Grateful For Yesterday, Blessed With Today

The first thing I need to do is to clean up [clarify] an impression I left with readers in my previous post. I was writing about a state park we visited where a couple of women were swimming in the warm mineral spring. 

I also mentioned alligators and unintentionally left the impression that the gals were in the same body of water as the gators. They were not. 

A dam with a waterfall separated them and they were safe from the reptiles. While it is true that here in Florida one must always be aware of the possibility of gators in virtually any body of water, in this mineral spring great care is taken to ensure the swimmers are safe.

Thanks to those of you who commented concern for the swimmers.

the mineral spring is to the far left;
gators (unseen) are in the lake to the right

I continue now with Joyce's Hodgepodge questions. If you want to link up with this meme, click here.

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

While I have observed the Easter season all of my life, the church denomination in which I grew up did not talk much (if at all) about Lent. As a result, I don't typically "give up" anything while leading up to Easter Sunday. I do try to worship the Lord with a holy life every day of the year. Some days I'm more successful in that than others. 

Give to the Lord the glory due to His name;

bring an offering,

and come before Him:

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

I Chronicles 16:29

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

                               

Yes, I'm definitely a fan of pancakes. For years I used Bisquick to make them but now prefer to use another brand of a boxed mix that requires just water combined with the mix. Very simple and I like the taste better, too. I like to use a sugar-free maple syrup (any of several brands), and margarine. Other add-ins are fine but just with the butter or margarine and syrup is enough for me. 

In my last blog post, I talked about cooking our own pancakes at our table in a restaurant. If you missed it, click here. 

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

We are well into our retirement years here, so feeling spread too thin doesn't happen often with us. On occasion it turns out that we have several medical, dental, hearing, and eye appointments in one week. We try to avoid that as much as possible.

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

Do I have a favorite gemstone? I like them all but my current favorite is the garnet-and-diamond necklace Gary gave to me for Valentine's Day. I love it and will be wearing it year 'round.

As for what colors I wear: jewel tones (the cool colors) with black when dressing up, and blue or white denim for casual. In the 80s the book, Color Me Beautiful classified me as a "winter."

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

I try to make choices people are less likely to second-guess. My success rate with that is about 50/50.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Glimpses and comments regarding Valentine's Day at my house:

When Gary was paying for this big box of chocolates, the cashier commented that some gal is very lucky. But his reply was, "I'm the one who's lucky!" (gotta love that! ❤️)

Our Valentine outing was the lunch at the pancake place earlier in the week, so on the 14th we dined at home. I prepared Billie Jo's Sloppy Joes for our lunch. They were really good! (click here to see her blog post with the recipe) 

We slow-danced in the lanai to "our song," Have I Told You Lately [that I love you?]".

link to our song on Youtube

Then of course, we exchanged cards....

Gary has a delightful ability for finding cards (for any occasion) that say the most wonderful things. The opening words on his card to me address the subject of "love the second time around." As I read the card aloud my voice wobbled and nearly gave way...

Yesterday's love is a sweet memory.

Today's love is happiness unfolding...

This is our 5th Valentine's Day together, but we continue to treasure the good times of our previous marriages. In total, those relationships came to nearly 100 years. In large part, who we are today is because of those who loved us before they went to Heaven. They essentially taught us how to be married.

a permanent display in our home
honoring our late spouses

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres .....

And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these

is love.

I Corinthians 13:4-7 and 13

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

-------------

for further reading, visit The Christian Lounge.

"A Lesson in Gratitude"

https://thechristianlounge4u.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-lesson-in-gratitude.html