When I went to link up this morning for the Hodgepodge we had the news from Joyce that her dear Mama passed away earlier this week. Our hearts and prayers are with you, Joyce, and with your whole family.
1. How do you feel about the transition from lazy summer days to a busier fall routine?
I’ve always loved the transition from summer to fall. Even the years I was in school, I welcomed with excitement going back. These days I enjoy the fact that Ladies Bible studies will start up again and there will be more order in our days. I enjoy Fall weather and Fall events like cider fest and the corn maze.
2. Your favorite cookie?
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I like homemade Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookies with oatmeal, walnuts, almonds, and sometimes coconut!
I use the toll house recipe and load them up with extras.
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3. What’s something you’ve learned from a culture different than your own?
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I grew up in Southern California just outside East Los Angeles and the neighborhoods we lived in were multi cultural with Mexicans, Jews, Russians, Armenians, Japanese, Scots, and Heinz 57 Americans. I included Scots, although I only first heard of anyone who was Scottish in 5th grade when Karen’s parents moved to Montebello and she was introduced as a new student in our class. I was enthralled with her from the start and she taught me a few Scottish dance moves that we shared with the class for show and tell. I think we sang a song, too, The Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomand.
Apart from the great food we enjoyed in the homes of my friends from these cultures, I learned about the Jewish custom of coming of age.
A bar mitzvah and a bat mitzvah are both Jewish coming-of-age milestones. A bar mitzvah (“son of commandment’) marks the religious maturity of a boy at the age 13, while a bat mitzvah (daughter of the commandment) marks the religious maturity of a girl, traditionally at age 12.
I was invited to one of my Jewish friends Bat Mitzvah and I was blown away by the lavishness of the celebration!
These are my multi-cultural Cheer friends from my high school at a Russian dinner at my house before a football game. (My Scottish friend from 5th grade, Karen, is the one with the rollers in her hair). We would have a meal at a different Cheer members home before Varsity games. They are eating borsch. That was just one of the food items my mother prepared for them. I think I see piroshky on the table, also. After the meal we would all get our cheer clothes on and head to the game for a night where we would work off every calorie we ate at dinner!
This is one of my best buddies from school days, Nanc. I spent a lot of time in her home where I learned how to make guacamole and we learned every popular Leslie Gore song by heart. Her parents brought me along to Mexican restaurants with them and to the downtown wholesale fashion district for shopping. Growing up, my family did not eat in restaurants so that was an eye opening experience all its own. Her dad drove a Volkswagon Square back and we spent many miles in that little car. One summer when she got back from visiting her uncle who was a jeweler in Mexico City she gifted me the ring below that he made for me.
While we were living in Camarillo for a short time Nanc and I reconnected online and we met up a couple of times for meals and to catch up on life. The photo above is of one of our meet ups. I hadn’t seen her for 40 years! There is a long story about that…
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4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic…which hat would you most like to wear? Tell us why.
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Of these choices I’d choose the Food Critic hat because I love to travel and I love to try new restaurants and eat good food. I’d have a hard time writing bad critiques, though. I’ll just choose to be a traveler and enjoy trying new food in different places and being satisfied.
I’m not a film buff, or the reader of a variety of genres, and I’m definitely not artsy.
5. What’s a small, random thing from your childhood that you still remember clearly?
This will give you a little insight into my character. I remember hiding from my mother and father on Saturday mornings because I did not want to go to Russian School. When they found me, I would stomp my feet and say, “I’m an American!”. Well that didn’t work. In my latter years I was thankful to have learned the Russian alphabet and to learn to read and write in Russian.
To say “I am American” in Russian, use Я американец (if you are male) or Я американка (if you are female). If you want to say “I am from America” or “from the USA,” you can say Я из Америки or Я из США.
Я американка, Yah Amereekanka, I am American.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
These questions pulled up a lot of memories from my past.
1. August 19th is National Aviation Day…do you like to fly?
I do enjoy reaching special destinations by plane.
Last time you were on an airplane?
We flew to Southern California in May for our dear friend’s Memorial Service.
The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace)
No to both.
2. In what area of your life do you tend to ‘wing it’? Is this an area you should be winging?
Lately I’ve been in winging mode for meals at our country bungalow. I don’t know about should be, it is a phase.
3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way?
I do still enjoy Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver.
This video was from August 19th, 1972!
4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream…what’s your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge?
Orange sherbet is a favorite. As far as old fashioned Ice Cream goes, Häagen-Dazs Coffee chip is a favorite.
5. I never get tired of______________________.
I never get tired of seeing our family and spending time with them.
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.
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.
The 4th of July and the 250th Birthday of the U.S.A.
2. July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what’s the first person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind?
I think of Tigger the Tiger. If there was a Tiger in my life I wouldn’t want to expose the fact here because they might just come after me! (Seriously) I’m happy to avoid tigers.
Our niece Hope and Grand Nephew Jackson with Tigger at Disneyland in 2009! Hope is headed to college in August and Jack is done with college and getting married in October.
3. The expression ‘eye of the tiger’ describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to?
These are the lazy days of summer and I’m not bringing that kind of energy to anything. I am considering a special quiet project that is going to take all my quiet energy, digging and sorting and putting it together. When it materializes, I’ll share.
4. What was the last meal you cooked?
I’ve been following Drew Cooks on Facebook lately and he shared a recipe that I made and my company really enjoyed. If you haven’t seen this guy cook a meal yet you might be entertained…or not. Go ahead…click on the link. 🙂
5. Describe your July using exactly five words.
World Cup Soccer Ole Ole!
Soccer camp started up on the hottest week of the summer and next week soccer season will start. My evenings will be full. Time to put the folding chairs in the back of our vehicle!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
More lazy day achievements at our country bungalow.
I completed this jigsaw puzzle on Monday. Another thrift store puzzle that had all the pieces! Woohoo!
Vacation Bible School starts on this coming Monday. I’ll be selling the t-shirts and other accessories each evening. We are hoping for cooler days and for more progress on our area fires so our air is not smoky. Praying for that end.
Happy Birthday to my youngest brother and sister, twins! We love you dearly.
Ole Ole Ole, it’s time for World Cup and for Wednesday Hodgepodge! Thank you, Joyce.
1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I’m guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren’t born yet but that’s part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here.
In June of 1994 we traveled to Southern California to stay with family and take in all we could of the World Cup. I’m sure we were on the same freeways O.J. was on during our time in L.A., the Santa Ana freeway and the 405! I know we watched it on TV.
Back to the more important reason we were in the greater LA area. Our boys and I found the USA World cup training center and met some of the players. Then we found the hotel the team was staying in and our sons worked hard to get signatures on the team poster our oldest son bought. They managed to get every signature of the people in the poster except for one trainer/coach who wasn’t in Southern California.
If I remember correctly Josh got a 3 or 4 game package deal and Dan got 1. The prices were very reasonable compared to today.
2. What’s your favorite summer salad that isn’t the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad?
Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?
I enjoy strawberries or pears in a green salad with the right dressing and cheese to compliment and roasted walnuts or shaved almonds…
3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be?
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No and no. It is always a pleasure to enjoy chivalry or witness it.
~ 4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska?
I’ll say Hawaii because there are fewer bugs.
Have you ever been to either?
We have been to Hawaii but not Alaska.
Are they two places you really would like to see?
No
How do you feel about ‘Hawaiian pizza’ aka pineapple on a pizza?
Nyet, No, Nine
Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska?
I think I have but I couldn’t tell you where or when.
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5. World Cup play is happening now…are you interested?
Very interested. And for the record I’m interested in soccer all the time not just for World Cup.
Watching any matches?
I’ve watched them all to one degree or another. Some I’ve watched every minute others I watched parts of .
Did you or your children play soccer/futbol?
All three of our children played. Our sons played for their school varsity teams and on traveling teams, too. Our sons also worked as referees for our community leagues and for indoor games, too.
And now, our Grands are playing soccer.
There are eleven US cities hosting matches-
–Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle
along with three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)
and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-
You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why.
Seattle, because it would be the easiest stadium for us to reach.
Our son and daughter-in-love are attending the USA v. Australia game this Friday in Seattle!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Dan’s ticket that he purchased from his soccer coach was for a game in Stanford. Dan and I traveled from the LA area up to Stanford for the game. The game was on June 24, 1994. And yes, we traveled those same freeways O.J. did. 🙂
I’m behind and the way things are going it will be a while for me to get my mojo back.
It’s no secret that we have soccer/futbol fans in our family and I’m one of them. We are excited for World Cup 2026 here in the USA/Mexico/Canada.
This is a collection of Soccer Commentators comments during games in the past in honor of World Cup 2026. The photos are from games through the years from our travels and at home. Some are from World Cup 1994 which was the last time and first time World Cup was hosted by the USA. This post is very random and jumps around near and far and wherever soccer/futbol has taken us.
“He’s already written his name in lights here”
“That was a chance to put the game to bed”
“That goal keeper is a mere spectator” “It’s one way traffic at the moment”
“Every road is a cul de sac at the moment” ~ Ian Darke announcer for the Slovenia/USA game.
“England is running around like flies at the moment”
“He is a new name among the old soldiers”
“The giants can be knocked out by the minnows!!”
“Suarez, next time you get hungry take a bite of a Big Mac”
Quote of the match: “His ears look quite normal.” :0)
another great one…”couple years past their sell by date in the premier league” :0)
“So many of these players now on the wrong side of 30” Adrian Healey
“It really is keystone cops stuff here”
“The last drop of the drink in the last chance saloon”
“The North Koreans are a toughish nut to crack”
“The ball got smuggled away”
“So many of these passes going astray”
“Made rather a mess of it”
“Events conspiring against them”
“They need a win to tie up an almighty knot”
“That tall beanpole striker”
“Over the bar with a goal gaping at her”
“Columbia just had a sniff of something”
“Solo could have brought a portable TV and watched her favorite Film”
“Like a hot knife through butter!” I love Arlo White!
“A slender advantage”
“The cruelty of sport” nice way to describe the own goal…
A sport announcer’s most stupid statement of all time “It’s going to come down to who wants it more” As if one or the other team doesn’t want to win. It’s going to come down to a lot of factors in the run of play but there’s not anyone on the field who wants to lose! And that’s my personal opinion. Thanks for letting me vent!
“He was the meat in that sandwich” ~ English Premier League soccer announcer. The meat in this challenge happened to be the ref! He’s still down on the pitch…
Staying in Huntington Beach with my sister, Vera, gives us the best chance to see the Pacific Ocean again. It had been a while since we enjoyed the sea air and the waves. Vera dropped us off at the pier and went on to an appointment and would pick us up afterwards. She lives about 5 miles from the ocean.
Classic morning June gloom even though this was May.
The surfers and the fishermen were gathered next to the pier and on the pier. Only experienced surfers were closer to the pier pilings or that is what the loud speaker on the pier announced with forcefulness!
There is some construction on the pier. A new restaurant is going in about midway on the pier.
Watching wave after wave never gets old.
Looking north toward Newport Beach.
Looking south toward Bolsa Chica.
It was breezy but we didn’t need a coat.
Duke Kahanamoku, three time Olympic gold medalist swimmer, public servant, goodwill ambassador of the State of Hawaii, and considered by many to be the father of modern surfing. In the early 1920’s, the Duke surfed under Huntington’s Pier. In his 70’s, he returned to Huntington Beach to help promote the U.S. Surfboard Championships. For many years the championships were dedicated in honor of Duke’s contributions to the sport of surfing. He will long be remembered for his principles of fair play, good sportsmanship and his gracious aloha spirit.
Main Street in Huntington Beach ends (or begins) at Pacific Coast Highway. We crossed the highway and wandered down Main street checking out some shops. I remembered Vera’s son in law mentioned a new doughnut shop we shouldn’t miss on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). We walked back to the statue and turned left and found Parlor Doughnuts.
This is a franchise and if you are in Huntington Beach or another location where they have a shop, we recommend this treat to you. The dough was lovely and the flavors good.
Vera found us on Main street and she parked the car and we decided to have breakfast together on Main Street at the Sugar Shack Cafe before heading back home.
I’m adding my photos of the Pacific from our plane ride home here, too.
Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of your inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Before we parked at the Spokane airport for our flight to Orange County we enjoyed our Linner at the Rusty Moose in Airway Heights which is just a hop skip and a jump to the airport.
We arrived at the Santa Ana Airport in Orange County on Thursday evening May 7th. Our brother-in-law picked us up at the curb and brought us back to my sister Vera’s home in Huntington Beach, where we would be staying for a week. Our sister Vera had been in Arizona and she arrived this night, too, and brother-in-law headed back to the airport to pick her up. BIL lives in Texas and he arrived the afternoon of this day. This Orange county airport had a total of 7 of our family members arriving at different times on this day. We all initially traveled to attend our friends memorial service on Friday morning but after that we filled the rest of our time meeting up all over the L.A. area traversing the freeway system for graduation ceremonies, Mother’s Day meals, birthday meals and farewell meals with different family groups and different venues. Whew!
Our Washington kids were able to attend our Great Nephew’s graduation from The Masters College in Santa Clarita. They drove across Los Angeles from the Memorial Service to attend.
That evening we were treated to dinner at Seasons 52 in Costa Mesa with two of my sisters and brother-in-law. I didn’t take any photos.
Saturday this crew drove from different areas of L.A. and Orange County to meet for brunch at Twoheys. Those of us who weren’t at Jack’s graduation were able to congratulate him in person at this gathering. Some of us were also meeting his bride to be for the first time.
This restaurant moved from it’s original location in Alhambra to this South Pasadena location.
Retro, family-friendly American diner known for burgers & hot fudge sundaes since 1943.
Our church youth group would end up at this restaurant frequently in the 60’s and 70’s. That was when they were still in the Alhambra location. We could down a burger and then have one of their famous sundaes. My choice for a burger was always the Stinko Burger. A plain burger with a thick slice of raw onion. I ordered the same on this day for ‘old times sake’.
Josh and Laura left the 2EE’s gathering and headed straight to the airport to fly home.
Saturday evening this crew met up in Huntington Beach at Mario’s Mexican Restaurant for dinner. My brother Steve and SIL Kelly were able to make it to this gathering, driving out from Moorpark. Our niece Debbee was turning 50 this same week so we celebrated her. The Brother in law who picked us all up at the airport is sitting next to Greg. Me and my two sisters are seated at that end of the table. My brother is next to me and SIL across from him sitting next to our niece Melissa. Our niece Debbee is to the right and her hubby is taking the selfie. There was a two hour wait time for a table at this restaurant (remember this was Mother’s Day weekend) but…our Lenny, Debbie and Melissa are good customers here and the manager of the bar came up with seating for us in 20 minutes! Muy Bueno!
On Sunday, Greg and I attended Beach Bible Church (formerly Evangelical Free of Huntington Beach) with my sister Vera. This was Mother’s Day. This was the same church Greg and I attended when we lived in Huntington Beach in the mid 70’s and mid 80’s. Both of our sons were dedicated in this church. It hasn’t changed much and it is still a Bible believing and Bible preaching church. The service with the worship songs and preaching was balm to the soul.
At some point during the weekend gatherings there was a last minute decision to gather at Vera’s home for a Mother’s Day meal. Our niece Melissa offered to bring the pies and our nephew Ryan made a special gluten free cake for the gathering. Vera and I made the decision to order a couple dishes from a Chinese restaurant close by to make the day easy peasy. The Beef Broccoli and Orange Peel Chicken with steamed rice was just right for everyone.
I wasn’t with any of our children on Mother’s Day but it was nice to be with all my sisters, a few nieces, nephews, BIL’s, one brother and SIL.
Monday was beach day and I’ll save that post for another day.
Our flight home would be on Wednesday morning so our last gathering was on Tuesday night with a skeleton crew. My sisters Lana, Vera, Greg and I had a wonderful meal at an Italian Restaurant in Newport Beach called Sapori.
It was a very nice finale to our time in Southern California.
Vera drove us to the airport on Wednesday morning. Thank you, Vera, for your hospitality and to all our family who drove miles for our gatherings. Thank you, Lana, for giving up your bed for a few nights and for the use of that amazing hair dryer! 🙂
Ken’s Memorial Service was held on May 8th, 2026. We traveled to Southern California for the service.
Ken and Heidi’s son, son in law, daughter and grandsons all spoke, read scripture, in honor of their dad’s, pop pop’s, memory. They spoke much of Ken’s love for his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Readings:
Isaiah 40:31 ~ …but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 45:22 ~Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 12:2 ~ 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.
Psalm 56:3-4 ~ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Joshua 1:9 ~ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
New Testament Readings:
John 14:1~ Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
1 Peter 5:7 ~ …casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Philippians 3:20-21 ~ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
My brother-in-law led the congregation in singing. We sang, How Great Thou Art, It is Well with my Soul, and “God be with you till we meet again”.
God be with you till we meet again; By His counsels guide, uphold you, With His sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain
Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet; Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.
Our kids and our nieces with Ken’s daughter.
After the beautiful service we had time to catch up with friends and family at a reception at the church. It was so good to see old friends we haven’t seen for ages. I should have taken more photos.
All my sisters in order of birth.
My college bestie who was married to my cousin.
My dear friend, Ken’s beloved wife, Heidi.
The memorial for Ken was held at the same church that Ken and Heidi got married in back in November of 1978. I was the matron of honor, pregnant with our firstborn son. Greg and I were both in the wedding. We met Ken when he started dating Heidi.
The photo above is after the wedding reception at our home in Huntington Beach. Ken and Heidi opened wedding gifts and then changed and headed off for their honeymoon. That’s my dear old Pop watching on. Heidi and I spent so much time together that she was part of the family.
The upper photo in the collage was Christmas 1979 when they were expecting their first baby and the two lower photos were of our last time together as couples in November of 2025. Ken and Heidi traveled to our home to visit. It was a precious time of catching up and of also understanding that these were Ken’s final months on this earth. We had a glimpse of the suffering that they were in the midst of. It helped us to know how to pray for them in the months after this visit and leading up to Ken’s death.
This next song was one that Ken listened to the last months of his struggle and one that comforted him. He shared it with his dear family. It was played at the end of his memorial service.
It is such a comfort to know that Ken is with his Savior, Jesus Christ and that his suffering on earth is over.
1. What’s one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate?
We have a great nephew that graduated from The Masters University in California and we have a niece who is graduating from a private high school in Texas. In their cards we wrote these words of encouragement;
“May you use the amazing gifts God has given you for His glory” and
“Praying that God will lead and guide you and protect you from choices that draw you away from Him.”
2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain.
I would have said brains as mine seems to be holding less information these days but I’m going with a trip back home, since that is exactly what we are doing today, traveling back home. Clicking the heels of my magical Danskos and repeating ‘there’s no place like home’ 3 times should do it!
3. “There’s no place like home” is an oft repeated line from Baum’s book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?
We felt that way when we got home from our trip to Europe and Great Britain this past March.
4. May is National BBQ Month…do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What’s your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What’s the last thing you grilled?
We own a Traeger. Greg does the grilling. Steaks are a favorite to throw on the grill and that is the last thing we grilled. Porterhouse steak is a favorite followed by Ribeye steak.
5. What’s a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy?
Any memory about our family brings joy and a photo memory adds even more!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
We are returning today after a week in Southern California. We had a Memorial Service, a graduation and then of course, Mother’s Day. On Mother’s Day we were with all my sisters and some of their kids. We were able to see many family and friends during our stay. More posts coming on our time away.
We came up with a last minute plan for Mother’s day with a gathering at my sister’s home. The decision to order takeout from a Chinese restaurant made it easy on everyone. A niece and nephew were able to make desserts and pick up another dessert and we were all filled and grateful for our time together.
I’m adding this collage after the fact. On Mother’s day when we were all together at our sister/auntie Vera’s home we learned a new way to slice a cake and we were able to live stream the Master’s Chorale (Jackson) singing in a Romanian church in the Chicago area. Jackson’s mom took the selfie with our whole crew watching for Jackson in the livestream. The Romanian church service was classic old school and we had lots of insider reactions which made for fun viewing!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 