May 30th: The Saturday 9

Thanks to our hostess, Crazy Sam, for today's questions!  I had to go in "the back door" to get this, so I don't have a link or her banner to share.  Anyone else having a problem?

 

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so to speak. We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions; however, here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: Mystical Magical (2025)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is about a new love affair, and Benson Boone bounces between frustration and optimism when he thinks about it. Does anything inspire mixed emotions in you these days?  I don't have mixed emotions about anything that comes to mind right now.

2) The lyrics mention "moonbeam ice cream," which is something Benson just made up. Last summer, when this week's song became popular, ice cream shops were inspired to create flavors with that name. What's your favorite ice cream flavor, and will you take that in a cup or cone?  I will always choose something chocolate first, but I also like butter pecan.  I prefer a cone and even do a cone at home (no dish to wash), but a cup or bowl is also fine.

 

3) He sings that "once you know" about a love like this, "you know." Tell us about something you had to experience to fully understand.  The loss of a spouse, who was also your best friend and constant companion.

 

4) He composed this song at the piano. Do you play piano?  No.  Wish I had stuck with those lessons!!

5) He first sang in public at a high school talent show, which he only entered on a dare. Can you recall any dares from your junior high or high school days?  I worked in an ice cream parlor during a couple of high school summers.  The owner's daughter dared me to spill a sundae in someone's lap (not a favorite person).  I did it, apologized to him profusely, and she had to give me $5.00.  Yes, I really did it.  He was a jerk (and I was too, since I did that), but I did it.  $5.00 was a lot of money back then in the 1960s.

6) Benson was a good high school athlete and competed in diving at the state level. Can you execute a dive off the diving board?  Not from the high dive!

7) When he was 18, Boone auditioned for American Idol. What were you up to when you were 18?  The summer after graduation, I was cleaning rooms at a local motel and getting ready for a year of business college and a wedding.

  

8) Benson has a dog named Max. He's not alone in this. "Max" is one of the most popular pet names in the US today. Have you ever known anyone (furry or otherwise) named Max?  We had a cat named Max.  This picture was taken in 2001.

  

9) Random question: If we knocked on your door on one of your lazy, stay-at-home days, what would we likely find you wearing?  Denim shorts or slacks and a t-shirt!

Peace and Hugs!

Thanks for your visit!!

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Francis of Assisi, 1225

May 29th: Friday Focus

 

Happy Friday, friends!!

It's been a lazy week for me.  We've been walking in the mornings, which is a great way to start the day.  Sometimes there are just two of us, but we go!

On Wednesday, Susan, Cheryl, and I went to a fairly new restaurant in our downtown area, called Grievous Angel.  We thought it was okay, but not for older folks.  The music was loud, most of the tables are outside (where it is HOT), and the food was just okay.  Actually, Susan and I laughed when we were walking yesterday, because we both burped the burger (we had the same menu item) all evening.  They were pretty greasy.  We had a great time, though!!  Here are the pictures I took...

My Grievous Angel Burger

Poor man's beignets, one for each of us... (they were good!)

Cheryl's hot dog

Susan's Grievous Angel Burger 

and shared fries (the fries were very good)

Me, Susan, and Cheryl

Cheryl is going to join Susan and me in a couple of weeks for a bread-baking class near Tampa!!  We are excited!  I've never done anything like that.  Susan found the class.  We will learn, from a real chef, how to make scones, white bread, and cinnamon rolls!!  I will certainly be documenting the fun!

Yesterday morning was Bible study at my church, and last night, the Mas Verde group went to Reececliff for dinner.  There were only four of us.  Sandy and Bob were at Disney all day, Judy is in Europe with her daughter, John and Ginny are still away, but Larry and Sharon were there, and Tim came without Judy.  It was good to see Larry feeling better after being in the hospital.

I have nothing on the calendar for today or tomorrow!  I am a Greeter in church on Sunday.  I'm sure I will find something to get into!!  I have been in touch with Anne for those who have been following her story.  She is sick with a bad cold, but did sound better yesterday when we spoke on the phone.

Thanks for your visit today and happy weekend!!  

It's a rainy one for us!! Yay!

Peace and Hugs!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

May 28th: Whimsical Fashion Fun

 

There isn't a linky, and there aren't any rules.

Check out the wedding gown and help decide which shoes are best for the dress.

It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

Wedding season is upon us!!  This gown is a little different, and I really liked it when I saw it.  Count down 1-2-3 on the shoes and tell us which ones she should choose, and why!  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  As always, the heels are too high for ME, but I'll pick #2 for the bride. (I wish they were a pale pink!!) They look more comfortable and would be easier to kick off under the head table!!  What are your thoughts?  Thanks for your visit and for playing along today!

Peace and Hugs!

I hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind

That I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

Your Song, music and lyrics by Elton John

May 27th: The Wednesday Hodgepodge

 Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge!!  Click HERE to join the fun!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 655

1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children, how did you choose their names? 

I have never liked my official name, Teresa,  but Terri is okay.  After nearly 75 years, it's my name.  My middle name, Lee, is after my great-grandmother on my mom's side of the family.  She held me when I was just a few weeks old, but passed away from complications from a stroke not long after that, in March 1952.  I don't remember her, but I do have this picture of her...

I have two wonderful stepsons who were already named when I came into their lives.  I do know that Joey is named after his dad, my Joe, and Jeff was named after his mom's favorite actor, Jeffrey Hunter.  Their middle names were from their godfathers.

2.  A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose? 

I will always choose red velvet cake!  My mom always made it for my birthday cake and for Christmas dinners.  I'll pick cherry pie for my "other than" choice!

3.  What's a job you'd like to try for just one day?  I've done it, and it was for 20+ years surrounded by art and wonderful co-workers.  No need to go back.  I love being retired!!

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer?  I have my summer wreath on the front door.  It goes up for Memorial Day and will stay through Labor Day.

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!  I always have to ask AI for help!!

Here is a Lakeland-themed acrostic poem using the word MAY:

Mirrored lakes reflect the historic downtown streets,

A graceful swan glides by as the warm sun beats,

Your peaceful haven right in the heart of Florida.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Not so random, but I'm having lunch with Cheryl and Susan today, at a new restaurant in our downtown area called Grievous Angel.  It is supposed to have great smash-burgers.  I'll let you all know!!  Thanks for your visit today!!  xo

Peace and Hugs!

For He satisfies the thirsty and

fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:9

May 26th: The Tuesday 4

 Thanks to our hostess, Annie, for today's questions!  Click HERE to join the fun!

Four Seasons, Four Questions

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4...

1. Do you have a favorite day of the week, and how about a favorite month of the year? Why?  I'm retired, so Fridays don't mean quite the same thing they used to mean as the end of the work week.  I often say I have six Saturdays and one Sunday, so I will say Sunday, since I go to church and worship with fellow believers.  I have wonderful friends whom I fondly call my church family.  As for a favorite month, dare I say December, since it is my birthday month and also the month we celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus.

2. What’s the most beautiful or magical thing about each of the four seasons?  I live in Florida, so our seasons run together.  We do notice differences, but not like those who live north of Florida.  We are green all year and can grow things all year.  All the seasons are magical to me!

3. Summer is coming... what does this mean in your life? How will things change, stay the same, etc?  The AC will run all the time, and I will make sure to get out early if I need to be outside.  It is also hurricane season (June 1 - November 30) in Florida, so we watch the weather news with more attention than during non-hurricane months.

4. What do you look forward to in each season?  Not sure how this question is different from those above.  I look forward to cooler temps and less humidity during our winter months, which I consider November - February.

Peace and Hugs!

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

May 26th: Monday Musings

 

It's Memorial Day, when we pause to reflect on the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.  God bless them, their families, and America.

Backing up to last Thursday morning, we walked first thing, then I went to Bible study.  The Mas Verde dinner group did not meet on Thursday evening.  I was the only one who wasn't traveling and was not in the hospital.  Larry did get home from the hospital on Friday.  Not going out was okay.  I saved the cash and had plenty to eat at home!

On Friday, I got to the post office to mail my sisters' birthday gifts.  Patti was born on June 1st, and Tammy on June 5th.  We still do little birthday gifts... a sister thing.

Susan asked the walking group if we would like to get our steps in on Saturday at Lakeland's Farmers' Market.  YES!  Sharon is busy with family, but Sandy, Susan, and I all enjoyed our time together.  We had the Kettle Corn vendor take our picture!

The market runs about five blocks on Lakeland's Kentucky Avenue

every Saturday (except for the month of August).

Saturday was the Memorial Service for Anne's husband, Paul.  They are from the Syracuse, NY, area, and she is up there with the kids for the service.  Anne called to tell me how beautiful the service was.  They had a Mass, and lots of people she hadn't seen in years came to honor Paul.  They saw former ball players, from when Paul coached Little League, quite a few of his former co-workers came, as well as many other friends and family.  They had a dinner planned for 50, and there were just under that many attending the dinner.  She sent me this picture of her with the three kids.  She felt very good about the service, and the best part was that so many came to honor Paul.  She is staying for a while yet, but knows we miss her!

Mas Verde is having a residents' potluck at the clubhouse today, but I didn't sign up for it.  We are walking first thing (like always), and then I am just going to enjoy a day with nothing to do.  I may go shopping, or not.  I might even take a nap!!  LOL

Thanks for your visit!  Have a blessed day and week ahead!

Peace and Hugs!

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

May 23rd: The Saturday 9

 Thanks to "Crazy Sam" for today's questions!  Click HERE to join the fun!

Soldier

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. During those weeks, we do "random questions," so to speak. We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Soldier (2016)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that the message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran?  No.  Are there veterans in your family?  Yes! Do you know anyone who is in the military?  No.  We are grateful and want to hear about it.  My Joe was a veteran, as were both of his brothers and one nephew.  My dad quit school during his senior year and enlisted, but WWII ended while he was in boot camp.  Glad he didn't have to fight!

2) This song is about the courage it takes for soldiers to march into battle. Gen. Patton said, "The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers." He was emphasizing that each individual's dedication is essential to the unit's success. Do you work well as part of a team? Or are you better on your own?  I am a decent team player, and learned those lessons in high school band and track.  I think I was a decent supervisor (coach) later in my career and was blessed with great team players.  Joe and I made a good team.  I also do fine on my own and am usually happy just getting "it" done nowadays.

 

3) As of 2025, California is the state with the most military bases. Have you ever visited or lived on a base?  I've never lived on a base, but have been to Quantico, Ft. Belvoir, and the Washington Navy Yard.

 

4) At the turn of the 20th century, wristwatches were considered non-essential jewelry items, with pocket watches preferred for everyday timekeeping. During WWI, soldiers in the trenches needed to both synchronize actions across the battlefield and keep their hands on their weapons, so the wristwatch went from "fashion item" to "standard issue." Do you often wear a watch, or do you depend on your phone for the time?  I still wear a wristwatch and feel lost without it.

 

5) Jeeps originated with the US Army during WWII. Back then, they were specifically for soldiers deployed to the European Theater; today, there are more than 18 million Jeep-branded vehicles on the road all over the world. Have you ever driven a Jeep?  I've never driven one, but I have ridden in them a few times.  My daughter-in-law drives a jeep, and so does my neighbor, Sandy.

 

6) While Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses are a timeless symbol of cool, they were designed during WWII for a specific purpose: to give American flyers relief from glare at high altitudes. Tell us about your sunglasses.  I have sunglasses that fit right over my glasses.  I like them so much that I keep one in my car and a twin pair in my purse.

 
7) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?  It's been years and years since I packed a picnic lunch.  If there is a grill, hamburgers and hot dogs would be great!  Don't forget corn-on-the-cob and watermelon!  Fried chicken also works!

8) This marks the weekend when Americans traditionally step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the cold winter months. For example, when was the last time you worked in the garden or tended the lawn?  I live in Florida.  We can work in the yard all year.  I don't because I highly dislike yard work and have a brown thumb when it comes to plants.  I appreciate the beauty others create and am just a little jealous of pretty yards and gardens!!
 
9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?  My AC is nearly always on, other than a couple of months when the windows can be open (or the rare night when I put the heat on to take the chill off in January/February).

Peace and Hugs!  

Thanks so much for your visit!

[Chorus]

Sunshine

On my shoulders makes me happy

Sunshine in my eyes

Can make me cry

Sunshine on the water

Looks so lovely

Sunshine

Almost always makes me high

By John Denver

May 22nd: Friday Focus

 

It really seems like I just did the last Friday Focus a couple of days ago.  Time is going much too fast.

I have had a very chill week and have not one new picture to share here today.  Not one.

On Wednesday, I went to lunch at the Peking House restaurant with my friend, Shirley.  If you have been here for a while, you know Shirley is a long-time friend who has been part of my museum lunch group since 2010.  We are the only two left from that group (two deaths, and two who retired and moved away), but we still have lunch once a month.  Shirley is a widow, 89 years young, still driving, still lives alone with her dog, Tinker, and is as sharp as a tack.  She is funny, an accomplished seamstress, and does needlepoint like a pro.  She hates having to use a walker, but laughs and says she can go faster than when she just uses her cane.  Shirley's son retired and moved back to Lakeland from Texas.  I'm glad he is close now, and that they go to church together on Sundays. 

Shirley and Tinker at her house last summer.

Yesterday, I had Bible study, and when I got home, my neighbor, Susan, asked if I wanted to go to the Mall.  Yes, we still have a mall.  Sears is gone, Macy's is gone, Burlington is gone... but J.C. Penney is still there, and so is Dillard's (department store).  

Susan told me Penney's was having a big sale with pink-tagged items at only $5.00!!  She found some things a couple of days ago, and wanted to go again, so off we went!  I did find a pair of slacks for $5.00!!  It still feels weird that I don't need "tall" anymore, and that I actually fit into a smaller size.  We also went to Dillards, where I found a pair of capris and a top, both on sale (but not $5.00).  We hit the food court for soft pretzels and lemonade before we headed home (Susan treated!!).  I hadn't been to the Mall since before Covid.  It is nice to see people there and lots of smaller stores open.  I saw on the news that the younger set (Gen Z?) is shopping in person now, and malls are beginning to make a comeback.  The food court was full of mini restaurants, and quite a few people were eating.  Hooray for that!

The Mas Verde Dinner Group did not go out last night.  Larry (wife Sharon) is in the hospital again, Judy and Tim are traveling, Sandy and Bob went to Disney, and Ginny and John are traveling.  That left just me, LOL. I had plenty to eat right here at home.

Today is my great-nephew, Ezra's, 4th birthday (in Ohio).  His party was last weekend.  I have pictures, but I am not allowed to post them on social media.  He is into space, astronauts, planets, etc., and that was the theme of his party.  Speaking of birthdays, both of my sisters have birthdays coming up, June 1st and June 5th.  I have gifts ready to send and will get to the post office today, so they are on the way.  

It's a holiday weekend.  I have no plans on purpose.  I could have, should have, invited a few folks for Monday, but I just decided it's okay to have nothing to do.  Yes.  What are your plans?

On this Memorial Day weekend, I am honoring the memory of the brave military 
men and women who gave their lives for our country. 

Peace and Hugs!

"And I'm proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me."

"God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood

May 21: Whimsical Fashion Fun

 

There isn't a linky, and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and tell us which shoes she should wear.

It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

I saw this dress, and I really like it.  I think basic black is okay to wear in the summer, too?  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which pair of shoes you like best for the dress.  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  I do love the dress and might try it on at the store if it comes in my size!!  The shoes are all similar, but I'll pick pair #3 today (though none are for me!).  What are your thoughts?  Thanks for coming by today!

------------------------------------------------

I asked ChatCPT to let me try on the dress!!  If only!!  LOL

Peace and Hugs!!

Verse 5

Praise God from Whom

All blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

William Kethe, 1561