Summer Begins with Memorial Day Weekend

One thing I love about Fridays is the opportunity to participate in Friday Fave Fives. (follow the link!) FFF is a group of bloggers who choose five events from the past week that focus on a blessing or opportunity to experience or express gratitude.  Believe me, some weeks I need the reminder when I get to Friday.

1.  Just enough rain so I don't have to water the flowers and the gardens.  Twice this week.  And rain means a respite from the exhausting humidity.  Nope, I'm not used to that horrid humidity, yet.

2.  This girl graduated from Kindergarten this week!  Her mom sent a video of PAL leading everyone at the ceremony in reciting the pledge of allegiance.

3.  And this girl young lady is now a high schooler!

4.  An evening bike ride.  Usually, if we are going to ride our bikes, we plan ahead and do it during the day.  But one evening, when it was still light out, we just decided to hop our bikes and take a quick ride.  Spontaneous fun is sometimes the best type of fun!

5.  I'm not sure who is more excited, the students or the teachers.  Today is the last day of homeschool for New Boy.  Today is also Little Warrior's last day in elementary school.

Now it is Memorial Day Weekend, and everyone (in the US) knows what that means*.  Let the summer times begin!

*  And Yes, Memorial Day is also a sober and somber day of remembrance of all those men and women who have fought for our rights and freedoms as a country.  My father and two uncles, my father-in-law, my brother-in-law, my wonderful husband The Professor, and my son have all served in the US military.  I understand the commitment and dedication and sacrifice of all involved.  THANK YOU for helping to make my Memorial Weekend one of cheer and relaxation.

Memorial Day Hodgepodge

 1.  We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way?  If so tell us how.  According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3PM (the National Moment of Remembrance)...of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try?

The Professor is a veteran, as were both of our fathers.  And our son.  Actually, our son currently serves in the US Army Reserve as a military chaplain.  When he was stationed in Afghanistan, he procured an American flag that was flown over the base where he was stationed and brought it home to his dad.  (This is a normal thing--to obtain flags--they are flown only one day and then retired, so the flags are given/sold to soldiers.)  So, we will fly the flag on Memorial Day.

2. What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'?

I need to be attentive to watering the garden.  Things dry out very quickly.

3.  In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'?

I do not like humidity.  But now I live in a rather humid climate (during the summer).  I just need to 'soldier on' and deal with it.

4.  As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu?

Anything marionberry.  Pie, Dumplings, Crisp.  Marionberries are a type of blackberry.  My grandma made THE BEST.

5.  Your favorite patriotic movie?

Mrs. Miniver

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Have you ever said goodbye to a son or daughter (or spouse) who is on his/her way to a battleground deployment?  I have.  It hurts.  And I've watched my daughter and daughter-in-law say goodbye.  Even today, just remembering makes me emotional.  If you haven't, then you have no idea of the sacrifice of families.  

Garden, Books, Celebrations

Hello, Friday Fave Fives!  Here are five ways I have been blessed and encouraged this week.  I love writing out my fave fives because it always helps me focus on what I should be thinking of--my blessings.  THIS IS THE LINK if you want to read more faves and join in.

1.  Much progress has been made on the veggie garden. (Photos coming!)  It is a lot of work to mix and add the garden soil into the beds.  Fortunately, The Professor and I can ask New Boy to help since we can count that as 'PE'.

2.  So far, of all the starts and little plants I've stuck in the part of the beds that are plant-able, only one little tomato plant has not survived.  And all the plants I pulled from my friend's garden last month and planted here are happily thriving.

3.  Because of all the gardening, our hikes/walks have been shorter.  That's ok.  We keep finding little treasures like a shortcut through the woods to the neighborhood north of us.

4.  I have enjoyed reading new to me middle school books that New Boy is assigned.  Last week I read Under the Egg which is a story about a painting a young girl finds after her grandfather dies.  The story is linked to WWII and the Nazis' confiscation of art throughout Europe.  Besides the plot and characters, there was much to read about WWII and its effects on everyone involved in the war.  Another thing to love about homeschooling.

5.  I love those texts that say things like "L is so excited!  He won first place in the science fair at school today!"  I think the being excited part is even better than the first place part.

Bonus!  We were able to join a Life Group from church for the first time!  The groups are opening now because Covid restrictions are easing.  After living in our new state for nine months, we are able to begin making closer connections with other people.

Happy Friday, my friends!

Hodgepodge in a Hurry

  What a day!  I wrote this post last night and then I didn't post it.

Super busy day.  Oops!

 http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

1.  Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist...which one are you?  Elaborate.

Probably, I am a combination of realist and optimist.  I'm old.  I've seen life.  I am pretty realistic about life.  I guess not much really surprises me about people anymore.

2.  What's something currently on your wish list?

My wish list for travel?  My wish list for experience?  My wish list for stuff?  I want to travel to visit my cousin in Florida, my brother in Oregon.  Our plans to visit Alaska were shelved last year for the obvious reason.  I would like a retractable cover or gazebo for the patio.

3.  Three things on this week's shopping list?

Groceries:  kale, bananas, strawberries.

General:  prescription sunglasses, Travelon purse (to replace the ruined one), more soil for our raised garden beds.

4.  According to Trip Advisor here's a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-- Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Skip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day guided sightseeing tour, Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour, Grand Canyon helicopter tour, Full day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle), New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago...read more about each excursion in the link here.

Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing?  Have you already experienced anything on this list?

The Seattle  Underground History tour sounds fascinating since I grew up in Portland and have heard that Portland has a similar history.  Except.  You'd have to pay me a lot of money to visit Seattle right now.  I have already experienced most everything about Los Angeles since I lived there.  We have walked all over LA and visited all the beaches (I love Dockweiler Beach in the winter!), visited the gardens, museums, and done our own tours with friends.

5.  Besides home and work, where do you spend the most time?

I probably spend the most time walking the trails and parks in the area.  I was going to say my two daughters' home, but we meet up and take walks as often as we hang out at their homes.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Too busy to think of anything!

A Lovely Spring Week

 Hello Friday!  It's time for FRIDAY FAVE FIVES!  Click on the link to join in.  All during the week, I keep a short log of what I've done each day.  I try to focus on the best stuff.  Then, on Friday, I write those blessings and points of gratitude in a blog post and read what others have been doing.  Here is Willow's Week.

1.  Younger Daughter and I planned a visit to a garden nursery.  We were a bit early to meet up with friends, so we wandered around on some country roads.  I love old buildings!

2.  Mother's Day.  Of course, that would be a favorite part of the week.  We honored our two daughters by having dinner together at our house after church on Sunday.  Getting take out kept us all from having to cook.  Win-win!  AND, both sons called and chatted.  AND, I talked with World's Best Daughter-in-Law and our granddaughter PAL, too.

[warning!  cuteness overload below!]

3.  I was able to help Younger Daughter with some driving on Monday.  The fave is obviously time spent with her, being able to assist and drive her home after she had a nasty reaction to her second vaccine shot.  Then I drove her to her nursing class so she could take a test (results:  highest grade in the class!).

4.  Between those drives, The New Boy and I accompanied The Professor to a local park where The Prof was working through the plans for a compass reading class for Trail Life.  So The New Boy and I took off on a hike.  We crossed streams, tromped through mud, scrambled up a nearly vertical bank.  So. Much. Fun!  And we agreed that we probably shouldn't admit to all the adventures (like how many times we crossed the stream).

5.  Then on the evening when the guys went to the park for Trail Life and were doing the compass reading exercise, I hiked in another section of the park.  No stream crossings this time since I was on my own, and I ambled off the trail only once to take a short cut up to another trail.

Following the compass reading...

And now, a bonus fave:  the weather reports are telling us that maybe, just maybe, the weather is going to warm up a bit.  That means more garden time and more hiking time ahead. Happy Weekend!

Wednesday Hodgepodge, Mother's Day version

Wednesday Hodgepodge.

My answers.

HERE'S THE LINK

1.  It's like my mama always said, "____."

    My mom told me this when I was about forty:  "When I was twenty, I worried about what people thought of me.  When I was forty, I quit worrying about what people thought of me.  When I was sixty, I realized no one was thinking about me; they were focused on themselves."

2.  May 11th is National East What You Want Day.  What will you be having by way of celebration?

    So, we have been having the discussion about this.  Cinnamon roll from Rolls By the Pound.  If I were still living in CA, I would definitely be going for my favorite burrito!  Probably, we will grab pizzas from the pizza place that has vegan options for me.  My grandson approves!

3.  Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.

    Sunny, not windy, warm.  Yesterday was almost perfect.  In the evening, The Professor and New Boy (husband and oldest grandson) had a Trail Life adventure at a local park, so I drove over with them and spent the whole time hiking around by myself.  Not much better than that!

4.  Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement...pick one and tell us how it related to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by.

    Growth.  I can always be growing in wisdom.

5.  I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it would be fun to answer here.  The last thing you bought on Amazon is your weapon in battle.  How will  you wield it?

    The last thing I bought online was a package of socks.  Hmmm, how could I use this as a weapon in battle.  Fill with rocks or sand and use as a cosh?  Possibly.  But the best defense weapon would be to have a group of young teen boys wear them for two weeks without washing them, and then place them around the perimeter of your defensive area.  No attacker will come near because they will assume they have stumbled into the local sewage plant.

6.  Insert you own random thought here.

    My son and daughter in law sent me a Mother's Day card.  On the front was written  "A good mom sends you down the right path, then prays for you every step of the way."  TRUTH!

It's May!

FRIDAY FAVE FIVES

Hello Friday Afternoon!  It's the first Friday in May.  The weather is, umm, notable.  Cool and rainy interspersed with sunshine and wind.  Later on this afternoon, we will be attending our granddaughter's invitational track meet.  Hoping the weather holds...

1.  Older Daughter's repair work in her house is finished! (only part of the garage walls need to be replaced)  This is a huge deal since her home and neighborhood flooded more than a year ago.  Now the next step can begin--putting the main level back together again.  I'm thankful this is done.

2.  When I was dropping off a donation bag to the local Heartbeats (pregnancy) center, I met a woman who shares my love of all things fiber related.  She gave me information on places where I can give some of my knitted hats to people who have lost their hair due to medical issues such as chemotherapy.  I love making those connections.

3.  Do you love your library?  I am thankful that our library can access and provide books from all over the state.  I requested a book and when it arrived, I noted that it is from a library several counties away from here.  I love having so many books available to me.

4.  The repairman came and fixed our microwave!  Yay!

5.  I think I am thankful that The Professor and I have had our second vaccine shots.  It happened yesterday.  I feel horrible not great with chills, fatigue and headache.  I'll let you know in couple of days...  in the meantime, I am spending a lot of time reading, resting and knitting.  Here is a sample:  two hats finished and a sweater almost done.  For one of my best friend's new grandson!

May Day!

In honor of May Day

Ohio spring wild flowers

Enjoy!