Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Dandelions, Flowers, and Hodgepodge Wednesday

Dandelions, After

I love those cute little Roundheads when the late afternoon light hits them and makes them glow.

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Click on the button below to join Joyce and us for


1. Since you weren't Hodgepodging last Wednesday, how did you pass the time?

You're expecting me to remember what I did a week ago? It might have involved texting one or both of my daughters, trying to figure out what to make for dinner, planting something, picking asparagus, or sorting through stacks of books.

 Dandelions Before

2. What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? Yes, one word.

Good.

Dandelions in early evening

3. Summer officially arrives in the Northern hemisphere later this week. Does it feel like summer where you live? Describe your idea of the perfect summer day.

We've had a very cool, very late spring. Last night we had storms and a power outage. Today it's hot and muggy. Eighty degrees F., no breeze, very humid.

The perfect summer day is 73 degrees, sunny, with a nice breeze. Farmers are cutting alfalfa in the fields and I can smell the alfalfa and sweet clover. I can sit on the front porch and read something on my Kindle while enjoying the breeze and hearing my wind chime (if it hadn't got completely tangled during the storm.)



4. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."(Sam Keen) Is laziness ever respectable? Do you have a lazy summer planned, or something semi-ambitious?

I have a hard time thinking that laziness is respectable, but I'm feeling lazier these days, so I'm happy to hear it. Summer is Mr. Cranberry's crazy-busy, 12 hours a day, often 7 days a week work schedule, so it's not a time when I plan get-togethers. And yet I don't want to wish summer away because our winters are so incredibly long. Visiting grandkids (and their parents) is at the top of my list. If I can get this slipped disc under control, I might feel like tackling something semi-ambitious. Many of the projects I want to do involve painting, like on a ladder.


My crazy roses, beautiful for a few days in June
Horrid and ugly for the rest of the year

5. Past or present, who's your favorite television dad? Why is he a favorite? Is he anything like your own dad?

I have always liked the dad on Father Knows Best. I don't know why that old show gets mocked as it does. I hadn't seen it in years, but the other night I saw a couple back to back episodes. Unlike what we think of when we think of the show 'Father Knows Best,' the father is not a male chauvinist, the wife is not a doormat, and the only criticism I can see is that the kids behave normally - getting into trouble now and then, being lazy and stupid, but not rude, crude, and disrespectful.  

In the 1950s moms were usually seen wearing dresses (thank goodness that trend is over), but other than that, I can't see why the show gets mocked. I liked the show and liked the dad. It was cute, fun, and entertaining. And yes, I think he was a lot like my dad - Smart, Normal, Nice, Thoughtful, Reliable, Reasonable, Good Sense of Humor - all traits that are often missing in today's TV shows. Other than PBS and the occasional old TV show, I don't watch network TV because I'm tired of TV trying to 'reflect society.'


Doggone Thirsty


6. June 18th is International Picnic Day...share a favorite picnic memory.

My mom was a great lover of swimming, so we would take a picnic to the lake and swim (I think we had to wait an hour after eating before swimming.)  Shell Lake was a nice place to take a picnic. It was so shallow that one could get exhausted just walking out to where it was deep enough to swim. And of course there was a canteen where we could get ice cream cones, Popsicles, or Cheetos (crisp fried to a crackly crunch).

Beautiful Wisconsin.  Lake.

7. The travel site Trip Advisor lists the top five islands in the world for 2014 as- Ambergris Caye in Belize CayesProvidenciales in Turks and CaicosBora Bora in French Polynesia, Marco Island Florida, and Lewis and Harris in The Outer Hebrides (Scotland). Have you been to any of these? Of those listed (and if price were not a factor) which would you most like to book for a holiday?

Okay, I guess Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. I bet a visit there in February would help break up our ridiculous winter. Unless there are stingrays in the water.  I was going to say The Outer Hebrides, but wow, they really are 'outer' and I would want to make sure the weather was 73 degrees and sunny, with a nice breeze. I don't know if they can accommodate that.  And no, I've been to none of the above-listed places.


8.  Insert your own random thought here

Today is both my mom's birthday AND my mom and dad's wedding anniversary. I miss them.

Do you suppose that my mom was responsible for creating International Picnic Day?


***



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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties: Inspiration Monday and Make it Pretty Monday and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Artsy Corner Thursday and Treasure Box Tuesday and Rubbish Tuesday and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Adorned From Above  and All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Junkin' Joe and Vintage Inspiration Friday and A Favorite Thing Saturday

41 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh your parents photo is beautiful, you can see the happiness and love.
I do hope you disc goes back where it should be so you can be lazy and in no pain. Stay off ladders though OK:) Hug B

Pamela Gordon said...

I enjoyed the hodgepodge today. They are always so interesting and I can't imagine trying to make up the questions each week. Your photos are beautiful - love the dandelion seed heads. Rainy here today and cool but you'd like our summer days as they are much like you would enjoy. :)

Terri D said...

I love seeing your parents! They both look kind, and like they would be lots of fun! My mom was over-the-top afraid of the water. She could not swim and had a great fear of putting her head under water. She made sure all four of us took swimming lessons. A lot of our childhood weekends were spent at Rocky Fork Lake, on our pontoon boat. Mom always wore a life jacket, but she enjoyed it.

I also enjoyed watching Father Knows Best, but didn't use it for my Hodgepodge - I didn't think anyone would know who he was!! Guess there are a few of us here who remember black and white TV! LOL

Love your photos! My dad used to make dandelion wine, and we also would harvest the greens now and then. Isn't that the first bouquet any child gives to his or her mom? Such a beautiful yellow, and how fun to blog the seeds off the stem, helping to plant next years crop!

Terri D said...

Not BLOG the seeds...blow the seeds. Sure wish we could edit our comments!!

Debbie said...

Good morning! Enjoyed this as always. I LOVED Father Knows Best, so I totally agree with you. Can't understand why it's mocked! Loved the pic of your parents btw, they just look like kind people who'd you want to be around. Enjoy your day!

Amy Burzese said...

I have trouble describing laziness as respectful, but I do believe that it can be a fun reward for hard work.

The Cranky said...

What a lovely photo of your parents, your Mother looks remarkably like my Granny (who I adored) with her sweet smile. The description of your days on the lake sound very like my own childhood days on the lake; happy memories!

September Violets said...

Wonderful shot of your parents ... they look like a very happy couple. Memories of picnics on a lake sound wonderful. I hope my kids remember our picnics and camping trips for a good long time too ... happy times. Enjoy the rest of your week. Wendy x

Vee said...

What easy smiles your parents are wearing! Bet that they'd have described marriage as "good" as well. We agree on 1950s sitcoms. How fun! Right, I don't know who blasts these shows, but they have no clue what they're talking about. I am simply shocked that we didn't agree on island vacations. =D

Debby Ray said...

What fun! I have never joined the Hodgepodge yet...maybe one day :) Hearing all of the nastalgia from Father Knows Best makes me sorta wish time travel was possible. Like you, I am so very tired of the low moral standards that are portrayed on TV these days. And last but not least, your photos are just so very lovely!

Primitive Stars said...

Love the post and pictures, always enjoy a picnic, fun, Francine.

MadSnapper said...

ALL the photos are awesome today.. you know my favorite is the thirsty dog of course.. my mom would have helped your mom with the pic nic day. she loved picnics even in her own back yard. especially at the beach. great shot of your parents.

TexWisGirl said...

sweet shot of your folks. loved your 'dandy' pics, too. beautiful lake! i hope you can get some tasks done that you want to do.

Ruth Kelly said...

I miss my parents and my grandparents. They were so much a part of my life and now they are all gone to a better place without pain.

podso said...

i could just say what Debby Ray said! It's always fun to read your hodgepodge. Love that dandy first picture~ (pun intended).

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Loved your hodgepodge post. And the photo of your parents is lovely. They look so happy together :-) that's true love!!

April said...

Your photo of the lake in Wisconsin is breathtaking, Judy! WOW! Your picnics as a child sound wonderful. I know how hard it is to remember those special dates after your parents have passed...thinking of you.

Susie said...

Love your photos. The lot next door had those big puffed dandelions and thank goodness the guy mowed them before they blew in our yard. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Nancy Shuman said...

Your photos are, as always, wonderful. The dandelions and the lake are amazing.

Nikki said...

What a cute dog! I used to have a border collie who'd drink out of our swimming pool. She was trying to get to her tennis ball so she thought she can drink all the water and it'll come to her. She was a great dog! :) wow 73 degrees?! Its supposed to be high 80's today. Im glad i don't work outside!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

What gorgeous photos! So, so summery!

Oh, I'm dealing with some disc issues in my neck and seeing a Neurologist next week. Oh, the perils of such as this.

Happy rest of the week!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I love your photos. I like the dandelions. I used to pick these and blow the seeds into the air. I like this posting very much.

Carla from The River said...

Sweet comment about your mom. She just might have been a part of making it Picnic Day. :-)
I like picnics too.
xx oo
Carla

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Nothing like a 73 degree Wisconsin summer day! I hope we get a few more this year.

Father Knows Best is one of my favorites too. So cute! We love their kitchen!

Joyce said...

What a lovely photo of your parents, special people I'm sure.

We haven't been to the Hebrides, but Scotland in general is known for it's less than stellar weather. A friend lived there one year and said it rained 365 days that year. Oh my. But...the summer we traveled to Scotland we had glorious clear blue skies and perfect not too hot, not too cold temps. Sometimes you just get lucky I guess.

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

Oh dear, praying you get some relief from your slipped discs!

I have never seen Father Knows Best, should look into it!

Mindee@ourfrontdoor said...

That shot of the lake is gorgeous!

I'm with you on the smell of fresh cut alfalfa. Mmmmmm.

Anonymous said...

Very enjoyable post, especially love the lake memories.
Such a sweet photo of your dear parents.

L. D. said...

Some people are so obsessed with riding the dandelions. I like them a lot. Your dog is a beauty. You have some great hodgepodge here.

Denise said...

Really enjoyed your answers.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a beautiful photo of your Mom and Dad. And I enjoyed reading your answers...we have a lot in common my friend! Sweet hugs, Diane

Judy S. said...

Nice photos and fun comments. So sorry to hear about your back after finally getting your hip taken care of. Hope it heals quickly! Have heard from my sis and DD#1 that the Midwest had a bumper crop of dandelions this year.....

Stacy said...

Your perfect summer day sounds very much like my perfect summer day.

I love the roses. My mom has a huge patch of them she is always wanting me to dig up part of and replant in my yard. The bit about being ugly most of the year is what holds me back. By the way, we call them old-fashions.

Cheryl said...

I love the photo of your parents. They both have such sweet faces!

I also love your word for marriage. It says a lot.

NanaDiana said...

What a nice mention of your parents at the end, Judy.
I loved Father Knows Best, too. It was always the "perfect" family for me.
I always love reading these question and answer things you do-xo Diana

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I enjoyed reading your hodgepodge answers. And that is a sweet photo of your parents, your mother was a beautiful lady! Have a nice week!

Anonymous said...

Love seeing the dandelion. They look like a shinning diamond. All the photos are good!

Anonymous said...

Love hearing everyone's picnic stories, that lake sounds lovely...and on the flying backwards seagulls one on mine we did actually see the ridiculousness at the time and laughed as the car was shaking from side to side in the wind!!

Red Rose Alley said...

Judy,
Oh my gosh, I love dandelions! This picture is beautiful. How I would enjoy visiting Wisconsin. My father-in-law talks about it all the time. What a great picture of your parents. And that lake looks so peaceful.

~Sheri

Valerie said...

I love the dandelions, what a fabulous picture! Hope your back feels much better soon! I have a herniated disc, and it is such a painful thing. What sweet folks your parents look so very happy in the photo. Enjoyed your answers, always such a fun read. Blessings and Sunshine, Valerie

Empty Nester said...

I miss my grandparents to this very day. I know I'll never stop missing them. I even 'talk' to them. I love the picture of your parents. Mine are still with me, thankfully. I am not looking forward to the days when they are not. We had to wait an hour after we ate to swim too. To the very minute. LOL And, truth be told, I made the lovelies wait as well. Those rules/suggestions/old wives tales/whatever just stuck with me. Especially when I discovered, after my grandmother passed, that all those things she used to tell me were, actually, scripture. Well, except the swimming thing. :)

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