A Perfect Hodgepodge and New Photo Ops

Hello and happy HUMP-Day!

Not only is it Hump day, it's also time for Joyce's weekly Hodgepodge.

Have you all seen the new look of her blog?

I think it's really quite lovely and so is her new Hodgepodge button.

Pretty, huh?

Before we get into the questions, I'd like to share a new photo op that I have.

I know I don't need to tell you how much I love getting out in the country with my camera...

it really is a form of worship for me.

Problem is, the area around where I live is growing like crazy and little by little,

the country is getting harder and harder to find!

Do you remember my road less traveled? 

To understand what I mean, click on the link to see the way it used to look...before 'it' happened.

Well, here it is now...  

...and although it is not that widely traveled as of yet due to the newness,

it used to be lined with wildflowers and in the spring and summer a haven for birds and butterflies.

I will keep checking it to see if there are any leftovers when spring comes in earnest.

The road you see off to the right leads to the new Walmart distribution center (grumble),

which leads to another yet-to-be-developed industrial park (grumble, grumble).

At least the donkeys are still there at the end of the road.

~

Last week some of you may have heard Vee's rendition of "Where Have All the Bloggers Gone?"...

...well I have been singing my version, "Where Has All the Country Gone?", for years now.

And right now all you youngsters out there are saying,

"What song are they talking about, anyway?" :)

So I say all of that to say this......

There is an old house down the road from me that's been empty for as long as I can remember...

...I pass it numerous times during the week.

There are two ponds behind it and it's just a gorgeous setting.

For a long time I have been hoping to find someone there to ask permission to take photos.

A few months ago I Google mapped it and got the address and owners of the property,

got the phone number through voter registration (yes I did), called but could only leave a message.

Nothing.

Over the weekend I called again and this time my call was returned....YESSSS!!

Permission granted.....YESSSS and YESSSS!!

I'm looking forward to watching spring come to life as well as what the other seasons bring.

 

Although the property is on the corner of a very busy intersection,

once you get back behind the house, you're in a different world.

So consider this a warning...there will be tons many more pics to come!

~

So now...ON with the Hodgepodge...

1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?

I do not consider myself a perfectionist about many things at all. If there is a way to cut a corner here or there (in a good way, of course) I will find it. There is one area that I think I just might be...I wrote about this very thing on a blogger's comment just the other day. Years ago when I was an older teen and young adult, I drew portraits of some of my family and a friend here and there. It seems I was never really finished with one because every time I thought I was, I would make a slight change here or there because I felt something wasn't quite right. Of course that wasn't possible after I finally sprayed the fixative on it. Perfection or at least striving for it can be good thing if kept in perspective.

2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous?

Where do I begin? The world is so full of ridiculousness today...upheaval of every kind, anger and strife every where you look. It seems many people are offended about something. You are not "with it" if you are not up in arms about something. I must not be "with it." And that's fine with me.

3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?

Like I said, I hesitate to use the word perfection in the same sentence with my name. But I do make a pretty good black raspberry pie. If you don't believe me, ask my hubby or son, Adam. This is a favorite dessert for them and they both get a pie for their birthdays instead of a cake. There is a running joke every time I make them one and because I am my own worst critic, they always say, "This is the BEST pie you've ever made!"... LOL.

4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?

Egg casserole of some sort, a blueberry muffin, fresh fruit and coffee... OR the blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon at Cracker Barrel...and coffee, of course :)

5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.

Give me a weekend (a week or a month or longer) at Adam's mountain paradise in the Tennessee countryside. That is why we plan to be retiring there in the not-so-distant future.

6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close?

I'm not perfect, just forgiven...right now and always.

7. How would you spend $300 today?
At this very moment in time, I would give it to my church to help with it's current financial need.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
The forecast is calling for snow this Sunday. I mean...really??...come on now!