Last Train to Tuscaloosa: The Weekly Digest and Weekly Hodgepodge

Getting outside....

Update on the sunflower.  The original bloom has faded, but new ones kept popping up.  So for a little while longer I got to see these smiling friends on my morning walk.  The last time I went back, all the friends were gone.  I'm assuming that after the flowers were spent and no new ones bloomed, the grounds keepers took up the plant.  That's sad; they should have left it so the birds could have the seeds, but oh well.

The lavender is still thriving.
 

Caught this magpie (I think) on a limb during a walk.

Favorite quote(s) of the week... 

Who am I? They often tell me
I step out from my cell
calm and cheerful and poised,
like a squire from his manor.

Who am I? They often tell me
I speak with my guards
freely, friendly and clear,
as though I were the one in charge.

Who am I? They also tell me
I bear days of calamity
serenely, smiling and proud,
like one accustomed to victory.

Am I really what others say of me?
Or am I only what I know of myself?
Restless, yearning, sick, like a caged bird,
struggling for life breath, as if I were being strangled,
starving for colors, for flowers, for birdsong,
thirsting for kind words, human closeness,
shaking with rage at power lust and pettiest insult,
tossed about, waiting for great things to happen,
helplessly fearing for friends so far away,
too tired and empty to pray, to think, to work,
weary and ready to take my leave of it all?

Who am I? This one or the other?
Am I this one today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? Before others a hypocrite
and in my own eyes a pitiful, whimpering weakling?
Or is what remains in me like a defeated army,
Fleeing in disarray from victory already won?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, thou knowest me; O God, I am thine! - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

George MacDonald, Diary of an Old Soul, p. 194.

 

 

 

 

 

"Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow." Narrator, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Chapter 27. 

 

I'm thinking about...  

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

From Volume 670 

 

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football.  

 

I'd say my level of fandom is around 8.5-9.0/10.  I really enjoy college football, but I've also lived in Broncos country for nearly 10 years.  Each fall I look forward to cheering for the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and my alma mater Jacksonville State University (Fear the Beak!).  The benefit for rooting for JSU is that even if the team sucks, the Marching Southerners always win halftime.

 

The first few years I lived in Colorado, I had no interest in the Broncos at all.  The coaches and team had downright nasty attitudes.  One player even said in a press conference that playing for the Broncos was something he had to "put up with" until he could move on to a better team.  After that, I ignored the team until a few years ago: apparently they fired or traded several people and the overall attitude improved.  I also think seeing names I recognized like Pat Surtain III and Jerry Jeudy, who both played for the Tide, helped pique my interest.  So I'm still not as deep into the NFL as I am college ball, but I'm slowly becoming a fan.

 

BTW--for my fellow Tide fans:  Yes, I know that Bo Nix played for "them" (Auburn), but he plays for "us" (the Broncos) now, so hush!  😊

 

What's something you currently have a game plan for managing? 

My fabric scraps.  Because I don't yet have the space or budget for a large fabric stash I try to "get all the goody" out of my leftovers without getting bored with seeing them over and over.  After I finish a quilt or quilt top (and know for sure I'm done), I cut the leftovers into three sizes:  9.50-inch squares, 5-inch squares, and 2.50-inch strips.  Anything smaller than that I'm fine with tossing.  Maybe in the future I can learn to make pet beds for the humane society and stuff them with the pieces too small to use, but not now.

 

I can make several types of scrap quilts out of those sizes when I have enough of them.  Last time, I also cut 3.50-inch squares and made 9-patch blocks (I had a lot of leftover white fabric) and paired them with leftover 9.50 inch squares (see photo).

 

My scrap system also gives me the chance to practice my cutting and to learn new techniques without the fear that I'm wasting fabric. 

 

From Volume 671  

Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World).

Several years ago I took a train trip from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado for work.  I didn't feel well, so the trip wasn't as fun as it could have been, but it was still pleasant.  I wouldn't mind another train trip; I'm just not sure of the destination yet.

Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

This is going to sound incredibly selfish and probably childish, but I'm happy when my birthday is a big deal to those I love.  Now, big deal doesn't mean that it has to be expensive or extravagant.  My birthday is right around Memorial Day, so I celebrate by taking the whole week off (this year two weeks) to relax and play.

Would I like a party?  Sure.  In 2027 I will turn 55 so I figure that's an important enough milestone.  I've been debating on whether it's tacky--or even practical--to throw myself a party.  Yes, it's my birthday, but I want the party to be a way to honor anyone who attends.  Like a child, I want to give away fun party bags or something like that.

I'm not hard to please...or entertain, apparently.

What I've read since my last digest... 

• Unspoken Sermons:  Series 1 by George MacDonald ✮✮✮1/2 (Category:  My Inklings Summer).
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett ✮✮✮✮ (Category:  Kiddie Lit).

I'm currently reading...

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
• Unspoken Sermons:  Series 2 by George MacDonald

My current "crock pot" reads (slow and steady reads that will take a while):  

• Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald 
• The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy L. Sayers 
• The Courage to Create by Rollo May  

Recent blog posts... 

• My previous digest, "Leaning In Without Falling Over" is here. 
• My latest book review (revisited) of The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell is here.
• Government Cheese:  The Weekly Hodgepodge is here. 
• Five Minute Friday:  "Lazy." is here. 
• My "2026 Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly).  
• My "26 for 2026" challenge is here. (Updated regularly)
• My "26 for 2026" art challenge is here.  (Updated regularly). 

From the Workshop... 

See my latest Monday Mess Making post "Create This Book - 01" here. 

 

I am thankful for...

• All who read my blogs.
• Beautiful cooler weather.
• Ice packs.
• Text reminders about appointments even though they annoy me sometimes.
• Door stops.
• The correction of a dangerous traffic situation.  A confusing two-way stop was converted to a four-way stop.  There have been several accidents and near misses at that intersection.
• Indoor plumbing.
• Parks.
• Gift cards.
• Paper napkins that work in a pinch. 

 

 

Government Cheese: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? 

Absolutely not.  I probably could learn, but this is one of those areas that's best that I trust the professionals and save my self time and consternation.

I'm going to just leave this here... 

I'm feeling a little on the "taxed" side right now.  Though I'm busy all year at my full-time job, spring is my busiest season.  With commencement and all of the end of the school year reports and preparations, I'm ready for a long break.  I've been taking a vacation day here and there and having some long weekends, but I need some extended time away from my desk.  I've already put in for my summer break at the end of May, so that should do the trick.

When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

At present I don't travel enough to share any tips, but when I do travel, I mull over what I need to bring while trying to keep it light.  I pack what I can a few days ahead (some things like medicines have to wait until the day of). 

April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level?

I enjoy the occasional grilled cheese sandwich.  I don't add anything special to it--just Colby-Jack cheese between slices of wheat bread, cooked with either butter or Blue Bonnet spread.  Hey, I'm simple; I grew up eating grilled cheese sandwiches made with "government cheese" and white bread, so my sandwich now is an upgrade.  

What would be the "next level" of a grilled cheese without turning it into a melt or panini?

There's a well known quote that says, "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." - John A. Shedd.  Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

Stability and peace come with growth.  I believe that regular periods of growth are more achievable than  constant growth.  Stagnation leads to undesirable regression. 

Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips? Yes.
• lemonade or iced tea?  Mix them to make an Arnold Palmer.
• gardening or hiking?  Gardening (of sorts).  I'm looking forward to being able to safely put annuals in my flower pots in front of my apartment.
• ladybugs or butterflies?  In nature?  Both.  To paint?  Butterflies.
• umbrella or raincoat?  Stay in the house out of the rain.
• floral patterns or polka dots?  Floral patterns.

Insert your own random thought here. 

In case you missed it:  

• My previous Hodgepodge post "Fake Spring 2026" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post:  #43 - Looking for the King by David Downing is here. 
• My latest Five Minute Friday post:  "Lazy" is here. 
• My "2026 Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly).  
• My "26 for 2026" challenge is COMING SOON. (Updated regularly)
• My "26 for 2026" art challenge is COMING SOON.  (Updated regularly). 

Fake Spring 2026: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

From Pinterest

It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? 

Here in Colorado, we've seen every season in rapid succession.  So far this month we've gone from snow and freezing temps to summer-like temperatures near 90 degrees.  The Bradford Pear Trees are blooming and the birds are singing, but I'm not fooled.  We've gotten snow as late as the week before Memorial Day.

What's your favorite thing about spring? 

Even if it is Colorado's traditional "fake" spring or the real one, getting outside for sun and fresh air is so invigorating.  The longer days means the mulligrubs are better held at bay.  Late May is also when I take my yearly week-long spring stay-cation. This season presents so much to thoroughly enjoy and eagerly anticipate.

Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

Actually, "spring cleaning" seems to be more apropos.  I'm not just speaking of the physical cleaning of the home (although I'll be slowly doing that too).  I'm thinking more of a clean reset both mentally and physically.  I'm in a good place, but though we've had a mild winter so far, this year has had a very slow start.   

Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun (spring mix), artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions.

Out of the list, spinach is my favorite...although I have been craving deviled eggs lately.  Speaking of spinach, one way I like to use it is in protein shakes.  However, the company that made the whey protein power I used went out of business a couple of years ago.  I am now on the hunt for vanilla whey protein powder that doesn't contain artificial sweeteners and doesn't cost as much as a full bill of groceries.  The closest I've come is the Naked Whey on Amazon.  However, it's only 16 ounces of powder (only about 12 servings) and costs almost $30 a canister.  Yikes!  I may have to give up on the idea of protein shakes a little while longer.

What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

From Google

I have a list of sorts in my head.  The big nagging cleaning task I've been putting off is cleaning the interior of my car.  It's organized enough, but it needs a good wipe down and vacuuming.  I can go to the car wash to clean the outside of the car, but I can't figure out how to use the car vacs for the inside. So I have to use a small broom and dustpan to clean the floorboard and seats.  Our apartment complex doesn't have any outside electrical outlets (that I can find), otherwise I'd use the attachments on my vacuum cleaner.

Insert your own random thought here. 

In case you missed it:  

• My previous Hodgepodge post "Flat as a To-Do List" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post:  #43 - Looking for the King by David Downing is here. 
• My "2026 Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly).  
• My "26 for 2026" challenge is COMING SOON. (Updated regularly)
• My "26 for 2026" art challenge is COMING SOON.  (Updated regularly). 

Flat as a To-Do List: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

From Volume 641:

Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

I'm a big fan of pancakes.  My favorite recipe for them is here. My preferred way to eat them is topped with fruit and with a side of scrambled eggs.  I'll eat them with syrup or little honey if fruit is in short supply.  This week I do plan to make a batch and freeze the extras.

Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

From Pinterest

This past couple of months have felt that way to some extent.  Along with my full-time job, I taught a course at the university, so I've not had much time left for blogging or other creativity.  The winter weather here in Colorado has been very mild, so I have been getting out and walking as much as I can.  So that's something.

There's always tasks to complete on my job, but this is the beginning of my "busy season."  The university as a whole is preparing for commencement, and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies is preparing their portion of the annual board of trustees report (what I lovingly call the "Big Bad BOT Book").  I have a list of related tasks a mile long to get done.

To keep my sanity (and my hair), I'm planning some mini vacations before my yearly week-long vacation the end of May.      

From Volume 642: 

Three sounds you love to hear? 

1. The laughter of children.
2. Any good music.
3. The morning crows, magpies, and geese that have been chiming through my windows lately. 

Three sounds you hate to hear? 

1. The screeching of tires.
2. Any loud-pitched noise.
3. The strident belting out of unnecessary vulgarity.  Y'all know that I'm no prude and I come from a very "cussy" family (and I even let one fly every once in a while), so it takes a lot of potty language to get me ruffled.  Some folks don't have any larger vocabulary than the F-word.  Come on, you're better than that.

From Pinterest

We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

It's not on my calendar yet, but March 23-27 is the on-campus student's Spring Break.  The online students do not have a spring break this year (it happens occasionally). However, Lord willing (and I can swing it), those days will be my spring break.. If not, I'll take days closer to Good Friday since we get that holiday off anyway.  

Insert your own random thought here.  

In case you missed it:  

• My previous Hodgepodge post "The Skip Ad Button" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post:  #43 - Looking for the King by David Downing is here. 
• My "2026 Baby Got Stacks" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly).  
• My "26 for 2026" challenge is COMING SOON. (Updated regularly)
• My "26 for 2026" art challenge is COMING SOON.  (Updated regularly). 

The Skip Ad Button: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holiday season? What helps you keep your focus when the season’s busyness and commercialism start to take over?

Quite honestly, I'm bombarded with so many advertisements in my daily life that I've become irritatingly numb to it all.  No, seriously, I can't play a game, watch a video, listen to a podcast, partake of any social media, or even enjoy come calming music--even if I bought it--without being jarred mercilessly by some goober screaming at me to buy something I don't want, need, or care about.  Thank the Lord for the occasional "Skip Ad" button.

I don't know if it's because of a lifetime of fighting abject poverty, or having practical parents who reared us by the words of the Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want.  But if you try sometime you'll find you get what you need," or a combination of both, but the attitudes of excessive consumerism and overconsumption present not only during Christmas but year-round depress me--they literally hurt my soul.

I know it's become a cliche, but I've learned that having things isn't wrong, but when things have me, I'm in deep trouble.  When having the next big thing is more important than connecting with a neighbor, when standing in line at 4:00 in the morning and pushing people out of the way to buy a tumbler that costs more than a tank of gas when you can buy that same tumbler for $13 at Hobby-Lobby without the famous name on it means more than showing up at 9:00 a.m. to worship God, and when having friends is based on who looks good and has goods takes precedence over who is good to others, this person's existence is one dimensional and quite sad.

What keeps me grounded are the words of Agur:  "Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God" (Proverbs 30:7-9, Holy Bible:  New International Version). My goal in life is to have enough to be well taken care of so that I can be more generous to others in need.

What's one small thing you want to savor before the year ends? 

 

Time with people.  I had a good friend here in Colorado suddenly pass away the day before Thanksgiving.  It was tragic and totally unexpected.  She'd invited me to spend the holiday with her family, but it wasn't to be. This makes my desire to savor every minute of every face-to-face interaction with people more crucial.     

December 9th is National Christmas Card Day. Do you still send Christmas cards? If so does yours include a photo or is it a more traditional card, or maybe homemade? How do you feel about the tradition of exchanging cards at the holidays? If Hanukkah is the holiday you celebrate in December do you send cards to mark the occasion? 

Ah, here's where I can safely ask the question that's been a burr in my saddle for a number of years.  I do enjoy sending/receiving cards whether homemade, customized through a printing service, or storebought.  Having family photos as part of, or an addendum to a card is nice.  However, I've got a real dilemma about the yearly "newsletter" type cards. 

Stick with me here.

If we're friends and see each other's events on social media and/or in-person, I find a family newsletter redundant (and depending on who it is and how it's done, tacky). The ironic thing is that I don't get those kind of updates from anyone I'm not as closely connected to (where they would be welcome and informative).  This is where my question comes in:  would it be tacky for me to create a kind of yearly wrap up to send to my friends and family back home who may not see (or take time to read) a blog post or social media post?  No, I don't have cute kids, pets, or men to show off, and I don't have the self-inflated idea that my life is all that memorable or important.  In all honesty, I don't want to be forgotten and want to share even the little joys of my life that add up over the year with the people I love.

What's your least favorite holiday related task? What's your favorite? 

Sometimes decorating can be a pain, but not something I dislike.  I'm just not great at making my decorations look like a Normal Rockwell painting or a Hallmark card...and I don't care.  My favorite "task" is anything that I can create for the holidays, whether it's and arts/crafts project or a recipe.

Speaking of the holiday:  Instead of the 40 days of thanks I normally do on my blog, I'm doing a 30 day photo challenge over on Instagram.   Check it out if you're interested...or bored (at this point, I just appreciate the interaction).

Insert your own random thought here.

In case you missed it:  

• My previous Hodgepodge post "Plating It Up" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post: #40: Put Your Dream to the Test by John C. Maxwell is here. 
• My "25 for 2025" challenge is here.  (Updated regularly)
• My "2025 I Can Only Blame MyShelf Reading Challenge" is here. (Updated regularly)

Plating it Up: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

 

Do you feel like you have a 'full plate' at the moment? In what way?

Yes, and no.  I finished up teaching a course a couple of weeks ago, so one huge thing was removed from my plate.  Now I'm heading into the fun season of a full plate.  I'm prepping for holiday celebrations and my upcoming two week Christmas break.  I'm also looking over my 25 for 2025 list to see what fun things are left to complete.

How did you learn to cook? If you have children did you teach or encourage them to cook? Do you like to follow a recipe or is your cooking style more 'let's wing it'.  

Most of my cooking skills came from observation mixed with trial and error.  I took Home Economics in 7th grade.  However, as I've mentioned previously, the teacher's "Pitchfork and Torches" technique of instruction did nothing for either my sewing or cooking skills. Fortunately my mom and my older sisters Ida and Margie were great examples to observe when I was younger.  I "inherited by osmosis" their propensity to be able to either follow a recipe to a T, or tweak it depending on what's needed.

Last time you bit off more than you could chew? Elaborate. 

Although I've been at this for four years, every new college course I teach feels that way to some extent. The students who dig deep and challenge me with questions aren't the problem--they are a delight.  The students who don't care, don't do the work, and have no respect for the subject (and sometimes the instructor) infuriate me and occasionally send me into existential dread.

Hey, I take theology seriously. 

When did you last say 'the more the merrier' and mean it? 

Whenever any of my friends and I get together for something fun, I'm game for as many as are able to enjoy. 

Write an acrostic using the word T-H-A-N-K-S. 

Today
Have 
A
New
Kind of 
Song in your heart 

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." - Colossians 3:16 (The Holy Bible: New International Version)

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. 

Insert your own random thought here. 

In case you missed it:  

• My previous Hodgepodge post "Puppy Power" is here.
• My latest Weekly Digest "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is here.
  
• My latest First Line Friday post: #39:  The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald is here. 
• My "25 for 2025" challenge is here.  (Updated regularly)
• My "2025 I Can Only Blame MyShelf Reading Challenge" is here. (Updated regularly)