HODGEPODGE REUNION WITH JOYCE

1. Tell me something big-important-happy-or sad that's happened in your life since that date. Just one thing. We don't know how long this current isolation situation is going to last and we might need to dole out our news bit by bit.

One thing for me is all of those things. The biggest, most important, sad thing was my Dear Heart moving up to Heaven. I’m missing him like crazy, but have to add there was some happy in the celebration of his life, which I shared here in December. I haven’t quite been in the swing of things as far as blogging goes, but must say the support I have received on all sides from family, church family, Friends, and my Bible Study Friends has been over the top! 

2. Might as well get this out of the way early on...COVID-19. On a scale of 1-5 how serious are you about keeping your distance? Explain. fyi-I didn't create the scale but have seen it several places online. Also fyi-we won't only have virus related questions each week, but for this first one it feels right.

I’m at number 4-Extremely limited, only going out when unavoidable, minimal contact with people.

I do walk my dog, I make quick runs to the grocery store (not that often), but I have contact with so many people through Facebook, telephone, and now Zoom for connecting with groups. 

She waits at the top of the stairs...

guarding the door ...

waiting for a bite of whatever I have ..

Just pretty much in my face.

Her favorite spot. She's good company!

 3. Raise your hand if you think you might run out of steam in the cooking department before it's all said and done? What's something delicious you've cooked or eaten in your own kitchen in the past week? 

I’ve been baking brownies and before the serious lockdown, I made a pot roast with all the trimmings for my family who visited. It. Was. So. Good. I also baked a delicious meatloaf for myself on Sunday, which I’m tired of eating and from now on, will freeze leftovers. 

4. What's a television show or movie you've seen recently (it could be an oldie) that you really liked?

I watched a documentary about Anne Frank which was excellent. 

Another old movie I watched was The Quiet Man with John Wayne. I’m also admitting now to have watched all of the Diagnosis Murder series with Dick Van Dyke. But I am reading a lot, too.  

5. Share something funny you've seen or heard this week. 

There are way too many funny memes about toilet paper. I’m guessing you will see several in the Hodgepodge. I like this one because our grandson has spent so many of my quarters trying to win a prize. I got a kick out of sending this one to him, but then I had to explain. You see, he doesn't worry about toilet paper! He's just a kid, and everything he needs, Mom and Dad will take care of.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

While I eat my breakfast, I enjoy watching the birds fly about outdoors. They remind me that Jesus said they don’t worry, and neither should I. They know nothing about the Covid virus ... their day is spent flying about, looking for seeds or worms, and avoiding any predators as they guard their nests. 

I know God has me in His hand, I will trust in Him and not be afraid. If, six months ago, I had known what was coming: the loss of my husband, being alone facing the crisis in the news every day, I would have been so afraid. But now, I’m not. I know He has seen me through my circumstances in the past, and He will be with me today and in my future. He is my peace. 

Why should I feel discouraged?
And why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heavenly home
When Jesus is my portion?
And my constant friend is He
His eye is on the little sparrow,

And I know He's watching over you and me

When the kids were here, we couldn't visit the usual fun spots, like Urban Air,

so we went to the park. It was a cold, wet and windy day.

So we put them to drawing.

They were happy watching iPad!

A few years ago, they liked watching the TV.

I don't understand them wanting to watch the little screen!!!