Hodgepodging Along The Mississippi

Penguins on a Minnesota farm
Probably wondering where all the snow went


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1. Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven't been fishing is that something you'd like to try?

 The same penguins are next to the little milkhouse above.

I went fishing once, a very long time ago, but have never caught a fish. I hate the idea of putting a hook through a poor fish's mouth just so I could throw it back into the water. Maybe if I were going to actually eat it, that would be different. But it seems cruel just to catch and release. That doesn't seem like fun to me.

Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, fish or cut bait...which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?

The only one that remotely fits is 'fish out of water,' and only when in large groups of people.

 Do you think this is some sort of chicken coop?

2. What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer?

I seem to always be fishing around for a pen that actually works.

3. Your favorite fish tale or movie?

Two fish movies that come to mind are Pinocchio and Finding Nemo, but my favorite is the George Gently episode where he takes the little boy fishing in the River Wear below Durham Cathedral.

 I think this was a photo of our TV screen some months ago.

4. Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night? Explain why you chose your answer.

I am definitely sunrise. I love everything about early morning. Sunrise is so positive, so full of hope, anticipation, promise. When I hear the birds singing in the summertime at 4:30 AM , it is a delightful sound. Then comes good coffee, very likely a glorious sunrise, so MUCH to thank God for, a great attitude, lots of energy to start my day, and then... ... ... late afternoon I'm winding down. I'm definitely not night. And I'm definitely not rainy day.

 Sunrise February 19
View from our front porch

5. What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear?

I have a coat that I've had for years and years and can't bear to pass along to someone else or pitch. Also, probably blue jeans. If they get too tight, I put them on a shelf in the closet for the days in the future when they will fit again. LOL And I know very well that I'm not alone in this. Don't even try to tell me otherwise. :-)

And a windmill!

6. We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What's been the best and worst part of your winter so far?

I was definitely feeling the need for a getaway in COLD, DARK, DEPRESSING January. But this month we've been given the gift of a warm streak. Tuesday was 62 degrees and sunny, and nearly all of our snow is gone. Unfortunately, the forecast is for a free refill on the weekend, but that reprieve from the cold and snow was just what we all needed. It was a major Wisconsin cheer-up. So, to sum it up, the worst part of winter was all of January. The best part of winter has been the past week that took all of our snow.

See? No snow!

7.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day...will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what's your favorite JB tune?

I've never had a margarita, and alcohol always gives me a headache, so it's really not very appealing. Okay, I would try a frozen margarita if I could be guaranteed that I wouldn't get a headache. Even a small amount of alcohol has the same effect as CherryBerry frozen yogurt, which something I avoid. Now for some reason, I was caught at a weak moment and talked into CherryBerry yesterday afternoon on the way back from Rochester. I was told that we were celebrating a good doctor's report. Aside: Why do I have NO willpower??  Because it was a sneak attack and I wasn't prepared! Anyway, I don't know what on earth I was thinking, but I'll have to say, ... ... ... ... ... ...it was mighty great going down: Chocoholic, Strawberry, and SeaSalt & Caramel, topped with chopped pecans. It was all over in about ten minutes. And there the delight ended. As for JB, I know Jimmy Buffett even less than I know Warren Buffett. 

 Look at those cute little grain bins with the rusty tops

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

We drove to Rochester, MN on Monday night, stayed over, went to Mayo Clinic on Tuesday, and then took a leisurely trip back home. Most of the photos in the post today came from the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River. We stopped in Lake City, MN for a bit and then to Wabasha, where we crossed the big river to the Wisconsin side at Nelson. More photos coming later. With such gorgeous weather, I marveled again at what beauty surrounds us in Minnesota and Wisconsin, especially along The River. It is such a reminder of God's beauty, power, generosity, and love in Creation, and that he delights in sharing all of this with us, his image bearers. Let us praise Him!!

'The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power, to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.' - From Psalm 145

Lake Pepin, basically a big bulge in the Mississippi River
At Lake City, MN

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