A Fresh Cup of Coffee

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Sunday Stills - This Bugs Me

One of the things I don't like about summer (there are only a few) is the bugs. Well, insects in general. Flies getting in the house, a nice evening outside but then the mosquitoes or other biting bugs try to ruin it, those annoying little gnats, yellow jackets and sweat bees trying to get in your drinks. And stinkbugs, am I right? Horrible things!

I can appreciate some insects though. Butterflies and honeybees, obviously! I love fireflies (when they stay outside) and I enjoy the sound of crickets, cicadas, and katydids (again, when they stay outside). The Sunday Stills Animal of the Month theme is "Summer Bugs" so here are some bugs I found interesting enough to photograph. I'm afraid none of these are true bugs - just insects and a few creepy crawly creatures that most of would call 'bugs'

This is a False Potato Bug. Closest thing to a true bug you will find in this post.

Honeybees at work:

At our place in Maryland, we found praying mantises on the side porch almost every year.

I feel like butterflies deserve their own post, so I will limit myself to just the photo of the lowly caterpillar today. A Monarch butterfly caterpillar, specifically.

These are examples of the kinds of bugs I'm okay with - David Rogers' "Big Bugs" art exhibit. It's currently at Franklin Park Conservatory, but we saw it a couple years ago at the Dawes Arboretum.

We had fun getting photos with the Daddy Long-legs and Spider!

Do bugs bug you or are you fascinated by them? Leave a comment and let me know!

This post is shared at Second Wind Leisure Perspectives for the #SundayStills Photo Challenge.

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©2006-2026 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Let Peace Rule

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:12-17~

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I also link up at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Grace-Filled Moments

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Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Wings Over the Wednesday Hodgepodge

A hodgepodge is a jumble or assortment of things that might not appear to belong together. Joyce at From This Side of the Pond hosts a weekly link-up called Wednesday Hodgepodge that is a little collection of questions for bloggers to answer just for fun and to get to know each other. I always look forward to chatting with friends over coffee, so pour a cup of your favorite and let's visit for a few minutes!

Here are this week's questions - and my answers - for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. August 19th is National Aviation Day . . . do you like to fly? Last time you were on an airplane? The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? the city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace)?

I guess I like flying. I don't particularly like the 'hurry up and wait' and the airport experience, but flying itself is fine. The last time I was on a plane was in April 2025 when I went to visit my family in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I haven't been to Kitty Hawk, but I have been to Dayton, specifically the Wright Brothers National Museum that is part of Carillon Historical Park.

2. In what area of your life do you tend to 'wing it'? Is this an area you should be winging?

Goodness, what area don't I tend to 'wing it'??? This is my tendency more often than not. Which isn't to say I don't do any preparations or practice before doing things, but I do tend to fit it in where I can and then trust that it's good enough. So maybe that doesn't count as winging it, technically. One area that would be much better if I didnt' wing it so often is meal planning. I definitely don't plan and think that through well enough ahead of time.

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way?

I obviously thought about Top Gun as a movie related to flight and it is a really great movie that I enjoyed, but I wouldn't call it a favorite. A song that comes to mind is Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra. I love it, it's one of my favorites from the Chairman. I'm sure that once I start reading other Hodgepodge responses I'll see lots of other songs I like too.

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream . . . what's your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge?

First choice is old-fashioned ice cream, but I also love soft serve, and I wouldn't say no to any of these! Favorite flavor that is my go-to is Cookies and Cream, but if I'm at Whit's Frozen Custard I'll be getting the Rose Run which has raspberry and macadamia nuts and fudge. I don't indulge in frozen treats nearly as often as I'd like to. We don't typically keep ice cream in the freezer at home, so it's a special treat to stop at an ice cream place like Whit's or Graeter's or even Dairy Queen. The last time I had ice cream was at the end of June. We all got ice cream a couple times while on vacation, and we also went to a 50s style diner near our place in Ohio and got ice cream there.

5. I never get tired of ____________________.

I never get tired of good music, whether listening or singing or playing. I never get tired of spending time with my family.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Random question: what kind of trash can do you have in your kitchen and where do you keep it? I realized that this kitchen really has no ideal place for a trash can because anywhere you might put it there is a cupboard door or drawer, or it's kind of out in the middle of the room. I'd like one of those small trash receptacles that fits on the inside of the cabinet door under the sink. Do you remember these? It's basically a frame for a small trash bag, with a lid, that hangs on the inside of the cabinet door. And what's weird is that I can't find such a thing on Amazon and so far haven't found it in a store either.

The trash can is the black object kind of hiding by the table.
That spot works but it's not ideal. But you see what I mean
about the drawers and doors?

Same thing on this side of the sink. A trash can also wouldn't
fit inside the pantry closet - we considered that and rejected it.

What are you winging this week? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm sharing in this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond.

I host the Wednesday Quotes link-up every other Wednesday. Stop by and share a few thoughts and quotes on the current topic here: WQ - The Value of Rest. I host the Everyday Images photo link-up every other Thursday. And find the Scripture and a Snapshot link-up here every Sunday.

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WQ - The Value of Rest

When in haste, rest in the present. Take a deep breath and come back to here and now. ~Dan Millman

I think I am probably better at taking breaks than I am at working hard. But I do know that taking time to relax and enjoy the satisfaction of completing tasks or having worked hard is a much sweeter rest than laziness or procrastination would ever produce.

I do admire people who have drive and ambition and get things done. It is indeed a virtue to work hard and to persevere, but it isn't healthy to work all the time and not take sufficient time to rest and refresh. As with most things in life, we need to find balance.

And sometimes, when we are overwhelmed or exhausted or stuck, we benefit from taking a break to get some perspective and come back later. I found it interesting that Leonardo da Vinci understood this long ago - it is not a new idea!

Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen. ~Leonardo da Vinci

Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work. ~Ralph Marston

My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment.

Hang on to them,

for they will refresh your soul.

They are like jewels on a necklace.

They keep you safe on your way,

and your feet will not stumble.

You can go to bed without fear;

you will lie down and sleep soundly.

~Proverbs 3:21-24~

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

~Psalm 91:1~

The end of labor is to gain leisure. ~Aristotle

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Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.

Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive.

Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me.

And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking.

~Gregory Maguire~

Wednesday Quotes 2026 Themes

January 7 - Resolutions

January 21 - Motivation

February 4 - Eating Out/Restaurants

February 18 - Being Responsible

March 4 - Libraries

March 18 - Perseverance

April 1 - Simplicity

April 15 - Conquering Fear

April 29 - Making a Difference

May 13 - Family Ties

May 27 - Courage

June 10 - Teachers/Mentors

June 24 - Connecting with Nature

July 8 - Milestones

July 22 - Sunrise

August 5 - Patience

August 19 - Taking a Break/Rest

September 2 - Learning from Mistakes

September 16 - Best Friends

September 30 - Elegance

October 14 - Reaching Goals

October 28 - Dreams/Nightmares

November 11 - Integrity

November 25 - Generosity

December 9 - Beauty in Nature

December 23 - True Love

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Tuesday, August 18, 2026

The Flower Hour - Mums to Orchids

The Floral Alphabet continues today with M, N, and O.

Mums, as chrysanthemums are commonly called, don't come to mind as a favorite flower for me, but it's hard to imagine a flower I associate more closely with fall decor. Of course I need some "mumkins" and other fall arrangements featuring mums in September and October!

Last fall Timbuk Farms featured an patriotic Ohio themed arrangement of mum at the garden center. From this angle it's probably hard to tell what is depicted but there is an Ohio flag and a cardinalalong with the large sunburst. And here I used to think mums were all either yellow or orange!

Naked Lady Lily is one of the common names for this hardy bulb which is a variety of amaryllis. The common name comes from the unusual growth cycle of the plant. The leaves come up in spring but there are no flowers until well after the foliage has dried up. So in late summer, the flowers seem to come up on naked stems. Sometimes these are called Resurrection Lily because the flower grows from what may look like a dead plant. I remember being intrigued by these leggy flowers that I saw popping up in people's flowerbeds and wondered what they were. Didn't think about them all that much until a couple weeks ago when these surprised us by blooming along the back of our yard!