Wednesday, February 22, 2017

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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35 comments:

  1. Enjoyed your answers and the photos with captions between!! Those little penguins are just too cute and I am with you, with you, with you on your last statement in #8. Such beauty and blessings He has gifted us with!! Praise and thanks be to Our Lord. Thank you for this reminder. blessings ~ tanna
    ps I'm a fish out of water in large groups, too. ;)

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  2. those grain bins are really 'adorable'. all of your photos are really beautiful today. I had to laugh a few times reading your answer. I started to copy and past number 4 here because it is exactly ME...also your fishing answer is antnother copy/paste and me. I drove my dad crazy nagging about hurting the fish he caught to eat. and when mother put fried Dove on the table I cried so hard he stopped bringing the birds home and let his brothers keep them.
    the other chuckle was I am on the purge of closets/drawers and yesterday I said to Bob, guess how old this blouse is? I bought it in 1993... OH MY... and the reason I know that is I found a photo from 1995 of Bob and Me in the bottom of a drawer I cleaned.

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  3. PS... the whole time I read this post I expected the trio of penquins to burst into 3 part harmony

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  4. Hello, Adorable Penguins. I love the barns and the cute grain bins. The windmill is cool too. I always enjoy your answers. I am a sunrise lover too, I love to hear the birds singing early in the morning. Yes, I have some jeans waiting for me to wear. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

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  5. The penguins first up made me smile and I really did enjoy reading your answers. My husband loves to fish, and I am just happy for him to go and do it with a friend. My oldest, most favourite pair of jeans, they were patterened with flowers, I couldn't fit into anymore, and a university student bought them at our garage sale. I was pleased they were going off to uni with her! Have a fabulous week, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

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  6. I'm glad to hear about the good doctor's report. As always, your gorgeous photos always make me smile. Enjoy your week, dear Judy and stay away from that Cherryberry Yogurt!

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  7. Enjoyed seeing so many photos of your trip through SE Minnesota and Wisconsin. That's such a pretty part of both states. Lake Pepin is much larger than I thought it would be.

    Have you been to Laura Ingalls Wilder home near Lake Pepin? It's quite a drive away from the lake which makes it even more remarkable that they found such a beautiful piece of land plus would go into town (at Lake Pepin) with their horses/wagon.

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  8. When I answered my questions, I forgot about the "skinny" jeans I have in the closet...lol. Also, YES both MN & WI sides of Mississippi are beautiful! I can't wait to see the other pictures.

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  9. Not a fisher either....ugh slippery fish, worms...no thank you!! So glad y'all are enjoying some pretty weather.

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  10. I really loved that last shot of Lake Pepin...my kind of place to relax and take in the scenery with my camera in tow, of course. Glad you're enjoying warmer temps up there...us, too! Even happier to hear about the good doctor's report...YES!

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  11. Your pictures are always stunning! What type of camera do you use? I hadn't heard of George Gently before so I'm off to check him out. I Googled and episodes should be on Netflix and/or Acorn - looks just like my kind of show.

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  12. Love the photos. The penguins are my favorite.

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  13. I'm so glad you got a break from the snow, and even happier for a good doctor's report :)
    My favorite photo is the one of the three penguins :) All are beautiful, though.
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  14. Yes, stunning photos indeed! I hope your "free refill" that you are receive this weekend will be short lived...but you do have the perfect place for catching those morning sunrises no matter what the weather. Unfortunately, both the where the sun comes up and where it sets is so completely covered in trees, I can only catch of glimpse of either one without leaving the house and driving a couple of miles. When we build our Tennessee farmhouse in the meadow, we should be able to have a good view of both! :)

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  15. As always, great photos.
    I am so happy about your good report. You will be out Cross Country Skiing with me next winter. ;-)

    Love Ya, Judy!!

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  16. Oh how I enjoy your photographs. I really do. Where did you get the penguins? I do hope you got great news on the hip! Love, sandie

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  17. You are not alone, I have clothes waiting for me to fit into again! For sure you would get a cold headache with that frozen margarita. I prefer it on the rocks for that reason. I enjoyed the photos.

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  18. Warren Buffett...LOL As for those jeans that sit and wait for me to fit in them again...yeah, sitting there, they went threadbare. I think it resulted from their sadness that I would never fit into them again. And I haven't. Now I'm really sad. Where are those cookies? ;) Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  19. Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures. We've been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather here in PA, too. It looks like yours came with more sunshine that ours did, however. I know the cloudiness here has something to do with being in the foothills of the Allegheny mountains, but it sure makes for drab winters.

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  20. I always read these hodge-podge things with a smile and enjoy your photos, Judy. Ever seen "A Fish Called Wanda?" Glad the weather's lifted somewhat, even if only temporarily.

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  21. Hi Judy, You always share the prettiest pics. Like you, I am an early riser. AND I love my morning coffee! lol

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  22. I forgot to answer that question but a fish out of water would describe me. I'm so glad you've had a break from winter even with a refill coming. A good uplift!

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  23. Hey Doll!

    Checking in. I always love the lovely photos you capture of where we live. It is so truly beautiful, isn't it? Sometimes I forget.

    Always get chuckles at lots of your answers. If you ever happen to find the special "will power button" PLEASE share it with me!! I relate so well with that and never being able to find a pen that works! Hahaha!!

    I've loved our wonderful winter reprieve as well, and might throw a tantrum when I know it's going to end here soon. I know I need to snap out of it and just be grateful it happened it all. It is only February for goodness sakes! And I live in the NORTHwoods!! Get over myself. :P

    So I'll end with thank you God for all my blessings - especially my dear Friend Judy...as she reminds me of the beautiful blessings around us and helps me put my focus in the right places. Amen.

    Blessings. xoxo

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  24. You always post such great photos. Glad you've got rid of the snow.

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  25. So glad you received a good doctor's report. That is always worth celebrating. I enjoyed your answers and all your beautiful photos.

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  26. Those penguins are just too cute!

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  27. Yes, I think that must have been a chicken coop. Love your photography, as ALWAYS!!!

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  28. Judy, I completely agree with you about sunrise and morning, but *I* LOVE rainy days. Adorable picture of the kitties in your sidebar! Glad you had something to celebrate after your trip to Mayo.

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  29. The snow here has been melting at a remarkable clip this week in mild temps, even overnight. I am pleased, but we have a long, long way to go and there'll no doubt be setbacks along the way. Your world looks lovely wearing green and it really is green. If the winter is mild there should be some sign of a mild and pleasant spring I would hope. I am so sorry about the pain that comes from a dietary slip. I have had a few of those recently myself.

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  30. This post has made me think about how many expressions we use that refer to fish one way or another. Fishing for compliments, red herring, fishy situation, etc. Lovely photos and that coop is intriguing. (if it IS a coop)

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  31. I haven't done HodgePodge in a while.
    These were some hard questions.
    It seems like we are always buying pens because either we can't find one that works or they get misplaced.

    Have a great day!!

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  32. Beautiful pictures. I think I caught Mayo Clinic and "good report" so that sounds positive. It seems a little treat was in order. I seem to think everything is an occasion for just a little treat!, but a good doctor's report truly is!
    As I commented on Podso's blog, my only fishing experience involved ugly catfish and lots of blood so never again for me!!
    Here in Michigan we've had the same lovely warm-up in February and a couple 60-something degree days. So nice! I'm sure we will have more snow before spring though.
    I would dearly love to be a sunrise person. However, sunsets can be pretty spectacular too! Blessings, Deborah

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  33. Wonderful post, Judy, and all of the photos are remarkable. Loved seeing Lake Pepin and I always enjoy your pics of barns and other country places. I am a sunrise person too!

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  34. You took some beautiful photos this week! And I love the sunrise photos...I don't get up early so I love seeing what it looks like! heehee! Hugs!

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  35. Well, I don't know who or what, but I am rejoicing with you over a good medical report!

    I am glad that you've enjoyed some unseasonably pleasant weather this winter. We had such a mild day here today, we ate dinner on the porch!

    Love your "random thought"!

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