Maid of the Mist

Mexican Petunia

Our Mexican Petunia bush is having an exceptional season with blooms popping out all over. Today's post is hosting the Hodgepodge questions, celebrating summer. 

While summer here in the South is not my favorite time of year, I do admit to some undeniable benefits:

wearing toeless sandals every single day 

pretty pedicures are in full view on most women's feet

even with sunscreen, the skin turns tan

the humidity gives body to my straight hair

white bermuda shorts go with every top I have

afternoon rain showers are brief but refreshing

lots and lots of floral color

air conditioning, air conditioning, air conditioning

Here are the Hodgepodge Questions - Volume 607 for this week. If you want to answer these questions on your own blog, click on this link: http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2025/06/hodgepodge-questions-volume-607.html

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere) ... what was your favorite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? 

To be completely honest, my favorite thing about summer when I was growing up was not having to go to school. I went to 13 schools in 4 states and 2 countries from the ages of kindergarten through high school graduation, and in the first grade I threw up twice in class (at 2 different schools) and had a mini-breakdown one morning in the 3rd grade due to nerves. By the grace of the Lord, I graduated with a B average but school, especially in my pre-teen years, was not my favorite. 

One of my favorite things to do in the summer was to run through the sprinklers outside with my sister and our friends.

What do you like most about summer now?

Again, to be frank, I don't care much for summers here in Florida due to the heat and humidity. The months of October through March or April are much more enjoyable. 

However, even in the most miserable of summer's morning heat, as soon as I get on my bicycle to ride some 4-5 miles through our retirement community, the motion of air passing over my arms and legs is a wonderful relief, surprisingly cool. It's a motivation to keep moving!

I purposely steer my bike through the sprinklers that may stretch out onto the street! It's really just a very quick, refreshing spray. This morning Gary, riding behind me, said "Watch out for those sprinklers!" I called back, "Just call me "Maid of the Mist"!

Maid of the Mist

On the subject of which, I have a little story. My family lived a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls when I was in the first and second grades of school. One thing my parents really wanted to do was to take the four of us to the Maid of the Mist boat ride at the base of the falls. 

I was seven years old and Sister was five. We both were terrified of that idea. We didn't even like to get our faces wet in the shower, let alone ride in a boat at the base of the thundering waters of Niagara Falls!! 

The day came when that was our destination. I'm pretty sure I cried in the car on the way (my default response to all fear and terror). Most likely my irritated parents told me to stop. We got to the parking lot and Daddy left us in the car to go buy our tickets. 

Can you imagine my absolute joy when he came back to say we couldn't go because my sister was too young?!!!! At the time the rule was you had to be at least seven years old to ride the Maid of the Mist. We did not go back and to my knowledge neither of my parents ever returned without us girls.

Many years later, when I was forty-six years old, my husband and I with our three children (all over the age of seven) visited Niagara Falls from our (then) home of Northern Virginia. Yes, we rode the Maid of the Mist and it was wonderful. I highly recommend it.

Maid of the Mist

2. Something you'll celebrate this summer?

Just being alive and enjoying life with Gary is enough. I really mean that. We've been together well over three years now, so we have our little habits, routines, and preferred ways to celebrate whatever is current. After losing a spouse, my mother, and some friends in recent years, as well as seeing harsh medical circumstances take over the lives of others, I am not looking forward so much as I just enjoy each day in which I exist. There is so much for which to be thankful. So much. It can disappear shockingly fast, so contentment in the moment is my preference.

But to get off the philosophical soapbox and answer the question, I do enjoy watching the 4th of July festivities in Washington DC on TV. Gary will probably grill us steaks or burgers and I may prepare a dessert befitting of the occasion. Our community will probably have a 4th of July golf cart parade. They decorate with lights and froo-froo and wave and honk their horns as we sit on the sidelines. I like stuff like that. 

3. Summer tastes like?

Simply Dipped Drumstick
enjoyed on the front porch today

Many days we each enjoy an ice cream cone, or an ice cream sandwich (whatever was on BOGO sale the day we were grocery shopping). I prefer the pre-packaged ice cream treats over a carton where you have to scoop it out. (The pre-packaged servings also help with not over-indulging. 🤭)

Summer smells like?

Our summer here in Florida began (weather-wise) in April when we were in a drought and daily high temps already stretching into the 90s, therefore the smoke from fires was prevalent. Now, I can't think of any particular scent.... maybe flowers. But as I've said before, when I had a mild case of COVID in 2020, I lost my sense of smell and have regained only some of it back. 

Summer sounds like?

The air conditioning running and I'm soooo thankful for that!

4. June 18th is National Splurge Day...what's the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on this time?

As a senior citizen on a sufficient but fixed income, splurging is not a big part of my vocabulary. (Caution is the rule.) 

But with that said, I do tend to splurge over-indulge when I bake chocolate chip cookies.

5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme.

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actual
Ev'rything is satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day, yes sir!

When we moved to Jacksonville, I was in a choir that visited nursing homes every week. We always began our program with the words to Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, from the Disney movie, Song of the South.  It was so cheery. I loved it.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Repeating one of the photos of Niagara Falls. As beautiful as this is, I can well imagine how this scene struck my heart with such terror as a little girl. 

Maid of the Mist

Now I can look back and be thankful for the life the Lord has given me, even the scary times. We tend to learn best through adversity. When the most terrifying thing in my life happened four years ago, scripture became my lifeline to sanity. This was one of the many verses that kept me from total despair:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Until next time, grace and peace.

Cheerleaders

'tis the season!

Not only is there water melon on our menu, but this is Father's Day weekend. Actually as I begin composing this piece it is the Saturday afternoon before the holiday. Over the 16 years that I've been blogging, I've written about my father, my late husband, my sons (who are fathers of people) and my son (who is a father to a pair of cats and a mule), my son-in-law, and other significant male contributors to my life. What can I say that I've not already said?

Well, come to think of it, I should give a tip of my sun visor to my two step sons, acquired a little over 3 years ago when I married Gary. So I'll say something here about these 'newcomer's in my life.

April 2025 visit to see us here in Florida

The handsome fellow on the left in the blue shirt with his arm around his wife is one of my step-sons, along with one of his sons (who is celebrating his second Father's Day this year). Step-son is father to 4 adults, grandfather to 3, with one more expected to be born in the very near future (to another of his children, not pictured here). He and his clan live very far away from us in a place where snow has to be shoveled (which is one of the reasons we live in Florida). A hard-working family man, he also loves to hunt and prepare his successes, a hobby he shares with his sons.

All of my faithful readers know that is Gary on the far right in the aqua shirt. Need I say anything more about him? He tells me he used to be a very private person until he met up with me and now he is weekly blog fodder!! (and a really good sport about it)

December 2024 lunch at an "old Florida" themed restaurant

My other step-son lives a couple hours' drive south of us, so visits with him and his wife are a little easier to come by. I share a common fact with them that I was living in Colorado Springs at the same time that they lived there, many years ago. We did not know each other then. Some really serious life changes have come into all of our lives since then. He is a very cheerful soul and always asks if he can do anything to help us out. Young people in his life look to him as a dad and grandpa, so Father's Day is for him, too.

blue Agapanthus in our yard

I'm going to morph from the topic of Father's Day to cheerleaders, which is the title I've given today's post. In 1980 when my father-in-law died, our pastor at the time said such a thoughtful thing that I've never forgot. When we lose a parent, we lose one of the best cheerleaders we'll ever have. 

This can be said of both fathers and mothers. I realize not everybody can agree with this observation, but that is the way it is supposed to be. 

nephew with us at lunch

I want to present some thoughts of others in our life who are cheerleaders (or encouragers), not just parents. We all need people who will give us some measure of approval. 

One of those people surprised us yesterday when my nephew's job brought him to our town for a couple of hours. He sent us a text to ask if we might have time to meet for coffee or lunch. Yes, we did!  It was an actual face-to-face visit with pleasant conversation, very casual, so thoughtful. Something as simple as that tends to urge us on in life.

me with my cheerleaders in April 2018

One of my cheerleaders was ushered through Heaven's Gates earlier this past week. Peggy (second from the right) died of natural causes in her sleep. As my friend's husband said of his father-in-law, "he woke up dead." I do not say that with disrespect but with a hope that will describe my passing (when that day comes -- not making any announcements here!). Peggy was found "asleep" in her recliner, having slipped away easily. 

Peggy and Denise at Garden of the Gods
Colorado Springs
(that's snow-covered Pikes Peak in the background)

We friends grieve her absence, but know we'll laugh with her again one day. In the meantime, we smile to remember the many times the 4 of us (originally 5, but Sandi passed) met to celebrate birthdays, new homes, or just any excuse to meet would do. The 3 of them flew out to see me in Jacksonville and we took them to St. Simons Island, the beach, St. Augustine..... all the while enjoying the long talks, the laughter (lots of that!), and the affirming words we shared when life was HARD.

addressing sympathy cards

Actually, I had reason to mail out two sympathy cards this week. If the fanciful stories about St. Peter manning Heaven's Gate hold any truth, he's been pretty busy!

more of my personal cheerleaders

Speaking of life being hard, I was reminded of how the tough stuff is out there and we should not be terribly alarmed when it happens. I was standing in the lanai just gazing out the window when I realized a two-foot long black snake was racing across that beautiful beige landscaping rock we had installed a few weeks ago. His dark black body was undeniable as it slithered along. 

I yelled for Gary to come, but the "black racer," as the snake is called, had disappeared just as quickly as he arrived. Gone. (Black snakes are considered "good snakes" so we don't kill them. However, if one were to enter our house, all that would change!!)

You know, Jesus told us life would be hard. The snakes are out there, so to speak, so don't be surprised. 

Mr. Cardinal on our neighbor's gutter

I take heart because there are brilliant red Cardinals in life, too. This gorgeous bird doesn't live in Colorado's Front Range, but we have them in abundance here in Florida. 

Flag Day June 14th

Today is Flag Day in the USA. We had a conundrum this morning when Gary was putting our flag out in the front yard. He uses a receptacle for the flag pole that he placed in the lawn years ago but today he absolutely could not find it. We've got that crab grass St. Augustine grass that sends out runners to create a mat of sorts, effectively hiding that receptacle. He poked around for quite awhile with a garden tool in an effort to locate it. Eventually it was found. I took some snapshots to help us remember where it is in relation to the cracks in the sidewalk and the stone terracing. 

Speaking of the American flag, as we all know, times are tough in our nation right now (and in the Middle East, too, of course). I don't get into politics on my blog because I don't want to navigate around all the opinions that would probably show up in the comments section. 

The illustration I'll share may seem a little off-the-wall, but stick with me. We all have opportunities to learn to get along, or how to adjust to change, both for good and what is more challenging. 

The other day while putting together the list for our next grocery trip, Gary announced that we need to buy laundry soap. Okay.

But then he reminded me that when we combined our two households into one, both he and I had a large container of laundry soap: two of the really large containers of Tide. Now, some 3 years later, we are finally low enough on the soap that for the first time we needed to buy more! Ah, the interesting things that arise when people come together!

grocery store water melon prepared by Gary

In the comments after my last post, some of you asked if there was a water melon seed spitting contest at the festival we attended. Actually, it was announced there would be that competition, but all the water melons were of the seedless variety! There was no ammunition for such a contest!

roses together

Wrapping up this edition of My Journal Memories on this Father's Day weekend, I've poked into aspects of relationship with words like cheerleader, friendships, gaining new family through births and marriage, loss through death, wildlife, adapting to change, and more. 

Relationships are perhaps, more often than not, tricky, which is why the really good ones are so special. The dynamics of my own family have undergone some changes in recent years, which has led me to do a lot of research and some interesting conversations. My conclusion is that a true "cheerleader" is not as common as we would like. 

The best counsel I've seen on the matter is this:

Let us therefore make every effort 

to do what leads to peace and

to mutual edification. 

Romans 4:19

Oddly enough, that sometimes needs to be interpreted as a separation or a distancing for the sake of peace. We need to deliberately look for ways to build up and strengthen each other in goodness, doing what we can to avoid division or strife. 

And yes, the statement that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" carries some truth in that from a distance we sometimes can recognize the good that we could not see when we were up close!

Until next time, grace and peace.

Without Fork or Spoon

Internet photo

On Saturday we drove north to the town of Chiefland (population 2,080) to enjoy their annual Water Melon Festival. I hear there is another event in the area next weekend, also featuring the delicious water melon as the theme. So that must be "a thing" and I'm glad we are here to enjoy it.

the larger ones lined up for auction

As Gary said when he suggested we go, "it's good blog fodder." Yes. 

live music

After parking our truck, the first thing to interest me was the open pavilion with huge water melons lined up, waiting to be auctioned. I heard the largest one in this picture weighed 172 pounds.

a local church supplied free slices

Just steps from the pavilion was a tent shading a table full of freshly-sliced water melon, free for the taking. (there wasn't even a donation bucket) Just like everybody else, we helped ourselves and then stepped back and began to eat it, leaning over in an effort to not drip on our clothes. (more about this in a later paragraph) 

big and loud

The next thing that grabbed our attention was what I'll call a "swamp buggy" with giant tires and a LOUD engine. For a price one could ride as the driver drove a fast circuit for several minutes, around and around.

parade float with flags

At least 100 vendors' tents were lined up in rows, creating an outdoor shopping district. (not pictured) We strolled slowly past them all, dodging people, strollers, and the occasional leashed dog. I enjoyed looking but didn't see anything I couldn't live without.

farm vehicles for parade floats

After the "window shopping" we found a nice place along the parade route. Gary hiked back to our truck to get our lawn chairs while I held our spot under the shade of a huge oak tree and struck up conversation with a pleasant couple. Turns out they have lived in the area for many years and now in retirement, he enjoys participating in historic reenactments. People are interesting when you draw them out in conversations.

the arts and crafts club float

Gary returned and we settled into our chairs for the parade. There were no school bands or dance teams but some floats and many vehicles of all shapes and sizes with signs advertising local businesses. 

the reason for celebration -- a wagonload of watermelons

Hard candy was tossed out of the windows and children scurried out quickly from the curbs to grab what they could.

some of the royalty of the day

There was royalty! The Queen of Water Melons, the Queen of this town, the princess of that town, the teen queen, the toddler queen, even the baby princess. There were a couple of boy princes, too. They rode past us on cars, in trucks, wagons, anything with wheels as they waved at us. Their tiaras sparkled in the hot summer sun.

classic vehicles on parade

The vehicles passed us quickly as I tried to dodge people to take these pictures. But you get the idea. 

getting early to the lunch line

Gary has been to more of this type of celebration than me, so he knew we should leave the parade before its end to order our lunch from one of the many food trucks, avoiding the crowds. I stood aside with our folded lawn chairs and then we found a shady spot near the pavilion to enjoy our burgers and fries. 

introduction of royalty

As we ate our lunch, there was a program on the stage. The parade had ended and so the royalty was introduced to the crowd. Later they were coerced into a water melon eating contest -- who could eat their slice the fastest.  

Without Fork or Spoon

Watching that contest inspired Gary to want more, so he sent me back over to the Baptist's table to get us each another slice. They appeared to have an unlimited supply!

the guy who copes well without fork or spoon

This was a pleasant adventure on a hot summer day. It felt sort of like being in Hallmark or Disney movie with all ages in attendance, lots of family-friendly events, and a cheerful atmosphere. 

salt, anyone?

Getting back to my promise to address the eating of water melon.... I have spent the majority of my life living in big cities, and whether that has anything to do with it or not, I'll just say it: I've never eaten water melon without a fork or a spoon. 

When it became clear that the lack of [my essential] utensils was the norm, I just leaned forward and bit into it, hoping I wouldn't make a mess of things and embarrass myself.

At least I was smart enough to choose a wedge-shaped piece (as opposed to a half-moon slice). That helped. Yes, even with leaning over (trying to avoid dripping juice on my shoes), some of the sweet liquid ran onto my forearm. But another trick acquired in this experience was to uncap my water bottle so I could drizzle water onto my skin and then use a napkin to finish up the bath.

So why do I bring this up, revealing my lack of experience and perhaps bringing on some thoughts of ridicule from my more seasoned, water melon-eating readers? 

I saw a life lesson in it. We all face circumstances from time to time where we feel at a loss as to how to cope. Either we are without our usual implements or we are flat out clueless how to respond to what's been forced upon us. 

While I did not resort to prayer with the water melon situation, I've definitely encountered conundrums where a ready solution was not at hand. We've all been there. It's a fact of life.

I am reminded of the Old Testament King Jehoshaphat when they were faced with the approach of a frightening enemy army. This king did what we all should do when we are at the end of ourselves, when disaster seems to be a high probability: tell the Lord and expect Him to answer. 

II Chronicles 20:12

This lesson has been taught to me all of my life and yet there are times when I still need to be reminded. My water melon experience seems a silly illustration and yet it serves to get my head and my spirit back where it should be when life hands me the hard puzzles. 

Until next time, grace and peace.

Marcus Stanley
(his website is currently being redesigned;
look for him on Facebook)

While the Dew is Still on the Roses

 

morning of June 4

The three Knockout rose bushes recently added to our landscaping continue to out-do themselves with wonderful blooms. I have given myself the assignment of pruning the flowers as they wilt since Gary does all of the grass-cutting, edging, trimming the bushes, and cutting away those huge seed pods on the palms. 

Those of us who are church-going Baby Boomers are familiar with the first verse of the hymn, "In The Garden." I thought of that when rolling my bicycle onto the driveway this morning in preparation for our usual ride. I snapped three pictures of our bushes.

I come to the garden alone,

while the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, 

falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me,

and he talks with me,

And he tells me I am his own,

And the joy we share

as we tarry there,

None other has even known.

(from page 428 of my copy of Baptist Hymnal 1975)

What a beautiful reminder to begin our days with prayer!

Joyce has given us the questions for this week's Hodgepodge. Here are my responses. If you want to participate in her meme, click here.

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up?

curly ribbon

For many years I collected all of the curly ribbon that came with our gifts, stuffing it all into a cardboard box. The ribbon is so festive; just pulling it out to lay on the table with the birthday gifts created an instant party atmosphere. 

As the accumulation of ribbons grew, I would drape it from the chandelier above the table. And later on, because there was so much of the stuff, I would pull out certain colors to go along with a color scheme to make it look more masculine or feminine or to compliment whatever theme I had going on.

When I married Gary and sold my house, I gave the box of curly ribbon to one of my children. I sold, donated, and otherwise disposed of a lot of things at that time in my life, knowing that storage with the combination of our two households would be a real issue.

cards for my last birthday

Our celebrations now are usually just the two of us. Gary has said, "I didn't plan to get this old!" And my BFF in Colorado (who is just 2 months younger than me) said, "How did we get to be this old?!"

So with that said, we don't have big parties and gifts. Lunch out at a favorite place, maybe a day trip to some scenic or historic location -- that's enough for us. As cards arrive they are displayed on the dining table, and Gary's birthday always requires chocolate in some form. 

As for how we got to the twilight years of our life (Gary laughed when I phrased it that way the other day), some say it's not by being stupid. Of course, there is some truth in that but we all know deep within ourselves that every day of our lives is a gift from God.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses...what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

I enjoy any color of roses given to me, but yellow ones are my favorite because they are so very cheerful. Pink runs a close second.

Do I see the world through rose colored glasses? The older I get, definitely not. But I do my best to exercise faith in people and circumstances. 

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day...will you celebrate? What's something (besides a burger) you make in the summer that calls for cheese? 

Not restricted to the summer months, I like to make cheese quesadillas when we want a light meal with little fuss. I used to make them with an electric appliance, but (again, due to storage space) I got rid of that and now make them in my cast iron skillet.

4. 'tis the season...any weddings on your June calendar? What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage?

our cake in 2022

There are no weddings on our calendar right now for June (or any month, for that matter). 

The first word that comes to my mind with marriage is "commitment."  All who are married know that very soon after the promises are made, commitment is tested and usually in a way never imagined. It is my opinion (and my experience with both of my marriages) that the relationship promises need to include prayer for God's blessings to have any hope of surviving the challenges life throws at the couple. 

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

We have no big plans for this month, preferring to get out more in the fall months when the weather is more comfortable. Our local TV stations bombard us with their predictions for hurricanes, which can wear on a person who's heard it all before, year after year. (the season is officially June 1-Nov. 30) So with that said, I hope and pray for calm in the weather, relationships, health, finances, and everything else. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

purchase information

Our world, our culture, our politics -- nearly everything -- is so crazy. I am reading this book and finding it so helpful in setting my thoughts right, in helping me to cope with the issues that baffle me, and in giving me a deeper peace than I've felt in a long time (maybe ever!).

Before I close, I've got one more snapshot regarding birthdays: 

Happy Birthday!

My DIL who lives out west has a mule (!) who celebrated her third birthday a couple of weeks ago. She's a real Party Animal!

A merry heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 17:22

Until next time, grace and peace.