Hodgepodge and Driftless

West of Westby

in the Driftless area of Wisconsin

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Thanks to Joyce for another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. Are you currently operating at 100% capacity? If not, what % are you? What's keeping you there?

I'd say probably 93%. What's mostly responsible for keeping the other 7% away is snow and cold. But we're getting some nice, sunny days right now (although still lots of snow), and springier weather should arrive soon. That should take me up to about 96%. I think it takes July, August, and September to get me to 100%. They're the best months of the year! (although I love May).

Why I love the month of May

This and the GREEN alfalfa field.

2.  Have you done your taxes? Planned/booked a summer holiday? Thought about or started your 'spring cleaning'? Besides what's listed here, tell us one task that needs doing before spring rolls around.

I'm trying to think if I've done anything at all. Planning a trip is really fun, but I've not done that this winter. Really, the DEAD of winter brings out the bear in me - as in hibernation. Ah well, I guess that might also explains the cranky attitude.  I tend a fire. I sleep. I read. That takes up most of January, February, and March. One task that needs doing is going through books. I hate doing that because I hate parting with any books, so I end up procrastinating.  (I even procrastinate procrastinating!) Even writing that sentence made me realize that I've already talked myself out of the job. This is the problem with actually having enough room for things - there's little incentive to get rid of them.

3. What's a favorite food from your part of the country?

I don't think I have a favorite food from northern Wisconsin. I'd say a fish fry, typical of Wisconsin, especially Friday nights, but we don't really do that and I don't eat fried much of anything these days, not that I don't love it. Okay, how about cranberries. I think that Wisconsin might be the #1 state in the production of cranberries, and I am a huge fan of Craisins. We buy them by the big bagful at Sam's Club because we use them on salads and in stirfrys.

We add a few dried cayenne peppers

and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning to our

jars of olives and let it steep a week.

Delicious!

Do you see the Craisins?

This is a soup bowl full of vegetables, a little diced chicken,

Craisins, and a lot of olives.

4. This isn't a leap year, but let's run with it anyway...look before you leap, a leap of faith, grow by leaps and bounds, leap to conclusions, leap at the opportunity...which phrase might best be applied to your life currently (or recently)? Explain.

I don't believe in a 'leap' of faith, nothing up here is growing by leaps and bounds (except for Tommy and Smokey), I tend not to leap to conclusions but research far too long on anything, and I'm more cautious than to leap at an opportunity. Soooo, 'look before you leap' would be the most fitting this time of year. There's lots of snow and ice, and it would be a good idea to pay attention to where you're placing your feet so you don't slip and break your neck.

Tommy & Smokey

Growing by leaps and bounds

5. As the month draws to a close list five fun and/or fabulous things (large or small) you noticed or experienced in February.

Personally, I am so ready to leave February behind, but as to the question:

1. I noticed that our daughter had a birthday (yesterday).

2. I enjoyed spending a few days in Madison and meandering back home through the pretty countryside (giving me another batch of barns to share).

3. Even more, I enjoyed spending a few days in Westby, staying in the fantastic Logan Mill Lodge, wandering about the Amish countryside, visiting with friends, including the church of the ancestors, Coon Prairie Lutheran Church (last Sunday's post).

Both are out of commission.
West of Westby

4. I experienced a definite change in my attitude (for the better) that occurred with a day of slightly warmer temps and bright blue skies. So I could get a WALK.  I know. The weather enjoys manipulating me.

5. I experienced a longing to re-visit York Minster or Durham Cathedral or Canterbury Cathedral, but that's simply an ongoing state of mind, so nothing unique to February, I guess. Listening to John Rutter probably doesn't help.

Red. Especially appreciated when the landscape is mostly white.

Westby, WI

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Feed Mill Elevator

Westby, WI

For our couple of overnights in Westby last weekend, we stayed at the Logan Mill Lodge.

Our little home away from home was Condo Unit 2, a 1500 sq. ft. unit that has everything, including "an original 1910 vintage wooden freight elevator that was used to haul bags of feed and seed during the years this building was a feed mill." (Shown above) I'm so glad that Ruth didn't rip out the old feed elevator when converting the old feed mill to a lodge. 

A really great family vacation would be to stay at Logan Mill Lodge and use it as a base from which to explore the beautiful countryside of the Kickapoo River Valley and Amish farming territory - on scooters! In the summertime, of course.

***

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Hodgepodging Up North and in Canterbury

Canterbury Cathedral


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1. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your sense of direction? 1=can't find my way out of a paper bag and 10=if I've been somewhere once I can find it blindfolded ten years later.

I'd say it's a 10 or close to it. I have a pretty good sense of direction, although I can't promise about the blindfold. :-)  The last time I used a map that I can hold in my hand was today. And yesterday. And the day before that. Not only were we traveling and needed to look at the map, but I tend to look at maps a lot anyway. I need to know where I am and where I'm going - on a daily basis. And even when I don't need to know, I'm curious to know where things are in relation to other things.

When was the last time you looked at/used a map you could hold in your hand? (phones don't count!) 

back east, down south, out west, up north

Choose one of these directional expressions and tell us why you chose it.

Back east. I chose it because here in Wisconsin, we don't call it 'back east,' but 'out east.'  Maybe if I were from the East, I'd call it 'back east.' But I've lived 'up north' almost all of my life.

 Canterbury Cathedral

2. Did you do more talking or listening yesterday? Is that typical? Describe your yesterday in one word.

Sometimes I do neither. It's pretty quiet here. My day yesterday in a word: JETLAG.

3. Time, money, water-power-resources, opportunity...which one on the list are you most guilty of wasting? What might you do to change that?

Maybe I'm most guilty of wasting time. I'll try to keep this answer short.

 Canterbury West Gate

4. Did  your family take regular vacations when you were a kid? Tell us something you remember about a family roadtrip from your own childhood.

We didn't take regular vacations. We were farmers. Dairy farmers risk a lot by going on vacation. They don't know if anyone can actually be trusted to care for the cows properly so they don't come back from vacation to a sick herd. But I do remember a road trip with  my grandparents and parents - to Florida. I've told of this before. I must have been about 10 years old and it was when I learned what 'obnoxious' meant. My grandma used it a lot to describe me and my newly acquired skill of chewing/snapping my bubble gum.

Canterbury Cathedral gate

5. If you could grow anything you wanted, what would you grow? Why?

I would grow patience, kindness, and compassion. They don't come naturally to me. I could use them. The world could use them. And I pray about it every. single. day.

 Private prayer alcoves, Canterbury Cathedral 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I foolishly thought I could beat jetlag by staying awake 23 hours from the time we left London until we were home again in Wisconsin. And by going to bed at 9:30 PM Monday instead of when I felt desperately tired at 6 PM. I kept busy washing/drying/folding clothes, cleaning the kitchen, taking care of the cats, etc. and finally went to bed at 9:30, but awakened with a fierce caffeine deprivation headache at 2 AM. I was an hour late in getting my morning coffee - on London time.

 Henry IV and his wife Joan of Navarre

The only king buried in Canterbury Cathedral (d.1413)
(played by Jeremy Irons in 'The Hollow Crown')

***

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The first photo of Canterbury Cathedral in this post is from 2015, because this is what the main entrance of the cathedral looks like right now:

Canterbury Cathedral 

an ongoing restoration project

 It is so good to be home with the sweet kitties again.
It looks like they might have decided that the box just isn't big enough for the two of them. I have a soft blanket on the floor next to the box. They take turns lying in the box.

Hodgepodging A Thousand Words

 Although it's going to be in the 80s today,
it's starting to look very fallish out there.

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 We've been seeing and hearing flocks of geese

and sandhill cranes in our neighborhood this week.

I love it!

And this early morning there was a doe and her fawn

under our apple tree.

1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

I certainly always hoped so, when I was a kid and had to write a paper for English class.

But actually, yes, I do think so, especially for poor writers. :-)

 Something to ponder.

Something to praise God for.

And Grandpa got a giggle out of this three year old!

2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?

Yes, many years ago. My favorite stop was the airport and returning home. Even back then, California seemed like a foreign country. If I had any aspirations of visiting before it breaks off into the ocean, I'd probably better do it sometime soon. But it's definitely not high on my bucket list. I'm more interested in traveling the eastern coast.

 Antique railroad freight wagon

Rice Lake, WI

3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is? 

I love having four distinct seasons here in Wisconsin. I love the change from summer to fall and the change from spring to summer. But fall to winter is depressing because winters are so very long up here, and winter to spring is still very cold, wet, and dreary. So let's go back to thinking about May, June, July, August, September, and October. They're beautiful here in Wisconsin. And we do need snowy December for Christmas.t

 Our Four Seasons

Can you see why I like fall and summer better?

4. It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?

I would choose fish and chips at The Cricketers pub in Canterbury. And no, there's little point in lying about my age. My hair and wrinkles tell it all. I doubt anyone would believe me if I said I was 29. or 39. or 49. or 59!!!  Yikes. I never dreamed I'd live to be so old. 

My daughters and their mother

5. What's a life lesson you've learned recently?

As God's image bearers on the earth, reflecting his image to the world, we can look at Jesus (not anyone else) to determine how we're doing as image bearers.

Philippians 2:6: 'who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.'

   

As God's image bearer, does my life have the remotest resemblance to Jesus' life?

What do we most want our children and grandchildren to learn about God? If we are God's image bearers, what of his character are we reflecting to them? Are we reflecting a true image as Jesus did, or a distorted image? And because of it, how will they perceive God? So back to your first question, 'Is a picture worth a thousand words?' I'd say that in the case of parenting and grandparenting, it most definitely is. And I pray to be aware of it every day.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

We're so grateful that Hurricane Irma wasn't as devastating as initially predicted. That doesn't mean, of course, that we'll stop praying for those who lost so much and are left homeless and/or without electricity and with such a huge mess to clean up in Florida, or those who were and are affected by the storm and its aftermath as it moved farther north.

And a little more random:

 Tommy & Smokey, of course.

 ***

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Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Hodgepodge with Zinneas - Update on Noah

Happy Zinnea

UPDATE ON NOAH:
Original post HERE.
 
It looks like Noah will be moved out of ICU today and into a regular room,
only 1 week after falling 6 stories onto concrete.
The only tubes remaining are an IV. This is such wonderful news! 
Thank you for praying, friends!

 Praise  God!


***

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Wednesday Hodgepodge post.

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.

I loved riding my horse, jumping him over stacked hay bales; running across a freshly cut hay field stubble on my bare, calloused feet; smelling the fresh hay; going swimming at Silver Lake after chores. Ah, yes. Sigh. Wonderful memories.

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this?  Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about?

I know nothing about cars and can distinguish them only by color and size, usually. You know, 'It was a big red car, Officer.' I don't get excited about different makes and models unless it's an olive green Mazda Miata with tan leather seats. Other than that, they're simply a means to an end.  While others are watching NASCAR, I'm watching a British Mystery DVD. But, when I was a kid I went to a few local stock car races. Those were fun. The other night our son showed me a video he had taken at the Barron County Fair demo derby. That was fun to watch, and not something I'd bother to go to, EXCEPT it's definitely something I'd love to take our grandsons to. I know they would love it! Maybe next July.

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game?

Death. Usually. Generally speaking, there are a few cute jokes out there, but more like the old Milton Berle silly jokes, and certainly no personal jokes. God is serious business, but I have heard a few cute jokes about Heaven. Personally, I don't think anything and everything is fair game, but people have to use their own judgement. If we're trying to decide whether something is appropriate, it is probably a good rule of thumb to just leave it. Leave it!

All Ole and Lena jokes are out of bounds. Not because I'm sensitive about being of Scandinavian descent, but because they are so lame. So lame.


4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?

I love lasagna. I make it with Tinkyada gluten-free noodles. I think it's time to make it again. Ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, what's not to like? Actually what's not to like is the amount of salt in the cheese. Then again, it's not like we have it every day. Making lasagna is such monkey business, though, that I always make two pans, one to freeze and one to eat. Too much work to go to for one measly pan of lasagna.

 When I woke up this morning, it felt like

I should build a small fire in the stove.

Already??

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?

Enjoying wood. Our barn is made of wood, our furniture is made of wood, our bookshelves are made of wood, our books are made from wood, we burn wood to stay warm in the winter, we look at the beautiful trees year 'round, etc. Wood is an amazing thing. 

Drinking coffee in the early-morning quiet with the dogs lying at my feet.

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?

None, thank you. Well, maybe Exxon Mobil. Then I'd immediately resign after giving myself a huge severance deal of several million dollars. Would they even notice?

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.

 Family coming August. Hasta la vista July. 

 The grandsons

Taken at last August's family reunion

Can't wait to have them together again!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Our daughter is traveling to Austria next month, alone. I'm happy for her to have this trip, but I don't really like it that she's going alone. Our youngest son gave us a movie to watch, 'Taken.' I refuse to watch it until our daughter is once again safe at home.

Neighborhood coyotes kept me awake last night with all their crying and squealing.
 
I've got the Today Show on as I type this and Lady Gaga (never seen her before) is on with Tony Bennett. She reminded me of someone...who?...and at last I realized it was the secretary from Doc Martin. Yeah, she reminds me of  Pauline. But kinda like Pauline got carried away with the crayons. And Pauline's funnier. I miss her.

*** 

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Robin Family and the Wednesday Hodgepodge

 The hungry family who live on our front porch rafters

The mama, perched in the cranberry bush, waiting us to leave so she can deliver breakfast

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1. When I look at the sky I feel so grateful that there is a sovereign, gracious God who made the universe and everything in it, who loves us and wants us to love Him and delight in Him, who gave us all good things to enjoy and to reflect His glory. I am grateful that He is a God of justice, but also a God of mercy. I'm glad He gave us beauty and music and family and love...I really could go on and on...

 'It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, 

because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning.

Great is thy faithfulness.'

Lamentations 3:22-23 

 July Sky

And speaking of family...
You should see the one that got away!

2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this?   Unless someone is totally selfless and devoted to upholding the Constitution and willing to put all their time and energy into making our country better and solvent, I don't think they should run at all. Do you know any people like that? I think it's been a long time since we've seen that type of person running for office.  As for me, if nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.

Baked by Daddy

3. What scent makes you think of home? Unlike the photo above, a beef pot roast. My mom would put it in the oven before we left for church on Sunday.

4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection?  I know why I'm here and where I'm headed, but the journey along the way needs some contemplation, prayer, confession, forgiveness, and refreshment from time to time - like daily (or sometimes moment by moment.)

 Astilbe in July

 
5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream?  If I ate ice cream, my favorite food to put it on would be apple pie. Or blueberry pie. Or peach pie. But if I ate ice cream, I would most likely put it on nothing at all. And it would be New York Cherry or Georgia Peach. And plenty of it.

 Then again, there are few things better than peach pie.

6. What might your autobiography be called?  A Life, In Two Pages (to help out that kid, like I was, who is looking for a quick book report.)

My Dragonwing Begonia that wintered over in the house

Happy to be out on the deck this summer

7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why?  Ship across the ocean. I watched Titanic.  And, I can't imagine not feeling claustrophobic on a ship out on the ocean, creeping its way toward my destination.

Seafaring Vikings, braver than I

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  The raspberries in the garden are ready, which means the end of summer is near. Those Six Dreaded Words. I see blight creeping up on my tomatoes and I don't know if they're going to mature before the blight gets to them. I'm afraid that next year if we want to get tomatoes we'll have to plant them in big containers and use only potting soil. I wonder if there is a sure way to prevent blight. I've tried all the suggestions from the county extension office, and they're not working for me, so I'm open to any suggestions from my fellow bloggers. I know that one suggestion is to move them to a different location, but we have a 50' x 50' garden that is fenced in. I can't move that.

Slim pickins on the first day, but a good crop coming along

***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties: Inspiration Monday and Make it Pretty Monday and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Artsy Corner Thursday and Treasure Box Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Adorned From Above  and All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Junkin' Joe and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Precious Pets and Saturday's Critters