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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"!
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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?
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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.
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Maid of the Mist |
16 comments:
I LOVE that little song, zip a dee do dah! I think I may have even written about it one time on one of my blog posts! Bluebirds are something we've enjoyed watching here, but this year they haven't yet built a nest in the birdhouse, so they aren't quite as interesting as in previous springs and summers. Oh, Barbara, I can imagine how you felt about not wanting to go on the "Maid of the Mist" when you were such a little girl! That does look a bit daunting, even today. We have visited Niagara Falls many years ago, but we did not take that ride. Probably just as well we didn't try, as I am certain our three sons were under age 7 when we visited there! Oh, I love that ice cream cone, and now I wish I had one...LOL. And your Mexican Petunias are so pretty and fresh and summery! I am so proud of you for bike riding every morning! I think that is such a wonderful exercise and you are blessed to be able to do it. I'm not sure I could even get on a bike anymore. I'm a bit too nervous about falling since I've had back/neck surgeries. Just too risky, and I guess I'm better off keeping both feet on the ground! But I am so happy for you and Gary to be able to do this! What a blessing!! I enjoyed this post and every thought of it. Thank you!!
Oh boy, I can only imagine how scary that was for you. Glad you were able to go as an adult and enjoy it. Summer meant a whole lot more as a kid for me. I liked being out of school at the beginning of the summer and liked getting ready for school come September. These days we look for the shade in the summer and do everything to stay cool. Enjoy the last few days of Spring.
That's a perfect summer song!
I love summer because I'm finally warm, but I've always said I'm not tough enough to live in Florida - I'd be whining about the heat and humidity. :)
Can you believe we've never been to Niagara Falls? Living in MI it's not that far, but the crowds hold me back.
Amen to the scripture and I can also relate. I love that song because it is so fun to sing (and is now stuck in my head!!)!! Niagara Falls was frightening to me as a tween the first time my family stopped there on the way to Canada. I well remember standing just above the falls on the Canadian side, and looking down at the water flowing over the cliff. One might think the depth would be minimal, but that water is deep and powerful flowing over that cliff. Terrifying, actually. I enjoyed your post, Barb!! Love & hugs!!
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah is a great summery song - so cheerful and upbeat! I'm glad you finally did go on the Maid of the Mist and enjoyed it. My husband grew up about an hour from Niagara and his family was there, so we visited the Falls very often. We finally splurged on the boat excursion about six years ago when we spent a weekend in the area with my sister and her daughter. It was so much fun!! (And I also hate getting my face wet in the shower, still to this day! LOL) Hope your summer is off to a great start!
I love the song you mentioned and the memories it evokes. One of my former students (with special needs) would often sing that tune and some days, on repeat throughout the day. We usually stopped what we were doing and do some dancing and then return to work. Your purple petunias are gorgeous. While I have been to the Falls, we never road the Maid of the Mist. Happy Summer, Barbara!
Your Petunia bush is doing really well, so pretty!
I loved not going to school during the summer too! It sounds like school was a really stressful time for you.
Good on you going through the sprinklers when you are out on your bike. I think I would do that too.
I don't think at such a young age I would like to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride either.
We're with friends today who have also moved a lot, and were talking about how different kids respond differently to that experience. We agree though it builds something like resilience into you and I'm sure that's true for you too. I love your petunias. Do you spend a lot of time deadheading them? I feel like whenever I have petunias I spend a lot of time on that. Hope you find fun ways to keep cool this summer!
Those falls would have frightened me, too, Barbara! I recall having the Song of the South record when I was a child, and Zip-e-dee-do-dah was always a favorite of mine. It is cheerful, indeed! The next time you ride your bike through the sprinklers, have Gary take a photo so we can see our very own Maid of the Mist - LOL! Blessings!
We honeymooned in Niagara Falls many years ago and, yes, we sailed on the Maid of the Mist! We returned years later with our children when they were young and they also enjoyed sailing on it, but they also had experience with riding a ferryboat and Circle Line boat rides in NY, so they weren't anxious about it and thought wearing the raincoats on Maid of the Mist was fun!
Can you believe the temperature might go up to 100 degrees in tge Denver area tomorrow? A heat dome is in the area, but hopefully it won't last long!
Hi Barbara, the falls can be frightening 🫣 for sure. Here in Montreal, Canada it can get extremely hot 🔥 🥵 and humid and temperatures can soar to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I cannot handle this type of heat...and the wildfires make the air quality very bad.
The picture of the falls is lovely, refreshing and calming. And cooling. I love fountains and falls and the sound and smell of the water is a comfort for me. I love oceans, lakes, etc. I love the Zippety doo dah tune!!! Your flowers 💐 and front porch are beautiful. I love ❤️ the Scripture verse. Thank you so much for sharing.
I enjoyed your answers especially the lesson at the end with the Maid of the Mist photo. Quite an adventure sailing so close to the Falls. Indeed God cares for us in adversity. God bless.
Oh, my! That is a lot of schools you attended, Barbara! I can't imagine since I attended the same one K-12! I bet that made you become a very outgoing, friendly person :) I think we must have lived in the Buffalo area at the same time. I'm five years younger than you and lived in Buffalo from 1955-60. We often went to Niagara Falls as free entertainment on weekends because my dad was a poor medical school student. I am looking forward to taking my grandsons on the Maid of the Mist when they are older :) Hope you are enjoying a relaxing weekend in FL! ♥
Air conditioning, air conditioning, air conditioning...indeed, smiles. Do you know the humidity does absolutely nothing for my hair, actually, even with anti-humidity hairs products, my hair falls flat. Sigh...what's a girl to do? LOL--your July 4th sounds nice; I will be heading down to Orlando for a conference/convention for a week. Sigh...say hi to Gary from me. smiles
The sound of summer? The ac. You are not kidding. Ours has not stopped in the last 24 hours! I have to admit I find that falls photo rather intimidating, even not terrifying. Even at my age. I'm not sure I could sign up for that. Maybe but I would not look at the photos first:) Now a golf cart parade - that I could sit back and enjoy. Too cute! Loved your reason to celebrate answer!!
That story about the Maid of the Mist brings back memories of facing childhood fears. It’s remarkable how what once terrified us can become a cherished adventure later in life. And there’s something truly comforting in finding peace through faith during tough times.
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