Wednesday, August 16, 2017

August 16 Hodgepodge


Wednesday again, and time for the Hodgepodge with Joyce and friends at From This Side of the Pond.  Head on over and get the questions, answer them on your own blog and then go back to Joyce's and link up!

The photos today will all be from Nevada, and most were taken by my husband or by my daughter or son-in-law.   Please do click on the scenic photos to enlarge them.  The smaller size simply cannot do this scenery justice.

 Here are this week's questions:
 
1. Do your actions match your words? Elaborate.  

I hope that they do.  More importantly, I want for my actions to line up with God's Word.  James 1 tells us,

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
"For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
"For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."  (James 1:22-25)

2. Sick as a dog, go to the dogs, dog days of summer, dog tired, it's a dog's life, every dog has its day, can't teach an old dog new tricks...now doggone it which saying could most recently be applied to your life?

 Dog tired would be one.  A combination of jet lag, altitude, a red-eye flight, and just plain general busyness -- I'm starting to feel a bit better, though.  Still, I fell asleep while praying this morning and woke up over an hour later!

  Dog days of summer fits too.  It's not bad here, but out West, temps were between 95º and 100º every day.  No humidity, so it didn't feel quite as awful as it does here on a hot day, but still ... We discovered handmade neck coolers on this trip.   

Can't teach an old dog new tricks seems apropos also.  There is so much to all of this estate stuff, and most of it is out of my comfort zone.
3. Your favorite book featuring a dog in the storyline? What makes it a favorite?

Oh boy, that's a tough one.  As a pre-teen I loved all those tear-jerker dog and horse stories like Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, and many more.  Nowadays (I had to really think about this one) I guess I would say the Mitford books by Jan Karon.  Father Tim's dog, Barnabas, is a true friend and an integral part of the story line.  These are favorite books of mine because I can revisit them in stressful times and just feel refreshed by a visit to Mitford.
4. What's something you hope to one day have the confidence to do?

Start an Etsy shop.

5. August 16th is National Tell a Joke Day. So tell us a joke.

You know, I just don't feel in a very jokey mood.  Nothing is striking me funny right now.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Just trying to get my thoughts together as to blog posts I hope to do this month.  I have several in mind, it's just getting my thoughts organized and doing the work.  And of course there are a zillion other thoughts in my head right now -- grocery list and menus, estate tasks, appointments for this week, church activities and pastoral search, friends going through difficulties, Sunday School lesson prep, homemaking tasks, and much more.

22 comments:

  1. I never think of Nevada as being beautiful, but i guess i was wrong. That first scene especially is gorgeous. After reading your Random, I felt tired too! No wonder you fell asleep during prayer. I hope you have a good and productive week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, parts of Nevada are strikingly beautiful. My son-in-law has a habit of occasionally sending us photos from his phone. He usually titles them "Beautiful Nevada", and it really is, especially in summer and fall.

      Delete
  2. I cannot watch animal films. I could barely watch Lassie as a child.lol Hope you are recovering from your trip and I know you do have a lot on you to settle your father's estate. I had a hard time getting up this morning as I could have slept in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am the same way about animal films, Arlene. And tear-jerking songs about dogs, such as "Old Shep" completely undid me even as a child. I would sit in front of the TV and sob.

      Yes, the estate proceedings go on. Nothing is easy or simple even though I believe my parents thought it would be.

      Delete
  3. Your photos are all lovely. I think it is amazing how beautiful America is. The landscape is so different from coast to coast.
    I love my dogs so I could go and on with a list of books with dogs that are on my favorites list.
    It is definitely dogs days of summer here. So hot and muggy it takes everything out of you to go outside. My flowers are a mess, but I just can't do anything about it yet.
    I feel your pain on the estate stuff. It took me forever to sort things out and I know they thought everything was all set. I am sure I think I have mom all set now and I will learn again I don't if I outlive her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you, Sandy. I am always completely amazed at America's diverse beauty.

      Yes, one of my cousins who has lost both parents (and who is their only surviving child, like me) told me that it is much more difficult getting things sorted out after the second parent dies. Like you, I'm sure my parents thought everything was all set.

      Delete
  4. The Father Tim stories are my favorites. Barnabas was wonderful. Mitford is a place I would like to live. I have pre-ordered the next installment. It comes out next month. I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mitford is a place where I would like to live too, Trudy! Not perfect, as no place is, but just a great place to live. Too bad it is fictional!

      Delete
  5. Beautiful photos...I have never been out west...such a different kind of landscape! I am glad I am not the only one who has fallen asleep when I was praying...lol! Oh, and about my joke, my own hubby's name is Jim :D Enjoy the rest of your week. Oh, and thank you for your comment on my old post about the wallpaper back splash!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a very different kind of landscape, Debby, but parts of it are very beautiful indeed.

      I was thinking your hubby's name was Jim. Still, he probably chuckles at your joke!

      Oh, you are welcome for the comment on the old post. I found it fascinating. We have about given up on wallpaper here, but that just might change our minds.

      Delete
  6. I opened an Etsy Shop a couple of years ago. It scared me to death. But it's really not too bad. I've sold a few things and it's kinda fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The part that scares me the most is the photography, Cathy. That and the shipping process. Other than that, I can see how it would be fun.

      Delete
  7. Beautiful photos! Looks as if you had a wonderful visit with your daughter and her family. Hope that you are soon feeling your usual self. Estate stuff...I hear you...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vee! We did indeed have a wonderful time and I hope to share about all that we did while out there. Lots of adventures, fun, and memory making.

      I know you can relate to the estate stuff -- I keep using that word "stuff". The politest way I can think of to describe it. Hope the process is going as well as possible for you.

      Delete
  8. Lovely photos. I'm not surprised you're tired looking at your to do list. Hope you get completely over the jet lag soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Wendy. I think the jet lag is gone. Just tired from everything else I'm doing. I do feel as if I'm sort of getting a new lease on life, very gradually.

      Delete
  9. Hope you can get rested soon. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, David. You have a great week too!

      Delete
  10. Your photos are beautiful. The covered wagon photo is my favorite of all of them. I've never been to Nevada. I would love to some day visit the historical sites there.

    I hope that you will be rested soon and have the energy to do what is required of you. Be sure to work in some fun stuff, too!

    Have a blessed weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Suzanne. The wagon is at the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, NV. Amazingly, this wonderful museum is free! When I looked out at the wagon it just really was like looking back in time. Interstate 80 is just beyond (if you look closely at the photo you might catch a glimpse of a car or two) but really it looks so much as it probably did back then.

      Yes, we will work in fun stuff, too. Had a picnic by a lake last evening and saw a glorious sunset. Just booked a late-October weekend at our favorite getaway place. That's something to look forward to!

      Delete
  11. Gorgeous photos!! Their amazing on the big screen computer.
    I can relate to your "dog days" in being so tired,I actually took a two hour nap this afternoon,I was exhausted to say the least.
    Your answer to number one should be the desire of all of our hearts. Excellent verse you shared.

    Enjoy the remainder of your weekend~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debbie. I am glad you enjoyed the photos!

      I just got up from an hour nap. Just couldn't stay awake. I can definitely see where you would be tired. All of the care you are doing for your mom ... I know it's hard enough when one is simply coordinating the in-home care. But managing it hands-on by yourself is very, very tiring. Glad that in-home therapy is to happen this week.

      The verse from James -- so important, and so challenging. Far easier to memorize God's Word than to consistently practice it ...

      Delete

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit my kitchen table! I love company here in my kitchen, so be sure to leave a comment so I'll know you've visited! I'll answer your questions and comments here on the blog unless you request otherwise.