Today is my seventy fifth birthday. God has been so good to me. We will be traveling all the live long day today. From Cambridge to London to Seattle to Spokane and then home again, home again, jiggity jig!
It will be good to be home again and to get our bearings.
Here are some birthday photos from the past.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Thank You, LORD!
Frances Crick’s brag in the Eagle. The pub where we habitually ate lunch, that we had indeed discovered that ‘Secret of life, struck me as somewhat immodest, especially in England, where understatement is the way of life. ~James Watson
The Eagle, Cambridge ~ Discovery of DNA~
On this spot on February 23, 1953, Francis Crick and James Watson made the first public announcement of the discovery of DNA with the words “We have discovered the secret of life.” Throughout their early partnership Watson and Crick dined in this room on six days every week.
Greg and I dined in this room on Monday March 9th, 2026.
The other history that is special here is the ceiling covered in graffiti of British and American WWII pilots who burned their names and squadron numbers here using cigarette lighters, candles and lipstick.
Cottage pie and duck hash were our choices for our meal.
From The Eagle we decided to trek over to the Wren Library in Trinity College. It has limited visiting hours and this was a good day to fit it in. That will be another post!
We are walking our feet off here in Cambridge. Thanks for following along on our travels and discoveries.
We’ve had a few days of showing our friends from Southern California around our parts and even took a little trip into Canada with them. I’ll share all the fun in a future post.
Time for the first Hodgepodge of November, thank you, Joyce!
1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you’re looking forward to?
We have been gifted tickets to the Nutcracker and we are also going to enjoy a performance of the Messiah in Spokane.
2. Dictionary.com’s word of the year is ‘6-7’. Huh?
Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it’s meaning because apparently I’m old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it’s a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.
What do you think? Oye is what I think.
Dictionary. com says it’s selection each year is a ‘linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by ‘6-7’. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.
What word do you think would have made a better choice?
3. What’s a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so?
Cruising on the high seas in a little city called a cruise ship! Specialty coffee drinks. Sushi.
4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc?
These days I’m a morning coffee drinker. I’ll enjoy teas if I go to high tea or other tea experiences but tea is not an everyday thing for me.
5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here’s the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing?
2. Listening to a sermon from the Word of God. Here’s a quote I saw on Sunday at Tim Challies Blog;
“Preaching is the miracle of God communicating himself to a fallen world through the words of a fallen man.” Brian Edwards
“Each Sunday, he (God) communicates to fallen men through fallen men to save his people and to sanctify them. What a miracle!” Tim Challies
If you are interested in reading the whole article, click on Tim Challies Blog, above.
3. Trips to the United Kingdom.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
We have adopted the first line of the Guy Fawkes Rhyme and repeat it on November 5th because it was on November 5th of 2022 that Greg had his stroke. By God’s providence. Greg survived and he survived well. There are lingering difficulties as we continue to live with the ‘thorn in the flesh’, but we thank God that Greg’s life was spared and trust God with our future.
Here’s some history about Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night in the UK the Rhyme is included below.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!
It’s another week with fresh questions for Hodgepodge Wednesday. Thank you, Joyce!
1. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music? Last time you went somewhere for the live music?
We enjoy live music every Sunday at church.
We haven’t made an effort to enjoy live music elsewhere lately except for attending evensong while in Great Britain, Scotland or Ireland and our Church’s Children’s Musicals at Christmas.
We are looking into attending a live performance of The Messiah this year.
2.According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here’s what’s on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)
First question-did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers?
Yes, I’m married to a former painter and his first job was with his father in a painting business.
Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style?
Decorating style is not a term that I would use for me or my home. 🙂 The base color in our home is Khaki Shadow with white trim.
Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list?
The only plan is to complete some areas that were started awhile back. Just a little trim here and there.
Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most?
Hidden gem is appealing.
3. What’s something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that’s about as exciting as ‘watching paint dry’?
For this one, I’m going with drying my hair.
4 . Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert day…did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What’s your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!!
I would pick roolyete. A traditional nut roll our mom made and we have now duplicated. I like pastries that have a soft chew to them. Here’s the recipe.
5. Perhaps today is the day I will…
Sort through my clothes and purge.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Tuesday October 14th was also Charlie Kirk Day. It was a day to wear red in remembrance of this young man who would have been 32 on that day and I was happy to participate.
We also watched the White House ceremony to honor Charlie Kirk’s memory with President Trump awarding him the Medal of Freedom, posthumously.
Stand Like the Brave
O Christian, awake! ’tis the Master’s command;
With helmet and shield, and a sword in thy hand,
To meet the bold tempter, go, fearlessly go,
Then stand like the brave, with thy face to the foe.
Refrain
Stand like the brave, stand like the brave,
Stand like the brave, with thy face to the foe.
The cause of thy Master with vigor defend;
Be watchful, be zealous, and fight to the end;
Wherever He leads thee, go, valiantly go,
Then stand like the brave, with thy face to the foe.
Refrain
Press on, never doubting, thy captain is near,
With grace to supply, and with comfort to cheer;
His love like a stream in the desert will flow;
Then stand like the brave, with thy face to the foe.
Refrain
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1886.
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre,
And as they tune it, fall
Before His face who tunes their choir,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face who tunes their choir,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him, ye morning stars of light,
Who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God,
Who from His altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s rod,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s rod,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line,
Whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine,
And crown Him Lord of all,
The God incarnate, Man divine,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
The wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet,
And crown Him Lord of all.
Let every tribe and every tongue
Before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song
The crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song
The crownèd Lord of all.
O that, with yonder sacred throng,
We at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all,
Join in the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Words: Edward Perronet, 1726-1792.
Speaking of time, this ancient clock is from Wells Cathedral in Wells, England.
Wow! The 600th edition of Wednesday Hodgepodge with thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond!
My random thought today will be the finale of the A to Z April challenge. We are on the last day of April and the last letter of the alphabet, but first, the Hodgepodge…
1. My very first edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge was published on November 10, 2010 (linked here if you’re curious). Tell us something about your life from that era.
I think my first Hodgepodge with consistency afterwards was in 2017.
This was from my post on November 6th, 2010.
This is our daughter in front of the Bridal shop in Bellevue, Washington where we just purchased her wedding dress. Very sentimental and personal with plenty of emotion attached!
A wedding is afoot at our house but because our daughter is marrying a Marine who will soon be in Active duty we do not know what date we can choose for the event yet. It will be sometime in the next year in the meantime we are preparing what we can because we might have very little notice for the actual event.
Andrew and Katie ended up getting married at the Justice of the Peace in Jacksonville, North Carolina on March 11, 2011. We had their formal wedding ceremony one year later on March 11, 2012 in Seattle.
2. What’s a song you love that relates to time in some way?
The DC talk version of this song is the one we prefer over the original because of the changes from “Never been a sinner, never sinned, but I have a friend in Jesus” to the more accurate “You know that I’m a sinner, we’ve all sinned, but I have a friend in Jesus.”
3. May is nearly upon us. When did you last need to yell ‘MAY DAY-MAY DAY!!’?
My MAY DAY-MAY-DAY was on November 5th, 2022 when I realized my husband was having a stroke and I sent off the mayday ‘help me’ call to God, 9-1-1, and our local son here in Colville. The Fire Chief of our district was the first to appear at our door, then the ambulance and then our son (who was a distance away working close to the Canadian border). God knew my May-Day needs well before and helped us all through this experience.
4. How do you feel about food trucks? Is this a dining experience you enjoy? Do you have a favorite What’s something you’ve ordered from a food truck?
In years past before a Seattle Sounders Soccer game we would make our way to the taco truck for street tacos. So good.
Nowadays we have a fish truck that shows up in Colville every so often and they have the best Clam Chowder. Delicious.
I am a fan of good food trucks.
5. We’re bidding farewell to April…what are three adjectives you might use to describe the month you’re leaving behind.
Joyous birthday celebrations for our grandson and son-in-law.
Glorious rejoicing because of our Risen Savior.
Tedious weeds are popping up like wildfire.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Z is for Zebras at the Zoo in Dallas a Zillion years ago.
We were visiting our youngest niece and her parents in 2010
A favorite Z song…
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
Zip a dee doo-dah, zip a dee ay
My, oh my, what a wonderful day.
Plenty of sunshine headed my way.
Zip a dee doo-dah, zip a dee ay
Mister bluebird on my shoulder
It’s the truth, it’s actual.
Everything is satisfactual.
Zip a dee doo-dah, zip a dee ay
Wonderful feelin’.
Wonderful day.
Lyrics by Ray Gilbert and Allie Wrubel.
From the Postal Museum in Washington D.C. in 2011.
Whew! Thank you to all who came along with me on the A to Z challenge and thank you fellow Hodgepodgers for your visit today.
In May I will be posting a past tea room tea experience or current one each day except on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It is very possible these posts will have to continue into June.
It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge and Jo has the questions for us to consider.
1. What’s a lesson you’ve learned from a mistake?
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. I’ve made this mistake more than once. I hope I’m learning more and more to get to know a person before I give them a wrong label in my head. Talking to and getting to know someone is a better approach.
2. Do you salt food while you’re cooking or let diners add their own? What’s a food you think must be salted? Do you like pepper?
I do season food as I’m cooking. Avocado tastes best to me salted. Yes, I do like pepper, too.
3. What was the last gathering you attended and what did you do there?
I’m answering these questions on Sunday. We attended church this morning. On this particular Sunday Greg and I were serving by greeting all those who came through the door for the early service. We have other ‘greeter’ responsibilities during the service. Before Sunday School we switch off with the second service greeters and we are free to attend the adult fellowship hour. During the fellowship hour we learned and discussed one of the attributes of God, Everlasting.
4. Your favorite shade of purple?
I enjoy every shade of purple and every purple flower.
What’s your favorite purple flower?
One of my favorites is purple wisteria. The photos above were taken at the Japanese Gardens in Seattle. Other favorites are lilac, clematis and hydrangeas and of course lavender.
5. Share a favorite spring travel memory.
In April of 2004 we took our daughter on a trip to England and Scotland for her graduation gift. It was a wonderful trip and a favorite to remember. We traveled to sites with history of her literary favorites like Tolkien, Lewis, Austen, Rowling, and we threw in a little Monty Python, too. We stayed in Cheltenham, Sheffield, York, Edinburgh and London venturing out to take in nearby cities and sites.
A field of daffodils on the grounds of Chatsworth House ( Pride and Prejudice Pemberley)
Clip clopping with coconuts at Castle Doune with Monty Python.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Speaking of purple, we have 3 graduates in our family from the University of Washington, Greg, Katie and Andrew. Primary Purple and gold are the school colors. Little did Katie know in this photo that she’d graduate from the same University as her father and then her husband, too.
For April I’m challenging myself to an A-Z photo a day excluding Sundays and in addition to any regular posts that come to be.
Today is April 5th and we are on the letter E.
Ellen in England and Ellen in Edinburgh 21 years later…
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Words: Charles Wesley, 1747.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 