Celebration Snapshots

 It's Sunday afternoon. I've taken snapshots of recent days, so here's my scrapbook of "Journal Memories" in chronological order. I left off my last post, "The USA Birthday Party Has Begun", with pictures from the annual golf cart parade:

We don't have (nor want) a golf cart, but the parade went by our house on the road behind us, so we participated as bystanders, waving and yelling encouragements, all in good fun.

We speculated that maybe next year we should ask if bicyclists can join in. Gary wants to secure a playing card onto the spokes of our wheels with a clothespin to make that fun flappy noise as we peddle. Did you ever do that? Sister and I did.

Then we could attach those long flashy metallic ribbbons from our handlebars and wear something patriotic. And I would use my thumb to strum my Ka-Ching!! bell for noise. Hmm. I'll have to think about that.

So the parade was on Wednesday, July 1st. Then on Friday July 3rd ("4th of July Eve"), we went out for lunch. The original plan for that day was to take some neighbors to a unique "old Florida" place that serves cooked gator tail, venison, and frog legs as well as burgers and fresh seafood. However, the air conditioning in our friends' home suddenly went out; and in this heat, there is no question that the repair needed to take priority.

Deciding that lunch would take a rain check, Gary and I opted to dine at a much closer place in another 55+ retirement community. We have been there before, but it's changed management/ownership (one or both, not sure) and we wanted to give it a try. "The Whistling Duck" has an up-scale feel to it but our "Florida Casual" clothes (as Gary calls it) fit in perfectly. 

Gary had a salmon sandwich on a huge brioche bun and I had the Gulf Shores Fish Sandwich with a fennel apple slaw and come back sauce. (note: I don't know what "come back sauce" is, but suffice it to say the sandwich was good enough to make me want to "come back"!!) 😉

That afternoon back at home, we took turns working on the current puzzle laid out on the table on the lanai. It turns out that Gary is at least as addicted to this pastime as I am. 

As I've said before, jigsaw puzzles with a limit of 500 (or fewer) pieces is my preference, and even more so if the pieces are over-sized. This one lacked that last feature. The small pieces combined with our heat and humidity (our lanai does not have air conditioning, just open windows and fans), the puzzle pieces would stick to our fingers, making the process a little tricky. But it was a fun design and we kept at it.

fireworks above Mount Verson

That evening we planted ourselves in our recliners in front of the TV to watch the 4th of July show going on in Washington DC. This is our habit for the patriotic holidays where we can watch in the comfort of our jammies, snacks nearby, and no waiting lines for the port-a-johns.

Gary and I have both lived in the Washington DC area in years past, LONG before we ever met. We speculate that it's possible we both could have been on the same metro platform, waiting for a commuter train, utterly unaware that one day our personal circumstances would be very different, we would meet, fall in love and spend the rest of our years together. 

Speaking of days past, before we met, here is a fun story Gary has told me that happened when he was working in D.C. He was on his lunch break from the office at a fast food burger place. All during his meal, a little boy and his mother were sitting at another table nearby and seemed to be looking at Gary a lot. When they had finished their meal, the lady came over to Gary to apologize. She said her son thought Gary was Clark Kent (Super Man). To that Gary replied with great confidence, "I am!" 

"Clark Kent",
my Gary before his hair turned white

Now we know! 😉 (But I assure you, in spite of this blog, I'm no Lois Lane!!)

On Independence Day we rode our bicycles through the neighborhood, came home, did our usual Saturday morning chores (Gary cleans the floors while I vacuum the carpeted areas). We cleaned up ourselves and I got to wear my special shirt (wardrobe purchase from Hobby Lobby).

Then we collapsed in front of the TV to watch the parade of the tall ships and military planes over the Statue of Liberty. 

I have to say that of all the patriotic holiday displays this weekend, the tall ships have been my favorite. They are beautiful, graceful, and the crew standing on (clinging tightly!!) the masts have been a little terrifying. There were so many of them, and from other countries. They came to show respect and to participate. It has been wonderful!

For lunch we had hot dogs and French fries. As we all know, hot dogs are a big deal for the 4th of July, although we do not think much of the fellow who prides himself as the champion who can stuff his mouth with [waaaay too many] Nathan's hot dogs in ten minutes and win fame for it. 

Joey Chestnut

Yes, I imagine he is a longtime customer of Pepcid. . . . .

While our hot dogs were digesting, I baked an apple crisp (with canned apple pie filling) and let its warm scent fill the house the rest of the afternoon as it cooled. 

We enjoyed it for supper (along with a thin slice of ham for protein) and felt satisfied with our holiday fare.

We completed our puzzle and settled in for the firework shows on TV.

my nephew

Uncle Sam showed up at Sister's place to toss out the fire crackers at the family farm where there is plenty of space for a real show.

This morning we took our usual after-breakfast bike ride of some 5 miles or so. We stopped to speak to yet another turtle on the multi-purpose path:

He, like us two retired folk, was not moving fast but he's satisfied with his slower, more gentle way of life. He posed for the snapshot and then we pedaled off to church. 

We watch a service on TV every Sunday morning without fail, and are greatly blessed for doing so. This habit works very well for us in our current season of life.

While no people are perfect and no nation gets it right all of the time, we are grateful for the merciful God Who forgives our failures and gives us grace to move forward.

If my people

who are called by my name ,

will humble themselves 

and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and I will forgive their sin

and will heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

The USA Birthday Party Has Begun!

 

This week's Hodgepodge writing prompts focus on patriotic and summer themes, as well as the USA's 250th birthday. 

If you want to link up to participate in this week's Hodgepodge meme, click here:

http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2026/06/hodgepodge-questions-volume-660.html

1. What do you love most about your country? 

First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas

Of course, there is MUCH about America to love, but at the very top of my list is freedom of religion. We must continue to support this freedom that was the foundational intent of our forefathers as they landed on our shores. 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

God bless America, land that I love!

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above.

We have many great patriotic songs, but when I'm asked to narrow it down, this one, which is a prayer, says it best for me.

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

This flag pillow was purchased about 7 years ago, probably from Hobby Lobby.

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

I choose "Quiet" because at my age, I like to read, work jigsaw puzzles, do Sudoku, read and comment on the blogs I follow, have peaceful conversations, and in general just think about things. Loud, noisy venues and uncertainty about what lies around the corner tend to result in poor choices and disorder.

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid? 

Sister and I spent many hours with
skates like these clamped onto
our saddle oxford shoes.

The Beach Boys' music 
reminds me of summer
and the years I lived in Southern California.

Two outdoor summer activities that stand out in my memory are roller skating the sidewalks in our apartment complex and time at the swimming pool listening to rock ’n roll on our transistor radios while we worked on a suntan. 

Here's an interesting piece of trivia: The manager of our spa/gym/pool here in my +55 community was the model for the little girl on the Coppertone suntan lotion bottle.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here are some of the patriotic decorations from one of the gathering spots in my 55+ community:

This (below) is outside my house:

My friend, Joline, reminded me that the birds needed ribbons. I dug them out of the Christmas box, pleased to find them in a ziplock bag just under the box lid. Gary said I should have white and blue ribbons, too, but it will probably stay as it is.

Although I don't entertain whimsey to the extent that I used to, I will tell you that as I tied the ribbon on this guy's neck, he let me know a sun hat would have been more appreciated . . . . .

We had new sod installed recently, so Gary has not been in a hurry to create a new hole in the grass for the permanent receptacle for the flag pole. He took care of that this week:

This morning our community had its annual 4th of July Golf Cart Parade. We don't have a golf cart, but enjoyed watching it roll past us behind our house. Here are some of the snapshots I took:

Blessed is the nation

whose God is the LORD,

the people He chose for His inheritance.

Psalm 33:12

We experience true joy, favor, and prosperity when our foundation and loyalty are placed in the LORD.

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara

Commencing With Summer 2026

 

Although summer's heat has been in my area for close to 2 months (!!), this is the first Hodgepodge of "official" summer. If you want to link up your blog with others to answer these summer-related writing prompts, click on the link below.

http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2026/06/hodgepodge-questions-volume-659.html

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere, substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? 

Me, hamming it up the summer of 2018
on the boat dock of friends
in Lake Weedowee, Alabama

I enjoy the 4th of July parades, fireworks, and grilled menus.  If I have a pet peeve about summer, it's that I don't like the feeling of sweat running down my back. 

Our patience is tried in crowds of people and traffic, so In recent years Gary and I have been absolutely content to watch the 4th of July celebrations unfold on TV while we enjoy air conditioning, our automated recliners, and the convenience of food and bathrooms just steps away.

The current trend of drone "fireworks" shows are interesting but I hope the old-fashioned kind are not abandoned.

2. What song always reminds you of summer? 

Summer Place by Percy Faith's orchestra (one of my husband's favorite songs).

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate. 

my family lived in the greater Los Angeles area
1958-1961

My mother was the secretary at the church of which my family was a member the summer between my 4th and 5th grades in school. Since Sister and I were too young to spend day after day at home by ourselves, Mama brought us to work with her. We would bring our dolls and each take over a Sunday School classroom and play "school." The church had a good gymnasium, so we could run and play there in a safe place while Mama was in the nearby office. There was also a Coke machine, so we got to drink pop with our sack lunches. 

As for kids' summers these days, social media and greatly increased crime have darkly colored the activity options. It's just not the same. We would go outside and play with our friends for hours on end, coming inside just to use the bathroom and to get a drink of water. 

4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa. 

Of my two parents, my face and personality are more like my dad; my body and health are more like my mother. My father enjoyed people and made friends easily. He died of cancer when I was 36 years old. His work as a corporate pilot took him all over the USA.  After his death many people sent letters to my mother expressing how much they liked my dad. 

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

• flip flops or sandals: sandals, although I wear both daily
• beach or pool: beach but I don't swim any more 
• watermelon or peaches: both
• shorts or sundress: BERMUDA shorts (no short-shorts)
• iced coffee or ice cold lemonade: lemonade
• amusement park or water park: amusement park, but really just for walking around and sitting in the shade to watch people. And ice cream. Eating ice cream in the summer is fun. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Recently Joyce did a "day in the life" type of blog post. Here is my version that I'm titling: 

How 2 Retired Seniors Spend Most Days

Our general routine: we get up early (5:30am) to take advantage of the cooler temps for our daily bike ride of 5 miles, chores and appointments.  

Our bikes, are a year 'round habit,
even on Christmas morning --- note:
this is the only time we did not wear helmets

After lunch we are usually relaxing on the cheerful lanai with the windows open wide and fans blowing. If or when the air gets too hot, we move inside to the air conditioning, but the lanai is so bright and close to nature that we stay out there as long as we can bear it.

The palm on the very far right and the very far left
are the ones that got trimmed.

For all the visions of romance that palm trees convey, they make for a lot of upkeep to look their best. Yesterday Gary cut down about 20 very long, thorny branches from our 2 tallest palms. 

Then I helped drag them to the driveway where Gary cut them into short lengths for disposal. Years ago, I never imagined my Colorado Waste Management bins would hold Florida tree trimmings!

After lunch (our biggest meal of the day) and a short nap in front of the noon TV news, more progress is made on our current puzzle. As much as we both enjoy puzzles, we are finding one of the challenges is how the humidity causes puzzle pieces to stick to our finger tips, sometimes pulling apart what has already been fitted together!! (To Gary's credit, he's done more on this puzzle than I have.)

On Monday I finished reading this book while cooling off in front of a fan. Now that I no longer spend hours every day with needle-in-hand, the number of books in my personal library has greatly increased.

Most of the time, I can't just read. Highlighting meaningful sentences and margin notes are my reading and study style. I have a code or system with pencil colors:

red = general information, statements

green = instructions, things I should do

blue = sin, things to be avoided

purple = actions of God

And occasionally a scribbled star filled in with gold (or tan) pencil indicates something that really spoke to me, answering a question I've had or really highlighting an important truth I want to remember.

This system enables me to flip through the pages at some later date to re-live the impact the book has made on me without reading every single page all over again.

the lanai faces east and looks out
on a lot of tall trees

After an afternoon of puzzles, reading (and sometimes a small ice cream cone), we head for the kitchen to decide on a light supper (soup, a sandwich, or sometimes just peanut butter on crackers). 

After that, even though it may hardly be past 6pm, I floss and brush my teeth, turn down the covers on our bed, and find my jammies. We catch up on the day's news and our shows or movies. At 9pm the TV is turned off, and by 9:15pm both of us are usually fast asleep like two worn out old dogs. #much4which2Bthankful!

Sister's two Basset Hounds

"For I know the plans I have for you,"

declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope 

and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara