True Grit and Comforts

We are told that Wednesday, September 2, is National Grits Day. There seems to be a day for everything. My taste buds read them as "bland." They're not my favorite; but since I am now a "southerner," I do eat them when served. (combined with cheese, they are better)

In my last post I asked if and how any of you have used Chatgpt. The responses have been varied and interesting. I appreciate every one of your comments. Thanks!

my most recent Chatgpt project

Here is my latest project. I asked Chatgpt to picture a woman checking off her To Do List. After viewing their initial drawing, I asked them to change the hair style from long to a bob, change the long-sleeved sweater to a sleeveless top (appropriate for today's hot weather), personalized the items on the "To Do" list, and added a framed photo of my husband with the classic 2002 Ford T-Bird that he purchased the week of our first date. 

It's amazing what Chatgpt can do! On the maybe scary side, Chatgpt knew which initial to put on the coffee mug.

💐   💐   💐

Here are Joyce's Hodgepodge questions for this week. Click on the link if you want to join up with your blog.

http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2026/08/hodgepodge-questions-volume-669.html 

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

Frankly, nothing. My goal during this summer has been to survive the heat and humidity without a cranky attitude. The feeling of relief every time we entered our home after a bike ride has been a sincere sigh of gratitude for air conditioning. 

I look forward to our local weatherman's prediction that (historically) our nighttime low temps tend to slip down into the upper 60s during the first week of September. 

remembering the gold Aspen trees 
in Colorado's autumn
Photo by Lars Leber, Colorado Springs

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

I usually preferred to be in the 2nd or 3rd row. I wanted to be able to see and hear what the teacher was saying but feel maybe less likely to be called on too much if I'm not in the front row. The misbehaving kids tended to sit at the back. I was a well-behaved student and did not want to get caught up in any of their trouble. 

What class might I want to re-visit? Glee Club, harmonizing with the altos.

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

Patience and forbearance, compassion, a good sense of humor, and of course, a thorough understanding and reasonable experience with the subject being taught.

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

Grits are okay but if given a choice, I prefer hash browns. 

Do I have grit? Nope, not in my own strength at least. The recent past has tested my character with just the stuff of life. Any "grit" I may have has been in short supply. I continue to daily thank the Lord for being my help and my strength, and for giving me Gary to help me think straight when I feel overwhelmed.

As you may already know, Gary is my editor and proof-reader. So when he read the above paragraph, he strongly disagreed. He says I don't let people walk all over me and I set goals and achieve them. That's nice.

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

A good clean joke. And ice cream. Let's include ice cream.

All customers at Southern Pig and Cattle
get a free ice cream cone with their meals

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Returning to the subject of "grits," earlier this week, while Gary's patience was being tested, he told me that his disposition would vastly improve if I were to make him some Rice Krispy treats. 

They are disappearing fast!

Until next time, grace and peace,

Barbara