A Super-Dee-Duper Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday, so I thought I would see if I could put together some answers for Joyce's famous Wednesday Hodgepodge questions. She asks the questions, and we do our best to answer them, linking back to her blog to share the fun. Click on the button below to visit Joyce, and the other WH participants.

And now, her thought provoking questions, and my answers. 

1. Expect the unexpected on From This Side of the Pond. Here's my x-ray question...when was the last time you felt like Superman? What's your superpower? Explain.

Unexpected indeed. I thought an x-ray question would have to do with broken bones, and raising five kids definitely provided multiple opportunities for broken bone stories!

But back to the actual question. The last time I felt like Superman? At the Superdome, of course. It's always SUPER at the Superdome! Who Dat!

Not sure I have a superpower, but I am an enthusiastic superfan, ever grateful, ever true to my Boilermakers (Boiler Up!), and to my Saints (Who Dat!).

2. Are you a fan of the 'superhero' type movies? If so what's your favorite? 

I am not a huge fan of 'superhero' movies, and I can't think of many I have even watched.

I have watched this one though, so it is my favorite.

You just gotta love a superhero family. And gems like this:

3. Have you postponed or cancelled a trip to the dentist in recent weeks, and if so when do you think you'll feel comfortable going back? How about other routine medical procedures?

No dentist appointments scheduled, so none cancelled. And I'm never comfortable going to the dentist. Or the doctor for that matter. I pretty much avoid it if at all possible. 

4. What's something that makes you feel youthful? Something that makes you feel 'not so youthful'? Tell us why.

What makes me feel youthful? My grandchildren? A Zoom call with my high school friends? We haven't changed a bit! Lol. 

Not so youthful? I don't know? My grandchildren? Getting up in the morning? Lol.

5. I feel compelled to include some sort of corona related question in the HP these days. What's the strangest thing you've seen in relation to the virus? Something that really struck you as odd, made you stop and think, 'Dorothy we're not in Kansas anymore?'

I'm not going out, so I haven't really seen anything strange in person, but seeing the empty streets of New York and New Orleans is definitely eerie and strange. Will we get back to busy crowded streets again?

Angels Weiss/AFP-Getty Images

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My friend Katie Peslis is a wonderful singer who has recorded a Karen Carpenter tribute album that is just fabulous. If you are a fan of the Carpenters, you will definitely want to check it out. She can also sing like any Disney princess you've ever heard. Katie has been doing 'Quarantunes' each day during this COVID-19 pandemic, and posting them on Facebook and Instagram. I love them all, but a recent favorite is here, on the 'Top of the World'. She has the voice of an angel, and besides that, she is adorable. 

Have a great Wednesday!

So Ya Gotta Hodgepodge 'Til Tomorrow

Back in my old blogging days, I regularly participated in Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Joyce took a break from the Hodgepodge for a bit, and recently brought it back for both her old and some new participants. It's always fun to answer the questions, and share our posts. While I'm very rusty at this blogging thing these days, I thought I would give it a go today. Thanks Joyce for bringing us together!

Here are her questions and my answers:

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

I'm not sure I would do it in a public forum, but possibly with family and friends, so my number would probably be a 5. My friends and I did a lot of singing in our rooms back in our college days, which sometimes included standing on a chair with a curling iron microphone, but I don't think that officially counts as karaoke. (I don't think there was even such a thing as karaoke back then. I know, I'm old.)
One of my 'go-to' songs back then was Tomorrow, from the musical Annie. I think it's a good song for today since we are all hoping the sun will come out. Tomorrow.

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?

I use my phone for music, and sometimes Alexa. I do still have a CD player in my car, and I do still use it occasionally. I know, I'm old.

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?

Too much news. Too little sports.

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?

Peanut butter and banana sandwich? Chips?

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?

To each his own, but here are mine:

sushi
Netflix binge watching
Starbucks
Hallmark movies
It's a Wonderful Life

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I know that grocery shopping in the time of COVID-19 might be taxing for some. I, however, have discovered the miracle of grocery pick-up, and I may never go inside a grocery store again. We only have a few grocery options in our little town, and the one nearest to my home is Wal Mart. I have been so pleased with the ease of ordering, the check-in, and the pick-up process. I have been getting groceries for both my parents and myself, and it has made things so easy. I check in on my phone when I leave home, and the associate is literally waiting for me when I pull into the pick up spot. I open the back of the vehicle, the groceries are loaded, I thank them profusely, and I'm on my way. Safe and efficient.

Have a safe day, friends.

The COVID That Didn't Steal Easter

Holy Week. 2020.

I'm dusting off the old blog to do a little documentation of the historic events (actually no events) our world is experiencing right now.

In the midst of a global pandemic, our lives look very different from the way we have lived prior to this serious health crisis. Social distancing, quarantine, no gathering of people, no church services, no school, no public funerals, no theater, no concerts, no sporting events.

Everything is canceled.

We won't be gathering in churches for Easter, with legions of lilies, choirs and cantatas, or singing songs in our Sunday best. Instead, we will worship online, in our homes, with those in our own households. 

But this COVID-19 virus can't stop Easter from coming. 

It will come, as it does, with the promise of of eternal life 

for those who serve a living Savior. 

He lives!

I put together a little poem to remind us that even in these dark, uncertain days, Jesus is alive and God is still with us.

How the COVID Didn’t Steal Easter

(With apology and respect to the great Dr. Seuss)

All the people of Christ, we loved Easter a lot,

But a bad COVID virus, it seems, sure did not.

The virus infected our folks far and near,

And required social distance when Easter was here.

Some thought that Easter would be canceled too,

But the people of Christ, we knew just what to do.

We made some new plans, and we thought and we thought.

Easter would not be canceled, it would not!

But what could we do to keep COVID at bay,

And still praise our Savior on this Easter Day?

Because one of the things that we love is our people

Who worship together there under our steeple.

And some of us couldn’t get out to the store

To buy all the things that we’ve come to adore

For Easter traditions with families and treats.

Would Easter without these things seem incomplete?

But COVID cannot stop the Easter sunrise,

And despite what they say, Jesus Christ, He will rise!

COVID can’t stop it, no matter the claim

Because Easter will come, it will come just the same.

And COVID, with germ cells just itching to grow

Left some people thinking, how could it be so?

It comes without bunnies! It comes without jellies!

It comes without chocolate to put in our bellies!

It comes without egg hunts! It comes without ham!

It comes without gathering with the whole fam!

And even when we’re not together to sing

In our church building, we still remember one thing.

That Easter, we know, doesn’t come from a store,

That Easter, of course, means a little bit more.

And what happened then? Well, the people, they say,

Found new ways to celebrate on Easter Day.

They gathered on laptops, on cell phones, and such,

They heard the old story that blessed them so much.

Of Jesus who died on that cross in that place

To wash us from sin and to gift us with grace.

So we sing Alleluia from near and from far,

Knowing Jesus is with us wherever we are.

And because of His gift we have all that we need.

Christ is risen today, He is risen indeed!

________________

(A couple of vintage Easter photos for your enjoyment.)

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You asked me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

Peace on Earth

'Twas a few days after Christmas,

The celebrating done.

Time to look back on days

Filled with family and fun.

There were onesies, and babies,

And selfies, and food,

And presents, and laughter,

And much gratitude.

For the young and the old,

The big and the small,

And for little Lord Jesus,

The best gift of all.

After our Christmas Eve service, we went to Nana and Boomie's for soup and birthday cake for Jesus, and then headed home for our long winter's nap in anticipation of Santa's arrival. Santa wasn't actually coming to our house until the day after Christmas, when all the kids arrived, but Adam and Courtney got into the Christmas Eve spirit by posing in their reindeer onesies again this year.

We had brunch on Christmas Day for those who woke up here, and those who came later, including Jim's dad, my parents, Adam and Courtney, Jon, Jennifer, Bryan, Noah, and Piper, and Andrew, Darci, Haleigh, and Ella. We had lots of good food, including Darci's homemade cinnamon rolls, peanut butter bark, and other goodies. I didn't take one picture, but someone took this selfie and shared it, thank goodness.

We had burgers and homemade mac and cheese for supper, with Becky's 'just add ice cream' treat for dessert. Yum!

Saturday was our day to have everyone together to open gifts and share our Christmas dinner. Before presents, Jim read the story of the birth of Jesus from the second chapter of Luke.

The kids opened a few things before dinner, and Haleigh was anxious to see what was in her box.

It was Julie, an American Girl doll.

Ella got an American Girl doll too, Grace.

Haleigh showed her doll to her mommy.

Piper got a stuffed dog named Piper, and the book that goes with it, called Piper Was Afraid.

Cayden opened (with some help) a little wooden dachshund, just like Mackey.

Noah, who loves cows, received a Hereford show steer he calls Cooper, after Matthew's 4-H steer.

As is often the case with Noah, he was a little unsure at first.

He let Uncle Andrew do a little taming before he got too close.

Granny helped, too, and soon he was leading Cooper around like a champ.

Matthew got some Star Wars gifts, including a robot he controls with his phone. This is the droid you're looking for. :)

 Jennifer took some pictures of Noah and Matthew.

 And some of all the little boys.

 Noah, Matthew, and Cayden.

We tried to get one of all six grandkids,

 which can be tricky. At least no one is crying!

 Granny even got in the picture! (Thanks to Jennifer, for the photos)

All that gift-opening and posing wears a guy out. Cayden took a little snooze in the chair, and Gumbo curled up beside him.

I tried to get a photo of everyone around the table, and it took several shots to get everyone in.

 Of course, pausing from their beef tenderloin was the real challenge.

The kids got new shades, in anticipation of our trip to the beach in March. Cayden was happy to model his for us.

As we ring in a new year, 

I pray that we are able to spend more time with the ones we love,

be grateful for what we have,

share kindness with others,

and be a reflection of God's love 

to a world in need of peace. Amen.

For Hodgepodge Auld Lang Syne

It's the last Wednesday Hodgepodge of the year. I thank Joyce for faithfully hosting this meeting each week, and for keeping us thinking with her challenging and entertaining questions. (I guess the readers should be the judge of the entertaining part.) With 2016 upon us, I look forward to a new year, new hope, new habits. I'm not sure what that will look like yet, but I've shared some random thoughts below in  #8.
Now let's get started with her questions and my answers. Make sure to click over to visit Joyce and the others!

1. Share a favorite memory/moment from the week of Christmas.

I always love our Christmas Eve service. I have attended the same church for most of my life, and I remember singing as a child on Christmas Eve, and the excitement of the story, the songs, and the candlelight as we celebrated the birth of our Savior. Our sanctuary is always beautiful, and especially at Christmas.

This year, I was blessed to direct this adorable group of children as they sang (oh so enthusiastically) for the service. They sang Away in a Manger, and Angels We Have Heard on High. The great thing about directing children, is, that by the time they get on the risers, it's really out of my hands. :) At that point, they are making a joyful noise to the Lord. It's all good, and always appreciated by those in attendance. That's Haleigh and Ella Kate, front row on the right.

We sang the Glo-oo-ria song in honor of Gloria, my assistant director and friend, who passed away the day after Christmas. Gloria and I have attended church together since we were small children ourselves. She liked to tell the kids stories about our days in the children's choir, many years ago. We will miss her.

This is a photo of Gloria and one of our little guys who wanted to try out the piano (right before he took off out the door.) :) Rest in peace, Gloria.

2.  If someone wrote a book about your life based on the past year, what genre would it fall under? What would the title be?

I think it would be a memoir. There are many, many memories from the year, but adding three new family members made it a year to remember.

Courtney has already come up with a working title, so I will use it to present:

The Stewart Recruiting Class of 2015.

Piper Jayne Davis, born to Bryan and Jennifer, March 9, 2015.

Courtney Stewart, married to Adam, March 21, 2015.

Cayden John Stewart, born to David and Shylah, September 8, 2015.

 3. What made you feel patriotic this year?

I have written about this before, but I always feel patriotic at Purdue games when I Am An American is read.

I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them across this gray October sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American.

4. What experience from this past year would you like to do all over again?

My whirlwind trip to NYC with this group to see Jimmy Fallon, seems like a dream, and I would love to do it all over again.

5. What song lyric sums up or is a reflection of your 2015?

I am a fan of Joey + Rory, and this song is one of my favorites. Joey is an Indiana girl, and  worked for the previous owner at the same vet clinic where Jennifer now works. She came to our farm years ago, with Dr. J, to treat our old mare, Teddy, who was suffering from laminitis. After taking care of the horse, we came into our kitchen to warm up, and share a bowl of soup. Joey commented on the school pictures of our kids on the kitchen wall, as she is also one of five children.

Today, she faces a cancer diagnosis, and is currently back home in Indiana in hospice care. Her husband Rory shares their life and their story in his blog This Life I Live. His beautiful words reflect their deep faith, their hope, and their love for God and one another.

Rory recently wrote:

And so as the New Year approaches, we will continue to believe and trust that what is waiting on the other side of the deep, dark wood is something even better and more beautiful than our minds can even imagine.

Please join me in praying for Joey and her family.




6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate 2015?  (10=stellar) Why?

I'm not great with numbers, so I'll just say, there were stellar moments, some not so stellar moments, and everything in between. Life is like that. And we try, as best we can, to give thanks. In all circumstances.

7. What part of the upcoming year are you most excited about?

I have a couple of trips planned, including another cruise with my besties, and a family trip to the beach.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I love this video by the talented (and adorable) JJ Heller. It made me start thinking about some things I want to do this year.

Eat less.
Move more.
Put down my phone.
Be present.
Clean a closet.
Or two.
Pray.
Learn something new.
Make dinner.
Look around.
Hug.
Close the computer.
Take a walk.
Pray some more.
Give thanks.
Show love.

That's 16 for 16. How about you?