Wisconsin Barns, Good Fences and The Hodgepodge

 

Barns and Fences on 1 1/2 Avenue, Barron County, WI

With the weather we're currently enjoying, our neighbors might not need the remaining woodpile. Oh, who am I kidding. We'll have a lot more snow. These few warm days in the 50s and 60s are just a teaser.

Fence and culvert on D

And now, on to the Hodgepodge:

Join Joyce and the Gang

for

She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

Plug them into your own blog

and follow along!

1. March is National Women's History Month. In that vein, who are three women who've been influential in your life? How so?

My mom, my mother-in-law, and both of my grandmas (I know, that's four).

My mom instilled in me a strong work ethic (play also, but duty, and definitely work before play), and a sense of responsibility and perseverance. My mother-in-law also instilled a strong work ethic and the importance of life-long learning, including everything from music to Scripture. My paternal grandma instilled a love of a wry sense humor, consistent Christian living, and unwavering faith. My maternal grandma especially patterned Jesus. Love for others, giving of her time and energies, and enjoying fun. All of those women exhibited a rock solid faith in God.

Glorious March sunlight on a couple of favorite pottery pieces

2. In what ways do you think women have it easier than men?

In my case, I am sitting at home working on a blog post, making soap, and tending to the wants of the dog and cat while my husband is out making an actual living wage. I wonder if he'll catch on one of these days and throw me out. 

3. What do you need most right now: faith, love, hope, or peace?

Peace is highly overrated. Even in the Christian life, we were never promised peace. Jesus' words, 'Take up your cross and follow me' aren't reflected in the health, wealth, and prosperity 'gospel' that is so often preached today. I've been reading Prayers of the Early Christians and none of those true followers of Christ had peace in their lives. They were always at odds with the state (sometimes even their families), were persecuted, tortured, driven from their homes, and many were killed for their faith in God.  BUT, they had faith to the bitter end...and hope. Hope is an absolute for the follower of Christ.  I could use more love for others, and I always could use more faith. 

 (The deep, abiding peace in our hearts, given to us by God, is not the peace I'm referring to in the paragraph above. That peace should be without question for those who trust God. I'm referring more to circumstantial peace. I know several who are going through real struggles in their lives right now, and they're definitely not  experiencing circumstantial peace.)

Fences and Reflections in March

1 1/2 Avenue, Barron County, WI

4. Do you have a collection? If so, what do you collect and why?

I actually do collect more than dog hair and dust bunnies, although they're most prevalent. I collect coffee mugs (and finally did part with several a while back, when they were crowding me out of my home) - and I have a smallish collection of refrigerator magnets. Why? Because they make good souvenirs, take up little space in my carry on, and cost less than a sweater or a rug or a discarded phone box.

5. Plaids, checks, polka dots, stripes...your favorite?

None of the above. I prefer solid colors and rarely stray from that. Checks are nice for a picnic tablecloth. Stripes look good on a zebra, and in my opinion, plaids don't look good anywhere - except on a Scottish kilt. 

via

I rest my case.

And she probably has a 10" waist.

6. In what ways are you the same as your childhood self?

I still love animals, especially dogs (and yes, cats too, Tuppence!); I love the outdoors and all of God's beautiful creation. I'm much the same in ways too numerous to mention, only bigger, grayer, and bearing the battle scars of life (wrinkles). And I haven't climbed a pine tree with a book in one hand for a very long time.

Still living in the land of snow and loving the outdoors -

I only got bigger and could afford a coat or two.

7. You're a contestant on the TV game show Jeopardy. What category will you ace?

My knowledge is too minimal and eclectic to ace any category. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I can't believe how March has brought such cheer to my life. There is something about February that is so dark and dreary and cold and loooooong. But then comes March and some melting of the snow, more hours of daylight, and it's so encouraging. Plus, we saw the grandkids last week (yesterday's post) and are flying to Texas on Saturday to spend a week with our daughter and our SIL. What a wonderful March!

Also Linked to Theresa's Good Fences 
and Tom's Barn Collective

 ***

Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE

My shops will be closed March 11-20

  'Lemongrass & Eucalyptus'
All-natural, homemade vegan soap



...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch


and at


Our ETSY Shop

Have a wonderful Wednesday!