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.