Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Thinking Spring and Wednesday Hodgepodge

Today I am thinking SPRING!
The "snow" that we received a couple of days ago was a disappointing, ugly mess...
...so I'm done!
I'm setting my sites on spring!


Just for fun, I'm throwing in some shots from a few springs ago to decorate...
...these first few photos were on my very first blog post.


These little beauties grow along the roadsides everywhere you look in the springtime.
Are you allergic to clover?


Today I'm also linking up with Joyce at
 
If you want to play too, go to her blog, copy and paste her questions,
 and answer them on your blog!
 
 
1. February 17 is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?
 
Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.

I wonder who sits and thinks up these National...Whatever Days. I do like the idea of both of these days though, particularly the "grouch" one. It would definitely be harder to do something kind for a grouch—but oh what the outcome just might be! Not an easy thing to do for most of us me but I do remember a time when I was in a store at the check out counter and the clerk was very short with me and on the verge of being rude. It was my first impulse to ask her what her problem was but I didn't. Instead I just smiled and told her to have a blessed day. She evidently was not used to someone speaking kindly to her, as she looked at me in a somewhat puzzled expression. Not only did I feel sorry for her but also thankful that I did not "act" on my first instincts. I realized that maybe those were the only kind words she might hear that day. I will do my best to seek out an opportunity to bless someone today...and who knows, it might even be a "grouch" from yesterday. {smile}

 
2. What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.
 
Wow, that is a tough one...right now? Right this very minute? I just don't know...but in a world that seems so full of angry, hateful and just plain mean spirited people, it does my heart good to see people from every walk of life pull together and come to the aid of others during various disasters when they happen...and it seems they happen all the time. It is too bad that too often it takes devastation to bring it about.
 
 

3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?

Least favorite would be black grapes, unless they were seedless. Favorite would be blackberries, hands down. The others fall somewhere in between although I can't say I've ever tasted black currants (I think they might be pretty close to the blackberries... OR maybe not!)
 
 
4. A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before you turn 50. They were - travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises
 
What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?
 
Being well over 50, I guess have accomplished several of these things and have considered others. I love to travel anywhere and any time I can but in all reality, will probably never get to Ireland...that's where I want to go. I do take care of my skin, I have no desire to learn a foreign tongue, I NEED to make exercise a habit, the Lord is taking care of that toxic (literally) situation, praise His Name! I don't think it's possible for me to stop caring what others think of me...that's just who I am and I don't think it's possible for me to stop worrying completely, although I am doing SO much better (thank you, Jesus). Whenever I volunteer at the homeless shelter serving meals it is always more of a blessing to me than maybe it is to them...and I would like to have time to do more. I have no memories of my grandparents, sorry to say. I do pledge to work less when I retire in who knows how many years that will be but I never have to worry about that...I am NOT an over achiever. I do like to cook and it depends on what you call amazing :) And last but not least, sometimes, I do and sometimes I don't...it depends on what the opportunity is! I guess whether or not I was supposed to list the things I've/not done I did anyway! If I had to leave something off the list, it would the importance of learning another language. I realize it can be very important to some.
 

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?  

For someone who isn't a real movie buff, this is not so easy to answer. My first thought was "The Shining".......there, I said it. Not really a favorite but the only one I could think of :)
 
 
 
6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?
 
This one is easy...last summer when I locked myself out of the house...alone, except for Oscar in the house, it was already dark and getting ready to storm. I used a hammer from the detached garage on my door latch because all of the windows were locked too....and literally cried out to God to help me. You can read about it here.
 

7. Share a favorite proverb.
 
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17


8. Insert your own random thought here:

This was my first time posting to Wednesday Hodgepodge and it was not as easy as I thought! You really have to do some thinking... but it was fun! Great questions, Joyce.

 


 

 

34 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for joining in today! Your flower photos are lovely : ) I'm in SC, and we had frigid freezing ice that made a mess on Monday and almost 60 degree temps yesterday. Crazy! I feel like spring is not far off, and definitely looking forward to it here too. Enjoy your day!

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  2. It's always a pleasure to visit with you & I loved those pictures of the beauty around you! Come on Spring!
    Great answers that I enjoyed reading!

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  3. Good first hodgepodge. I learned some things, among them that it wasn't as easy as you had thought it would be. I've thought of giving it a try. As always, and maybe even more than usual, your photos are exquisite! Spring seems to be here right now!

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  4. I read these hodgepodge posts here and there on someone else's blog and they DO seem as if they'd take quite a bit of thought and time, yes. You did quite well; very interesting :)
    Snow and ice and glop here...and someone in the south told me her irises are blooming now. Sheesh :)

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  5. I read these hodgepodge posts here and there on someone else's blog and they DO seem as if they'd take quite a bit of thought and time, yes. You did quite well; very interesting :)
    Snow and ice and glop here...and someone in the south told me her irises are blooming now. Sheesh :)

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  6. This is a beautiful set of pictures.

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  7. You are right, the Hodgepodge is not easy! There are times when I'm at my wits' end to come up with answers! but I'm so glad you joined in today. Your blossom photos are beautiful. Is that one redbud? I first saw redbud in Pennsylvania at the Gettysburg Battlefield at the south end of the Confederate line. Unfortunately, we can't grow it here in zone 3/4. Being locked out of the house with an impending storm would be scary!!

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  8. I like the idea of thinking spring. : ) The flowers are beautiful.

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  9. Yes, she does make a gal think! It's why I only do it as a last resort. LOL! (That's actually a misquote.) Anyway, I learned more about you and that's the purpose behind it, I hope.

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  10. I've always enjoyed reading the answers to the hodgepodge questions. Not sure if I could answer some of them in the short version I tend to write in! lol I remember when you locked yourself out....! Hugs!

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  11. Hi Debby! I remember when you locked yourself out of the house! That was a harrowing experience for sure!
    How could you not LOVE oreo's? I'd pick them over fruit anytime, which only underlines my need for constant exercise. And I'm all about random acts of kindness. Love what you did with that cashier!
    Happy Wednesday,
    Ceil

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  12. Beautiful pictures!! I'm ready for spring too!!! It's been warmer here the past few days, and I'm enjoying the warmer temps and sunshine!!

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  13. So happy to see you joined us for Hodgepodge today...WELCOME! I'm your newest follower, in fact! I absolutely loved your beautiful photos...I enjoy taking photos of nature, too! You have quite the eye! Enjoy your evening...hope to see you back for Hodgepodge, again!

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  14. You did a great job with your answers! I've often thought I'd like to participate and then I see the questions and back off. lol! Your photos are beautiful! I'm thinking spring, too. I saw robins yesterday!!

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  15. Oh...your photos. Be still my heart.

    I loved your story about your response to the rude clerk. As unnatural as it is, responding with grace is the only way to extend God's love!

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  16. Such pretty flowers, I am so ready to see them again. Come on Spring!

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  17. Your springtime flowers are so pretty! I hope you have warmer weather soon.

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  18. Debby, your flower photos are simply gorgeous. I love the vibrant pink one - you should frame that! The last picture with the rain drops is so pretty. It's wonderful that you volunteer at the homeless shelter and serve meals. I also did that many years ago, and miss it sometimes. I met some nice people along the way.

    The pink blossom trees are already blooming here, so I think we are going to have an early spring.

    ~Sheri

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  19. Hi Debby, this was so much fun to read and gave us a look into a little more about you and the special lady you are. I love your photos and the way you capture the best of the flowers you see. Such a talent you are. God has blessed you. Thanks for sharing and also for stopping by. xo

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  20. Your pictures and post made me smile. I think we are all longing for spring right about now!

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  21. I have enjoyed reading your answers...I have never joined but always like reading other's thoughts.

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  22. It's so fun to get to know more about you Debby. So, you're ready for spring, heh? We have had a lot of springlike weather lately, but today, the cold, wet rain returned. I love your photos.

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  23. Your spring pictures are stunning! So glad I don't live in the snow anymore!

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  24. Beautiful photos and YES I am so very ready for Spring :-) Have a great weekend!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  25. Beautiful, beautiful photos. I love how clear and crisp the colors are.

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  26. Those pictures are very pretty. I did t know the seventeenth was national random acts of kindness day.
    Love,
    Ashley
    ashleysyarnworks.blogspot.com
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

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  27. Your photos are glorious, my friend! They are so alive and vibrant :)

    Visiting your sweet blog is always a blessing....thank you for sharing your beauty with us. Love and hugs!

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  28. What a lovely post, Debby, and your photos are always stunning! It really is fun learning more about you.

    Warm hugs,
    Carol

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.