Wednesday, April 8, 2015

A Wednesday Hodgepodge


1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket at your house?
We have a random basket on a coffee table that holds all sorts of remotes that are awaiting their assignment. We just have to find the TVs, stereos, blue-ray players they go to and decide where to put those things. Sigh. Moving. Oh, there are also take-out menus and a power cord to something and coasters and instructions for a blue-ray player and a dust rag and printed out HOA rules and recycling guidelines in the same basket. Because that makes total sense. (It's not even a terribly large basket.)

2. 'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~Michelangelo Buonarroti )
So which one are you...the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?
I don't really like to admit it, but I think my "aim" is often too low.
I have never seen The Sistine Chapel and I always thought Michelangelo was a one named dude. Learn something new every day, huh?

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm...wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?
I think beer tastes (and smells) like gross liquid bread.
My favorite recipe that uses beer is Pioneer Woman's Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika. Oh man, that stuff is so yummy!

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How'd it go?
We made a quick trip to Charlotte, NC in February.
We haven't done much exploring of our new state, yet. Moving projects will keep one from doing things like that, I guess.
We are planning on going to Charleston, SC in a couple of weeks. I've always wanted to visit there and I'm pretty excited that we live  only three hours from there!
 
5. The value of a professional athlete is greatly overrated.
They get paid an outrageous amount of money for doing something that does not add a lot of value to society.

6. What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?

Wait staff that isn't trained and/or isn't attentive. We ate out recently at a fairly nice restaurant where our waiter was a very quiet talker. So quiet, in fact, that when he came to the table to take our orders, he just stood there and did not say a thing! I initially wanted to wait to speak until he said something, but then I just wanted him to go away as quickly as possible. He gave me the heebie jeebies!

7. It's Poetry Month...share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.
Can't say I have a favorite poem. Poetry has never interested me much. (Except when Hubby writes me one of his famous "Roses are red, violets are blue" poems. They are very original!)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My daughter texted me this picture a couple of weeks ago. This is my mom and my granddaughter. They share the same middle name of Mae.

 My daughter called me to tell me the story of this visit. She lives about 40 minutes west of where my parents live. One Tuesday about two weeks ago, my daughter woke up from a nap and had a voice mail from my dad. My parents had left the house that morning to go to a doctor's appointment for my mom, but it was canceled at the last minute. Mom indicated (she has no speech due to a stroke about 18 months ago) that she didn't want to go back home. My dad has an amazing ability to ask Mom enough questions to figure out what she is wanting. He says that after 62 years of marriage he ought to be able to read her facial expressions and just plain understand her. Dad asked Mom if she wanted to go out for lunch. She nodded her head yes, then no. Meaning, Dad discerned, that she was fine with eating lunch out, but she wanted to do something else. While they were eating lunch, Mom kept pointing west. So Dad asked and asked trying to figure out what was she was pointing towards. He finally asked, "Do you want to go meet Lydia Mae?" to which he received a resounding "Uh Huh" and a strong nod of the head yes!

I got tears in my eyes (and do now as I write this out) when I first heard this story. I shake my head in amazement at what my mom has accomplished since her stroke despite the things she cannot do. I also am so moved by my dad's care for my mom.

9 comments:

  1. What a wonderful story of your Mom and a wonderful picture as well.

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  2. That is so, so sweet that your mother got to go see your daughter!

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  3. Such a sweet sweet picture and story to go with. So glad she has had the joy of meeting her great-granddaughter. You will love Charleston-such a fabulous city! There are a bazillion places to eat, shop, and explore history. Have lunch at Poogans Porch : )

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  4. What a wonderful story about your mom and dad ... and I'm so glad she was able to meet her new great granddaughter. So sweet.

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  5. What a beautiful story and pic of your Mom and her great granddaughter. Great way to start my day!

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  6. Such a sweet photo of your mom and your granddaughter! Just beautiful.
    I'm going to try that beef stew with beer and paprika. Sounds delicious!

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  7. Sweetest story ever about your Mom and Dad. His love for her shines through and her tenacity does as well. And it's just a flat out sweet story!

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  8. Love the story about your mom and dad...just precious, as is the photo. Talk about love personified!

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  9. A "one-named dude"! Hilarious but I never gave it a thought before either! lol

    Here's my hodgepodge:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2015/04/hodgepodge-4815.html

    Colletta

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