The Super Huge Luge Hodgepodge

My favorite red barn in the area
mostly because of that stone foundation
NW of Rice Lake, WI 

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1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter. 

Planning a next trip is always a great idea - even if you don't actually take it. I love planning - researching, checking airfare and comparing accommodations, looking at maps, etc. It's all fun. Taking more baths is not a fun thing in this climate if you heat with wood, because the bathtub is upstairs in the cold part of the house. If I made chocolate covered strawberries, I would eat them all. I don't intend to get into a bathing suit at any time in the near or far future, but reading and discussing books, making soap, Instagramming, watching 'Escape to The Country' on Netflix or a British mystery on Amazon or Acorn, all are pleasant ways to move February along.

2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?

I try not to do super things. I can't risk giving away my true identity. But I've read some super books, seen some super sunrises, watched some super-cute kitties, tended a super fire, eaten some super soups, and watched a super movie: The Greatest Showman.

So after watching the movie, Mr. C. asked me what I liked about it. Was it the acting? the dancing? the story?  I told him it was just about everything. All of those things, and most of all, it struck me that it was a picture of the Kingdom of God. 

All of those people who were societal outcasts, brokenhearted, poor, neglected, found a new home, a home that was not judgmental, where they had work, where they could find love and fulfillment and happiness.

Okay, bear with me. Here are a few verses from Scripture that show what the Kingdom of God looks like (and is coming to look like) 

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

He is near to the brokenhearted, saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Come unto me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

...anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.

Don't blame God if this is not what you see when you think of the word Christian. Because this IS what Christianity is all about. 

'God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be rescued.'

Note: For an explanation of the Kingdom of God on Earth as in Heaven, check out 'Surprised by Hope' by N.T. Wright.

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Oh. And if anyone wants to comment that Hugh Jackman is the most incredible actor, singer, and dancer, feel free! :-)

3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?

Soup. Homemade chicken vegetable soup and it was delicious! Popcorn made by Mr. C., the king of popcorn makers. GF pretzels from Aldi. They're the best. And I put them in a small bowl just so I don't eat the whole bag. They're not only good, but they have that amazing, irresistible crunch - the kind that brings intense crunch satisfaction but doesn't break a tooth.

4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?

I am cheering for spring, kind of, a bit cynically, I must admit. While other people think of March as spring (because the calendar tells us so, right?), those of us in northern Wisconsin know better. My daffodils don't appear until May, so that gives you an idea of how long winter is up here. I guess we've survived every other year, so we will probably survive this one too, although it's been an unusually cold winter. Pretty, but cold. And I definitely have appreciated all the sunshine (cold sunshine) that we had throughout January and now this month too. Once it warms up and the snow begins to melt, then we'll have cloudy skies. I am not a fan of cloudy skies or wind.

I AM cheering for the Full Moon Walk with Carla and her family. It probably won't happen until May, but maybe if we have an unusually warm April. She sent me a Susan Branch bookmark with the dates of the full moon for 2018. It is so much fun and something to look forward to! Thank you Carla! :-) xo

5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).

I'm glad you brought that to my attention, for I don't watch TV and wouldn't probably have known about it otherwise. Yes, I love to watch the Winter Olympics (something to cheer for), but only the Alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, luge, and bobsled. They're the ones that would make me tune in. Unless Acorn puts up another season of Vera. Because Vera trumps everything else. Almost.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Now this is a picture of optimism! We're sitting here in a landscape covered in deep snow, the temperatures have been below zero F. each morning, and this is evidently what keeps the owner of this boat sane through the long winter - the thought of getting out onto one of Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes beginning in May. 

Smokey refuses to act ladylike.

Sunrise, February 4

Selfie (yes, believe it or not) for Instagram

Tommy and Smokey

Another good book (this one's short)

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