We had quite the thunderstorm roll in last evening, a heavy downpour. We hope the lightning was not an issue anywhere. It was so good to hear the patter of the rain, though. We hope it washes away the smoke filled skies and especially that it aides in fire containment.
I’ll add a photo during the day tomorrow to see how our skies look.
Thank you, Lord, for the rain!
This Hodgepodge Volume that will not be numbered is coming our way thanks to Joyce.
1. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-‘The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while.”
Time is crazy isn’t it? So…what were you up to in the year 2002?
(Apologies up front, this question sent me down a rabbit hole and all of these projects and photos are from our old home in Kenmore. We moved to our current home on the other side of Washington in 2018)
2002 was a quieter in between year with less major happenings in our family. Our oldest got married in August of 2001 after graduating college in May of 2001. Those events made for a lot of activities and planning and the building of a deck. In 2002, our second born son was working and living at home and our daughter was still in high school. The major house project this year was the enclosing of our covered porch and making it our family room. Greg did the work himself with help here and there from friends and our sons. It was a great project that made our home more functional.
Some outside before and afters…
There already was a room above the porch which made it a covered porch.
Before August of 2001, Greg built stairs and a deck off the porch on this side of the house in preparation for a rehearsal dinner for Josh and Laura. It was great motivation for this project.
The 2002 project started in earnest in July. Greg with our dear friend Dave who is with Jesus now.
The next outdoor photos are several years later with many more improvements made.
Some inside before and afters…
Behind the vertical blinds was a slider onto the out door porch.
In the photo above you can see the doorway that used to be a slider to the outside porch transitioned into the doorway into the family room.
I don’t have many great photos of the family room. This one above shows the transition from the kitchen dining area into the family room.
2. “Me? I’m scared of everything…” What’s something that scares you that you’d like to try anyway?
Honestly, I can’t think of anything. I’ll probably get some good ideas from the rest of you Hodgepodgers.
There are things I’m scared to do but I’m not interested in trying anyway like sky diving or deep sea diving or jumping over a crevice.
3. Watermelon-yay or nay? Which melon is your favorite-watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew. Of the watermelon food/beverages listed which would you say yes to…
Yes to watermelon!
4. August 12th is National Middle Child Day. Are you a middle child?
Not technically.
If not, where do you fall in the birth order in your family of origin?
Top row and on the right, that is me in my younger days. Two older sisters, an older brother and four younger siblings.
I was the baby of the family for 7 years before the last 4 arrived spaced out over the next 6 years. Siblings 7 and 8 are twins.
Do you think this has influenced your personality? Elaborate.
Possibly, my junior high teachers kept telling me I was different from my older sisters. I was a little more carefree. They were less talkative and more compliant than me.
5. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time, or have a significant conversation with two people? Explain.
After leaving a crowded party, I feel dissatisfied about good connections with folk because I don’t settle down with anyone in particular. It’s more of flitting about like a hummingbird. I’d prefer to have a significant conversation with two people but not in the middle of a crowded party. That conversation would be good in a comfy chair and in a comfortable quiet setting. Does that make sense?
Another thought is when at a large noisy function standing or sitting around a reception table it is really hard to hear anyone well especially if there is also music being played.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
In this post you have already seen and heard enough. Have a beautiful day in your corner of the world.
On our way home from Cannon Beach in June of this year I forgot to create a post about our waterfall stops along the Historic Columbia River Hwy. We had tried to get to Multnomah Falls on this day but it was overcrowded with sightseers and they were monitoring how many people would be allowed. We continued up the highway to the next exit and got on the Historic Columbia River Hwy. It was misty and wet with giant puddles to navigate.
We didn’t make it down the puddled steps to get better views because we didn’t have our muck wear on.
We continued on the narrow Hwy back to Multnomah Falls but there was no parking available so we turned back the way we came to get on the interstate.
2011 was when we had visited Multnomah Falls and were able to climb up to the bridge and get an up close view.
During our time in Cannon Beach we met a couple who were on a waterfall trip. That would be a fun road trip to plan out.
It sounds like a broken record but we are still under smoky skies with poor to dangerous air quality. Our community is thankful to all the firefighters who are enduring in the fight to get the fires under control.
This macaroni salad can be served hot or cold and it can also be kicked up by adding cooked and seasoned ground beef to make a more hearty meal.
Ingredients:
Method:
If you want a more hearty meal instead of a nice side dish add some cooked seasoned ground beef to the salad and top with a little more Parmesan cheese. If you want the dish to be cheesier just add more feta and Parmesan cheese. You can also add more green onions or spinach. It’s up to you and your taste buds.
Sweetly the Holy Hymn
Sweetly the holy hymn
Breaks on the morning air;
Before the world with smoke is dim
We meet to offer prayer.
While flowers are wet with dews,
Dew of our souls, descend:
Ere yet the sun the day renews,
O Lord, Thy Spirit send.
Upon the battlefield,
Before the fight begins,
We seek, O Lord, Thy sheltering shield,
To guard us from our sins.
Ere yet our vessel sails
Upon the stream of day
We plead, O Lord, for heav’nly gales
To speed us on our way!
On the lone mountain side,
Before the morning’s light,
The Man of sorrows wept and cried,
And rose refreshed with might.
Oh, hear us then, for we
Are very weak and frail,
We make the Savior’s name our plea,
And surely must prevail.
Words: Charles H. Spurgeon, 1866.
We have another Red Flag warning in our county and surrounding counties. The rising sun is affected by the smoke.
We carry on and persevere. Our Grands had swimming and soccer cancelled a few days this past week because of the air quality.
We had another successful VBS week and there were many excited children participating each night of last week. Hats off to the 125 volunteers who helped make the week run smoothly.
No outdoor work this past week so I did the lazy thing and finished this puzzle.
It’s a puzzle, not treats for my pantry! It was another thrift store puzzle. This one was brand new and sealed so I was confident all the pieces would be there.
Today we will continue with indoor things.
Any excitement in your corner of the world?
Friday August 7th
On Fridays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during the week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s continue to dig deep into God’s truth.
The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
From Maristella:
John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
From Vera:
Isaiah 12:2 ESV
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
From Steve:
Psalm 18:32
the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.
From Karen:
Isaiah 25:1
O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Welcome to Stillwater Farm.
There is a coloring contest before the week begins and if you win a ribbon you get a free t-shirt.
Children from age 3 to 6th grade fill the church each evening this week. We have over 75 volunteers helping things run smoothly. Our kitchen crew even feeds the workers and their families each evening.
By the end of the week the truth of Psalm 23 will have been heard and hopefully many will know that the Lord is their Savior and they will travel on the right path all the days of their lives following the one true Shepherd.
We had a surprise on Sunday, clear blue skies and fluffy clouds. It was a one day event but we were grateful. The days here in NE Washington State have been like the following photo for a stretch now. Several fires are contributing to the smoke filled skies.
This photo isn’t the worst of how the skies have been but it gives you an idea of how our usual layered mountain views are hidden by the smoke.
Onward to the Hodgepodge…
Hello Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!
1. What’s something on your August calendar you’re looking forward to? Or dreading if that’s easier to answer.
It is soccer month for our Grands with parks and recreation here in town and that is something I always enjoy. It’s the month that the folding chairs live in our vehicle ready to place on the sidelines to watch youth soccer.
2. August 5th is National Oyster Day…do you partake?
I do enjoy an occasional Oyster.
How do you feel about pearls?
I think pearls are elegant.
Here I am way back in 2008 wearing pearls to a ‘Tea Bridal Shower’.
3. Tell us about a time when you felt like ‘the world was your oyster’.
I think this phrase fit best with my High School and early college years. Carefree days, lots of choices, no huge responsibilities, still living at home, school achievements and awards, college acceptance letter, summer beach days, part time work, trip to the East Coast, and tours in England.
4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). If you’re answering today from outside the US you’ll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let’s pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month…which one do you choose and why?
Catalina Island California~Martha’s Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii
I have been to Mackinac Island way back in the early 70’s. Greg was at Catalina Island for a school trip when he was in the 5th or 6th grade.
Twenty Six miles across the Sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me…
This is a rare view of Catalina Island from Huntington Beach.
I lived in Southern California for 37 years and never ventured to Santa Catalina.
I would take an all expense paid trip to Catalina this time of year. The other spots, weather wise, are too hot and steamy for me this time of year.
Here are some photos I took on Mackinac Island. Heidi, Faye and I stayed in Michigan with Peter and Ruth who owned a cottage on a lake. Peter and Ruth generously entertained us at their home and took us up to Mackinac Island where we rode bikes around the island. I remember buying Mackinac Fudge and I have a letter opener that I bought for a souvenir.
I’m surprised Trip Advisor didn’t mention Whidbey Island in Washington State or the San Juan Islands.
5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following-
“August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”
Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month?
The quote doesn’t resonate with me.
Growing up we started school right after Labor day so August became the back to school shopping time. That was always exciting. There were big sales in downtown Los Angeles that we’d enjoy going to. We found great bargains at Buffums and in the wholesale shopping district.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
We are in full swing with Vacation Bible School this week. I love the theme this year. I’ll share more on Thursday.
Happy August everyone!
On Saturday, August 1st, there was a Taekwondo tournament and JJ was awarded three first places making him the Tiny Tiger Grand Champion. It was fun to watch each event especially the sparring. Well done, JJ!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 