Wednesday, October 1, 2014

A Wren and a Hodge Podge



Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


And now on to some Hodge Podge

1. Are the leaves turning color where you live? Have they begun to fall? Will you have to rake when it's all said and done? Is that a chore you love or loathe?

The leaves are starting to fall here, but I love the red leaves and we don't have very many of those around here. I have a tree in the back that is the last to get leaves in the spring, but first to lose them. It is half empty now. We don't rake leaves. Hubs bags them with the mower. Lots easier for us old folks.

2. When did you last shake like a leaf?


A few months ago when a drunk tried to shoulder his way into our house. My teeth were chattering and I was shaking like a leaf. He was fined and put on 12 months probation, plus he had to pay restitution for the damage to our doors. It doesn't feel like enough to make up for the scare, but I guess it isn't a hanging offense.

3. After 20 seasons with the NY Yankees, Derek Jeter played his last official game Sunday afternoon. Jeter has been described even by opponents as a 'class act', both on and off the field. The NFL is back in action this month too, with several players in that sport also making headlines. What are your thoughts on athletes as role models? Should a professional athlete be expected to act as role model or is that going beyond their job description? What responsibility do the organizations these athletes work for have when it comes to dealing with off the field behavior? Discuss.


I'm always hearing celebrities say they are not role models, but it is my opinion they are whether they like it or not. Especially in sports. Young people look up to athletes and want to be like them. They follow their every move and action. So, yes, they should act like a role model whether they like it or not. They should be held to a higher standard—famous not infamous.

4. What season of the year is toughest for you in terms of your health? Why?


Summer. I like to walk to work for the exercise, but in the summer I get too hot and sweaty. Right now is perfect walking weather.

5. The top six healthy food trends of 2014 according to Eating Well are-

clean eating (more veg, less meat, less sodium, limit alcohol and processed foods)
trash fish (you know those fish that get caught in fishermen nets and are thrown back? It seems chefs are finding creative ways to make them more appetizing)
cauliflower (this year's IT vegetable)
kaniwa (essentially baby quinoa, so like quinoa only smaller)
fermentation (think pickling except with twists on flavor we're not accustomed to)
community supported food (farms operating with community support/membership). 

Okay-so how many of the hot healthy food trends for 2014 have you experienced, encountered, enjoyed? Any you've tried and said ewwww? Any on the list you'd liketo try before year's end?


I'm not a seafood lover. I like shrimp, but that's about it so I'll pass on the trash fish. Love cauliflower and have been experimenting with making it in other ways other than steaming. Not sure what kaniwa is, but doubt our local small town USA grocer does either. We have lots of pickles JD has canned himself. Bread and butter is my favorite. We try to practice clean eating, but sometimes get sidetracked. 

6. In seven words or less, bid September adieu.


Goodbye. I will miss your great weather.

7. What's something on your October calendar that makes you happy just thinking about it?


Sonny Boy and Handsome Lad are coming for a visit during Handsome Lad's fall break, so you won't see me on here much that week! 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


Last Friday night the oldest Punk had her first date for Homecoming. She didn't wait for him to ask her, she asked him with a piece of candy wrapped up in a note and tucked in his clarinet case. The note said something about how it would be sweet if he would be her homecoming date. He tucked an acceptance note in her clarinet case. I don't know what it said. I wish I could post their picture, but sadly Punky Doodle won't allow it, but I can post a picture of her wrist corsage.


Missy Punk is the one in the periwinkle dress. She looked beautiful. I can't believe she is a young lady already. I still think of her as this...


....little girl helping her grandma make cupcakes.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

24 comments:

Joyce said...

We don't get a lot of red here, but our back hillside is an explosion of golds and oranges which I love. Cute pictures...the little girl is still there on the inside : )

Tanya Breese said...

love the photo of the girls and their coursages! what a sweet little helper you have and i love your floor! oh #2 is scary :(

Buttons Thoughts said...

Love the wedding photo and love periwinkle and the name periwinkle:)
Oh and I love cauiflower:) Hug B

Hootin Anni said...

LOVE your random photo!!!
And that drunken driver scare would have ME shaking like a leaf too.

Cranberry Morning said...

They sure grow up fast, don't they! And I so agree with you on the issue of role models... and sweet little wren pic!

Linda Kay said...

Lets see... How frightening the proposed home invasion must have been!.... I like to puree steamed cauliflower with a bit of garlic, butter and cream in a food processor, as it kind of tastes and looks like mashed potatoes (not too much liquid).... what a sweet granddaughter to make the invitation to homecoming. Enjoyed our post!

TexWisGirl said...

awww. growing up...

Rohrerbot said...

Everything flies by so quickly! Enjoy fall while you can:)

Anonymous said...

Our trees don't turn red much either. I love the girls' corsages. All are so pretty. It's hard to believe when they go to that first homecoming, prom or other big event.

I love your photograph of the wren. And I love the names you have for your kids. Maybe I should do that, too!

Unknown said...

They grow up so fast, but I think I will always think of them as my little girls just as I don't think I get any older either. :-)

April said...

We, usually, get a lot of reds and yellows around here, but none yet. I'm impatienly waiting! Aww...such a sweet pic. of your girl when she was little. Time does fly!

21 Wits said...

Ha! Ha! Not a bit of rubbish anyway, truly fun and beautiful photos all throughout!

Stephanie said...

Not a lot of red here, I love viewing other people's images of their Autumn leaves. I love fish, not too crazy about shellfish as it bothers the gallbladder. That last shot was so cute! I love the black and white flooring.

BumbleVee said...

a wren is good......

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Love the shy wren and looks like you have a great helper in the kitchen

Ginny Hartzler said...

The hands and corsages picture is unique and quite wonderful! Oh, definitely the fall gives me the most health problems, with allergies. I have been in the E.R. twice because of fall and now carry an inhaler and an epi-pen. what a dreadful traumatic experience for you, I am so sorry that it happened. I know it will be awhile before you get over this. Cauliflower is good roasted, and also mashed with some cream cheese. Sweet little wren, they are so cute! One attacked me once because I was too close to her nest. I totally agree that sports figures are role models whether they want to be or not. That is too bad because many of them are jerks or on steroids.

Maude Lynn said...

What a little doll! And, cupcakes are the best!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet picture! They do grow fast.
Bill is back on the road. I get sidetracked when he is home! I will be back to Rubbish come Tuesday! Hug.

Brian King said...

Nice shot of the wren!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love shrimp.

i thought Derek Jeter was made to quit? did i miss something? i don't watch much sports. now i am curious. i will have to read up on that. ( :

Stewart M said...

I have things like dates for my kids in the future - Give me strength!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

PS: nice wren, and of course, we are getting spring colours here! SM

A Colorful World said...

Periwinkle must be a favorite color...she's wearing it to the dance, and in the child photo you posted! :-) How sweet. I hope she had great fun! LOVE the sunset over the corn! And your fence and squirrel are great. That touch of red....I'd be so grateful for that too! :-) Have a wonderful fall where you are!

Anonymous said...

Those years fly quickly! Young chick not long from leaving the nest. Nice capture of the quick little wren.

Rose said...

Oh, I love that shot of your punky doodle helping make cookies...and enjoyed your hodgepodge....OH! And love that shot of the wren.