Sunday, May 31, 2015

InSPIREd Sunday, St. Rose of Lima

St. Rose of Lima Church, Cadott, WI




'Data published by the U.S. Census Bureau and the pro-abortion rights Guttmacher Institute show that the number of babies aborted since the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 is already more than the entire population of the United States in 1880.' - Breitbart.com






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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Waiting...

Being her best patient self

When it's warm out (like two days ago, not today), I like to eat lunch on the front porch. Jazzie loves to go out with me, hoping that I'll drop another tidbit of chicken onto the floor for her. I do. She's rewarded for her patience. Good dog!



Hope you have a nice, warm Saturday!


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Friday, May 29, 2015

Canterbury, England, Anglophile Friday




The photos immediately above and below are an illustration of why I often zoom in to take a photo. I like the brick and the charming bright blue door and fence. But because we're visiting Canterbury in the 21st century, we weren't surprised to see the following:

A bit aesthetically jarring, perhaps

Even Canterbury, England has to deal with road or sidewalk construction, or whatever reason they have those huge yellow barriers there.

Britain's version of the Dollar Store with its 'Amazing Value!'
It seems that everyone's trying to get rid of their overstock of 'Frozen' goods.



But then we get to this set of photos. This is more of what I was expecting to see in Canterbury. Isn't it beautiful! (With old buildings, scaffolding is an ever-present feature.)

Unfortunately, no, we didn't get to tour the museum
Too many places; too little time,
and the cathedral took priority





Hoping that Mom will buy her a treat


What's with the zigzags on the street?

'White zig-zag lines are used down both sides of the road and along the centre line of the road, both before and after the Zebra crossing, as shown above. These increase the warning to approaching drivers and also create a zone in which parking and overtaking (i.e. 'passing') are strictly forbidden.' from driveandstayalive.com






Medieval Gate House


Next week, if all goes well, we'll actually get to some of the photos of Canterbury Cathedral, our main reason for visiting Canterbury. Or maybe that's the week after.

Have a great weekend, everyone!


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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Cow Pasture at Hodgepodge Corner


Ladies' Convention
Location: Rasmussen Farm
Topic: Loving May Pasture

***

Join Joyce and the Gang
for
She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Post them on your own blog,
then join in!


1.  Did you do anything 'memorable' this past weekend?

I forget.


 Beautiful Wisconsin


2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."  

Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you're a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?

Yes, I do think that my upbringing contributed to my need to think. things. through. And to think things through in light of a risen, living Savior.

We discuss life, worldview, politics, and we vote. We vote for the candidate who most closely represents our beliefs and desires for our country. Freedom is precious, and I think it should be protected thoughtfully.  Jesus said, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.' 

[Gospel: The Good News that Jesus is Lord of the Universe, has conquered death, and has opened the door for all to be freed from the enslaving power of sin and to be reconciled to God. That's real freedom.]  

He did not say, 'Go into all the world and force people to submit to your will with the threat of swords, guns, and bombs.' American lives (like all lives) matter. We shouldn't be sending troops here and there, putting them in harm's way because politicians want to make a name for themselves. And when they tell us it's for 'our national interests,' they better be ready to explain exactly what that means.




3. Loudest noise you've ever heard?

The fireworks that are one single, huge, deafening big bang.

 Trilliums. They're everywhere.

4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered 'junk food'? Did you enjoy it?

I rarely eat junk food. The last thing would be a small bag of fruity gummies. I enjoyed all 8 of them. Immensely. I love gummy treats. Not the rubbery ones, like icky gummy worms, but the gummy ones like Dots. But now I try to stay away from them because they always lie to me. They tell me that they'll satisfy, but in reality, they only make me want more. And more. They're wicked like that.

I might eat a Butterfinger candy bar later in the week, now that I'm thinking about it.

5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt 'packed in like sardines'?

The London Tube, late afternoon.

 Yes, I know you've seen this photo before.
At certain times of day, it's so crowded that there's not
enough room for anyone to drag out their camera and annoy people.

6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?

I am extremely organized when it comes to packing. I'm an ISTJ, remember? I have a list, I love lists, I make lots of lists! (Unfortunately, I'm a little better at list making than I am at task completion.) I don't do last-minute packing, but pack a few days to a week ahead of time and try to figure out what I can unpack to make my carry-on lighter. As I've stated before, next time I travel, I won't even take a regulation-size carry-on (21x14x9). It will be a kid's school backpack. That's it. Never again will I lug around  even a standard carry-on.


I told you I have Word Association Syndrome

7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?

The last sporting event would be our sons' softball game. I don't remember who won, but it was fun only because they were playing and a few grandkids were with us, watching. Nothing that requires me to sit on bleachers for more than 3 seconds is fun. Sports are not my thing. And, bleachers are definitely not my thing.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.



Summer is here, for all practical purposes. Wisconsin is beautiful, with clean, green hills and valleys. You should come and visit! But you probably shouldn't consider moving here. I'm sure you wouldn't like it.  ;-)

 We're like Yorkshire, 
but without castles, abbeys, drystone walls, 
blackface sheep, and narrow roads.
Other than that,
we're practically identical!

Moooooove along now, there's nothing to see here.

***


Have a great Wednesday, friends!

 
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Monday, May 25, 2015

Wisconsin Barns, Good Fences, and the DNR

Barn just west of Cadott, WI on X

On our way to Wausau, we drove past this cute little barn scene just west of Cadott on Highway X. What a beauty it is, with its pretty little pond and perfect board fence. I can imagine Mr. Farmer, wearing striped Oshkosh overalls and T-shirt (okay, definitely my dad's generation), coming out of the barn with his eager Border Collie to collect the Jerseys for milking time. I was thinking how lovely it would be to see a few sweet cows occupying that pasture when Mr. C. reminded me that IF there were cows, the scene would look very different than it does now. The bank of the pond would be muddy and eroded and the barnyard would be a sloppy mess. Good grief. Talk about bursting my bucolic bubble! Can't he just imagine sweet cows tippy toeing to the water to drink while being careful not to muddy up the yard??? What a killjoy. But... I'll have to admit that it's true.


This is probably a playhouse or tool shed now,
but I suspect that originally it was a pump house.





I was going to crop this photo, but decided to leave it all in. It's so typical of small-town Wisconsin.

We took the long way home, driving on Highway X which parallels Highway 29 but runs through all the little towns along the way. It's so much more interesting.

One of the reasons we drove to Wausau:

Keeping her balance
Sticking out her tongue definitely helps.

I was planning on planting the tomatoes and peppers today, but it's been quite rainy. I might wait until tomorrow afternoon.

***

Color me CRANKY. We went to Yellow River Gardens in Spooner, WI, a 46 minute drive each way, only to find out that the pond plants I had phoned about did not include the regulars which they always before carried: water hyacinths and water lettuces, which were the main factor in keeping algae out of my garden pond. Why?? Because, said the unhappy owner, about 3 weeks ago the brilliant DNR regulators decided that they won't allow free-floating pond plants into Wisconsin because they are an invasive species. Right. Well, they are, but certainly not in Wisconsin. They can't survive in Wisconsin's fall and winter temperatures (which is why we can only get them when they're trucked in from the South after all threat of frost is past).  So now I have to pour some chemical into  my pond to keep the algae at bay. Fortunately, we did find something that's supposed to be safe for fish and pets, but still, the pond plants were so pretty... In the meantime, I'm going to be writing a letter to my representative, as though that will make any difference Do these people at the DNR just sit around dreaming of ways they can regulate everything, before even doing some simple research?

Thus ends my rant for today.

P.S. This is not the fault of Yellow River Gardens, and they do have an amazing selection of wonderful plants...but no floating pond plants. If you're in the area, be sure to check them out!


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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

On a Wild Goose Hodgepodge



Join Joyce and the Gang
for
She writes the questions,
we write the answers.
Post the answers on your own blog,
then link back to her blog.


1.  Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?

I think I did, and sometimes it's intentional to break the ice or verbalize an irresistible pun I happen to think of. I'll sometimes find myself laughing at a line in a sermon or in a movie theater when no one else is laughing. Who knows why. Humor is in the eye of the beholder. I make Mr. C. laugh. He makes me laugh. So I guess that's a good thing. We're our own fan club. And that reminds me of this:

So much in love with us are we,
So much in love with us are we,
So much in love with us are we,
That you could kiss you
And I could kiss me.

 - Tommy Smothers
the great philosopher

Have you noticed that most comedians these days just aren't very funny?  


2. What's a simple question with a complicated answer?

What's wrong with my computer?!

3. Rhododendrons or azaleas...you have to choose. Are either currently blooming in your yard?

I have neither. I like both. What I do have, instead:

 Flowering crab, a few days ago

4. May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?

I never have. No amount of promised tips could induce me to take that job. The best part of the job would be working with people. The worst part of the job would be working with people. I admire anyone who has the patience to deal with unreasonable customers. I do believe that the customer is always right...except when they're wrong. And sometimes they're downright rude and obnoxious.



5. What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?


Not literally, of course, because we already have far too many laws, but I'd say that leggings (is that what they're called, where it looks like they are wearing tights and forgot to put pants or a skirt on over them?) for women over 40 should be 'outlawed.' Men shouldn't try to look sensitive by being feminized. It is most unappealing.

6. Name a writer who inspires you....now tell us why.

G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright, because they make me think.


 Part of the long list of bishops
at Durham Cathedral

7. What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?

'Been there, done that.' (De-cluttering). It's not at all fun, and I'm making very little progress. It would help if a few boxes of stuff removed would make any noticeable difference.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


I'm looking forward to getting the garden planted. The past two nights I covered the beans, strawberries, and flowers with sheets to protect them from frost. I was advised that the strawberries don't need to be covered, but with all those tender little blossoms out there, I wasn't taking any chances. I'm glad I didn't. When I got up at 5:30 this morning, the temperature was 30 degrees. Once all threat of frost is over, the sheets can retreat to their  barrel and live in the garage until fall.


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Have a great Wednesday, friends.

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