Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Mid-August Hodgepodge

We interrupt this muggy, hot, sweltering, miserable day 
to bring you some images of fall.
I know many of you are are ready for it like I am so I dug back into my archives
to cool things off a bit!








I don't know about you, but I feel much better now!
~
So are you ready for the Hodgepodge?
Joyce asks us the hard questions on her blog and we answer them on ours.
Come on over and join in the fun!

1. Do your actions match your words? Elaborate.

Commitment is very important to me and I think it says a lot about our integrity and who we are as a person. The true desire of my heart is that I would always be able to say what I mean and mean what I say...and that whatever I say is said in love, backed up with my actions. In a perfect world, I would be able to carry this out 100% of the time but there's just one problem... I am a flawed human being. Although unintentional, there have been times when I have said and done wrong things...OR maybe have said something and didn't quite practice what I was preaching. I am beyond thankful that I have a Savior who understands my struggles and continues to love me, forgive me, bless me and cover me with His unending grace and mercy, in spite of myself. Thank goodness that He isn't finished with me yet!

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
~1 John 3:18


2. Sick as a dog, go to the dogs, dog days of summer, dog tired, it's a dog's life, every dog has it's day, can't teach an old dog new tricks...now doggone it which saying could most recently be applied to your life?

A couple of weeks ago, I titled my hodgepodge post "Dog Days of Hodgepodge". Well, the "dog days of summer" are still hanging around and after a slight reprieve, they are back with a vengeance. This morning when I opened the blinds, the condensation on every window of the house was so thick, it took hours to evaporate. And speaking of dogs, it's all about "a dog's life" every day around our house. These two spoiled rotten wienies pretty much know our life revolves around them. How could you resist these sweet little faces??



3. Your favorite book featuring a dog in the storyline? Does this count? 


What makes it a favorite? Well....I think you know.

4. What's something you hope to one day have the confidence to do?

You may not believe this but I have a real fear of speaking in front of others...can you imagine that about me?? I mean, y'all know I can be a real motor-mouth on my blog, right? I have no  problem speaking out in a group of people...I always interject and participate in discussions such as in SS class, social situations, meetings, whatever. I am not a teacher or anything remotely close and even teaching a children's SS class when I was asked to fill in absolutely made me nauseous. Oh yes, I have facilitated a few ladies group meetings over the years but I tell you, I get a knot in my stomach every time and am totally relieved when it's over. Every Sunday I sing in front of the entire church as a part of our praise team and have sung more solos than I can even remember over the years...that, I can do. I leave the talking part of the worship to my counterparts. PLEASE, don't ask me to speak! Oh well, I guess we all have our issues...and if we think we don't, then that is our issue! 😏

5. August 16th is National Tell a Joke Day. So tell us a joke.

Instead of "the John," I call my toilet "the Jim." That way it sounds better when I say I go to the Jim first thing every morning.... (wah, wah, wah...)

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Does anyone here think we'll ever see peace again, this side of heaven? 


Love and peace,

27 comments:

  1. There's so much i love about your post today, Debby! First, your heart for the Lord is evident. And i love your fall photos. I'm secret, it's my favorite time of year. I don't often voice those words because up here fall means that winter is coming way too soon. But fall is truly amazing. Public speaking has got to be most people's nightmare. But you sing a solo with no problem? To me that would be even scarier. Have a wonderful day, Debby. Loved your post.

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  2. How funny -- boy are we DIFFERENT in this! Haha! Seeing fall decorations makes me CRINGE (as I did last week when in Hobby Lobby!) because I HATE HATE HATE Winter and fall makes me realize that that ugly beast is lurking in the near distance! Are you feeling my disdain yet??? I HAVE to agree that fall can be a beautiful time of year -- I need to work really hard to 'enjoy' the moment and not focus on what's to come don't you think??

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  3. What a wonderful post, Debby! Fall is my favorite time of year, but summer up here is gorgeous and I'm not wishing it away. I do see some signs that fall is coming, but hey -- it's summer until September 20 and I hope to enjoy the remaining weeks of it.

    Loved your answer to #1 -- that seems to have been quite a thought-provoking question for every hodgepodger I have read this week.

    And your joke -- hilarious. I have a son-in-law Jim, so I'd probably not choose that name for my toilet, though.

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  4. Love the joke and the cute little weinie faces :)

    Have a great day!

    Colletta

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  5. I loved all your beautiful fall color photos and the doggies sweet faces.

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  6. I have enjoyed all of your answers today. Girl, I would have had you speaking in front of thousands of women! LOL! I would love to hear you sing too. Dang it...why we gotta live so far apart. Debby, I will never forget the first ladies retreat I spoke at. It was at my church and of course my mind went with ...the people in Jesus's hometown didn't even support Him so what makes me think they will support me. I had already been teaching a few years by this time (Ladies on Wed. night) Well girl, 250 women showed up! I can remember the cheeks of my butt shaking. It was quite funny as I look back and recall that day. The theme was "Hat's off" and all I could think about was "getting out". LOL! The Lord was so gracious and good to me though. But can I tell you this, I've been teaching now for 20 years, and have spoke at retreats, mother-daughter events, conferences and etc over the years and sometimes, I still have a little butt cheek shaking going on. I think it might be the Holy Spirit's way to remind me that He in charge and not me. Debby I love your fall pictures. Oh I love Fall but I can't even think about it with this horrible heat right now. Hoping you have a good rest of the week my friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  7. I am so READY for FALL! Loved the pics.

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  8. Well, you did very well with these questions. I read them and just decided that I didn't want to think that hard to come up with an answer. :o)) So, I was a non-participant this week.

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  9. Oh, be still my heart with those Fall pictures, Debby. That pumpkin one is so lovely, and the one with the bridge to the water should be in a magazine, truly. It's strange, but hints of Fall are already starting to show here, and there are breezes in the early mornings. I wonder if it will come early to us this year. Your dogs are soooo cute. I like your answer to number 1. Yes, we are still learning, and knowing God is always with us is great comfort. And I love the last verse by ~John, one of my favorites.

    You do take the most amazing Fall pictures, ya know?

    ~Sheri

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  10. Today was warm and so humid that it felt hotter than it was! Crazy! Fall is on the way - seems early but the light is starting to change a bit in the evening, and there are trees here that are changing color and not due to stress from drought or anything! We've had lots of rain!

    Loved your Hodgepodge answers today!

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  11. I am ready for the beauty of fall and these pictures made me wish for it even more.

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  12. I like that joke! 🤓 Hope cooler weather comes your way. As beautiful as autumn is, I am so not ready for it...summer just arrived a week or so ago...

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  13. Beautiful photos. I am amazed you can sing in front of people--that's such a wonderful gift from God--but that you can't speak. I don't do well speaking up in groups unless I am really comfortable. I don't mind speaking in front of groups as long as I have my notes and am prepared. But I could never speak without notes--I guess my crutch/control thing. Maybe because our summer was a bit on the mild side--makes this oppressive August heat and humidity almost unbearable. It definitely draws us to dream of autumn and cooler days. We had the window condensation too.

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  14. Great post! Yes, I'll take Fall now please! It hasn't been overly hot here in the past month and its been so nice! I know it's around the corner...and I can't wait!
    I just can't imagine you not speaking to crowds....just can't! Ha! (I can't either, I'm really quiet until I get to know you) I love that you are so passionate about the Lord and girl it shows! So very inspiring! Your puppies are so cute! And your joke....hilarious! I'm gonna have to use that one.

    Have a happy, delightful week Debby!

    Hugs, Amy

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  15. Great post! Yes, I'll take Fall now please! It hasn't been overly hot here in the past month and its been so nice! I know it's around the corner...and I can't wait!
    I just can't imagine you not speaking to crowds....just can't! Ha! (I can't either, I'm really quiet until I get to know you) I love that you are so passionate about the Lord and girl it shows! So very inspiring! Your puppies are so cute! And your joke....hilarious! I'm gonna have to use that one.

    Have a happy, delightful week Debby!

    Hugs, Amy

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  16. It hasn't been a very hot summer here (considering it is Florida) but I am definitely ready for some Fall color and temps!

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  17. I have a Doxie mix. Mama was Dachshund, papa was a ramblin' man.
    She's got the Doxie attitude though. She's been a little rascal to train.
    Who am I kidding? We didn't train her, she trained us! We've just come to
    an understanding. ~grin~ She's three now. When she was six months old, the
    only reason I kept her is because I knew someone would tie her up to a tree
    and leave her there. This mama's heart couldn't let that happen. So we kept
    her. I love her to pieces, and she's spoiled. We finally began to bond over
    vegetables. I gave her some little pieces of veggies one day while cutting up
    a salad. She loves veggies, and she's come to love me...sort of...while I'm cutting
    up veggies or deboning chicken. ~smile~

    God bless you and THANK YOU for sharing your fall photos!
    Loved the pumpkin one. You take lovely photos.

    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  18. I always love your photos, Debby!! Now you have me wishing for Fall. I'm with you, we all are only flawed, human beings, and we do mess up, but we know that God still loves us, flaws and all. I don't like to speak in front of groups, either, and I was a teacher! I was fine with the students, but didn't like when I had to speak in front of parents. I can write with the best of them, though, and even wrote a lament for my hubby's 4th anniversary of his passing (but have it filed away).

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  19. Beautiful photos. Not ready for fall yet. I really do enjoy the summers here. The cold weather comes soon enough and I don't want to hurry it along. : )

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  20. You can sing? Oh, you are so blessed. I can't sing at all, but I still enjoy trying. My best audience is my grandchildren. After years of my extended family laughing at my lack of talent, my heart melts when my little granddaughter says 'sing, grandma, sing'. LOL!

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  21. I'm dreaming of October.

    I'd love to hear you sing.

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  22. I love the way your started this post because we are having dog days here in Maryland right now and I am soaking up those autumn images! (Love that pumpkin shot!) Come, Fall!!

    Such sweet faces on your little doggies. I imagine that "a dog's life" is pretty good there at your house. :)

    Loved reading your answers here today (even though I am late to the party as usual!). Your heart speaks through your words. I prefer this type of "speaking" myself . . . the kind where you can ponder and choose your words slowly and carefully and you don't have to worry about your voice shaking or the faces that are staring up at you!

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  23. Your fall photos are amazing! I love the dock in the water, and the leaf on the log, both are gorgeous images, well, all of them are! I hope it cools down soon for you... we are having cooler weather here finally, but still no rain. Fire is still very much a concern. Speaking of the "john", one of our plans here on our homestead is to build an outdoor "john"... someday, lol! And your sweet doggies are just precious, life just isn't complete without a dog, I don't think! :) And I'm glad we have peace in HIM, regardless of the circumstances around us! Hugs!

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  24. Oh, sweet friend, your posts are always so refreshing and just what I need :) Thank you for the joke as it brought a smile to my face.

    Your photos are truly beautiful and I must tell you that autumn is on its way here in the mountains. The mornings and evenings have cooled down considerably and there is that sweet crispness in the air.

    Thinking of you! Hugs!

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  25. Debby,I LOVED this post!! Your answer to number one was fantastic, very evident of your love for the Lord.
    I would so love to hear you sing a solo, though I'm surprised that you can do that yet hate to speak in front of a crowd. I'm the opposite,I enjoy speaking yet would NOT sing a solo. Maybe if I could sing I would consider it, but not likely.
    Your doggies are just the cutest! I can see why they take precedence in your home.
    When I first glanced at your photos I thought maybe it was really changing colors in your part of the world. Ha!
    I love each and every season for the beauty that they afford us, but here in the Rocky Mountains late fall isn't very nice, in fact, quite dreary before the snow flies.

    As always, what a joy to visit with you
    and leave with a smile upon my face.

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  26. Oh Debby, love this post! Your photos are truly amazing!! Just something about Autumn leaves and pumpkins. Loved your answers. What a fun Hodgepodge!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  27. Autumn (the Fall) and spring are my two favourite seasons ...
    I thoroughly enjoyed seeing your photographs here, such colour in them...gorgeous.

    All the best Jan

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