Our current views are smoke filled and our air is very unhealthy. When I was at the library yesterday they were handing out smoke rated masks.
Continuing with Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce From This Side of the Pond this historic week for our family and nation.
1. What gives you energy?
Planning for a trip or an event gives me energy.
What takes it away?
Confrontation
2. How often do you shop for clothes?
Not often. If I’m going to shop for clothes it would be for a wedding or another special event.
What accessory do you always wear?
My wedding ring and my watch.
3. What’s something free that you feel grateful for?
The air we breathe. This is what came to mind because of the smoke filled skies and ash in the air. My throat is scratchy and my eyes are sore. Looking forward to our fires being put out and our skies clearing.
There are 5 fires burning in our area, maybe more. The two largest in our tri-county part of the state are within 15 miles from us. Agencies from across the state are camping in our little town as they help with the fires. I’ll have to get a photo of the camp sites to share.
4. Breakfast, lunch, dinner…which meal of the day do you enjoy most? What’s your go-to comfort food?
Any one of them is enjoyed when the food is tasty and good. I find soup to be very comforting. Russian foods that our mom made are high on the list for comfort, pirishky, lopsha, apricot filled pastry, Vareniki, Roolyet, blintzes.
5. This week the world remembers the tragic events of 9/11. Do you mark the day in any way?
A day we’ll never forget.
This was taken in 2001. In reaction to sitting and watching all the horror unfold on our television, the attacks on our country, I found the flag that was presented to Greg’s mom at his father, Rex’s, funeral. I slipped it out our daughter’s window on the street side of our home in support of our country.
On the 20 year anniversary we put out all the flags!
There is a 9/11 ride here in our town every year and when we can we go out and wave our flags somewhere along the route.
How do historical events shape your perspective on your personal challenges?
In our travels in Oxford and in Scotland and interest in reading books about the reformation and reformers and all the history surrounding those who stood for truth and were martyred for their faith makes my personal challenges seem trivial in comparison.
Having a son-in-law who was deployed twice to Afghanistan and friends and a brother-in-law who served in Viet Nam and knowing all the challenges that they faced during and after their military service also gives me a different perspective on my aches and pains.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
In 2026 we will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Country and the 25th Anniversary of 2011. We’ll have to pull out all the stops with all of our red, white, and blue!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Great post and photos Ellen! Take care, have a great day!
Your red, white and blue tablescape is so pretty! I didn’t realize the historical significance of 2026. I am grateful that our 250th Anniversary will be when America First is the zeitgeist of the presidential administration, not America is Bad like it was for a couple of previous administrations. I am sorry that the air quality is so poor where you are; hopefully the threat of fires near you is completely gone. Have a great day!
What a lovely post, Ellen. I especially enjoyed reading your thoughts about when you consider those who served and all that they endured it makes your aches and pains seem trivial. I feel the same way for myself. I lost a loved one in Viet Nam. He died saving the lives of others.
Hi, I enjoyed your post, I appreciated #5, thank you!!
I love your tablescape!!
Love this, “Russian foods that our mom made are high on the list for comfort, pirishky, lopsha, apricot filled pastry, Vareniki, Roolyet, blintzes.”
I love the idea of people waving flags along a route. What a great idea! Foods my mama made are a comfort to me as well. I do hope they get those fires under control and the air clears soon. Take care and be safe!
I hope they get the fires under control soon. I can’t even imagine the breathing troubles many will have. Does the smoke burn your eyes?
I usually feel nervous planning a trip. However, you take a lot of trips and it’s nice that you enjoy planning for them. Me too, I would need a special occasion to shop. I love having a watch on although I don’t wear it around the house. My wedding ring was almost impossible to get off but I did it one day so I don’t wear it although since I’ve lost weight I think I could get it on. Mark had to cut his off a few years ago fishing so he doesn’t wear one either. We should really get some new ones. Sorry about those fires. Yum on the Russian foods your Mom made. It was my Mom’s Mom who made the best foods and desserts. I will never forget 911. Could not stop watching the TV. Good luck with your random thought.
Happy birthday to your better half and I do hope those fires are put out very soon. B x
So sorry for all the fires around your area. I can’t imagine having to breathe that day in and day out. According to the hype already surrounding plans for 250th anniversary, it should be a huge blowout. And why not! It should be a great year of celebrations. We need every reason to renew our patriotism and faith in the God who helped create this Republic.
…Ellen, I hope that your fire situation improves soon.
Hope they are getting those fires under control, and yes I think fresh air to breathe would be especially appreciated when one has been breathing smoky air! I agree that many of the foods you mentioned are comfort foods. All the “mennonite” foods I remember from my Grandma would be the comfort foods I’d choose if I had them available. Love your red/white/blue table and I am excited about the 250th birthday bash for the nation!