July 31st: Friday Focus

 

Happy Friday, blogging friends!

It is raining here.  Steady, heavy rain that makes it hard to run to the car without an umbrella.  It's very unusual for Florida to have it rain all day long with no let-up.  Our summer rains are usually 15-minute bursts of rain in the late afternoon.  Done and over.  We need it badly, so I'm not going to complain.

Yesterday was a fun (wet) day!  I walked the community in the morning with Susan and Sandy.  It was cloudy, but the rain didn't start until about an hour after we finished.  Susan proposed a morning out to visit a new shop she heard about in my old neighborhood.  It's called The Makers Market and Farmacy.  They have lots of cubbies that crafters can rent to sell their things.  There is also a small offering of plants and veggies and frozen baked goods.  They are just getting started, but we spent some time looking at all of the offerings.  We each found something to buy (of course!).  I got this cute little tea pot/infuser.  I have a few flavors of loose tea, but I just never mess with making it.  This will make it too easy to not make some nice tea before bed!

We left there and went to a furniture consignment store I've been telling Susan about.  They sold some of our things when we moved back in 2017, and I have at least one piece of furniture in each room of the house that we bought there.  Susan and Sandy both liked it and say they will go back to see what is on offer.  It changes often as things go out and more is moved in.

We decided the rain wasn't going to stop, so we made a run for the car and decided to stop for lunch since it was a bit past noon.  Beef O'Brady's seemed just right, with a parking spot right in front!  It was yummy and made for a nice end to a very fun girls' morning out!!

I had a Pick 2 lunch (half a sandwich and a cup of soup) since I was going out with the Mas Verde group for dinner.  I don't usually eat lunch, and if I do, then I don't have much for dinner.  

It was nice to have more of the dinner group together this week!  I ordered a bowl of clam chowder and a side of coleslaw.  It was just enough and quite good.  

Left to Right:  Ginny, John, Tim, Judy, me, Sharon, Larry
These friends all knew Joe, and it's nice that I still feel 
part of the group without him.

My calendar for today is clear, other than a trip to Publix for a prescription.  More rain is in the forecast for the next few days.

I have been looking forward to Saturday for a few weeks now!!  My niece, Sara, her hubby Matthew, and their two kiddos, Ezra and Andrew, are flying into the Orlando airport.  They will stay overnight there and have a rental car to drive up to Amelia Island (near Jacksonville) for a little vacation with Matthew's family.  It's something they do every year.  

I haven't "met" Andrew yet and am excited to hold him and to see Ezra and his parents (of course).  It will be a short visit, but a sweet one!!  I detest Orlando, but do make exceptions now and then.  The traffic is horrific.

They don't want photos of the boys on social media, so I can't share any.  I'll see what I can do with profiles and will tell you about the visit on Monday!  Here is a photo of Sara and Matthew.  

I'm a greeter this Sunday at church.  My usual Sunday is the first one of the month.  And that is all I'm focused on right now!!  Thanks for your visit today!

Peace and Hugs!

Fairest Lord Jesus, Verse 5 --German Melody, 1677

Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations! Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine.

July 30th: Whimsical Fashion Fun

 

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

Check out the dress and help decide which shoes she should wear.

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

The photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

It's a Sunday Best kind of dress.  Maybe a wedding guest or a special event dinner out.  What do you think?  Count down on the shoes, 1-2-3, and tell us which ones you like best for the dress.  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  It's a very pretty dress.  I'm not crazy about the ribbon belt, but because of it, I will choose #2 shoes.  They are flat (!!!) and the ribbons match.  What are your thoughts?  Thanks for your visit and for playing along!

Peace and Hugs!

Be Thou My Vision, Verse 5 ---Words attributed to Dallan Forgaill

Irish Hymn - 8th Century

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

July 29th: The Wednesday Hodgepodge

 Thanks to Joyce for today's questions!  Be a Hodgepodger by clicking HERE!!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 664

1. What was the last thing you celebrated?  I actually celebrate every day, but if you mean celebrate with a party, it's been a while, and I don't really remember.

2. July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger, what's the first person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind?  My Vinny thinks he's a tiger, but he is actually an orange tabby.

3. The expression 'eye of the tiger' describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to?  Absolutely no part of my life now!  I'm retired!!

4. What was the last meal you cooked?  I bought four ears of corn at Publix a couple of days ago and a ham-steak.  I cooked the ham (sliced) with potatoes and onions, boiled the corn, and had a feast for two days!! 

5. Describe your July using exactly five words.   Way too hot and humid!

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I walked yesterday morning with Susan and Sandy, and then did not much of anything else.  It was wonderful, actually!

Peace and Hugs!

Verse 1, Rock of Ages

---Augustus M. Toplady, 1776

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy wounded side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure;

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

July 28th: The Tuesday 4

 Thanks to our hostess, Annie, for today's questions!  Join the fun by clicking HERE!

Movie Night!

Hello Friends... welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. Just 4 questions each week. So glad you are joining in, and the more the merrier!

Books.. TV.. Movies are the topic of the week.

1. A movie theme song will play every time you walk in the room. What is it? (consider asking family or friends)  I just asked AI, and got Life is Beautiful.  Love it!!

2. What movie are you eager to see... what book are you eager to read... what TV program are you interested in most?  I could watch Nonnas again, or Solo Mio.  Loved them both.  I don't go to the movie theater.  I am on Book 4 of 6 of a Cozy Mystery series that I am enjoying very much.  "An Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Collection" by Diana Xarissa.  TV shows include The Repair Shop and Escape To The Country. 

3. Is there a book/movie/TV program you often think about, or that affects you in some way?  All of those mentioned above.

4. OK friend, it's your turn to organize our Blogger Movie Night where we get together as a group for snacks and movies!  What movies have you planned for us tonight, and what snacks are we going to have?  I would share Nonnas and Solo Mio with everyone, while serving popcorn and cold beverages, and we could certainly order pizza!  Just let me know when you are coming!!

I'm still doing color-by-number, with Happy Color!

Peace and Hugs!

Chorus, 10,000 Reasons,

--Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy Name. Sing like never before, O my soul. I'll worship Your holy Name.

July 27th: Monday Musings

 

Happy Monday, blogging friends!  I hope you had a good weekend!!  

For a change, I had a very full weekend!!

On Friday, I met my friend, Shirley, at The Lakeland Diner for lunch.  We "do" lunch once a month, and have been "doing" lunch every month for nearly 20 years!  Our group used to be six, with the Museum as our common thread.  Melody and Cindee have passed away; Terry and Heather have moved away.  That leaves just Shirley and me, so we continue on.  We always enjoy catching up, and we always have a few good laughs.

I invited Danon, Mali, and Monika for pizza and a game night on Saturday.  Monika said she couldn't make it, so I invited Susan (Chuck was invited too, but declined) to join us to make a 4th person for the game we like to play.  Monika called me a few hours before the evening was to start to ask if she could still come.  She finished the hiking trail work she was doing and really wanted to come.  Of course!!  The game we play can have six players, and I had plenty of pizza ordered to be delivered by DoorDash. 

We always have fun, and we always laugh a lot.  I think Susan enjoyed learning the game and meeting my Florida Fish and Wildlife friends.  It was a good evening!  Here are some photos.  I took the first one, and Mali took the rest...

Clockwise...Monika, Mali, Danon, and Susan

Casper wanted to help!

We ate our Jet's Pizza, played a game, had some cake and ice cream, then played another game.  After the second game, we sat there and talked for nearly another hour.  It was a very good evening!

Yesterday was church, my laundry, and there was a memorial service back at church at 6:00 for a very dear member of our church. Marlene was 93.  She was our Matriarch, did annual scrapbooks for the church, and sent birthday, anniversary, and get-well cards to church members.  She baked the best cookies and brought treats to Bible study now and then.  She left behind a beautiful family, including her 101-year-old husband.  Carwin is also a member of our Bible study.  He is a WWII veteran, still driving, still mobile, and sharp as a tack.  The church was full to honor them.  The service was moving and lovely, with two Pastors and several family members speaking.

My only tasks today include a trip to Publix for a prescription and a few groceries.  It's also trash day, and I need to dig through the freezer to see what needs to go.  I have nothing else until Bible Study on Thursday, the Mas Verde dinner group on Thursday evening, and something fun on Saturday that I will write about on Friday!!

Thanks for your visit!!  I wish you all a blessed and happy week ahead!

Peace and Hugs!

The Five Solas, Chorus, ---Cody Curtis

By grace alone I'm saved from my sin.

To God alone be glory! Amen.

By grace alone I'm saved from my sin. To God alone be glory! Amen.

July 25th: The Saturday 9

 Thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for today's questions!  You can click HERE to join the fun!

This Is A Very Special Day

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, and here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: This Is A Very Special Day (1953)

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

1) In this song, Peggy sings that she feels good enough to climb a hill. Will you be doing anything athletic today?  I will be walking this morning with my neighbor friends.  It's not really athletic, though.  We don't meander, but we don't walk fast, either.

2) However, she was also tempted to climb back in bed. Is a nap in your plans for today?  I only nap when I don't feel well.  If I take a nap, I won't sleep when bedtime comes.

3) She tells us that she looked in the mirror and told herself it was time to "lose the blues." Do you ever speak out loud to yourself?  Absolutely not!  I call it talking to the cats!!

4) Peggy wrote this song for the 1953 remake of The Jazz Singer. She performs it in the movie, too. In the 1950s, female singer-songwriters were unusual, but not so today. Can you think of another woman who not only sings but writes her own material?  How about Dolly Parton!

5) Her co-star in the film was Danny Thomas. Today he is best remembered as a philanthropist and founder of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, but he was quite a star in his day. He appeared in nightclubs and movie musicals and, from 1954 to 1963, had his own sitcom. Do you know the show?  Make Room for Daddy... and yes, I remember watching it.

6) When Peggy Lee was trying to break into show business, she supported herself as a short-order cook. She was required to turn orders around quickly. Are you fast and efficient in the kitchen?  As fast as I need to be.  I think I'm more efficient than fast.  I plan ahead, clean up as I go, and it is usually edible.

7) Just when her career started to take off, Peggy had to take a break when she had her tonsils removed. Do you still have your tonsils?  No.  Back in the 1950s, they yanked them out all the time.  I lost mine when I was three.

8) In 1953, when this record was released, Matchbox Cars were introduced, and they remain popular today. Did you ever play with Matchbox Cars?  No.  I never had Matchbox Cars and don't remember my brother (3 years younger) having them.

9) Random question: You're walking past a filthy puddle. Floating on top, you see a dead bug, a cigarette butt, and a $1 bill. Would you bend over and rescue the dollar?  I am pretty sure that I would.  It would clean up and dry out and be spendable.

Peace and Hugs!

Just As I AM, Verse 2

--Charlotte Elliott

Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

July 24th: Friday's Focus

 

I write the words every Friday.  The days just fly by, and I wonder what happened to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday!

I don't have photos, but I had a great lunch and catch-up on Tuesday with my friend Cindy.  Cindy's husband, Ken, is one of our Deacons, at church, and they were both part of my small group.  Cindy is a very dear friend.  We do Bible study, and we sit in the same (our) row at church on Sundays. (IYKYK)  We had a nice lunch at Glory Days and sat there talking long after our take-home boxes were packed up.  We vowed to do it more often!!

I should mention that I've been walking each morning with my lovely neighbors.  Most mornings, we meet other neighbors walking their dogs along the way, and we get our puppy fixes.  It's fun that many of the regular dogs we see start wagging their tails as soon as they see us.  One nearly breaks away from his owner to get to us for some attention.  So cute!

The pond, by our clubhouse, continues to fill up with all the rain we have been getting daily.  I took this photo earlier this week.

I spoke with my neighbor, Anne, on Wednesday.  She is anxious to come home, but there is still her son's 50th birthday party next week, and then she will help her daughter move into her new apartment.  She'll be back mid-August.  She shared that she still cries every day.  I think getting home will help her.  It will comfort her to be in the home she and Paul shared for so many years.

Yesterday, during our walk, Susan said she wanted to go to Plant City (next town west of Lakeland) to shop at a warehouse-type store called Southern Hospitality.  I've been there many times, and so has Susan.  Sandy wasn't able to join us, but has also been there.  They have furniture, silk and plastic flowers (rows and rows of them), containers, home goods, ribbon, crafting things, and they already had decorations out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!  I did take this picture.  The flamingo tree really stood out...

We finished shopping and decided to have some lunch before going home.  There was a new-to-us place in the same shopping center, called A and F Gyros.  Susan had a burger, and I got a fish sandwich.  The menu was extensive, and we both agreed we would go there again.  I actually bought two things at Southern Hospitality to tuck away for Christmas gifts - so I've started my Christmas shopping!  Yikes!!  Not really ready!

I usually have Bible study on Thursday mornings, but it was cancelled this week.  After having lunch with Susan, I decided to not go out with the Mas Verde group.  It was just going to be three of us this week.  I felt bad about cancelling on Judy and Tim, but I wasn't hungry and had been out enough for one day.  

Too much extra food this week!  I'm having lunch with Shirley today, and my friends, Danon and Mali, are coming over for pizza on Saturday.  A very busy foodie week!  LOL

Peace and Hugs!

Matthew 4:4: "But he answered, 'It is written, 

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every 

word that comes from the mouth of God.

July 23rd: Whimsical Fashion Fun (1930s)

 

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

Check out the dress and the shoes.  Which ones should she choose?

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

Photos are from the Storybook of Dreams and Beauty

The description mentioned the 1930s, and the dress and shoes do look vintage.  Count down on the shoes, 1-2-3, and tell us which ones you think she wore.  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  It is not a dress I would wear, but it is a pretty great vintage look.  As for the shoes, I can't stop looking at #2, so that's my choice this week!  What are your thoughts?

Peace and Hugs!

What A Friend We Have in Jesus, Verse 2

--Joseph Scriven, 1855

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

July 22nd: The Wednesday Hodgepodge

 Thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for today's questions!  Y'all can join the fun by clicking HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 663

1. Do your goals and dreams energize or exhaust you?  I'm retired and am now coasting along on cruise control.  Elaborate.  I'm living my dream, though just missing having Joe still by my side.

2. July 23rd is National Lemon Day. Are you a fan of this flavor?  No, I am not.  What's a favorite dish or beverage you enjoy that calls for lemons? I will drink lemonade, and if I'm served something lemon, I can eat it -  but I will never choose lemon anything.

3. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"...is this something you're pretty good at managing? Have you had to do this recently? If so, tell us about it.   I've always been pretty good about rolling with the punches and making things work.  Nothing comes to mind recently, but learning to do life without Joe was not easy in the beginning.  I try to do life, always honoring him... and the Big Him!  God is in control, and I do my best to listen.

4. Something you love that is lemon yellow in color?  I really like yellow, and my kitchen has yellow curtains against the gray walls.  I don't look great in yellow, but I do have a couple of yellow tops that I wear, and dare anyone to say they don't look nice on me!  LOL 

5. How would you describe your attention to detail?  I am not as OCD as I used to be, but if a picture is hanging crooked, I'm going to straighten it.  If a table centerpiece is not centered, I will center it.  I spent my working life managing offices, operations, and doing accounting, so I have paid attention to detail most of my life.  It is refreshing to let some of it go, now that I'm retired.

6. Insert your own random thought here.   I walked into my living room, and the cats didn't even move.  They have made their own bunk beds...

Peace and Hugs!!

Unto Jesus Be All Glory, Verse 3

--Kenny Flaspoehler

Unto Jesus be all glory,

As you live to intercede

Binding up the brokenhearted,

Meeting every single need

Precious Jesus, our Good Shepherd,

Caring always for Your sheep,

You surround us with Your favor,

All Your promises to keep.

July 21st: A Tuesday 4 From The Archives

I must have missed that Annie was taking this week off.  Either that or Blogger isn't cooperating with postings.  It's nearly my bedtime, so I went back to about the same time six years ago.  In July 2020, we were all just beginning to get out and about again.  Gosh.  Six years ago.  Well, here is an oldie.  I didn't change anything and would have had the same answers.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Tuesday 4...

Thanks to Annie for this week's Tuesday 4!  You can join in right HERE!

Question Variety

Welcome once again to Tuesday 4 in honor of our dear friend Toni Taddeo.


 1. What kind of restaurants do you enjoy most and why? Do you have a favorite?  I enjoy restaurants, period! LOL  If I don't have to cook or think about what to cook, it's a good day!  I like Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, American...  you get the idea!

2. Do you have a favorite cartoon from film, news, or comic book?  My favorite comics include Pearls Before Swine, Pickles, and Baby Blues.  I read the daily cartoons before I skim through the rest of the newspaper.

3.  Do you belong to any clubs or societies or organizations? Can you tell us about it?  Not anymore. When I retired from work, I also retired from many organizations I belonged to. They just make me weary now. I don't have to network with colleagues for business purposes now and most of them have dues that don't fit the budget now. Our new church's community group is the only "group" I belong to.

4. The internet is filled with ads. Are there any ads that you enjoy seeing or hate to see?  I don't like being inundated by sales ads. When it is possible to turn them in as spam, that's what I do. And don't get me started on the Chinese companies that have such cheap merchandise and make you think you are buying from an American company...

Thanks for your visit today! 

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

July 20th: Monday Musings

 

Good Monday morning, dear friends!  I hope you all had a good weekend that was no busier than you wanted it to be!

I walked with Susan on Friday morning, and that's about as active as I was, other than a little dusting and vacuuming!

Saturday morning, I had to go for an echocardiogram.  I get one every two years, and it was time.  This one had nothing to do with last week's debacle.  I like my new cardiologist and was surprised when they offered me a Saturday morning appointment.  The clinic is usually closed on Saturdays.  I got a parking spot right in front and didn't have to wait for an elevator to arrive!  

There was one other person in the waiting room!  Wow!!  The tech told me they are trying to catch up and were offered overtime to work on Saturday.  It was sure good for me!!  I suppose the results will be posted sometime today on My Chart.  I'm not expecting any surprises.

I got to be a greeter again at church yesterday.  The usual person wasn't feeling well, so I volunteered to man the door again.  I enjoy greeting folks.  It was my pleasure to get smiles and hugs returned!  The best thing about giving a hug is getting one back!!

Yes, to my two loads of laundry!  Done and put away!  I had some fresh 5-cheese tortellini in the fridge, so I cooked 1/3 of it, tossed in some fresh spinach, and topped it with some cooked chicken and marinara sauce.  It was pretty good if I do say so myself.

I am walking this morning, have some cleaning I can get done, and it is trash day, which means cleaning out the refrigerator, too.  I didn't buy any bagged salad last week because of that scare that was all over the news.  Now we know it was Taco Bell's shredded lettuce.  How sad!  I like Taco Bell, but haven't had anything from there for a bunch of weeks.  It wasn't in Florida, according to what I saw on the news.  I buy a bag of salad at the grocery store, and then end up tossing half of it anyway, but as soon as I don't have any, I want it.  Anyone else?  

There is nothing else this week until Friday, when I have lunch scheduled with Shirley.  Thanks for your visit today!  I wish you all a very blessed and happy week ahead!  

Peace and Hugs!

Verse 1, Sweet Hour of Prayer

--William W. Walford, 1842

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father's throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief

And oft escaped the tempter's snare

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

July 18th: The Saturday 9

 Thanks to our hostess for today's questions!  You can join the fun by clicking HERE!

Kung Fu Fighting

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 answering questions; however, here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: Kung Fu Fighting (1974)

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

1) Have you ever taken a martial arts class?  Nope.

2) In this song, Carl Edwards sings about funky Chinatown. Many cities – including San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver, London and Antwerp – have a Chinatown. Have you ever visited Chinatown?  Washington, D.C., has a Chinatown.  My first date with Joe was lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown.  I tried to find it online, but it doesn't seem to be there anymore.  It was only 43 years ago!!

3) Many Chinese restaurants give out fortune cookies. Can you recall one of your fortunes?  I don't remember any from years ago, but these days they aren't really "fortunes".

4) This week's featured artist, Carl Edwards, was born in Jamaica, spent his childhood in the US, and relocated to England. Have you ever lived abroad?  Nope.

5) In 1974, he became the first Jamaican to have a #1 hit in the US with this song. Have you been to Jamaica?  No.  I wouldn't mind a visit, though. It looks beautiful.

6) When this week's song was on the charts, ABC TV had a hit with the show Kung Fu. Today it's available to stream. Were you a fan?  No.  I don't even remember that it was on TV.

7) Also in 1974, the FIFA World Cup was played in West Germany. Have you been following the FIFA World Cup this year?  No. Not a soccer fan. I was hoping England would make it, though.

8) Two of 1974's most popular toys were popular with adults, too. Would you prefer a Rubik's Cube or a Magic 8 Ball?  I had a Magic 8 Ball a long time ago.  I've never had a Rubik's Cube because I know I would be obsessed with not being able to solve it.  I don't really want either one now.

9) Random question: Have you ever cut someone else's hair?  I actually have!  At one time, I thought I might be a beautician.  I cut hair, and I gave home perms to family and some of the neighbors.  Then I decided college would be better, and I wanted to be an art teacher.  That didn't happen either!  Neither did owning a horse ranch.  I spent most of my working life doing accounting and human resources.  It's all good. 

Peace and Hugs!!

Verse 3, His Mercy Is More

What riches of kindness Christ lavished on us,

His blood was the payment, His life was the cost!

We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford,

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more!