Oscar's Favorite Hodgepodge

Maple in our backyard

Aloe, back indoors for the winter

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From This Side of the Pond

She writes the questions.

We supply the answers.

Our early morning

1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?

I love early morning. With the sunrise comes a fresh start, a day of possibilities ahead of me, my only coffee of the day, and lots of energy. (That coffee might have something to do with it.)

2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house? 

None. I got rid of my waffle iron because I rarely used it, our toaster is ancient but works fine, and most of my other appliances are KitchenAid (including, I might add, our dishwasher, which is now 25 years old) so they're working great. I should make commercials for KitchenAid. 

3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?

The fact that true journalism seems to have died. We don't get reporters exposing the facts. Instead, we get several incompetent people repeating prescribed talking points.

4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?

Yes, I've been to Quebec, as in Old Quebec City. It was quite the experience. English-speaking people were definitely not on the to-receive-hospitality list. Once was enough.

Edmonton, Alberta is someplace I'd like to visit, if I didn't have to drive or fly to get there. So if I could be teleported, Edmonton appeals to me the most. Beautiful mountains and a big used book store, along with a Bible Presbyterian Church, make it my first choice. Second would be Montreal. I think there are many beautiful old churches I'd like to see. And of course, Suzan. Must stop in and listen to a Suzan vs. John conversation - in person! (and see her gorgeous kitchen!)

Maybe Montreal first and Edmonton second.

5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?

 via

Back in my Leave it to Beaver days, my favorite food was mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and roast beef. We lived on a farm. We had lots of potatoes, beef, and corn, peas, green beans, or carrots.  I liked stirring my corn into the mashed potatoes and gravy. My mom frowned upon that, and now I understand why. It did make a perfectly nice looking meal into something pretty gross and disgusting looking. BUT, it was delicious.

Do I eat it now? Are you kidding? No.

I almost never eat potatoes.

I don't eat gravy.

I don't eat corn, the non food, used to fatten cattle and hogs. That was my first clue that it might be something I should give up. 

I could eat those things and get away with it when I was a kid, but it's been a long time since I ran around outdoors with the neighbor kids after a meal, playing cowboys and indigenous peoples.

6. Do you cry easily?

No. I cry when someone loses a loved one and sometimes when pondering God's amazing grace. Other than that, mostly no. Oh, and I cried when Lionel and Bridger (see sidebar pics) died. I think I've cried at only a handful of movies. The two most memorable were:

Downton Abbey, Season 1, Episode 2:
Lord Grantham and Matthew Crawley are walking over the grounds of the estate.

Lord Grantham: You do not love the place yet.

Matthew Crawley: Well, obviously, it's...

Lord Grantham: No, you don't love it. You see a million bricks that may crumble, a thousand gutters and pipes that may block and leak, and stone that will crack in the frost.

Matthew Crawley: But you don't?

Lord Grantham: I see my life's work.    (Lord Grantham is my favorite character. Mary is a close second, although she is starting to wear on me.)

A scene from Emma (a Jane Austen movie) with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam
After the picnic on Box Hill, during which Emma was incredibly rude to Miss Bates.This was an excellent movie scene!


7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?

I don't know. I always dread it. It seems so pointless to buy gifts for people who already have everything they need. This year, as last year, we will buy small gifts for the grandkids and give needed money to Samaritan's Purse or the needy in our own community.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It's time for Seasonal Affective Disorder to kick in. Dwindling daylight hours, cold temps, too much time indoors, etc.

S.A.D.  has to do with neurotransmitters, inactivity, and carbohydrates. Karen Hurd has a short article that explains it all and gives advice on how to beat the winter doldrums. Check it out. (And then make reservations to someplace warm and sunny for February! :-)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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