A Fresh Cup of Coffee

Sunday, August 25, 2024

Scripture and a Snapshot - Better Is One Day

How lovely is your dwelling place,

LORD Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young―

a place near your altar,

LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

they are ever praising you.

Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.

LORD Almighty,

blessed is the one who trusts in you.

~Psalm 84:1-4, 10-12~

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Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Thinking Ahead?

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's the last thing you completely overreacted to?

Last week there was one day when I took a phone call at work that made me extremely angry. My overreaction was all internal though. The caller was upset about something to do with a refund they were expecting, but that's not something I do in my office, and he refused to give me an account number or an invoice number or any information for me to go on, yet were rude and nasty and hateful to me because I was not a mind reader. I really wanted to tell him exactly what I thought of him and be equally nasty back, but of course I couldn't and didn't do that. But I admit that I ill-wished him just a bit after I hung up. So I think I overreacted in how much I fumed about a person that was so incredibly ridiculous because there was absolutely nothing I could have done about it. While I understand the frustration of trying to resolve a problem with a huge company where it seems you're being passed from one office that can't help you to another that also can't help you (been there, done that, over and over with my insurance company), but if you think you'll get anywhere by NOT giving any information to the person that answers the phone and yelling at them because they can't magically guess who you are and why you're calling, you are remarkably stupid and it's likely that YOU are the problem. I said what I said.

2. Your top five snacks?

I think I have lots more than five favorites, but these are five I have most often: crackers with peanut butter; bananas; breakfast bars; trail mix or nuts; and Timbits (donut holes).

3. What smell always brings back some type of memory? Elaborate.

The smell of bread baking still reminds me of my Grandma's kitchen, even if I'm the one doing the baking. The combination of pine and cinnamon or spices means Christmas to me, but if the pine tree scent is combined with the smell of a woodfire, it takes me back to camping trips with my family when I was growing up, and to bonfires at teen camp and with friends.

4. What's something you learned from the last book you read?

I mostly read fiction, which isn't always educational, but because I like historical fiction, I often learn things about the historical settings. The last book I completed was Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar, and I learned a lot about life in the nobility class of ancient Persia.

5. What's the next thing on your to-buy list? Will you make that purchase before the end of the year?

Having trouble thinking of anything significant that I've been meaning to buy. I've been thinking maybe it's time to buy a new swimsuit, but unless I happen to see just the right thing at just the right price point, it's not important to get before the end of the year. I've got a couple of books in mind that I'll probably get before the end of the year though.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We've been on a family vacation this week - we rented a Vrbo house near the Hocking Hills and all our kids joined us for a few days. It's been so much fun to have the whole family together, and it will hopefully be something we can do regularly!

Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need. ~Jerry Smith

Build traditions of family vacations and trips and outings. These memories will never be forgotten by your children. ~Ezra Taft Benson

I've been participating in the Wednesday Quotes link-up hosted by Marsha at Always Write. The link-up originally had prompts for each week to inspire our search for quotes and our writing, then was simplified to allow participants to choose their own themes. Recently Marsha decided to step back from hosting the link-up, and asked if any of the participants would like to take it over. I'm considering it, but I won't be able to do an anchor post weekly, so I'm wondering if hosting a month-long link-up would work. In the meantime, I'll give a shout-out to Wednesday Quotes 2024 whenever I do that kind of post.

So this is part of my random thought process this week . . . should I make the offer to host a quotes link-up, perhaps starting in September?

One of the big parts of my decision-making process is knowing that when you're signing up for something, you're signing up for multiple seasons, should it be successful, and in theory, you want it to be successful, but you also want to be doing something that you're enjoying. ~Tom Ellis

It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide on what to do. ~Elbert Hubbard

One's mind has a way of making itself up in the background, and it suddenly becomes clear what one means to do. ~A. C. Benson

What are your answers to any of these questions? If you have been doing WQ posts or would like to, would a month-long link-up for your posts be a good idea? 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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Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Twenty-Six Lists - Lifelong Learning

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.

It's back to school time around here and some students are groaning at the thought of being back in the classroom. Some are excited to go back for various reasons. Personally, I loved school, though admittedly, not always because of the classes I was taking. I did enjoy learning though. Some subjects more than others, of course. If I had the time and resources, I think I'd love being a 'professional student'. There are so many things I'd love to learn about or learn to do.

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. ~Henry Ford

Here's a list of some things I think would be fun and interesting to learn.

I'd Like to Learn:

Languages - I spoke Low German as a child, and it was actually my first language. But I didn't continue speaking it, so even though I've always been able to understand my parents and the extended family that speaks Low German, my own ability to speak it was limited. I've been dabbling in learning German for a couple years and other than struggling to keep all the gendered nouns straight in my mind, it's going well. And refreshing my memory about Low German as well. I wish I had the time to really focus and learn a lot faster so I could be conversant. I'd also like to learn Spanish and French someday as the tiny bit of French I learned is very limited.

Musical Instruments - I play piano/keyboard but I'd like to learn how to improvise better, and how to play other styles well. I wish I'd kept up my piano lessons and completed the Royal Conservatory studies I was working on when I left off to start a family. I learned to play guitar as a teenager but I'd like to relearn and also learn how to play ukulele. I'm also fascinated by dulcimers and would like to learn that.

Musical Arranging - Since I started singing with a Sweet Adelines chorus, I've really enjoyed learning barbershop singing style and developing those vocal skills. I'd be really interested in learning more about writing barbershop style vocal arrangements, which is part of the continuing education that Sweet Adelines provides, but I haven't looked into it yet.

Culinary Skills - I'm not a very good cook at all, but I really enjoy baking, especially bread. So I'm always interested in learning new things about baking bread and special techniques and recipes. For instance, I'd like to learn how to make croissants and pita bread, and breads from around the world. I'd like to learn better cooking skills and how to make dishes from around the world as well.

Horseback Riding - I've rarely gone riding as an adult, but I wish I could practice and get more comfortable with it. Comfortable enough to go on trail rides and such.

History - This is a subject area that I can dabble in on my own, and do to a certain extent. History was one of my two favorite subjects throughout my own schooling and as a homeschool instructor, so I've always been curious enough to dive into the textbooks and research on my own. If I could get a college degree just for the fun of it, a history degree would be one I'd pursue.

Bible and Theology - I do continually put in effort to learn about the Bible on my own, and I believe this is something every believer should do. Theology is really just the study of who God is and what he is like, so this is something all believers do, not just pastors! I love learning about the meaning of the Bible in its original language and setting, and how all the stories and teachings from Genesis through Revelations are connected and 'hyperlinked' to each other throughout the Scripture. I love finding new insights and layers of meaning by digging deeper into Bible study, and seeing the intricate literary structures in the Bible. The Bible Project is one of my favorite resources for learning!

What would you like to learn? Please share.

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

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!

September 3 - My Resume

September 17 - Daily Routine

October 1 - A To-Do List for Fall

October 15 - I'm Thankful For . . .

October 29 - Autumn Menu

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Sunday, August 18, 2024

Scripture and a Snapshot - Eternal Life

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

~John 17:3~

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

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

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Friday, August 16, 2024

Tell Us About . . . Vacations: Family Vacation Memories

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 the Tell Us About blogging series with the theme Tell Us About . . . Holidays/Vacations, and I'll throw in some quotes I found fun and interesting!

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It's interesting that this topic and the link-up dates fall at right about the time I'm headed out on a family vacation. For the first time in a few years, we will be on vacation with all our kids, and it's even more special because for the first time ever we're doing a family vacation that includes our bonus kids (two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law-to-be) and our two grandkids! We've booked a vacation house not too far away from here and will all be meeting there and spending a few days. Not everyone can stay for the entire time, but at least for the weekend we will all be together.

As I think back on the decades of vacation memories, going back to when I was growing up, I realize that almost all our vacations were very family-oriented. Even when I was a young adult and we didn't have children yet, my husband and I had quite a few vacations that included our parents or other family members.

A road trip is a way for the whole family to spend time together and annoy each other in interesting new places. ~Tom Lichtenheld

I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. ~Mark Twain

When I was growing up, our family vacations were either camping trips or trips to visit my grandparents and extended family. Or a combination! I remember when one of my friends went on a family trip to Disneyland and I thought they must be rich because who takes their whole family on an airplane trip to an exotic place like California?! Haha. Seems funny to think of California as an exotic location now, but that was how my grade school mind worked. I have wonderful memories of all of my family's road trips though, even if they involved a smaller budget. We had tons of fun at campsites, and saw some really neat places all over western Canada and the northwestern parts of the USA. Vancouver Island, Seattle, Mount Rainier, the Rocky Mountains, Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Mesa Verde, Arches National Park, Glacier, Yellowstone . . .

Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need. ~Jerry Smith

Since my husband's family live in Ontario, during the first years we were married and living in Alberta (where my family is), many of our vacations were trips to Ontario. We did touristy things (like Niagara Falls and the Hockey Hall of Fame) and we spent time with family. After we moved to the USA, we still often visited Ontario on vacation but certainly enjoyed visiting different states as well. There were some trips to Alberta, but it was a long distance to go with a family so we didn't do that as often. Fortunately, my parents were able to come visit us quite regularly, and we often went on little road trips with them in our neck of the woods when they were with us. Best of both worlds!

Niagara Falls with my daughter, my sister and my niece

Sometimes the greatest meals on vacations are the ones you find when Plan A falls through. ~Anthony Bourdain

We lived within driving distance of Florida so we took our kids to Disney World a few times. Those were memorable vacations!

On vacations: We hit the sunny beaches where we occupy ourselves keeping the sun off our skin, the saltwater off our bodies, and the sand out of our belongings. ~Erma Bombeck

One vacation tradition we had was that as each of our children graduated from high school, we allowed the graduate to choose our family vacation destination for that summer. The idea was that it was likely the last time we could count on having that kid along on a family vacation, so what did they want to do? Of course it did have to fit our budget and timeframe, so there were no extended luxury globetrotting excursions. We called it The Summer of [Kid's Name] and I think those were memorable trips. Our oldest son wanted to see the Football Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cedar Point, so that's what we did. Our second son wanted to go to Calgary to visit his grandparents, so we flew out to Spokane and added a trip to Glacier to the front end of the trip before spending time with family and seeing some sights in Calgary and Banff. Our third son wanted to do a baseball road trip, so that included visiting Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Toronto for baseball games and also side trips to Cedar Point and visiting family. Our daughter chose a conservatory and gardens themed summer. Our vacation was a trip that took us to the Franklin Conservatory in Columbus and the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh (and a baseball game in Cincinnati), and then we did day trips to Longwood Gardens, the National Botanical Gardens, and a conservatory and an art museum in Baltimore.

Holidays and vacations can help to balance activity with contemplation, haste with more natural rhythms, noise with the heralding silence of peace. ~Pope John Paul II

Build traditions of family vacations and trips and outings. These memories will never be forgotten by your children. ~Ezra Taft Benson

We may not have traveled outside the continent often, but I feel like we've covered a lot of interesting ground, seen a lot of wonderful places, and shared a lot of wonderful memories with our family. And since I have a long list of countries I'd like to visit, hopefully my husband and I will be able to plan some vacations to check a few places off that wishlist in the coming years!

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What are some of your great vacation memories? 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#180: Change Inspires Us To Live Without Casting Blame

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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, chosen by Mary Katherine at MK's Adventure, is "Holidays/Vacations"

This post is linked at Is This Mutton.

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Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge - End of Summer Daze

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

1. What was the best (or one of the best) summer of your life? Tell us why.

Wow, so many have been memorable in so many good ways! The summer right before I went to college was so good. My two friend groups did all kinds of fun things together, including some road trips. Right at the beginning of the summer I went to our church high school camp - it was the last year I was eligible to go as a student, even though I had been out of high school for a year. I was at the cabin with some friends the weekend before and they dropped me off at camp - I got there and found out they were short a girls counselor and since I had experience doing that at kids camp and was also 'technically' a college student, they talked me into doing it. I wasn't thrilled about it but it wound up being a really good experience.

The summer we got married was one of the best, obviously!

I'd also have to say the summer my daughter was born was one of the best as well. Welcoming a daughter into our family was such a delight, but there were some other big life changes that happend within a very short period of time as well. First, we left our church and were a part of planting a new church work in a nearby town. Together with several other families that we'd grown very close to, we'd been praying and seeking the Lord's will about how we should respond to circumstances at church, and he finally led us to just start a new fellowship. We made the break just a couple weeks before Kennady's birth. And at the same time, we had put our house on the market and were closing the deal on a new house. We moved when Kennady was just three weeks old. It was a busy, exciting summer!

2. When you have a trip coming up do you make a list and check it twice to ensure you don't forget anything? Or are you a 'throw whatever you can think of into the suitcase at the last minute' kind of packer? When returning from a trip do you unpack immediately or leave the suitcase right where it lands?

I'm a list maker! In order to remember everything and have any hope of having it ready on time, this procrastinator has to have lists! I have lists I've been working from to get ready for our family vacation coming up later this week, although I haven't yet made a list (on paper, anyway!) of what I need to put in a suitcase. When we get back, we tend to unpack almost immediately, as pretty much everything will go in the laundry. It does take awhile to get the luggage shoved back in the closet though, and this time around, I didn't even bother putting the luggage away because it was about three weeks between trips so I just left it out on the sofa in the spare room.

3. What's your favorite food or beverage made with lemons? Is that a flavor you enjoy?

Mmmm, I love lemon flavored things. All the lemonades! I guess lemon meringue pie might be my favorite food made with lemons. At least that I can think of right now.

4. When was the last time you had to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking I mean?

Everything about moving to Ohio, I suppose. We're making the best of having to be renters instead of living in a house we own, and so many related things.

5. Did you like school growing up? Why or why not?

I loved school! Not every single aspect of it, of course, but overall I enjoyed learning and enjoyed being with friends. My schools and my teachers were good, my grades were good, and I managed to avoid getting in trouble. Not that I avoided trouble . . . I just got away with almost all the trouble I got into! In high school I had classes I struggled with and didn't like, but it wasn't bad enough to sour me on the whole school experience. In fact, I still wanted to be a teacher!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

On Saturday I went to church and, along with at least a dozen others, assembled and baked fifty-six lasagnas to be delivered to some nearby households through an organization called LasagnaLove. Then my husband and I volunteered to do a delivery route, and delivered five lasagna dinners. Such a neat organization! And after driving around for almost an hour with hot lasagnas and garlic bread in the car, we were hungry for Italian, so we went out for pizza instead of going home to make dinner!

Now it's getting late in the day so I need to publish this, and then see about tidying the spare room. This weekend our whole family is headed for a vacation house for a few days of family vacation!

How are you spending these last days of summer? 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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Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Everyday Images #42

Welcome to another installment of my challenge and reminder to myself to take photos somewhat regularly. I'm not a photographer, but I enjoy taking everyday photos of things I find interesting or want to remember later, and I find that I notice interesting things when I'm intentionally watching for them. Having some prompts that are open to interpretation has helped me pay a little more attention to what's around me. Every two weeks I have a few words and phrases that I'm focusing on, and I try to find opportunities to take pictures of these things each week. These were the prompts I assigned myself for the past couple weeks:

August Prompts - Everyday Images #42

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at home (monthly)

yard (quarterly)

two

sky

path

empty and/or full

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at home (monthly)

yard (quarterly)

two - I guess I forgot about this one, but there are two flags in this photo, so it works!

sky

path

empty and/or full

I'm also participating in the Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt hosted by This West London Life, so some of these photos may reappear on my posts with scavenger hunt finds.

A few more bonus photos:

I am sharing my photos every other Tuesday, along with my prompts for the next two weeks. You can use all or some of the prompts for your own photo posts, or none of the prompts and just link up a post featuring your photos. Simple rules: Your posts must be family-friendly; the photos must be your own; and the post must be mostly photos. If you do share I'd appreciate a mention and link to A Fresh Cup of Coffee on your post.

Everyday Images continues in 2024, every other Tuesday. And on the alternate Tuesdays, I'm hosting the Twenty-Six Lists link-up. I'd love to have you join me for that too!

August Prompts - Everyday Images #43

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stairs

doorway (quarterly)

nature

family

arrow

stone

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