No. We're just happy when people in our family stay out of jail.
Are you someone who suffers from the Sunday night blues? What helps you get over it?
Only if it's a weekend (like this past one) where I haven't gotten enough rest, haven't had any fun, and/or I'm dealing with illness or depression. I enjoy my job, but if I haven't refueled over the weekend, I dread setting that 4 a.m. alarm.
I read the color blue is an appetite suppressant since there are very few naturally blue foods out there. How do you feel about blue cheese? Love it or blech? If you're a fan, what's something you like that's made with blue cheese?
Blue cheese is nasty. If athlete's foot had a smell, it would smell exactly like blue cheese.. If I can't pick it out of a dish, I either don't eat the dish or suffer through it. BTW--if regular cheese looks or smells like that, you THROW IT AWAY! Gag!
We can't head in to the Labor Day weekend without a related question, can we? Complete this thought: I work best when...
...I'm left to work at my own pace. I get more done when I'm not being stared at.
"Everything yields to diligence." - Antiphanes. Your thoughts? (on this particular quote or on diligence in general)
I don't really understand the quote, so I can't comment on it. Who is Antiphanes?
Naccalula Falls
The National Park Service turned 100 years old on August 25th. Have you been to any of America's National Parks? If so share with us a favorite or two. Which National Park would you most like to visit before the next birthday rolls around?
I've yet to visit any of the National Parks. I've visited two of our State Parks: Cheaha State Park, and Lake Guntersville State Park. Both visits were in the context of other events (a wedding and a woman's conference). I need to go back and actually experience the parks. Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama isn't bad either. I wonder why it isn't considered a State Park?
Bid farewell to August in seven words or less.
Goodbye, Fear the Beak, and Roll Tide!
Insert your own random thought here.
I don't have any salient comments today, so I'll share something pretty. Enjoy.
If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today: Sunday, August 28, 2016
Outside my window … In a word...HOT. I've got such a severe case of cabin fever that's it's turned in to cabin malaria. While I don't want to rush the seasons, cooler temperatures can't get here fast enough.
I am thinking... The hiatus I took from social media in July was both the best and worst thing I could have done. The best, because when I signed back on, I found I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would. In fact, it's really getting on my nerves and I'm spending less and less time on it. The worst, because though I'm still taking proactive measures to find community, I'm still as lonely and disconnected as ever. It's pathetic and ridiculous.
I am thankful... Honestly, I'm not feeling very thankful right now. I'm running out of cheer up juice.
From the Workshop...
Keeping with the upcoming fall season, I made a scarecrow wreath for this month's senior dance prize.
Getting ready for the Christmas bazaar by starting my snow tree items. More to come.
I painted this from the photograph I took of the magnolias on the Ladiga Trail.
I am reading... I just finished one of the newer Mitford series books by Jan Karon. The review is here. A couple of friends and I are reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan together. It's been pretty interesting. We're just getting to the meat of the book, so I don't know what to make of it yet.
In my read through the Bible, I'm about halfway through Ezekiel. God willing, I'm going to do an exhaustive study of the Bible starting in 2017. Much of the Old Testament is still a mystery to me. I need to dig in and gain more understanding.
I am learning... I learned that change, though annoying, isn't always bad. Jacksonville Wal-Mart has changed their craft department again (add appropriate cuss words here). I was in need of Folk Art white acrylic paint for the painting above, and of course, they've quit stocking it. I normally don't fool with any other brand, but I didn't have time to drive to Lenlock, Oxford, or Gadsden to see if the other Wal-Marts still carried it, nor was a trip to Hobby Lobby feasible. I tried the Daler-Downey brand on display and found that I really enjoyed creating with it. This paint is very creamy and stays wet longer, thus it's easier to blend. I think I'm going to like it...that is, until Wal-Mart changes things again.
Favorite quote(s) of the week:
"Can we take a moment to appreciate fine china? I have a theory that much of the rudeness-ugliness-impatience in the world today stems from that moment we started drinking coffee on the run in ginormous disposable cups." - Joyce Daley, blogger: From This Side of the Pond.
"His relationship with Emma Newland [retired church secretary] personified what he'd heard about childbirth--one forgot the agony 'til the next time around." - Jan Karon, Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good.
"I'd rather hear an eighteen year old with faith than I had some wore out 40 year old who ain't got nothing but religion." - Kenneth Copeland
"Do you ever feel like Kudzu to the people around you--nobody wants you, and they try anything to get you to go away?" - Auntie's musings.
I am looking forward to...
The opening kickoff of college football season this weekend. Jacksonville State's first game is Thursday night. Alabama's kickoff is Saturday night.
The holiday weekend and getting some quiet refreshing rest.
Trying a couple of new 5ks in October.
The Marching Southerners reunion in November.
In the kitchen... Ok, I know I wasn't going to do posts on food, but I finally got make something out of Auntie's test kitchen for someone other than ME. I made this for a ladies' potluck Friday night. They picked the bowl clean, I'd say it was a success. BTW--I know I need to get back to that blog series. I'm working on it.
Info: Copyright 2014: New York: G. P. Putnam and Sons
Where acquired: Library check out.
Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags):# # # #
What it's about: Picking up where Light From Heaven left off (sort of), Jan Karon brings us back to the world of Father Tim Kavanagh and the downhome folks at Mitford. Retirement is not setting well with the Episcopal Vicar, while change is not setting well with the rest of the town. Changes in leadership, suicide, and angry teenagers bring Father Tim to the brink of breakdown. Through it all God remains faithful.
Favorite Quotes:
"His relationship with Emma Newland [retired church secretary] personified what he'd heard about childbirth--one forgot the agony 'til the next time around." - p. 90.
When questioned about the breed of his dog: "Mongrel, like the rest of us." - Father Brad. p. 341.
"Love is an act of endless forgiveness." - p. 350.
What I Liked:
This book is part of a series. Karon does a masterful job of weaving the differing storylines from the previous novels together.
The quotes sprinkled in about books and reading were quite enjoyable.
The humor infused in this volume gave many "LOL" moments.
The love letters between Father Tim and his wife, Cynthia were precious.
The Christmas celebration at the end of the book was truly moving.
What I didn’t like:
There were several instances of missing essential information. Without giving spoilers, an example would be that a character ended up in the emergency room, yet the outcome was never revealed.
What was the deal about the raisins?
Takeaway: I feel that my review doesn't do the book justice. Those of us who've read the previous series are glad to be back to the small town fun of Mitford. Reading the ups and downs of Father Tim is an inspirational example of exceptional living. Not only is Father Tim deeply spiritual, but remarkably intelligent and has the depth of feeling needed in any man of faith.
Info: Copyright 1993: Avenel, New Jersey: Gramercy Books (Originally Published in 1901).
Where acquired: Library check out.
Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags):# # # #
What it's about: Washington chronicles his progression from slavery in Virginia to establishing the Tuskegee Normal School (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama.
Favorite Quotes:
"I have begun everything with the idea that I could succeed, and I never had much patience with the multitudes of people who are always ready to explain why one cannot succeed." p. 49.
"Among a large class there seemed to be a dependence upon the government for every conceivable thing. The members of this class had little ambition to create a position for themselves, but wanted the federal officials to create one for them. How many times I wished then, and have often wished since, that by some power of magic I might remove the great bulk of these people into the country districts and plant them upon the soil, upon the solid and never deceptive foundation of Mother Nature, where all nations and races that have ever succeeded have gotten their start--a start that at first may be slow and toilsome, but one that nevertheless is real." - p. 66.
About the erection of the first official school building at Tuskegee: "When it is considered that the laying of this cornerstone took place in the heart of the South, in the Black Belt, in the center of the part of our country that was most devoted to slavery; that at that time slavery had been abolished only about sixteen years; that only sixteen years before that no Negro could be taught from books without the teacher receiving the condemnation of the law or of public sentiment--when all this is considered, the scene that was witnessed on that spring day in Tuskegee was a remarkable one. I believe there are few places in the world where it could have taken place." - pp. 105-106.
"My experience is that there is something in human nature which always makes an individual recognize and reward merit, no matter under what color of skin merit is found. I have found too that it is the visible, the tangible, that goes a long way in softening prejudices." p. 113.
"Right here, perhaps, I ought to add that I make it a rule never to go before an audience on any occasion without asking the blessing of God upon what I want to say." p. 157.
The entirety of Mr. Washington's Atlanta Exposition speech on pages 160-164.
"I believe that one always does himself and his audience an injustice when he speaks merely for the sake of speaking. I do not believe that one should speak unless, deep down in his heart, he feels convinced that he has a message to deliver. When one feels, from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head, that he has something to say that is going to help some individual or some cause, then let him say it; and in delivering his message I do not believe that many of the artificial rules of elocution can, under such circumstances, help him very much." pp. 178-179.
What I Liked:
Washington's story reads like a documentary with some old fashioned common sense thrown in.
The authors victories and defeats were not sugar coated. His writings expressed both a thorough enjoyment of the positive and the learning opportunities gleaned though the negative. An example is the school's first attempts at brick making. Several kilns failed, and Washington had to pawn a valuable watch to purchase materials for the kiln that finally succeeded.
Though more than 100 years old, Booker T. Washington's story of rising from obscurity to fame is an inspiration and encouragement to all, regardless of race. The book was a delight to read.
Now that I've read this, I'd like to take a tour of Tuskegee University.
I already have an electronic copy of this tome. I plan to make a hardcover edition a permanent part of my library.
What I didn’t like:
I was confused by a passage in chapter six. Washington described a scene on a segregated train car in which a black man, who by all distinguishing features couldn't be identified as black, was easily identified as so by the conductor's looking at his feet. Forgive my ignorance, but how is that possible if the man's feet were as pale as the rest of his skin? Weird.
Statement on page 194: "I have never seen a game of football." Now, that's just sad.
Though I enjoyed the presentation of special events in his life, Washington lists way too many names. Though I realize it is not, the listings read like filler material.
I would have liked to have heard about Mr. Washington's encounters with his students. As a teacher, I know that there are some students who stand out among their peers. Some anecdotal accounts of his teaching years would have been a great addition to the book.
Takeaway:
Booker T. Washington
Some have criticized this book because Washington was willing to befriend and accept aid from anyone, no matter his race. Washington's efforts were also criticized by some of his contemporaries, including W.E.B. DuBois, who felt that practical industrial work was beneath black students. Washington rallied for the teaching both industrial and intellectual studies. Today, we are facing some of the same problems. At present, some individuals consider practical industry beneath them, while others consider the intellectual "too white." It's really as sad state of affairs. This is not something I read; as a Southern black woman, I'm exposed to evidence of it nearly every day.
I think this book should be required reading in high schools and to any adult who hasn't read it. They will then know what "the struggle" really looks like. They will then know that it's important to put forth effort and "have some skin in the game" for anything, whether an education, a job, or any material possession, to have any intrinsic value. They will then know what true positive race relations look like. Mr. Washington accomplished all his success during the Reconstruction / Jim Crow era of Southern history. What was widely accepted law then, is illegal and subject to prosecution now. So, what's our problem?
I read here four creative activities to try this month. They were-calligraphy, make your own cookbook, dance or learn a new type of dance, and letter writing. Which activity on the list appeals to you most? Will you add it to your August?
All of them appeal to me, but I'd say letter writing means the most. I've actually been sending out letters and handwritten cards. I want to do more of it. They are much more personal than an e-mail, text, or direct message.
Bertrand Russell is quoted as saying, 'To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.' Agree or disagree? Explain.
I had to read the statement several times to try to figure out what it meant. I'm still not sure, but I'll dive in Yes, we can be happy even if we don't get everything we want. Some things we want are actually detrimental to us and we're better off without them. However, if we go through life never getting anything we want, it will tend to depression and hopelessness. Does not Scripture say in Proverbs 13:12, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life"?
August 17th is National Thriftshop Day...are you a 'thrifter'? If so, tell us about one of your best or favorite finds.
I do like to shop at thrift stores. However, I don't look for clothes as much as I used to: items never fit quite right, plus many tacky people donate smelly, faded, unwashed clothes in need of mending, rather than viable wardrobe items.
My favorite item to search for is books. Years ago, I had a rather large book collection. A "temporary poverty" (that lasted way too long) necessitated my selling most of my collection. I've slowly been rebuilding it through thrift stores, library book sales, and used book purchases from Amazon.com. Two of the most recent finds were the great classics Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon and The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
On a scale of 1-10 (with 1= almost none and 10=loads) how would you rate your sense of wanderlust? What kicks your wanderlust into high gear?
I'd say a strong 9.50. I'd love to travel; I simply don't have the wherewithal to venture too far from Calhoun Country right now. This time of year when parents and kids are coming home from vacation and starting school makes me wish I'd gone on some adventurous trip. Right now, my biggest adventure was my drive to Lincoln, Alabama this past weekend. I told y'all, "I ain't never been nowhere."
Has life felt more like a marathon or sprint so far this month? How so?
A sprint. This month is going by so quickly. That's fine with me. That means cooler weather, time outside, and football season are right around the corner.
What do you need to get a jump on before fall officially arrives?
Nothing I can think of.
What's the last thing you did with friends or family where you lost track of time?
My sister-in-blog, Annie, and I talked on Skype for the first time last week. It was delightful. We looked up and had been talking for more than an hour. It felt like mere minutes. We're planning on making a habit out of it.
Insert your own random thought here.
Last weekend, I participated in a 5k I'd never done before; the Historic Lincoln 5k in Lincoln, Alabama (thus my comment above). Again, I was at the back of the pack, but I did it. I could have done better, but portions of the course was very uneven ground. Keeping my balance was more important than my finishing time. Now, I'm in training mode until October.
If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today: Sunday, August 7, 2016
Outside my window … A nice late summer thunderstorm that will hopefully start a cooling trend. My poor bike is lonely in the laundry room, plus I need an excuse to buy a new pair of running shoes.
I am thinking... In case you missed my Hodgepodge post this week, I've been on a much needed hiatus from social media (among other things). I've been getting back in the swing of things this week. What I'm thinking about is how rusty my writing seems to be. My first few posts have been very difficult to create. I have in my head what I want, but conveying that on the screen has been extremely difficult. Hopefully writing will be like riding a bike and I'll pick it right up and cruise.
I'm also thinking about Sunday school. In my last Daybook, I talked about the trials of trying to find a new class. This unfortunate change felt necessary because I was getting more and more uncomfortable in my old class. I've still not found a class that is studying any deep, practical studies, nor have I found classmates to whom I can really relate. I almost envy my friend who's headed to Graduate School in Tuscaloosa (Roll Tide). She's found people her age who are really diving into the Word. I'm truly happy for her. I did, however, hook up with a group of ladies who have welcomed me like a sister. I think I'm going to camp in their class for a while. I suppose I'll just have to keep studying on my own for more depth, though it's much better when I have someone to share and trade insights with.
I am thankful... for a new week. Last week wasn't the best of weeks. I need a do-over.
From the Workshop... Finally finished the quilt-ghan.
This was another Eleanor Burns inspired project. I made it as a big sister gift to go along with a baby quilt gift for the little sister. OK, see, what had happened was...I made a baby afghan for my friend Annie's new baby, Ellie. Well, before I mailed it, I decided to make one for her big sister, Bea, since I'd not make anything for her. Well, I finished it and got it mailed in time for Ellie first birthday. Better late than never.
I am reading... I've completed a couple of books in my Bookworm challenge. The reviews are here and here.
In my read through the Bible, I just finished the book of Isaiah and am in the throws of Jeremiah.
The daily readings from Spugeon's Evening by Evening have been insightful and uplifting. He has such a poetic way of conveying the Word of God. It's all I can do not to speed through and finish rather than take the day-by-day devotional passages.
I've got several other books in progress. Hopefully I'll be finishing up more this week.
I am learning... I've learned never to dry my nails with a hair dryer. I didn't know that the heat keeps my nails wet. Yep, I jacked up my last nail painting session by doing that.
Favorite quote(s) of the week:
"In order to be successful in any kind of undertaking, I think the main thing is
for one to grow to the point where he completely forgets himself, that is, to
lose himself in a great cause. In proportion as one loses himself in this way,
in the same degree does he get the highest happiness out of his work." - Booker T. Washington
The Lincoln 5k this Saturday. I've not done this one before. I've never driven to Lincoln either.
Cooler weather so I can get outside for more walks and rides.
Football season (ROLL TIDE & FEAR THE BEAK).
Labor day. I need a day off.
Christmas. I'm not sure why. As wonderful as Christmas is, that time of year is usually very lonely and depressing for me and I usually never get to give how I want to.
And now for something totally different...
This world is full of the interesting and the strange. No more stranger things are found but those in the women's section of a clothing store. Ellen DeGeneres once said, "Men's jeans are sized by length and width and they usually fit, but women's jeans are sized by someone who hates women." She's right, plus, I'm convinced women's clothing manufacturers and stores think women are stupid and will buy ANYTHING.
My sister and I were out shopping and saw these two little ditties:
This is a shirt at JC Penny. No, that doesn't say "ox" is says "zero X." Zero X? WTH? There's no such thing. Sizing is XS, S, M, L, XL (or 1X), 2X, etc. There ain't no zero X. Do they really think big girls are so dumb that this convinces them that they are a size zero? Come on! This is as ridiculous as the sizing in stores like Target. Their plus sized department is full of clothes marked 1, 2, or 3. These don't stand for 1X, 2X, and 3X. We don't know WHAT they stand for since NOTHING fits no matter what number is on the size tag. Hey, plus size clothing designers, could y'all just make clothes that FIT and put the correct sizes on them? Is that too much to ask?
We saw this at Cato. Is it a bale of hay? A giant peanut? A corn husk? If that's an acorn, I'd hate to see the squirrel that hides that sucker for the winter. I think this is supposed to be a purse. No, just, no!
Man, this stuff is making Wal-Mart look tame.
Southern Women Channel's YouTube Channel shared:
From Facebook: S. Williams shared:
From Facebook: J. Scull shared:
From Facebook:
Saturday marked my third go at the Woodstock 5k. The first time, I did it in 57:55. The second trip was as the sweeper, so no time was kept since I wasn't officially in the race. This time, I finished in 58:45, so my pace is pretty much the same. My health is better, but I knew that there would be no hardware for me...so I thought.
New to the race was the opportunity to purchase a finisher's medal. I'd only heard of getting finisher's medals for half and full marathons, not 5ks. That, plus the $8.00 price tag gave me pause. I consider the race shirt as my reward for finishing; everything else is gravy. Boy, did I get some gravy.
For starters, on the way to packet pick up, I got a message from Mrs. Melba, one of my running heroes. She had purchased a finisher's medal for me. That loving gesture floored me.
OK, the race hasn't even started, and I'm wanting to do the ugly cry...
The race director honored me by asking me to help hand out the medals at the awards ceremony. That whole process was unnerving, and I accidentally swapped the male and female medals in one age group (sorry Neeli). It was fun, plus, our Black Girls Run group won in our race category. (woot!)
OK, now it's about to get weird.
Each year, the board of Anniston Runners Club votes on the Skylar Brady award. Incredibly, they voted for me.
**insert ugly cry here**
Two days later, and I'm still in shock. An award? Me? No! They don't give stuff like this to someone like me. I still don't know how to process receiving such an honor. I've had a hard time acknowledging it. I give God the glory.
What it's about: Lorraine Archer, a governess in Australia, and Donovan Riggs, a World War II Naval officer from California, are on a literal crash course to love. Their story is one initially filled with desperation, grief, and anger, but ends in tenderness and stronger faith in the Lord.
Favorite Quotes:
I didn't really have any favorite quotes, per se.
What I Liked:
Every Storm was a very sweet story that drew me to complete the book rather quickly.
The characters experienced real pain and doubt, yet they also experienced true love, family closeness, and happiness. They weren't plastic, predictable, or trite "Christian" characters.
Having the book set in the World War II era was a new setting for this author. She did a good job in bringing the reader to that time period.
What I didn’t like:
I couldn't really pinpoint anything specific that I didn't like about this novel. It wasn't bad, but it seemed to be missing something. I simply can quite pinpoint what the missing element is.
I've read many of Wick's books, and this one wasn't her best. It didn't seem to go as deeply spiritually or romantically as other works by Wick such as Sophie's Heart and Bamboo and Lace, yet it wasn't bad.
SPOILER ALERT: Without giving away names, one of the characters dies. There should have been more about his family and the aftermath of his death. Yes, he was a minor character, but we needed more information.
Takeaway: Every Storm was a fun read. I would recommend it as a end of the summer read or any time of relaxed reading.
I've been on social media hiatus/sabbatical for the last month. I know this line of questions is from July, but Joyce isn't going to do another hodgepodge until next week. I was anxious to get back in the swing of things, so I've got to work with what I have.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why? (1=eh and 10=best summer ever)
I think I'd give it a five. Some things about this summer have been good: I've been at the YMCA for a year now. I've made some improvements to my health that I'm very pleased with. Plus, I attended my first Braves game. However, there are things about the summer that haven't been so pleasant: I'm used to hot Southern summers, but this one has been so oppressively hot and humid that I've not spent much time outside to walk, ride, or enjoy the scenery. I'm hoping to spend a lot of time outdoors during the fall. Though I've made some more positive changes to my health, my energy still isn't up to par. I hope it's just the heat and not something more serious.
July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).
I'm not very close to any of my Aunts and Uncles. I've been an Auntie since birth--really, my sister Laura Dale had her oldest child before I was born. I have so many good memories of my nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews; it's hard to pick a favorite. The first one I thought of was when my grand nephew, Ferendez, and his younger sister, Makayla, used to spend a lot of time with me. Our favorite thing to do is to ride in the car singing Veggietales songs at the top of our lungs. If you've every heard the them to Veggietales, you know there's a line that says "broccoli, celery, gotta be...Veggietales!" Well, the kids were only 3 and not quite a year old, so it came out "BROCKAEE, BROCKAEE, BROCKAEE, VEGGIETALES!" By the way, they are 20 and almost 18 now and will probably have a cow that I told that story
What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?
Dipped in chocolate: Caramel, nougat, and peanuts (also known as a Snicker's bar). Dipped in cheese: Tortilla chips.
When were you last astonished by something? Explain.
I'm astonished by the laziness and stupidity of people nearly every day.
Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?
Pinterest board.
What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?
The resurrection of Jesus. That is where true freedom is found, where true love is displayed, where sin, sickness, and rejection are defeated, and where eternal life is secured.
If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?
Tuskegee, Alabama
San Antonio, Texas
Phoenix, Arizona
Los Angeles, California
San Francisco, California
Insert your own random thought here.
Got a lot on my mind. Too much to put here. I enjoyed my break from the net, but I'm glad to be back, limited though it will be.
