Monthly Musings: Summer Travel

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Holly at Pink Lady and Patty at Good Better Best co-host this monthly sharing of tips, tricks, and conversation starters. I'm going to try to breeze through them and not give super long answers, so I can find a bit of time to visit the other participants. (I have really been struggling to visit other blogs in a timely manner lately - but I'm trying!)

1. Share your summer plans.

I mentioned last month that we were looking to rent a cabin or vacation home and have the whole family join us. We have that booked for August and are really looking forward to it! At the end of July we'll be traveling to Maryland for a weekend for my husband to play in a hockey tournament. We'd floated the idea of flying out west to meet friends for a long weekend but haven't heard any updates on that so it doesn't look like that will happen this year. Other than that we are trying to fit in some local adventures on weekends.

2. What are your summer traditions?

I don't think we have any specific summer traditions, other than all the "Fireworks Week" things. We celebrate Canada Day on July 1st, and Independence Day on July 4th, and our daughter's birthday is that week as well. We love fireworks so planning where to see fireworks shows is a summer tradition I enjoy. I'm hoping our vacation home with all the kids becomes a summer tradition!

3. Do you prefer the ocean or a lake?

I don't have a strong preference for one over the other, because I'm not much of a swimmer and I'm not a dedicated beach person. I love the ocean, and if I have a choice, I prefer a sand beach to a pebbled or rocky beach, so probably I lean just a little to a preference for the ocean.

4. Do you have any pool time planned?

Our apartment neighborhood has a pool and it's right close to our place, so yes we plan to make use of it. Hopefully more this summer than last summer, but since I'm working full time we'll mostly go on weekends. We've been a couple times in the last week and have plans to go this weekend too.

5. Best travel or packing tips.

The only tip I can think of is one I rarely remember to use. Rolling clothes instead of folding. You can get a lot more stuff packed into a smaller space, and supposedly it doesn't wrinkle as much either. 

6. Favorite summer movie?

I really don't have one. I don't watch movies that often. Summer is obviously the best time to catch movies at the drive-in, so the ones our family saw at the drive-in years ago, or that we watched at a community outdoor film event are what I think of. Pirates of the Carribean is one of those and it's a movie I've seen many times. We've seen a lot of Disney/Pixar films and other animated films that way as well.

7. Beverage that says summer to you?

Margaritas. Sweet tea. Margaritas. Lemonade. Margaritas. Root beer floats. Margaritas.

Did I mention I like margaritas?

8. What songs say summer to you?

So many and I'm running out of time to finish up this post and get going, so I'll just give the first one that popped into my head - Twisting By the Pool by Dire Straits!

9. What do you like on your burgers or hot dogs?

My general rule is nothing crunchy unless it's bacon! Lettuce and onions and tomatoes do not belong on burgers in my opinion. So I like a cheeseburger with some combination of mayo, ketchup, mustard, relish, and maybe a couple of pickles. Alternatively, barbecue sauce or thousand island dressing is good too. On hot dogs it is ketchup and mustard only, and if I can have only one condiment, it would be mustard.

10. Charcoal or gas grill?

I have used and like both, but I guess I do prefer the gas grill because it's so much easier and quicker to light! And to keep at a relatively constant temperature. But honestly, my husband is in charge of the grill and smoker, and I'm happy to have the help with a meal!

What are some of your musings on summer? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm linking up with Monthly Musings hosted by Holly at Pink Lady and Patty at Good Better Best.

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 ©2006-2024 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/ 

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Wednesday Hodgepodge - Perceptions and Priorities

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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.  What do you think has remained the same about you your whole life? How has your perception of yourself changed over time?

 

As long as I can remember, I have loved books and have played piano, so I guess those things have remained the same. I learned to read before I started school and I was pretty young when I started reading under the covers with a flashlight when I was supposed to be sleeping. I thought I was getting away with it, but now I suspect my parents knew exactly what I was up to! I also started taking piano lessons when I was very little so that's always been part of my life. My perception of myself . . . I think I'm more confident now overall, even though I must admit my self-confidence really suffered over the past couple years. As I've grown older, I've learned what I'm good at and what I'm not good at and need to work on, and I don't kid myself that I'm a better person than I really am. 

 

2. What was the first thing you learned how to cook? Do you prefer to cook or bake?

 

I don't remember! I helped my mom, my grandma, and my aunts in the kitchen from when I was young and that would have been baking more than anything. Cookies, biscuits, bread. I don't even remember what we did in Home Ec when I was in middle school. I learned how to follow recipes, but there were some basic things that were holes in my kitchen skills even when I was in my late teens. For instance, I really didn't know how to scramble eggs until I was about twenty! I definitely prefer to bake and enjoy baking bread and desserts more than cooking meals. 

3. What are some of your current priorities in this season of life? Elaborate.

 One priority that has been a constant for many years is spending time with family, but the way I accomplish that has changed. Now I have to prioritize weekend plans with our son and family because we seldom have time to get together on weeknights. And we prioritize seeing our Maryland kids on long weekends and vacations, so the entire approach to vacation time has changed. Other priorities are staying healthy, physically and mentally, and planning for retirement because it's coming soon!

4. How much time to you spend on your hair each day or, put another way, what's your hair care routine? Do you get it cut regularly or just whenever the mood strikes? Do you go to the same stylist every time? Do you tell your stylist everything? Another other beauty treatments you indulge in throughout the year?

 My haircare routine on weekday mornings is a couple minutes at most. I run a brush through my hair and decide if it will be a hairband day or not. Most days are right now! I do take longer when I'm getting ready to "go out" though. I tend to shower and wash my hair in the evening, and blow dry it then so I don't have to take styling time in the morning. These days I'm getting it cut about every five or six weeks, and I do go to the same stylist every time. I'm getting to know her better and we talk more every visit. I haven't got any other beauty treatments in my regular routine that I can think of. 

right after my last cut

 

5.  What is the most awe-inspiring place you've visited?

 

There have been many! The first one that comes to mind is Niagara Falls, maybe because I've been there often and it never fails to take my breath away. And maybe because my daughter was just there on the weekend with her boyfriend and it was his first time seeing it, so we talked about it when they were here. My other choice is the Rocky Mountains―the Canadian Rockies around Banff and Lake Louise, and the whole Glacier National Park area.  

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

My random thoughts this week are a little collection of quotes inspired by a couple of the questions and will shared in the Wednesday Quotes link-up hosted by Marsha at Always Write.

The consistent finding of psychological research is that we are fairly accurate in our perceptions of others. It's our self-perceptions that are distorted because we look at ourselves in a rose-colored mirror. ~Jonathan Haidt

Our self-perception determines our behavior. If we think we’re small, limited, inadequate creatures, then we tend to behave that way, and the energy we radiate reflects those thoughts no matter what we do. If we think we’re magnificent creatures with an infinite abundance of love and power to give, then we tend to behave that way. Once again, the energy around us reflects our state of awareness. ~Marianne Williamson

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  ~Romans 12:2-3

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work. ~H. L. Hunt

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. ~Stephen Covey

Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. ~Dallin H. Oaks

 

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~Matthew 6:33

Wednesday Quotes 2024 is hosted by Marsha at Always Write. See what we're inspired by this week: WQ#175: All Activities That Inspire Aren't Fun 

 

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What are your priorities these days? And what are the most awe-inspiring places you've been? Leave a comment and let me know!

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

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 ©2006-2024 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 - Tell Us About Beauty

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

I'm participating in the Wednesday Quotes link-up hosted by Marsha at Always Write. In order to simplify her blogging schedule, Marsha has decided to choose themes for her posts as she goes, and has invited those of us who participate to simply include a quote in our post and choose our own themes as well. This week I'm combining with a theme chosen by another Marsha for the Tell Us About blogging series. Marsha in the Middle asked participating bloggers to Tell Us About . . . Beauty, and I knew I had some good quotes to help me do that!

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Over the past few years as I've celebrated each birthday, I've been reminded that thinking getting older is not for the weak. Even for people in much better shape than I'm in, as we get older, we tend to slow down a bit and have some aches that have no other explanation besides age. Aging is a process of change that none of us escape, although we may experience it very differently. 

The likelihood of needing glasses increases as we get older. So does the likelihood of experiencing some hearing loss. I honestly can't blame my weight gain on my age, but getting older sure has contributed to the difficulty of getting the weight off! Add in the arthritic knees that are just getting worse every year, and some mornings I feel positively ancient. (Getting a knee replaced has been life-changing and gave all my other joints a new lease on life as well!) My skin is changing, my bones are changing, and my hair is changing.

Some women have "youthful genes" and don't seem to develop crows-feet as early, and some women fight those signs of aging with skin products or procedures, and by coloring their hair. Some are careful to stay in good shape by exercising and eating right.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. ~Mark Twain

Your face is marked with lines of life, put there by love and laughter, suffering and tears. It's beautiful. ~Lynsay Sands

I decided quite about a decade ago that I wasn't going to color my hair any more. Going gray was a choice I made to stop fighting that particular process of aging, and a very small step towards what I thought would be healthier. The first several months were awkward and my hair looked pretty weird as the color was growing out and I discovered how much gray I actually had. But I'm so glad I did it! It's crazy to me how many compliments I've received on my silver hair - we don't call it gray around here!

Silver hair in 2022

Silver hair in 2023

The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,

if it is found in the way of righteousness.

~Proverbs 16:31~

In today's world, with the impossible standards of digitally enhanced models and focus on youthful beauty, the search for the elusive fountain of youth continues. It's not just young girls that are tempted to compare themselves to the imaginary perfect look, but older women can be discouraged or feel disrespected when they can't hide the signs of aging. No matter our age, we need to realize that our worth is not in what we look like but in who we are. There's a grace and elegance in people that are living joyful and meaningful lives because they know that they are loved and forgiven by God, and that their purpose is to glorify God.

Standards of physical beauty change as we age, change over time and generations, are different from one culture to another, and even from one person to another. The more intangible things that we associate with beauty tend to be more universal, I think. I don't think I'd ever call myself beautiful, but I'm trying to cultivate those beautiful character traits in my life.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

~Proverbs 31:30~

Confidence. Grace. Kindness. Humour. Gentleness. Compassion. Generosity. Humility. Wisdom. These are beautiful in any culture or language, and at any age. The ability to find joy and beauty and humour in each day makes someone beautiful, because we all know genuine smiles are more beautiful that grumpy expressions. Pursuing learning and wisdom, and seeing the goodness of God - this helps open our eyes to appreciate all the beautiful things of the world.

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing. ~Camille Pissarro

Things are beautiful if you love them. ~Jean Anouilh

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding it is established;

through knowledge its rooms are filled

with rare and beautiful treasures.

~Proverbs 24:3-4~

The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you. ~B.B. King

As for me, I will always have hope;

I will praise you more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

of your saving acts all day long -

though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;

I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your mighty deeds to all who are to come.

~Psalm 71:14-18~

What is beautiful to you? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Wednesday Quotes 2024 is hosted by Marsha at Always Write. See what we're inspired by this week: WQ#174: Summer Evenings Inspire Gatherings 

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Tell Us About . . . is a monthly opportunity for bloggers to showcase their creativity. Each month one of the co-hosts will choose the word to focus on. On the third Thursday of every month we'll respond to the prompt "Tell Us About ---" which could be absolutely anything. And how we respond is also wide open. It could be a blog post with our opinions or reminscences; a poem, photos, a short story or whatever takes your fancy―it could even be a mix of all these! This month's theme is "Beauty" and our hostess is Marsha from Marsha in the Middle.

This post is linked at Women Living Well After Fifty.

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This article is drawn in part from my previous posts: Facing the Facts (The Elegance of Aging) at Homeschool Coffee Break, and Wednesday Hodgepodge - Thoughts on Beautiful Things here at A Fresh Cup of Coffee.

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 ©2006-2024 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.

Twenty-Six Lists - Around Town

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

Welcome to Twenty-Six Lists! I hope you'll join me in this simple link-up, where I share a writing prompt for some kind of list, and invite you to share what's on your list. Your list can be very simple or include lots of explanation; short or long; a bullet point list or essay style. Interpret the list prompts however you like, depending on how much time you have to spend, and how much background you'd like to share. 

Has this ever happened to you? You mention to a friend that you visited a historical site or some other attraction in their hometown, and they say something like, "Y'know, I've lived here most of my life but I've never been there." I've been on both sides of that kind of conversation, and that's part of what prompted my list idea for this time around. What are the places or experiences that should be on the Must See or Must Do list in your hometown? It can be your childhood hometown, a place you lived in years ago, or the place you live now. Or a combination! 

When in central Ohio:

I'm still learning about all the things to do and see in and around the Columbus area, so if you're familiar with this part of the world, please leave me some ideas! Here are a few of the things we've discovered so far.

• Columbus Metro Parks system - There is a great metro park system here in Columbus, and we made ourselves a checklist to see if we can work our way around all the parks and walk all the trails. It's a project we're working on a little at a time. One of the parks quite near to us, Blendon Woods, has some really nice trails and I've gone on a couple of guided walks there. Another park, Blacklick Woods, recently opened their new canopy walk, and we checked it out a couple weekends ago.

 

•  Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - I first enjoyed Franklin Park when we visited our son over the holidays several years ago and I chose the conservatory for my birthday outing. It was beautiful with all the poinsettias, holiday lights and decorations, and collection of Chihuly artwork. We visited again during the holidays, and then again on a summer vacation. And now we live here, so we've considered getting a membership. We've considered but haven't done it, but have visited a couple more times and highly recommend it.

•  The Dawes Arboretum - This is where we opted to get a membership. The Dawes is in nearby Newark, and the membership was more affordable and practical for us. Miles of gardens and trails to walk, a lovely Japanese garden, and a great Christmas light walk. We were there a couple of times just recently to see David Rogers' Big Bugs.

 

•  Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - A really great zoo! Our son and his family have been treated to a membership as a gift and they've been able to take us as guests, and we have really enjoyed it every time.

 

•  Columbus Museum of Art - I mention this because we enjoyed our visit there and keep meaning to go back. It's a really interesting museum, and it offers free admission on Sundays so that's a great bonus! 

•  The Book Loft in the German Village - You simply must visit if you love books! This is another place that became a favorite when we visited Columbus and is now a treat for me since moving here.

 

•  Sporting events - If you're a sports fan, you'd probably want to check out the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL hockey) and the Columbus Clippers (Triple-A baseball). I hear a lot about the Columbus Crew (MLS), and of course, the Ohio State Buckeyes (college athletics), but I don't know much about either of those.

•  Hocking Hills State Park - There are a lot of state parks in Ohio that we want to visit, but this one was first on the wishlist and did not disappoint, so I'm listing it as representative of the variety of state parks Ohio has to offer. I think most states have some fantastic state parks that are hidden gems. 

What should a visitor or newcomer make sure to experience in your neck of the woods? Please share.

The link-up is open for two weeks, with a new prompt every other Tuesday. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you'd like to think further ahead, you can find the list of all prompts for the 2024 Edition of Twenty-Six Lists on A Fresh Cup of Coffee here: Twenty-Six Lists - Accomplishments and Goals

Bonus List: The next few list prompts so you can think ahead!

July 9 - Vacation Destinations

July 23 - Sports

August 6 - Music on Your Playlist

August 20 - I'd Like To Learn . . . 

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 ©2006-2024 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.