saying that with the love they share, and their faith, Scott and Heather won't need the lucky pants. To Scott and Heather!

Heather's dad entertained us with some good stories as well, noting that though Heather went away to school, she found her way back home and to Scott.

Jennifer and Bryan show off their cute ball jar mugs.

First dance.

Congratulations Scott and Heather!

Where's my dad?

Father daughter dance.

It was especially nice to have these four friends back together again for the day. They were a kickin' relay team back in the days of the Aqua Cheetahs. Sweet memories.

And just for fun, I found a photo of them from the archives, circa 2004, celebrating at Heather's graduation party.
And friends are friends forever...