Wild Hodge Podge

I'm not sure these ducks and chickens would be considered wild since they are domesticated critters. But in my opinion they are wild since they won't let you catch them.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday



1. I'm celebrating a birthday this week so a question relating to aging feels appropriate. Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying, 'You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair." Would you agree? If not why not?

I agree. In order to stay young one must have a positive outlook. We all need something to look forward to. Without a dream, no matter how large or small, what is there? 

2. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily in your birthyear, just the same date/same month.

May 6, 1961 - George Clooney was born. 'nough said! 

3. Describe a time or circumstance where you wanted to 'have your cake and eat it too.'

The mind is blank!

4. What's something you do that makes you feel young? Something that makes you feel old?

Young - dancing. Old - taking a nap.

5. When did you last do something that was 'a piece of cake'?

Hooked up my new printer. It was surprisingly easy.

6.  Beef, wine, and cheese all improve with age. What's something else you'd add to that list? (not necessarily food or beverage) 

Knowledge. I always say if I could be 16 again I would, but only if I could remember what I know now.

7. If I were to have a giveaway when we hit Volume 200, what should I give away? By my calculations we'll hit Volume 200 on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, which means whoever wins would have whatever it is in time for Christmas.  

One of your pictures—framed.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I'm glad to see Wednesday. Should be a catch up day for me at work. Plus Camera Club is tonight. If anyone wants to join a camera club, but doesn't have one close to you, we have contests on our Facebook page. CumberlandCounty CameraClub the next assignment is 'shadows'. There are no prizes, so you won't get rich, but it is fun.


Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday!

Mr. Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday



1. As August draws to a close, share what's been your favorite weekend of the entire summer?

It would have to be one of the weekends I spent with Punky Doodle and the Punks. The dance recital one weekend and on another a trip out to the sunflower fields. Fun! 

2. Labor Day is marked in the US of A on Monday, September 1st.  What paying job have you held that you've loved the most? Liked the least? 

The job I have now is my favorite. Not the best paying, but the best as far as being interesting and enjoying the people I work with. My least favorite job was the summer after I graduated high school. I worked 2 1/2 days at the bra factory. I had to spend all day long sewing halves of bra cups together. I couldn't make myself go back after lunch on that third day!

3. Does the new school year start before or after Labor Day where you live? When do you think it should begin? There is much discussion now about older students having later start times to their school day...your thoughts?

I don't pay much attention to when school starts around here since I don't have a horse in the race. I do know I have been seeing school buses the last week or so, so I'm saying before Labor Day. I don't really have an opinion re the start times. My first thought would be no to the later start. I think it would only encourage teens to stay up even later.

4. What's something you've worked at recently that could be deemed a 'labor of love'?

JD wrote a short story about our meeting before we were married. Last year I had it bound and gave it to him as an anniversary present. But that wasn't labor intensive. Each year I put together a picture book containing pictures of family, friends, and stuff. It's my Christmas present to my kids. It is time consuming. I don't think the two words, labor and love, work well together, the things we do for love shouldn't be work. 

5.Which of the following work idioms can you most relate to right now...'A woman's work is never done.', 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' 'Many hands make light work.'

I pick 'a woman's work is never done'. Seems like that's all I do these days. Work at work and work at home. Too much to do, too little time.

6. Crab or lobster or thanks, but no thanks? Favorite way to have your choice prepared?

I like lobster, but it's hard to find here in middle-of-nowhere Illinois. So, I pick crab. My favorite way to eat crab would be Crab Rangoon. I'm not a fan of oriental food after living for a few years behind a Taiwanese restaurant, but love those!

7. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, 'Three rules of work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.' Which of the three do you consider to be the most important? Share one of your own 'rules of work'.

"Out of clutter find simplicity" Disorder on my desk causes stress. I like to have all my work finished by days end. Yeah, right. That's impossible. So, I try to organize and prioritize. I do the things I dread most—first.

My rule: When you pick up a file or start a project, do everything you can possibly do before you send it back to file or call it done. Saves time in the longrun. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Saturday evening, our air conditioning unit decided to take a break. It was the hottest weekend of the year. Bob got to work on Sunday. Fergus and I sat in front of the fan sipping ice water and panting together. The repairman was out first thing Monday morning and it is now working fine. 

Saturday, before the a/c went out, I canned tomatoes. It's the first time I've used a pressure canner. 

  

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Mostly Yellow

I'm out of interesting birds to post, so drug out one from the archives. I have posted this one before, but it is one of my favorites since this was a new bird to me and I haven't seen one since.

Yellow Breasted Chat

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

On the way to Bro O's to work in the garden we pass this field. Farmers consider them weeds, but I always think of it as a beautiful field of wildflowers. Wild Mustard.

I found these on my saturday ramble. There were growing alongside the road near a bridge. Crown Vetch.

I seem to have made someone angry because I missed commenting on their post last week for Rubbish Tuesday.I try to comment on everyone that links up and thought I had.  I admit to being an imperfect soul, and I apologize.

Happy Wednesday!

Mr. Camouflage

I saw this robin strutting around near a tree at The Rez.

He saw me looking at him...

...and ducked behnd a tree.

It was then I noticed part of him had disappeared.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


1. I've read several posts and status updates recently describing end of year school field trips. Do you remember taking school field trips as a kid? Where did you go and do you recall a favorite? For any parents responding today, have you ever chaperoned a school field trip, and if so where?

In grade school, we walked to The Rez here in town when we were studying trees and bugs. I loved getting outside and away from school. My favorite was when I was a Sophomore in high school, we went on a field trip to Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. It rained and I broke my glasses, but we had a blast.

2. What's something you're tired of seeing online?

Anything Kardashian!

3. June is the month for roses. Which of the following expressions would you say has most recently applied to your life-'everything's coming up roses', 'there's no rose without a thorn', 'came out smelling like a rose', or 'wearing rose-colored glasses'? 

All would have applied at sometime in my life, but right now I seem to be surraounded by negativity, so I think 'there's no rose without a thorn'.


4. When grilling outdoors do you prefer gas or charcoal? Who does the grilling at your house? What's the last thing you ate that was cooked on a grill?

I prefer charcoal, Hubs gas. Hubs grills and he fixed salmon last night.

5. Are you afraid of the dark?

Not particularly, but I can't stand to be inside with the lights on and the curtains or blinds open. If someone was lurking outside, they could see me but I couldn't see them. That scares me.

6. Share a favorite song with a number in it's title.

500 Miles

7. "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."(C.G. Jung). Do you agree? Why or why not?

I suppose, but I'll leave this question to the psychologists out there.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Daughter just booked the condo for our Floriday trip later this summer. I'm excited to have something fun to look forward to.


Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard

Last weekend on the Illinois River.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

Swallow

This must be my year for Swallows. First a Tree Swallow and now a Barn Swallow. He was way across the sheep lot, where he thought he was safe.

 Mr. Gorgeous tried to give me a moon shot, but I was too quick for him.

He finally turned around and allowed me to get a shot of his front side.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


1. It's still May, right? When were you last in the middle of something that might be described as mayhem? Mardi Gras!

2. When did you last feel dismayed? When a co-worker gave notice.

3. What's a food combination you like, but other people may find strange? Peas and cottage cheese.

4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Do you think that's true? Why or why not? It depends on what 'you might have been'. I wanted to be a hand model back in the day. Don't think I would find much work now that my hands are aged, wrinkled. 

5. US News and World Report listed the best historic destinations in the US as follows-Washington D.C, Philadelphia PA, Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Boston MA, Richmnd VA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, Yellowstone, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, New Orleans LA, and Charlottesville VA.

Of those listed how many have you seen in person? Which two sites on the list would you most like to see in person? I've been to 9 of these locations. Of those I haven't seen, I would pick Yellowstone and Savanah, GA to visit.

6. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you had to participate in a single fitness activity for the next half hour, which activity would you choose? Hiking in the woods.

7. What did you like best about the city, town, or neighborhood where you grew up? I grew up on a farm. I liked that we had a pond and woods to spend time exploring.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. Thursday marks the beginning of our Spring Festival. I got the call to schedule my time to be incarcerated in the ticket booth. I usually get an early slot, but this year I'm stuck with 7-9 pm. Two hours is a long time! But I enjoy seeing all the happy little ones looking forward to their turn on the kiddie rides.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Swallow and the Hodge Podge

Sunday, since it was a gorgeous day outside,  Hubs and I went for a walk through Douglas-Hart Nature Center. One trail led up to an area preserved to look like the prairie did when settlers first moved here.

 I took this picture and then saw a bird land on the bird house. 

The swallow perched there, looking around, waiting long enough for me to take a couple of shots.

He wasquite a distance away, but you get the idea.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


Moving on to today's Hodge Podge questions...

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Are you blooming where you're planted as we begin the month of May?

The most prolific blooms here are from the dandelions. I drove past a field Sunday that was about 50% yellow. I don't have any flowers blooming in the yard yet, but there are blossoms on the flowering trees. 

2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being no big deal, and 10 being full scale panic, rank your fear of spiders.

10! I once saw a spider about as large as my fist (or so it seemed at the time) crawling across the floor toward my son's bedroom. It was late at night and I was home alone. I was afraid to stomp on it or hit it with something for fear it would jump on me. I ran into the kitchen and searched through a cabinet for some kind of bug or spider killer...nothing! I grabbed a can of oven cleaner and ran back to the spider. I sprayed most of the can on him. He was covered in foam and still crawling. As I watched I saw he was slowing down... slower...slower...and then came to a full stop. His legs gradually curled up under him, signaling his demise. I went outside to get the shovel, scooped him up and deposited him outside in the edge of the woods. I now know it was a harmless Wolf Spider, but at the time I had no idea. In my mind he was a tarantulla and I was afraid it was going to eat my prescious little boy. 

3. May is National Salad Month (who knew???)...besides lettuce, what are two must-have ingredients in your favorite salad?

In the winter - cucumbers and celery. In the summer - fresh garden tomatoes and cucumbers.

4. I mentioned on my blog last week that my Daughter1 will be moving to Washington State after she is married. Of the following sites in the Northwest, which would you most like to see in person-Crater Lake (Oregon), Seattle (Washington), Vancouver (British Columbia), San Juan Islands (Washington),  Mt. Rainer (Washington) Oregon Coast (Oregon), Mt. St. Helens (Washington), or Olympic National Park (Washington)

This is one of the areas I've never visited. I once flew in to Seattle for a job interview, but only saw the area from the ariport to downtown. I didn't take the job. I decided it was too far away from my family. So, I would pick Seattle to explore first and then head out to each of the other areas mentioned. Because if I go that far and spend that much money on air fare, may as well get my money's worth.

5. This coming weekend marks the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby...when did you last race (literally or figuratively) to cross a finish line?

High school track. I like to catch trains when driving down a road beside a railroad track, but there isn't a finish line.

6. What is something little you love?

I have a pocket watch that belonged to my paternal grandmother. My grandfather gave it to her as a wedding gift. It doesn't work, but it is beautiful and the sentimental value is way up in the millions.

7. Would you say you are more of a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? Elaborate.

Kinesthetic. I can watch someone else do something or be told how to do it, but it will not stay with me unless I do it myself and then practice. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about retirement lately. Some of my friends are retiring or have retired.  I've pretty much decided I'm against it. It sounds nice in theory, but I think I would miss the daily routine. It isn't a decision I have to make today. Perhaps by the time I arrive at that magical age I will be ready.


Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Dove, Cow, Hodgepodge

First of all, I want to thank everyone who joined and commented on Rubbish Tuesday. I was afraid no one would be interested. And a big Thank You to those who helped pass the word. 

We have several varieties of Doves here, but this is my favorite and the most rare. I like the color. I've looked in the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds and think this Dove matches the Zenaida Dove. But the book doesn't mention them in this area.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

As I was driving down a back road last weekend, I saw this mom and baby up on a hill. They seemed to be enjoying this warm spring day.

Linking to Rurality


1. April 22nd is Earth Day. Are you inspired by nature? In what way?

I grew up on a farm. We didn't have TV, cell phones, or electronic games, so my brother and I spent the days exploring fields, woods, and creeks. When I lived in Dallas, the farm was my favorite vacation spot. To rejuvinate, I required fresh air and quiet not found in a busy city. I would take a book back to my favorite tree and read while listening to the sounds of nature. The perfect holiday. 

2. Down to earth, four corners of the earth, move heaven and earth, not have an earthly chance, or salt of the earth...which earthly idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.

Down to earth. While watching The Voice last night, Hubs described one of the contestants as vain and full of herself and another as kind and 'down to earth'.

3. Share one piece of advice you might give a newly engaged couple.

Be committed. Don't give up after the first argument. 

4. When did you last engage someone to perform a job, task, service, home repair, or improvement? On a scale of 1-10 (ten being the best) how would you rate their work and/or your satisfaction with the job or service provided?

Two weeks ago. I had a leak around the chimney.  I would give the repairman a 10 for both work and price.

5. When did you last find yourself engaged in small talk? Are you awkward or an expert or somewhere in between?

Yesterday, at work. It's easy to come up with topics of conversation if I know the person well, but if it is an acquaintance or someone I just met, I have trouble thinking of things to say. Awkward.

6.  What was the last historic place you visited?

The Hermitage in Nashville, TN. The home of President Andrew Jackson.

7. The world would be a better place if we just be kind to one another.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Wildbird, Black & White, and Wordless

Another of the Wood Ducks hanging out at The Rez.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

I found this rather stern looking Mr. Sunshine in the gift shop of Luthy Botanical Gardens.

Linking to Black and White Wednesday

Linking to Wordless Wednesday

A Bud, Petal, Bird, and a Hodgepodge

Mr. and Mrs. House Finch

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

***

Sunday I went outside to check for leaves on the trees and look what I found!

 It's a bud, but what kind of bud is it?

It's the Bradford Pear tree and will soon look like this shot from last year.
Linking to 52 Photos Project

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HodgePodge questions:

1. April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes. When did you last 'shower' attention on someone or have attention 'showered' on you? Did you love it, or did all that attention make you squirm?

It isn't in my nature to shower attention or be the receiver of the shower. The last time was at my bachlorette party. I was given a foot massage in front of everyone. 

2. Share a favorite 'spring break' memory. Not talking about just the 'college spring break' thing, but any favorite spring break memory you'd like to share. Keep it family friendly please!

Sadly, I can't think of a single spring break memory.

3. It's National Pecan Month...are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite dish that calls for pecans?

I am a fan. I eat them from the bag as a healthy snack, but my hands down favorite—pecan pie!

4.  'Put all your eggs in one basket', 'egg on your face', 'rotten egg', 'walk on eggshells', or 'a good egg'...which egg-spression could most recently be applied to your own life?

'Walk on eggshells' for sure when dealing with upset family members. 

5.  In my experience___________________________________.

...you never write down anything you don't want someone to read. A hard lesson learned after my brother broadcast my diary entries to the whole family.

6. What's a  favorite song with the word rain in its title or lyrics?

Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival



7. What does the word hope mean to you?

Wishing for something that will not likely happen, i.e. I hope I'll win the lottery.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have the day off. I hope the rain stops soon. 

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

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Wordless

Linking to Wordless Wednesday

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Pioneer Plaza Dallas, Texas

Linking to Black and White Wednesday

Wednesday Hodge Podge

I always find myself apologizing for my less than wonderful critter shots. I don't have the fancy dancy camera and lens I would like, but that doesn't detract from the thrill I get when I see a bird or duck I haven't seen before. So, I take the pictures and cherish them as if they were National Geographic quality. So, here is another one. 

Wood Ducks
The Rez is basically a large pond and park area. I drive by there most mornings on my way to work. Sometimes I get lucky and find ducks or geese. Sadly, they are always on the far side and I don't have time to walk around to get closer. Of course, on the rare occasion when I do have time, they always swim over to the side from whence I came. Non-cooperative creatures!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

On to some Hodge Podge

1. Since these questions are posting on the first day of April it seems only right to ask-when was the last time you did something foolish? If you can't answer that one, try this one-when was the last time someone fooled you?

I don't have to look to far for the someone fooled me answer. It was this morning. The weather girl on our local station said it was going to snow later in the week. Bad weather girl! It wasn't until the end of the forecast that she spit out, "April Fools." With the weather as it has been this winter, it wasn't hard to believe.

2. What's the last biography or non-fiction book you've read? Was it any good?

Mrs Kennedy and Me by Clint Hall and I did find it interesting. Since I lived through the Kennedy years and remember Mrs. Kennedy fondly, anything to do with that time period interests me. 

3. Garlic-friend or foe? What's your favorite dish made with garlic?

Friend. Love garlic! Favorite dish? Not sure, but I absolutely must have garlic bread with pasta.

4. Several Spring flower festivals happen in the US during the month of April. Of those listed, which would you most like to see in person...The Skagit Tulip Festival in Skagit Washington, The Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville Tennessee, The North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington North Carolina or the Daffodil Festival Weekend on Nantucket Island, Massachussets?

I lived in Raleigh, North Carolina in the mid 90s and actually attended the North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington, so will pick The Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee. I always intended to stop there on my way from Raleigh to visit family in Illinois, but was never able to time my trip with the festival. 

5. How do you choose which blogs to read?  What is something that will make you stop and read every time? Something that makes you say, 'eh, think I'll skip this one and move on to the next'?

I have several 'never miss' blogs that I read every day. I'm not sure how I chose them. I think I found them through participating in memes. A fantastic critter shot will make me stop every time, such as in Brian King Images. I don't know of anything in particular that would make me move on unless it's a topic I'm not interested in.

6. April is National Mathematics Education Month so tell us, when did you last use math? 

Math? What is math? 

7. In honor of the A-Z challenge kicking off on April 1...choose one word beginning with the letter A to describe your yesterday.

Ambiguous.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm writing a short story about my maternal grandmother. This is the beginning...Her Indian heritage manifested itself in the form of dark skin, brown eyes, and coal black hair. She was a tall woman in spite of her short stature. A no-nonsense woman whose gruff demeanor concealed a soft heart. She didn’t show love and affection with words. Her actions spoke volumes.  

Linking to Wednesday Hodge Podge 

Wild Turkey

It seems like I'm doing a lot of posts about alcoholic liquors—moonshine—and now wild turkey. I do know the names, even though I'm not much of a drinker. More than two drinks of anything and I'm under the table.

Hubs is a retired teacher. After being bored out of his mind for a few months, he took a part time job with Home Depot. What does that mean? He works every and I do mean EVERY weekend. I have been staying home while he is at work, but have had enough. When I was a single lady, I went places by myself all the time. So why not now? Do I think now that I'm married I can't do anything alone? I didn't make a new years resolution, but I'm now resolving to get out and go when Hubs is working. I already have a plan to visit my son in a couple of weeks, by myself. And there will be more plans this summer. Thus the trip to Moonshine last Saturday.

As I was driving down the road toward Moonshine, I saw turkeys in a clearing to my left. I quickly checked my rear view mirror and not seeing anyone about to rearend me, I slammed on the brakes. Now had I not been by myself I would never have gotten a pictureof these odd birds. I would have been yelling, "STOP!" until Hubs finally got 'er whoa'd about a quarter mile down the road.

Even with my quick reaction time, I was only able to get a couple of shots before they disappeared behind weeds and then into the woods.

Happy Wednesday!

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday