Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Hodgepodging Hope - September 23.


Highbush Cranberry
September 2015

Yes, the highbush cranberry outside our office window is in full berry mode. Most of those berries will probably still be there in the spring when the Cedar Waxwings come through and wolf them down in a single afternoon.


Join Joyce and the Gang
for
She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Plug the answers into your own blog and
join up!

1. What have you 'fallen for' recently?

Our screened-in porch area! I love it. In early August, just in time for my birthday, Mr. C. and son finished the screened in area of our porch. So now we have the front (open, road side) porch and the wraparound, screened-in north part of the porch. Here are some pics:

 Yes, some landscaping is needed
Coming later...
And, uh, the porch actually is level. Sorry!

 Looking north toward the screen room

 Looking south toward the [temporary] baby prison

Mr. C. put many light fixtures in the porch ceiling.
At night, when it's lit up, it looks like an airport runway!

 Lunch in the screen room

also where our daughter and family slept during the family reunion:

 Remember this one?

 Baby proofed end

 West end of screen room

 Only access to screen room:
A new door between it and the library.
That means there's no access to the screened area from the outdoors,
so NO BUGS. It's wonderful!

 The window in the photo above was replaced by
the glass door.  Jazzie's bed was moved.
Occasionally, she lets me use it.


2. What's something you're 'squirreling away' for later?

Tomatoes and green beans, but you've heard all about that, so I won't bore you with the details - again.



3. How do you like your apples? Sweet? Tart? Crisp? Cooked? Apples are one of the superfoods for fall...how often do you eat an apple either plain or as part of a favorite recipe? What's your favorite variety?

I like my apples sweet/tart/crisp - usually raw, but also good in an apple pie, as long as the apples aren't crunchy. I might start eating an apple with popcorn in the evenings. It depends upon whether or not I want to stay awake for the ending of the DVD movie or not. All that sugar would for sure knock me out cold in a short time.


My all-time favorite apple? McIntosh, for sure! We never had to spray our tree with pesticides, and never had wormy apples. I also always went out each morning to pick up the windfalls, as I'd heard that it prevents wormy apples. Worked for me, for many years.


Our McIntosh apple tree
before the big winter kill a couple years ago
I miss that tree's amazing apple crops.

4. According to Fodor's the ten best fall foliage trips in the US of A are-Aspen Colorado, The Catskills New York, The Berkshires Massachusetts, Columbia River Gorge Oregon, Green Mountain Byway Vermont, Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway New Mexico, Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Lake of the Ozarks Missouri, and Glacier National Park Montana. Which would you most like to visit this fall and why?


If I could visit any of the above, it would be The Berkshires. They're beautiful, although the life-threatening hairpin turns are pretty scary.  Another place I'd love to be this fall is Harper's Ferry, WV, a favorite of mine. There's so much to love about that place: rivers, hills, history, natural beauty. Can't get enough.

Who doesn't love these gorgeous fall colors!

5. The topic of legalizing marijuana was raised in the most recent televised political debate so let's wade in too. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Four states have legalize marijuana for recreational use. Your thoughts?

Legalize it and tax it. Too much time and too many resources are used to catch these 'criminals,' although no one is considering making alcohol illegal, yet it accounts for far more deaths in this country. Why is that? I'm not suggesting we go back to Prohibition, but just that we recognize the inconsistencies. Not to mention the fact that we criminalize the possession of marijuana but legalize the murder of pre-born or even partially-born infants???!!!  What kind of weird logic is that. How can we call ourselves civilized.


6. Are you okay to watch a movie already in progress or do you need to always see it from the beginning? How about jumping into a TV series somewhere in the middle? Is that okay?

I need to watch a movie from the beginning and now even have closed caption on when it comes to some British TV. I mean, there are some natives that are nearly impossible for the untrained American ear to understand. :-)  The endings of movies, on the other hand, I often miss. Zzzzzzzzzz.

 Campion and the difficult-to-understand but lovable Lugg
'Why do I always want to call him Lag?
Word association, I suppose.'
(I think that was from 'The Case of the Late Pig) 


7. Thursday (September 24) is National Punctuation Day. What rule of punctuation trips you up most often? What rule of punctuation, when broken by someone else, bugs you the most?


I don't get why there is an apostrophe-s when showing possession for Jones and Jesus, for example. Doesn't it look odd to have Jones's and Jesus's???? Joneses sounds weird enough, but Jesuses sounds even weirder. Like St. James's Park. Why??  I like just a final s followed by an apostrophe (and no extra syllable), but no one (except you) asks me. LOL

I'm so glad you asked about our pet peeve of punctuation, for I might have had to eventually write a blog post about it. Why, oh why, do people feel the need to insert an apostrophe into every word that ends in 's.'   How many times have you seen signs on the grocery store window, for example, that read, 'Banana's,  Grape's, etc.'   No one would write, 'We have two dog's,' would they?  Really, would they??

Okay, I'm now going to struggle to get my emotions under control again.

We have had two dogs! (2011)
Bridger and Misty
Note: There is no apostrophe before the 's'
You saw Jazzie on Monday's post,
so she's already had her air time.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've been reading two authors who dispel the weird and unbiblical ideas about Heaven that most of us have grown up with. I highly recommend both books. 

From 'HEAVEN' -  Randy Alcorn

'...some readers may think, 'But our eyes should be on the giver, not the gift; we must focus on  God, not on Heaven. This approach sounds spiritual, but it erroneously divorces our experience of God from life, relationships, and the world - all of which God graciously gives us. It sees the material realm and other people as God's competitors rather than as instruments that communicate his love and character. It fails to recognize that because God is the ultimate source of joy, and all secondary joys emanate from him, to love secondary joys on Earth can be - and in Heaven always will be - to love God, their source.'

Many think of Heaven as a boring, harp-playing, cloud-sitting, never-ending-drab existence after the excitement of meeting Saint Peter at the pearly gates and getting a few good jokes from him. 

Think about this: think of the things you love most about this world we live in: beautiful music, fragrant flowers, woodland walks, awesome mountains, rushing rivers, playing sports, coffee with a friend, relationships with our sweet pets, wonderful works of art, curiosity, discovery, enjoyment, interesting conversation, pleasure.  

Now imagine those things as represented by a barely-operating old black and white TV with poor speakers.

Heaven, or rather, the redeemed, fully-restored earth, by contrast, would be like all those things we now enjoy, but in HD with surround sound (but still falling far short of the magnificence of its reality). All the things we love about this earth will be here - but MORE SO.  We will forever be with our Lord, enjoying his company and delighting in him, his amazing works, his unimaginable love that took him to the cross to rescue us from our sin and give us a world no longer marred by poverty, disease, sin, and death, but fully restored. Remember, it was God who created beauty, music, joy, humor, etc. etc.  It's not like we came up with this ourselves! Think of that the next time you think of something funny - and thank God for a sense of humor.

And one of the most exciting surprises in all this? The mission of the Church here and now.

From 'SURPRISED BY HOPE' - N.T. Wright

'The idea of the human Jesus now being in heaven, in his thoroughly embodied risen state, comes as a shock to many people, including many Christians. Sometimes this is because many people think that Jesus, having been divine, stopped being divine and became human, and then, having been human for a while, stopped being human and went back to being divine (at least, that's what many people think Christians are supposed to believe). More often it's because our culture is so used to the Platonic idea that heaven is, by definition, a place of 'spiritual,' non material reality so that the idea of a solid body being not only present but also thoroughly at home there seems like a category mistake. The ascension invites us to rethink all this; and after all, why did we suppose we knew what heaven was? Only because our culture has suggested things to us. Part of Christian belief is to find out what's true about Jesus and let that challenge our culture.'

If I could only have one of these books, I'd probably choose Wright, but that's because I've particularly enjoyed several of his other books. They both come in Kindle too, which is handy at 3 AM.



on Amazon.com

One more Random: There's a new, annoying toolbar at the bottom of my page that suddenly appeared and keeps interfering with everything I write! I need to figure out how to get rid of it. Also, my right-shift key is no longer working - suddenly. Maybe a trip to the amazing Chuck at Hayes' Computers in Cameron is in order.

 ***

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Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!

 
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40 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Good morning Judy, I would like to be there when the waxwings come through to eat your berries. I love your porch both the opened and screened in porches, it is nice to be bug free. The shot of your daughter and grandson is awesome. I do hope Jazzie found a new bed. I love apples and apple pie, YUM! You just reminded me I have been wanting to take a walk at Harper's Ferry, maybe I should wait until there are more colorful trees. Enjoy and have a happy day!

Joyce said...

Thanks for the book tips. I heard a sermon not long ago where the pastor asked the question, "Will heaven be boring?" The answer is no : ) I like both authors you mentioned so will look for these titles. Love your porch! We're going to have a screened porch t the lke house and it's probably the part of building I'm most excited about. Enjoy your lovely space!

Debby Ray said...

Judy your porch(es) are awesome! I am a little jealous though...they started on our new front porch in June and it is still unfinished...no railings, finished ceiling or fan in yet...it's a little upsetting but I am trying to be patient. We were assured it would be ready for use soon...whatever "soon" means, I have no clue. Your photos of the apples are so beautiful...and Macintosh was my mom's most favorite too. I totally believe heaven will be the most exciting place any of us have ever experienced!

Lowcarb team member said...

Isn't this time of year great for amazing colours - it never ceases to amaze me.

I just love the picture of your daughter and the little one.

All the best Jan

Joanne Noragon said...

I'm still thinking about a screened in porch for the house. It's the last big rennovation I would like to undertake.

Carla from The River said...

Oh my, your porch. ;-) We have enjoyed some great September weather, I am sure you and Mr. C have enjoyed many evening meals out on the porch.

Have a a great week!
Carla

MadSnapper said...

about the shift key, my ctr key was sticking and Gail at the farm said blast it with canned air and push up and down. it did the trick so it might work on your shift key.
i love the cranberries and the dog's... oops sorry dogs.... LOL.... you have the best of all porch worlds, screened for summer, open for fall/winter and a baby prison. Ha ha on that one. good to keep that beautiful baby safe... never really thought about what heaven will look like, but now that i am, i think it will be much like here but better and no hate or bad stuff.

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Love those gorgeous pictures. They are awesome. Thank you for sharing them. I am definitely a porch person. There is nothing like a porch and you have an awesome one.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Wow Now i could sit on your porch forever. It is gorgeousin all seasons and for the young one. Love the fruit and interesting books

Barbara said...

Good post. Lots of logic and meaty things to ponder. Your home is lovely (what a library!!) and the porch, both screened and not, is wonderful. I know you will enjoy it as much as you can while the weather permits!

Chatty Crone said...

I love, love, love that screened in porch - I want one. And I like the idea of your making food and storing it for the winter. I also like to start movies from the beginning - it is hard to know what is going on else wise. I like my apples sweet.

21 Wits said...

I had to laugh at your baby prison! It does come with quite a view. I've missed reading your posts and seeing your always lovely photos. Good to stop by. Enjoy your week.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Your porch is lovely and how nice to have a screened in section. I like your answer on the marijuana question. I love a crisp tart apple. Enjoyed all of your photos.

Susan said...

There is nothing quite like a nice screened porch. I especially like the photo of your daughter and her little one. Great sleeping on a screened porch! We hope to expand and screen the deck at our lake house… some day. :) Enjoy!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Hi Judy- I love your porch and what a great idea to have access only from the house- that will surely stop those pesky flies and mosquitoes!!
I agree with your answer on marijuana and how inconsistent our country has become with important issues.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

Hi Judy! Oh, loved reading your opinions on these things and your porch is wonderful! I'm so excited to be able to really enjoy the fall season this year. Last year at this time I was unpacking boxes from our move like a mad woman! :) Thank you for popping in to see me and your kind words.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

The Charm of Home said...

You have the nicest porch!

Linda Kay said...

Judy, wonderful photos with all the fall colors. I also like your porch.

podso said...

I think that photo of the porch sleepers could win an award, or be an ad or something---it is quite amazing with all it's elements. Your screened porch is delightful and I hear you about it's very personal bug free entrance. Nice new doorway. I have read the first book but you make me want to read the second. I would look a second time if I were flying past your house on a country road--it's so cute and who doesn't love a wrap around porch. Macintosh is not my favorite apple but rather my favorite computer, and I do like my apples crisp, and the dessert I made the most as a new bride was apple crisp, speaking of crisp. I enjoyed your post today as always!

Pamela Gordon said...

I love your veranda and home too! The screened in part of the veranda is so nice and having it bug-free is pretty great. The views from the veranda are beautiful - so lush and green right now. My favourite apple is the Cortland - sweet and crisp and a new favourite is Honey Crisp. It was fun to read your answers to the questions. Always enjoyable. Happy Fall to you!

Denise said...

good hodgepodge

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Judy... I positively LOVE your screen porch!! Sitting in the beautiful outdoors without mosquitoes is MY idea of heaven! The pic of your daughter and granddaughter is positively darling. Enjoy the rest of your week in your lovely screened porch and catch up on your reading on your kindle.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Judy, you do put a lot into your posts! I love your porch and the screened area I'm sure it is going to be enjoyed. Your home is lovely and clearly welcoming to all of your family.
I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one that doesn't understand British sometimes. Of course we say this with great love.
Happy Autumn to you as you enjoy reading on that lovely porch! ♥

Dee said...

I loved reading your answers to those questions and your porch is beautiful. I loved the beautiful colors of autumn in that one pic and what a wonderful picture of your daughter and grandbaby.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. It gave me a chance to come see you and what a lovely blog you have here. I enjoyed the visit and will certainly be back to see you again. Blessings... :)

Terri D said...

When we lived in Northern Virginia, we visited Harper's Ferry many many times. What a great place to hike, shop, eat....all in such a lovely and historic town. I love your very smart answer to #5. Your porch is like heaven to me!! I so miss having a porch and wrap-around porches are perfect. We love our screened-in pool area. When the weather cools off, we open the French doors and it's like our house grows in size. No bugs, no critters, just nice fresh air circulating! Love, love it.

Cheryl said...

Your porch is perfectly lovely!! Who is the genius who decided that there would only be access from inside? No bugs? Wonderful!!

Like you, I also miss the ends of movies at times. Also like you, the apostrophe inserted where a simple plural is needed makes me a little crazy...especially when I see such misuse in a published piece. Oh my.

Vee said...

Hope that your emotions are back in control. I am not bothered by the correct use of apostrophes to show possession, but random apostrophes drive me bonkers. I would be terribly bothered by no show of possession as often seen: Jesus disciples.

Someone is a design genius at your house. Absolutely no bugs? Brilliant. Looks like the perfect place for sleeping.

As for the top foliage drives...meh! I can't believe that some of them came in ahead of the beautiful drives that NH and Vermont provide. I suppose that the Bershires would come the closest.

Oh the loss of a gorgeous Mac tree is very sad indeed, which reminds me that I need to get to an apple orchard soon. The weather is not quite cool enough this week to put me in the mood.

Always love to read your responses to the Hodge Podge.

Bonnie said...

Good morning Judy, First let me say Happy Birthday. On my calendar it shows ?? for the date of your birthday but didn't look at the calendar. HAPPY, HAPPY belated birthday. I am sure you had a great birthday celebration with your family. It looks like Mr. C has been busy at your home screening your porch, putting in a new door and other DIY work. Tom is still working on laying the laminate flooring in our house...WHAT a JOB!!! I haven't been on this site for a very long time and not sure if I'm using it correctly but I love all the pictures you are posting on your blog.Hoping you are able to enjoy your screened in porch for awhile during the Fall. Miss you my friend. Bonnie

Bonnie said...

My pet peeves are....havin and not having, goin and not going. WHY do people leave the "ing" off the ending of the words? Why do people say "if you will" in some of their comments, why do weather people say the weather is such and such "out there", the weather is outside, why do people say "you know" so much.
What is correct? Lay or lie....Do you lay a book down, do you lie. I hear the word in many sentences that I think should be one way and then I start question what I learned so many years ago. People driving with dogs in their lap. Very dangerous, Very dark windows where you cannot see the driver. So much going on in this world, I feel very unsafe when I can't see the driver's face...so what else. Yesterday, driving 45 minutes in morning traffic for a school volunteer meeting to find it had been cancelled. Ugh. But, life is good. I'm alive and God has given me good health and is taking care of me on a daily basis. So, I'm thankful.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Judy, I love your porch, with just one end screened in. Perfection. You have me wishing I'd had lights installed in the beadboard ceiling of our porch. Thank you for pointing out the apostrophe-s business. That drive's me crazy (Get it?!) :D

Anonymous said...

Oh, sorry for your loss of your dog...

Lovely shots!

Rose said...

Very interesting Hodge Podge....just totally love your wrap-around porch.

TexWisGirl said...

love the cranberries! love the fall trees. LOVE your screened porch! laughing at the 's peeve.

Anita Johnson said...

This is one of those nights I wish I knew how to type more efficiently. I'd chose to respond to so much more. I just read your "about me" for he first time...very interesting. Love your book choices. And I love your porch. I miss a big front porch like we had growing up in Chicago. Funny story about cedar waxwings and berries. One spring my older son, maybe 9 at the time, came in and said his younger brother was in the garage holding birds. It seemed like such a ridiculous statement, I frankly ignored it. About a half an hour later he says again, " mom, should Ben really be holding all those birds?" Well, now I was curious. I went to our garage and found Ben holding at least 4 cedar waxwings and being surrounded by at least 20 more. They were everywhere! And they were intoxicated. From fermented berries. We grabbed Ben, put down the garage door until the next morning when they were sober again. I wish I had grabbed my camera! Ok,back to your post. I love what you wrote about heaven. I can't wait to be there...so much to learn, to do, with conversations galore. All in the presence of our Savior. Wow...how could we ever be bored? Love your answers...I always enjoy these posts!

Lorrie said...

This is a varied post, from no bugs and screen porches to marijuana, apostrophes and heaven! Keeps the mind working. The books both sound like something I'd enjoy reading. Don't get me started on apostrophes! Another pet peeve is misspelling words on signs, in newspapers, and songs projected in church. ACK!

EG CameraGirl said...

Your screened in porch is absolutely wonderful!

CraveCute said...

Judy! I love your house and yard, so gorgeous! We have a screened in porch on our house and couldn't live without it here in Minnesota! I love everything you've written about... so much here to ponder. Thanks for setting my mind a whirl on this Friday morning! Enjoy your weekend, we are to have some fine weather! ~ Diane

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I would love a screened in porch or deck as ours is right now, it must be heavenly to sit our there without worry of insects or critters.
My Merriam-Webster's Pocket Guide to Punctuation that was a necessity when I wrote a newspaper column suggests that Jones's or Jones' is correct. It was always as issue growing up as my maiden name is Jones.:-)
Love the discussion this meme brings about from your perspective and what we like to add.
Have a good weekend.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

How funny that this post ended in books and thoughts about heaven. Why? Because you started with that porch and to me, sleeping out there in the screened portion with that gorgeous view would be something that I'd describe as a bit of 'heaven on earth." :)

Robin said...

Hi Judi, I haven't been on much lately. I love your porch, it's fantastic!!! Were you able too read my blog about my trip to England?

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