Five Minute Friday - Quick

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. 

One word. Five minutes to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.

quick thinking

a quick stop

quick-tempered

********************

So many directions I could go with the prompt "quick" but with only five minutes (give or take! I usually go over by the time I add quotes and all) I need to do some quick thinking and decide which way to go!

I thought of the verse reminding us that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak or get angry. And boy, we all need that reminder because our natural tendency―most of us, I would guess―is to do the exact opposite. We don't want to hear the full story or someone's explanation―we want to skip ahead what we want to say after we've jumped to a conclusion, and we're already building up indignation even if we don't explode right away.

My fuse is not nearly as short as it used to be, but I still have a tendency to quick temper. Not to blow up and have a tantrum at the drop of a hat, but a quick temper in terms of a mental or emotional reaction. My guess is that most people are the same. Maybe the lesson we all could learn is to NOT act or react on that almost immediate impression when we are hurt or surprised or angered. Let's not be triggered. Let's listen and let's consider our response before we say or do something rash.

A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,

and one who schemes is hated.

~Proverbs 14:7~

 

Spouting off quickly without considering what we are saying can lead to misunderstandings, arguments, hurt feelings, and regrets.

When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred. ~Thomas Jefferson

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

~Ecclesiastes 5:2~

Acting quickly on our quick tempered emotional reaction will usually get us into trouble.

A patient person shows great understanding,

but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

~Proverbs 14:29~

My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness.

~James 1:19-20~

********************

I keep my good health by having a very bad temper, kept under good control. ~Theodore Roosevelt

I don't have a short temper, I just have a quick reaction to bull****. ~Elizabeth Taylor

********************

This post is linked at Five Minute Friday for the word prompt "Quick".

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2023 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. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

WQ - How Much Further? (Midpoint)

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. 

Even though Wednesday is the midpoint of the week, my post happens on Thursday this week. I'm participating in the Wednesday Quotes link-up hosted by Marsha at Always Write. We're focusing on the theme "Midpoint" this week, and as we'll soon be halfway through the year, perhaps it's timely.

Not long ago, my husband and I realized that we'd been living in Ohio for six months. Half of a year, or you could say, at the midpoint of the year. A lot has changed since his first day of work here and since we signed the lease on our townhouse. In many ways we do feel that this has become home, we've settled into some routines, we're finding things to be involved in. We're planning on staying here―in Ohio, not necessarily in this townhouse!―for awhile. Probably until retirement. But we don't know exactly how long we'll be here, so we won't actually know it when we reach the midpoint of our stay.

It's often like that in other endeavors as well. When we're on a well-known road that we've traveled often, we know and recognize the landmark at the halfway point. But when we're on unfamiliar paths and don't have a detailed map along with clear mile markers, the best we can do is guess when we've reached a midpoint.

If we are to go only halfway or reduce our sights in the face of difficulty . . . it would be better to not go at all. ~John F. Kennedy

On Monday, we took a family outing to do some hiking at Hocking Hills State Park. Our son had been there before, but it was awhile ago and we weren't sure we were on the exact same trail they'd taken. We had looked at a map and knew the length of the trails. But as we walked, we weren't always entirely sure how far we'd walked already, if the path we'd taken was a shortcut or longer route, and how much further or how many more stairs until we reached the destination. It was also a loop trail, so once we reached the spot that was the highlight of the trip, we couldn't say with certainty that it was the midpoint because we weren't going to retrace our steps!

A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands. ~William Lyon Phelps

The unknown midpoint was even more of an issue at the second hiking spot we chose. We went to Rockbridge State Nature Preserve, planning to hike to the natural stone bridge. But there was no handy downloadable map, we only happened upon one clear sign giving a direction. We simply stayed on the path, made decisions when the path forked, and hoped we wouldn't miss the bridge. We could not have answered the questions, "Are we almost there?" or "How much further?" because we really had no idea.

Where is the midpoint of a life experience? At what point can we say we've made it halfway and now we're on the home stretch? In a way, we're almost always at a midpoint of some kind, if we've moved from the beginning but aren't yet at the end.

Our pasts so many times determine the value of what is happening today. Everybody is midway in their story. ~Ron Carlson

As long as we have hope, we have direction, the energy to move, and the map to move by. We have a hundred alternative, a thousand paths and an infinity of dreams. Hopeful, we are halfway to where we want to go; hopeless, we are lost forever. ~Laozi

. . . the midpoint of each film is the moment when each protagonist embraces for the first time the quality they will need to become complete and finish their story. It's when they discover a truth about themselves. ~John Yorke

We kept going, keeping an eye out for that rock bridge, because we didn't want to miss it. We didn't want to go so far and get so close and then miss out because we gave up and turned back perhaps only yards from the destination. We reasoned that we had to be close and said, "just around that bend, just over that hill, just five minutes more, and then we'll reevaluate." In reality, we'd passed the midpoint of the hike without really knowing it, because we didn't know how much further. Perhaps the midpoint was at one of the places where we were hot and tired and annoyed. And perhaps that is like life as well. Maybe when we are frustrated and discouraged and regretting a decision . . . maybe we've passed the midpoint and we're on the home stretch! Maybe the goal we're headed for is just around the bend a few steps more!

A goal properly set is halfway reached. ~Zig Ziglar

When you see a roadblock or challenge as an opportunity, it is amazing how you are already halfway there. ~Frances Hesselbein

The wise man knowether where to stop,

as he runneth in the race of fortune,

For experience of old hath taught him,

that happiness lingered midway;

And many in hot pursuit have hasted to the goal of wealth,

But have lost, as they ran, those apples of gold―

the mind and the power to enjoy it.

~Martin Farquhar Tupper

So if you're headed towards your goal, and doing good, don't give up! Even if you don't know how far you have left to go, don't get discouraged! You are at A midpoint. It might not be the exact and measured midpoint, but it is a midpoint, and you are getting closer to the finish line with every step you take!

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

~Hebrews 10:36~

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

~Galatians 6:9~

Wednesday Quotes is hosted by Marsha at Always Write. This post will be linked at #WQ #22: Midpoint

This post is also linked at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Simply Coffee & Jesus.

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2023 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. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

What's Up Wednesday Hodgepodge - May 2023

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. 

On the last Wednesday of each month, Shaeffer & Shay host a link-up to talk a bit about what's going on in our worlds - food, entertainment, plans, fashion, work, whatever - in the What's Up Wednesday linky party. I'm late sharing what's up with me this time, because I'm on a little vacation visiting my kids.

What We're Eating This Week . . . We've been eating out more recently, thanks to the long weekend. Hubby and I tried buffalo brisket at Ted's Montana Grill last week, were invited to a cookout on Sunday, and ate at the Hungry Buffalo on Monday as part of our day out with family. I did try a new recipe last week (can't remember which day) that turned out really well, although as usual, I'm not sure my photo does it justice. This is my homemade Chicken Florentine―pretty quick and easy, and very tasty!

What I'm Reminiscing About . . . I miss attending the Memorial Day parade in Westminster. For many years our Memorial Day started out in town for the parade. Landon was in Civil Air Patrol and marched in the parade, and Kennady and I met up with friends along Main Street to watch. Once we got home, we usually had friends over for a cookout.

May 2019

May 2017

May 2016

What I'm Loving . . . having a working knee! We went on a couple of hikes on Monday, and although it wasn't super rough terrain, it was hilly and the paths were uneven and criss-crossed with roots, and there were lots and lots of steps! No chance I could have done even a tenth of it on my old knee! Definitely have received my money's worth from the knee replacement not quite one year ago!

What We've Been Up To . . . a weekend visit to Maryland for our daughter's graduation, celebrating Mother's Day, enjoying warmer weather, doing some exploring of parks and short hikes, and starting to up our involvement at church.

What I'm Dreading . . . my consultation with an oral surgeon next week. I guess I'll dread the next visit after the consultation even more because that's when they'll be extracting what's left of a broken tooth. Ugh.

What I'm Working On . . . learning music, which is exactly what I said last month, I think!

What I'm Excited About . . . our daughter and her boyfriend will be coming for a visit in just over a week!

What I'm Watching/Reading . . . Haven't watched much of anything recently. My husband was binge watching The Good Place, and I watched a lot of it with him. We've watched a couple movies, including Ant-Man and the Wasp and A Man Called Otto. All good!

I've been trying to turn to books more, instead of time-wasting things, but I'm not making much of a dent in my to-read pile! Just keeping up with a few review books plus an extra couple of books is a challenge sometimes, which is why it seems to take so long for me to read books that I don't have to return to the library or post a review on a deadline! For all the details on what I'm reading, see my book blog at Just A Second.

I'm currently working on:

Beneath A Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee

American Cozy: Hygge-Inspired Ways to Create Comfort & Happiness by Stephanie Pedersen

A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber

Recently completed:

When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Fair As A Star by Mimi Matthews

The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson

Up next:

Composition As Conversation by Heather M. Hoover

Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

What I'm Listening To . . . music of all kinds, but most often from RadioU. The learning tracks for the women's chorus pieces are on repeat as I work on learning and memorizing! I listen to podcasts quite a bit, and I'm trying something sort of new right now―listening to an audiobook. I mean, not right at this moment! I don't generally like listening to audiobooks, as I seem to have trouble tracking with the storyline, but I was intrigued by A Man With One of Those Faces by Caimh McDonnell, and audiobook was the only version currently available through my library, so . . . I'm trying it. 

What I'm Wearing . . . t-shirts and short sleeve tops more often, and hoodies less often. Actually wore a dress to church this past Sunday. I bought a pair of capri length exercise pants a couple weeks ago, not sure how I'd like them, but they are really comfortable so I am planning to get at least one more pair in another colour. They were super comfortable for hiking on Monday.

What I'm Doing This Weekend . . . No big plans this coming weekend, at least none I know of right now. Depending on how much hubby needs to be at work and what time his hockey game is on Sunday, we may go on another local park explore. I've been wanting to get back to the Dawes Arboretum and the Franklin Conservatory so we may do one of those.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month . . . the visit with our daughter, and I'm hopeful that I can find a part-time job that interests me by the end of June. And as soon as I do have a job lined up, we'll go ahead and get another vehicle as well.

What Else Is New . . . the community's pool is now open so we'll want to go check it out soon. We're starting to narrow down dates and plans for trips later this year. A couple of quick trips to Maryland, and a trip to Calgary this fall are in the works already, and I will be going to Louisville with the chorus at the very end of October. 

*************************

 

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. Do you know much about (or understand) Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Does it worry or excite you?

I don't know a lot about it, or really understand it, but I do know that unless we have some safeguards and strict ethics as it develops, it's more worrisome than exciting. Just like with any technology or tool, it can be used for good or for ill, and I don't have any real confidence that its intended use is for good at this point.

2. What was the last song you listened to? Your favorite movie soundtrack? What song always puts you in a good mood?

 

Last song I listened to was a women's barbershop quartet arrangement of Can't Help Falling in Love, because I was working on memorizing it. Picking a favorite anything is always hard for me . . . movie soundtracks that come to mind as favorites are Forrest Gump, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and many older classic musicals like Grease, The Sound of Music, and White Christmas. There are probably just as many songs guaranteed to put me in a good mood! Might be easier to name some styles. Upbeat swing music like In The Mood or Sing Sing Sing. Big celebratory orchestral music like the 1812 Overture. Lots of upbeat worship music goes in that category as well.

3. What were you doing ten years ago?

 Well, according to my photo folders, my daughter was in the middle of softball season, and my second oldest son had just graduated from high school. It was the end of the school year, but I was already planning the next homeschool year, and apparently I still had reddish hair. Oh, and we would have been starting to plan the family vacation, which would have been Spencer's choice that year since he was the graduate. It's significant because we went to Calgary that fall, and that was the last time we were out there. Spencer chose that trip, which also included Glacier National Park, Banff, and a little bit of British Columbia; and we went in the fall so we could be there for my parents' 50th anniversary. My husband and I are now planning to go this fall for my parents' 60th anniversary. It's crazy to me that it's been TEN YEARS since we were there!

4. Your favorite no-bake summer dessert?

Ice cream? I mean, seriously, is there a better summertime dessert that doesn't involve baking? I submit to you that there is not.

Other than that, I can only think of Butterscotch Confetti as something I often made for summer gatherings. It's basically peanut butter and butterscotch chips and butter melted together, then you stir in colored mini marshmallows and press it into a pan. My kids used to ask for it a lot but I haven't made it for a long time.

 

5. Something you're looking forward to in June?

 

As mentioned in the WUW section, I'm really looking forward to my daughter's visit. Also looking forward to rehearsals with the chorus, to warm weather adventures including checking out the pool, and hopefully to starting a job of some kind and getting another vehicle. (I haven't given up on getting a parakeet either!)

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm frustrated with myself because I cannot seem to consistently manage my time. Things always take longer than I estimate, and you'd think I would have learned that by now and figured out how to be more efficient or prioritize better or something. I'm always able to meet a deadline or timeframe that I can't negotiate (like having to be at work by a certain time, or needing to finish a book so I can return it to the library) but I am not good about setting my own schedule and sticking to it. Another reason to get a job. If I have to fit my personal timetable around a work schedule, I'll have more incentive to be efficient and more focused. And so, here I am, much later on a Wednesday than I would have liked, finally hitting 'publish' on this so I can link it up and see to some other things on my to-do list for the day. So I will be back later on to read everyone else's posts!

What's up in your world 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.

And this post is linked at What's Up Wednesday for May, with Sheaffer & Shay.

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2023 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. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Everyday Images - May 2023

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation.

So much happened during the month that I feel I need to do a full photo album post, separate from my Everyday Images link-ups, and even then I'll have to limit to just some highlights. I've got a couple of photo album posts over at Homeschool Coffee Break that focus on a couple of the events, if you're interested in more. A Graduation PhotoJournal has more photos from our daughter's college grad, and the Hiking in the Hills PhotoJournal has lots of photos from yesterday's hikes in the state parks.

Here are photos that will give an overview of our adventures during the past month.

I've been pleasantly surprised at how many birds have been visiting my feeders, even though they certainly aren't optimally located.

Mother's Day weekend we were back in Maryland for Kennady's graduation from Mount St. Mary's University.

We brought my keyboard and my husband's bass back with us, so now I have something else to do in my free time.

We returned to Blendon Woods Metro Park for walk one evening.

One of our weekend adventures with our son and his family was a visit to COSI to see the King Tut's tomb exhibit - and some of the other attractions.

Our granddaughter was very excited to dress up as a princess for her last day of school.

We were delighted to discover that a mama duck had picked a spot not far from our window and the bird feeders for her nest. We'd been keeping an eye on her and her eggs, excited about the possibility of seeing the ducklings very soon. 

Sadly, the crows got at the nest, so our hopes were dashed. Poor Mama Duck.

We ended the month (well, there's a couple days left, but you know what I mean) with a Memorial Day trip to Hocking Hills State Park and Rockbridge State Nature Preserve to do some hiking.

This post will be linked at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea Scribbles.

Pictorial Tuesday

 Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

 ©2006-2023 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. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.