Cabbage, Cars and Climate

from a recent car show

 Harsh weather has dominated nearly everybody's mind of late. At a recent car show I captured this fun decoration celebrating our climate. But even the Sunshine State has not been exempt from winter's blast. 

I'll take you to that car show, but first, here are some thoughts regarding this time of year, as I respond to Joyce's writing prompts from The Hodgepodge. If you want to link up, click here.

1. (Joyce speaking) I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way? 

Here in North Central Florida (that means we're north of the Mouse and south of the University of Florida Gators), today we have sunshine and clouds, heading for a high in the mid-50s with frigid cold nearly every night, expecting to shiver into next week, 

How does this weather affect me? I'm thankful for the many years I lived in beautiful snow country and also thankful that part of my life appears to be over. I like an occasional cloudy day, but my years of living with a lot of overcast days and rain in the Pacific Northwest taught me I'm one of those personalities who needs sunshine to keep my mood happy and positive. 

Seattle's Space Needle with 
Mount Rainier to the South
(Internet photo -- on a sunny day)

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  

I enjoy all of these foods, probably cabbage the most in the form of cole slaw. A ground beef, tomato-rich, stuffed cabbage roll is good, too. 

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? 

Cabbage Patch dolls came in vogue when my 3 children were in elementary school. We couldn't afford to buy the dolls at that time, so I made them with purchased patterns for both the doll body and the clothes. I bought the plastic Cabbage Patch doll heads and hands at the craft store. 

Internet photo

My mother, Sister, and I have always enjoyed dolls. Those of my readers who have followed me since I first began blogging will remember my posts from 2009 - 2020 included the imaginative adventures of my doll "staff" who assisted me at my imaginary bed and breakfast in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Grammy's Place B&B. My staff took care of the upkeep of the B&B while I sequestered myself to write the Great American Novel.

my "Staff," pictured from top row, left to right:
Lily (my research assistant), Mandy Sue (my Gal Friday and troublemaker),
(middle row) Mary Engelbreit doll, Mrs Berniece Mertz (our cook)
(front row) Rowdy (the neighbor kid) and Spud (the handyman)
There were several others in the story line as well but this photo will suffice.

The whimsical antics of my fictitious friends ended in 2020. While that had been a very fun part of my life, the time came to move on to responsibilities that allowed no time for such time-consuming devotion to whimsey. My "staff" has been replaced by Gary, who makes me laugh every day.

Us, from Personalization Mall (click)
(a great Valentine gift!)

4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? 

Not much out of the ordinary for us. We take a lot of comfort in our routines and maintaining good habits. 

There is always something

for which to be thankful.

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. 

1) Unusual and prolonged cold temperatures have required the covering of outdoor vulnerable plants.

2) I got new hearing aids. (yay!)

3) Inspirational reading (books and websites) and cooking comfort foods have been satisfying.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Regarding the car show in Williston that I promised earlier, Gary is interested primarily in the vehicles. I enjoy these shows as something pleasant to do with my fella and to gather blog fodder. This time my phone camera captured cars, license plates, slogans, and people.

1950 Ford coupe

Chevy truck

Gary inspects a Pontiac GTO

Volkswagen bus

taxi cab

me beside a Chevy El Camino.
*T-birds are my fav but too many people standing by the one T-bird
at this show were not going to make for a good snapshot.

These are the trophies for the winners of the different categories of the show: (we did not watch the awards)

Here is one more thought regarding the extreme weather:

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

P.S. Join me in reading the articles at The Christian Lounge: https://thechristianlounge4u.blogspot.com/2026/01/wonderful-counsellor.html This is a non-denominational Christian website where we learn about each other in our faith with written articles, art, and music (no politics). 

If you have an article to submit, visit the website for instructions. 

Touching on Several Topics

 

from our bike rides

Do you know what a bollard is? I'll give you a moment to ponder that while I go on.....

Our oft-mentioned bike rides are somewhere between 4 and 5 miles in length, taking us about 45 minutes to pedal through 7 or more of the 16 neighborhoods that make up our +55 community. We like to ride after breakfast, before the traffic picks up too much. 

Yes, even within the human-guarded gate (there's just one) of our environ, there is traffic. Unfortunately, often the drivers do not observe the speed limit and stop signs. It can get downright scary at times. I am not exaggerating when I say I pray daily for our safety (It has not been a wasted appeal) and I thank the Lord for His protection.

Anyway, back to the question of bollards. A bollard is "a thick, low post, usually of iron or steel, mounted on a wharf or the like to which mooring lines from vessels are attached." (quoting the dictionary on my iPhone)

Actually, the British definition fits my purpose better: "one of a series of short posts for excluding or diverting motor vehicles from a road, lawn, or the like."

(repeating the photo as the one above) 

As  you've probably guessed by now, the bright yellow posts in my photo are bollards. 

We have these wonderful wide, black asphalt multi-purpose paths designated for pedestrians, bicycles, and golf carts (the houses snug up to an 18-hole golf course that winds around). These paths are absolutely NOT for car traffic (although yours truly did accidentally drive on one during her first week after moving here). 😲

I hasten to add in my defense that no bollard was in place to discourage my mistaken identification of what was designated for car traffic and what was not, plus this was in an area still under construction at that time. Some of the workers saw me and stopped to stare in wonder as to what this crazy female driver was doing. Yes, it was very embarrassing.

So, a bollard is intended to give us instruction of where to drive and what is forbidden. I use this illustration to segue into a recommendation to read a really good book I have just completed today:

click for purchase information

This is good for everybody. We ALL have messed up; it's how things are in this fallen world. This book gives real hope and practical counsel on how to move on. It serves as a "bollard" as we travel through life.

wisdom from Facebook and Mindful Christianity

On the subject of adversity, a lot of my readers (and many members of our family) are facing the big snow and ice storm this weekend.

I've been praying this storm turns out to not be as serious as predicted. 

Our son in Minneso-cold (as Gary calls it), texted yesterday to say we need to cancel our surprise visit to see them due to the terrible sub-zero daytime "high" temps expected at his house. 🥶 Not to worry, no "surprise visit" was planned. I've already written in a previous post how we try to avoid that kind of weather. 

Jacksonville Beach - Internet photo
(yes, they are statues!)

We are thankful to be entertaining 80-degree sunshine here in Florida this weekend, although on Monday we expect to get some of that cold -- nowhere as extreme by any means. 

This past week we did our grocery shopping. We don't go on any particular day (except we avoid weekend shopping) and on no special schedule. When the milk jug is really low, Gary (who is king of the kitchen in this house) announces it's time to go. By then I've usually already started a list of my own and he rummages through the 'fridge to determine what else is needed. 

With exceptions for the absolute "must haves", we pretty much buy what's on BOGO (buy one, get one free), which is a method that tends to serve our finances very well. 

The Boston Cream donuts have not been BOGO yet, but that's just as well because one package doesn't last more than 9 hours around here. They are Gary's favorite and have become mine, too. One box of them is enough because I am sure they "go to waist"! 🤭

Before I leave the subject of food, here is what we had for lunch yesterday, and then the leftovers again today:

Taco Pie

Billie Jo's Taco Pie was a recipe she featured recently on her blog (click here). Many of you will probably recognize the mixture of ground beef, taco seasoning, cheese, sour cream.... oh my! I edited the recipe just a little for our personal preferences (and with what was in the pantry) but it was definitely a hit with Gary. 

There has been some bittersweet sadness in the Christian community of late with the news of the sudden passing of Robert Wolgemuth. I won't go into the story; you can Google their names to see many stories, memories and wonderful tributes to this good man of God and his dear wife, an excellent Bible teacher, Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth. (she has been the designated successor to Elizabeth Elliott, for those who remember her).

I will say that the first time I heard his name was many years ago when he and his first wife (now deceased), Bobbi, were guests on the Focus on the Family radio show. She was big on music and taught their two daughters well in harmony. On the show she said that when the family would travel in the car, they would sing. The four of them sang something on the radio that day in the most exquisite, a cappella harmony (something I dearly love). I have never forgotten that. Oh, how I wish we could hear more true music like that today!!!

The hour is getting late here; I need to close this out. My friend and editor at The Christian Lounge has published another of my devotional articles and encouraged me to invite you to visit the blog. In this particular post I share from the immediate days after the passing of my late husband and how scripture helped me through the worst of times. My long-time readers may remember: 

https://thechristianlounge4u.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-comfort-of-scripture.html

If you would like to submit your own article to The Christian Lounge, check it out.

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

Baby! It's COLD Outside!

 

Winter Bird stitched around 2020

No, I'm not complaining about the weather, but rather keeping in mind this declaration:

"This is the day the Lord has made; 

we will rejoice and be glad in it." 

Psalm 118:24

And also this advice: 

"...Do not grumble among yourselves..." 

John 6:43

In this hemisphere, it's winter, even in Central Florida. This is how it's supposed to be (although we are having unusually cold temps right now). 

My family that lives a few hours north of here got some snow, but not enough to shovel. 

by Happy Gardens

While in my area we don't need snow brushes, ice scrapers or boots, we have had to cover several of our bushes for protection from the hard freezes.

Our back yard

Early this morning I realized I had forgot to bring in that gorgeous Poinsettia featured in one of my recent posts:

R.I.P.

Fortunately I did not overdraw my bank account when I bought it....😕 It's a goner for sure.

Manatees @ 3 Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida
Photo by Greg Dee

All of the 1,000+ natural springs in Florida maintain a constant temperature of about 72 degrees. In the cold of winter, the manatees seek that warm water. 

My guess is that this photo was taken from a drone because I know from experience that we can't see the manatees as well when standing on that bridge beside the pool of water.

Iguanas

Then there is the matter of Iguanas freezing up and falling from tree branches in South Florida. They're not dead, just too frozen to move. They thaw out and get on with life.

Thankfully, we don't face that where I live (North of Mickey Mouse and the other amusement parks). They aren't as prevalent here as the small geckos are (and they just hide when it's cold). 

But it's a thing. Google this: 

"iguanas falling out of trees in the cold article"

Since I've brought up the subject of the animal kingdom, here is the latest from Sister. She lives up north where snow is always a part of winter.

(left to right) Maggie and Daisy

Her Basset hounds are wearing their sweaters, because it was eleven degrees outside when this picture was taken. I am told that after "taking care of business," they said to her, "We've had enough of that. We're comin' back in!"

(left to right) Daisy and Maggie

So, from the warmth and comfort of our living room, I'm sharing some homey observations while wearing knee socks, ankle-length jeans, and long sleeves over a camisole. 

me 'n Sister walk her neighborhood
on a cold afternoon ~ 2022

When packing to move to Florida from Colorado in 2017, I donated a lot of my wintery wardrobe, saving just enough for any trips to the frozen North, should that be necessary. We told our family that unless somebody is dying, we won't be traveling their way in the winter months. 

Gary on a chilly morning
 even farther North 

Of course, those words spoken so glibly have had to be retracted. We've been up north for a death and a wedding, and to meet new family members (newborn great grandchildren). Now that we have record-breaking temps here in Florida, I'm glad I kept the cold weather threads that I have!!

our dining room

Along the lines of glib proclamations, I had implied a few weeks ago that the Christmas table runner would remain on our dining table until Valentine season. I changed my mind (we can do that, you know) but kept with red while the poinsettias were packed away for next December. 

The decision to put away Christmas decor came about while I was riding my bicycle, pedaling past a neighbor's nativity scene, still in the yard even past Epiphany. I understand it is the custom of some to leave out their Christmas decor until after the Wise Men have arrived, and I'm fine with that. 

But now with each passing day, I think to myself that a note should be put on the neighbor's door suggesting Mary and Joseph need to "leave for Egypt." Although this neighbor need not fear King Herod, there is the Home Owners' Association to appease.

[Please excuse my religious humor here. If you are not a student of the Bible, you may not know that after the Wise Men came to worship the newborn King of the Jews, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to move his family to Egypt for a time. The wicked King Herod was jealous and wanted to kill the baby Jesus.]

recent US mail received

I've got one more thing to share while I'm humorously walking the edge of scriptural matters ..... this letter was in our mailbox a few days ago. I've smudged out our address for reasons of privacy but this was clearly addressed to Gary's late wife, who was ushered into Heaven nearly 5 years ago. Upon opening the envelope, Gary saw it was an advertisement for replacement windows and doors.

Of course, both Gary and I are used to getting mail for our late spouses but this one was a bit unnerving with its pressing message of "Trying to get in touch with you!" 

Yeah. Good luck with that! 🙄 On to other things.....

source

While I don't refrain from writing about my faith on this blog, I do not say much about politics because I just don't want to "get into it" with the comments and such. However, we are in such a serious place regarding so many matters that I do urge us all to be in honest prayer for our country. It is not a wasted effort.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, 

intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

for kings and all those in authority, 

that we may live peaceful and 

quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

I Timothy 2:1-2

Exactly what should we pray for or about? Start with this:

Peaceful lives

Godly conduct

God's will

Protection and guidance

I love this quote by J. Sidlow Baxter:

Men may spurn our appeals,

reject our message,

oppose our arguments,

despise our persons, but

they are helpless against our prayers.

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

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The Christian Lounge

https://thechristianlounge4u.blogspot.com