Crowning HodgePodge

1. How many students were in your high school graduating class? Did you know most, if not all of them?

 

There were 35 people in my graduating class. You could say we kind of knew each other. lol

2. What was the last thing you photographed? Though she is technically not a "thing" I photographed a precious four year old girl Saturday. Can't wait to get her pics edited.

3. Pickles-love 'em or loathe 'em? If its love what's something you eat that needs a pickle? I love a good pickle. Especially, the refrigerator pickles I make every year. They are scrumptious alone, as a side, or on a sandwich.

4. What's a stereotype you seem to perpetuate without meaning to? Harley riders. And I am one!

5. Ever been horse back riding? If so is it something you enjoy? If not, do you have any interest? Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? Will you be watching the last leg of the Triple Crown this weekend? I have owned several horses over my lifetime. I'm over that. They are too much work. I traded in my four-legged beast for a steel-wheeled machine. I'll be out on it this weekend, so there won't be much TV on my schedule.

6. What's your favorite 'wedding' movie? I'd have to say "27 Dresses."

7. What is one 'tourist attraction' in the USA that you'd like to see in person? New York City. I absolutely want to go. The hubs? Not so much.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I am absolutely retiring at the end of this month. I'm counting down the days on my calendar. Marking them off with a big black 'X'. I cannot wait!!!

 

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Be sure to visit our lovely host Joyce and the other HodgePodgers. 

Peace and Joy,

Susan

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Holy Heart Failure Batman!

It looks like the Joker has been up to his old tricks. What shenanigans are these? I stop in to see how my neglected blog is holding up and everything is changed. YIPPEEEEE! More things to learn. I think my poor little brain is on cognitive overload.

In the meantime, I am busy preparing to retire from my job of 30 years and do something I totally love: taking pictures. It is pure joy. That's what photography brings me each and every time a capture the pure essence of someone. Whether it is a newborn or a grandmother.

Hope you all are well. I think of you often and pray for you as God leads. Oh, and I'm working on my summer gottado list. I'll have it posted soon. Happy summer.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

James 1:2 (NKJV) ² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

You Are Known By Your Fruit

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with hole s in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not
sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill
starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this
boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says,

'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.'

'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!'

 

I received this in my email today and wanted to share it with you. I pray for a servant's heart to reach out as this elderly man did to this young man.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Some Days Life

I feel so disconnected from this space lately. I haven't checked in with all my blog peeps in so long. I miss you all! Some days life has a way of sucking all your time and getting all up in your face.

I know I've mentioned to you before that I'm struggling to get my photography business off the ground. Oh my word! There are just not enough hours in the day for me right now. I'm burning the candle at both ends and searching for more wax. Not.even.kidding.

I would that I could stop by to visit each and every one of you. Give you a big hug. Chat for a few minutes. Pray together. So we could get all caught up. Instead......here's a big hug from me to you ((((((HUG)))))) and a prayer.

Until such time as He allows, I am trusting that His plan for me and my family is perfect.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV) ²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you; ²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; ²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

It's Spring Y'all!!!

You might be wondering where I have been. I've been many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.
 
I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. 
 
I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.
 
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.
 
I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
 
I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
 
Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.
 
One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!


I personally live in the state of Confusion. It's a fun place to be and there are a lot of other people here.

Life is too short for negative drama & petty things. So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly! From one unstable person to another ... I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty well in mine.
 
Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Have a wonderful and blessed day.


Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 126:2 (NKJV) ² Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Leapin' HodgePodge

1. The Hodgepodge falls on the last day of February this year, a leap year. How will you spend that extra day? This morning I am at work. I'm hoping the storms blow through, the streets dry up, and it's warm enough to get on my motorcycle. I should be out splittin' the wind by 2. 

2. What has recently required a leap of faith on your part? Retiring. Maybe. Probably. Scary.  

3. We're one week into the season of Lent...are you marking these 40 days in some way? Giving something up or adding something extra to normal life? How's it going so far? Yes, I am doing both. It's going pretty well so far. You?

4. When was the last time you sat beside a fire? Too long ago. I love sitting by a fire. I would build one in my back yard, but my husband doesn't think that would be prudent. We live in town. Our neighbors are close. There are city ordinances. Blah, blah, blah.

5. Surf and Turf is on the menu. Do you order as is or do you ask for just the surf (lobster), just the turf (steak), or a menu so you can select another option? Steak and lobster. Steak and shrimp. Steak and Mahi Mahi. Or just steak. I'm a carnivore. What can I say.

6. If you could have any television program back, not in reruns but in new episodes, what program would you choose? Mork and Mindy. Robin Williams was hysterical in this show. At the time this program aired, I was actually living in the town portrayed in the show, Boulder, Colorado. Ah, those were good times. Here's a short clip:

7. They say an elephant never forgets. These days would you say your memory is more like an elephant or a gnat? It depends. I know, you're surprised by that. lol. When it comes to numbers, I'm a whiz. If you asked me what I said two minutes ago, I probably wouldn't be able to tell you. Ugh!

8. Insert your own random thought here. This morning we had tornado warnings. Severe thunderstorms. It's February, right?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 120:1 (NKJV) In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.

Oh the Joy

Do you remember this couple?

I took their engagement pictures last June. In a wheat field. The photo session was a lot of fun. They married in October. I did not take their wedding pictures. I turned down that assignment. I'm much more interested in photographing babies and children and families, and women. Weddings? Not so much.

I've known for a while that they are pregnant. It's very exciting. I am taking maternity progression pictures right now. We've done two sessions. This past week, they were able to find out the gender. So, we took some gender reveal pictures today. Several weeks ago, we discussed using small chalkboards for this shoot. It would be cute. I already had the idea pictured in my mind. But, someone was going to be disappointed. Can you tell who?

Eventually, the joy of having a little brother will replace the disappointment of not getting a little sister. Of course, there is always next time.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 John 4:9 (NKJV) ⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.