Old School Hodgepodge

Thank you Jo From This Side of the Pond for asking the Hodgepodge questions for us.

It’s always so wonderful to see all the little quail show up with their parents. They are hard to capture with the camera through the windows. They react to any slight movement and they move a lot.

1. Is school back in session where you live? Is everyone in person or does your system still offer a virtual option? Are kids wearing masks? 

School starts August 31st here in Colville. As of yesterday, Washington State is back to requiring face masks indoors for all people 5 years and up so school aged kids are required to mask up.

2. Something you still do ‘old school’? 
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I asked this out loud while Dear and I were sitting at our desks in our office. His answer was “Go to Church”. Then he said “Believe the Bible”. I’ll say keep a paper calendar. I still have calendars around the house and in my purse.
3. One lesson you’ve learned in the ‘school of life’? 
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God is in charge and I am not. This is an ongoing lesson in my life.
4. When you were in school did you pack a lunch or buy a lunch? Your favorite thing to see on the lunch menu or inside your lunchbox back in the day? 
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Our mother packed lunch for each one of us everyday and she also made breakfast for us before we headed off to school. In the 6th grade I was a student cafeteria worker and I got a free hot lunch everyday. I loved the fresh rolls those cafeteria ladies baked. I can almost smell the aroma of them coming from the ovens.
When our sons were in high school and I made cold cut sandwiches for them on sandwich rolls I found out they were able to sell those home made sandwiches to their friends for $5!
5. August is National Family Fun Month. Tell me something fun you’ve done this month.
Any day we spend with our grand kids is a fun day. August was less active around here because of smoke and fires but we’ll make up for it in September!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
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Today, August 25th is our son Josh and our Laura’s 20th wedding anniversary! We could not have asked for a better helpmate for our son. They make the best team. Those who are fortunate to be part of their lives and generosity will all give a hearty amen to my assessment.
2013-09-16 Alton to Cotswolds20
Happy 20th Anniversary Josh and Laura! Wish we could be celebrating in Jolly Old England. We love you individually and together. May God give you many more years growing closer to each other and to HIM!
The photo above was taken in Wells, England while we were traveling with Josh and Laura in 2013. We would all love to return someday to visit.

Refreshing

In the last week we have had a couple of refreshing rainfalls that our yard soaked up. There was lightning and thunder which always brings the threat of starting more fires so everyone is on edge with these events.

The cool down of the weather made it so enjoyable to walk about and to take these photos. Taking advantage of the under 90 degree day we tackled some weeds.

The bunny trio are unaffected by changes in the weather.

We’ve enjoyed cooler temps the last 4 days with Sunday being the coolest into the 70’s! Woohoo. Today we are heading up again to the 90’s and later this week we will be over 100 degrees. Time for me to start watering again.

This past week we’ve had a doe and fawn visit. That’s always a treat. I’ll be sharing some photos soon.

Our Pastor has been preaching out of the Psalms this summer. Sunday was Psalm 46. God is our refuge, river, and ruler. He covered the whole Psalm and here are just the two beginning verses.

Psalm 46:1,2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Enjoy the 10th day of August friends!

A Silver Lining…

I am happy to report that there was a silver lining in our clouds of discomfort from Sunday because we woke up to the fact that we could not get internet service.

Today we were able to take the modem and the power source to our local technician in town instead of waiting for a service appointment. He determined the problem was the power source which was caput not the modem. Dear came home with the same modem and a new power source and everything is back up and running. We are thrilled it only took a day instead of a week and that it did not cost us anything.

A very good start to our week.  How is the start to your week?

You May Not Enter

This mama deer stepped up onto our deck and was resting on our patio rug. This is the first time something like that has happened. We didn’t want to frighten her and have her kick at the glass slider.

Thankfully she turned around and went on her way.

We were told that this is probably a doe with a nursing fawn and that is why her ribs are exposed. I didn’t research that so not sure if that’s true.

Seeking Relief…

We’ve had bucks and does visit regularly during our heat and lack of rain. The bucks rest in the shade under the shed roof on the back of the garage. The doe rests under the variegated willow.

We’re happy to leave the water in the pool so the does and bucks can get their fill. A couple days ago we spotted  two does drinking from the pool. That reminded me of these verses in Psalm 42.

Wednesday Hodgepodge is taking a week off and will be back next Wednesday.

Water Fun

We bought this inflatable pool from Wal-Mart during our one hundred degree + temps and last week when the Colville kids came for dinner we had the Grands try it out.

The air was hot the well water was cold.

It took awhile for sister to make the commitment to step all the way in. They came out to warm up wrapped in a towel and then they would head back in for more cold fun.

The next day at the river they had more water fun.

We kept the pool up and inflated with water in it just in case the deer could use a drink and today we spied one drinking for a long while. I’ll share some deer photos on another day.

Addy and JJ started swimming lessons on Monday at the city pool.