DIE! WINTER DIE! HODGEPODGE!!!

Winter will be over in 15 days (at least in theory) but the hodgepodge will go on and on and I am thankful for that.  Come play with us!

1. 'In like a lion, out like a lamb'...does the first part of this saying describing March weather ring true  where you live? 

Snow, snow an more snow hopefully means, that the end of the month will be sun, sun and more sun.  So the lion is sure up here in NH.

2. March 4th is National Grammar Day. What common grammatical error bothers you the most? 

Oh my!! Where do I begin with this crazy language called English!!  Words that are spelled differently than they are pronounced.  Letters in words that we don't sound out.  Different spellings for words that sound alike.  All of these bug me along with the Their, there, they're!!

3. William Arthur Ward says- 'The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.' Which one are you?

I had to ask Hubby but I really knew the answer, I'm the pessimist.  I plan for the worst case and pray it doesn't come true.  My mind goes dark fast.

4. What's something you need to 'march forth and conquer' this month?

My ongoing battle living with cancer and adjusting my lifestyle.

5. An ongoing debate around here...do you dust first, then vacuum or vacuum first, then dust? Of the two routine household chores, which do you dislike the least? How's that for wording? 

Dust first, because  you know that some of the dust will fall to the floor and then you can vacuum it up.  I dislike dusting the least.

6. According to thrilllist.com, the ten most photographed sites in the U.S.A. are- Cinderella's Castle in Orlando, Southernmost House in Key West Florida, The Space Needle in Seattle, The Site of the Boston Massacre in Boston, The Bellagio Lake/fountains in Las Vegas, The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Coit Tower in San Fransisco, The Art Institute of Chicago, Niagara Falls, and snagging the number one spot-The Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

How many on this list have you photographed? Which on the list would you most like to visit and photograph?

I've photographed the Niagara Falls.  I would love to visit them all!! Why not?

7. Fifty years ago Monday (March 2, 1965) The Sound of Music premiered at the Rivoli Theatre in NYC. Have you seen the film? Do you own a copy? On a scale of 1-10 how much do you love it (or not)? Ten=best movie ever. If you're a fan, what's your favorite scene or song from the movie? 

I have seen the film and loved it . I give it a 10!  We do not own a copy but watch it when it comes on tv.  My favorite scene are with the children on the boat wearing the clothes made from curtains.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My flip flops are ready, they have been in the back of my closet and have been looking very sad back there.  I've told them that we move the clocks forward this weekend so spring surely is on the way.  They are hoping to be worn soon!!  I feel their pain. 

Grace and Kindness in any language.

When we were up north "Harvesting" we stayed at a Days Inn Hotel.  One morning I headed down to the breakfast room.  I had been given the OK to finally eat real food so I was wondering what there was down there.

I showed up and stood back from the display, looking it over and trying to decide what I wanted to eat that morning.  I knew that I had another 9 hour day hooked up to the harvesting machine and wanted something that would stay with me.

A gentleman who apparently worked there came up to me and starting to point out where things where.  Waffles over there, Juice of the day Apple and Orange over there, and so on. It was clear that English was not his first language and he struggled with the words to show me what was being offered and where it all was.  He then walked away and I started with juice.  I added the fixings to an egg, cheese and muffin sandwich and grabbed some fruit.  As I was toasting the English muffin, I noticed the sign "Breakfast served 6-10am" I look at my phone for the time - 5:36am.

Now he could have told me that they were not ready for me yet, or to go away and come back at the correct time but he didn't.  He pointed out some things and walked away leaving me time to make my choices.
The next morning I saw him again. This time I made sure it was after 6am!! I thanked him for his kindness that he showed me the day before.  He had a hard time understanding me but did manage to say "You sick?" I nodded yes, "Then it all good, you need something, you get it it.  No problem"
He may not have understood why I was there early, but he understood that I was not feeling great and he was not going to add to that.  He allowed me to get something to eat early. He showed grace and kindness to me.

When I see someone cutting the line, or being difficult, do I see beyond the rules and see the person?  Do I show grace and kindness?  This man taught me to look at the person, not the rules, not the circumstances, but look at the person, maybe they need me to be kind and gracious to them.

Grace and Kindness know nothing of language, or rules. Grace and Kindness know only of grace and kindness and compassion.  No English needed, only eyes to see the hurting.  He had great eyes.  Thank you from the very core of me.

"Ice Out!"

Ice out is a term that all New England's know and most love. It means that the ice is gone from Lake Winnipesaukee and the curse ship M/S Mount Washington can now reach all the ports along her Cruise line.
In short, it means Spring is here for sure and the tourist will soon be here as well. We like tourist, they spend money in our state. Money, this state still needs as there are still a lot of people out of work.

The ski resorts can still make some snow and over the school vacation, we did get some real snow that helped those business out but now it's time to think of Spring.

The weather man was saying just this morning that  Ice Out will most likely be declared soon. This may be the earliest Ice Out in record!  How is it declared you ask? Good question. Very scientific- you see someone flies over Lake Winnipesaukee and looks at all the ports that the cruise ship stops at. If it looks like the ship can in fact stop at all the ports, then Ice Out is Declared.

Just look at those views!

They are hoping that with the temps reaching mid to high 80's today, that today will be the day and M/S mount Washington can set sail.

Come fall the colors are just beautiful here

(All these photos were taken from Google Search)

Have you ever been on a day cruise, dinner cruise, or some other short cruise -oh a wedding cruise would be so beautiful don't you think?
I'm doing my happy dance!  Don't worry, we live in the country and no one can see me.

The Unexpected Day

We had the day planned. We were going to get up, be out the door, be at the restaurant, take a hike; all by a certain time. In short, we had the day planned and we were looking forwarded to our day. But it was not to be!

We woke up with sore backs and my neck was so stiff I couldn't turn my head from side to side. It was raining and raw out. We were running late first thing in the morning. We were on our way to Quechee VT and we were running late, we were not going to make it for Breakfast.

When we finally got out the door and to the restaurant, it was closed! I don't know why, there was a sign on the door telling it's customers that it was closed with 6 dates listed and of course one of the dates was the one when we were there.

Instead of being upset that our plans were falling apart, we laughed it off and found an unexpected day.

We found this restaurant nearby and decided to stop in for lunch. The inside was very clean and I really liked the decor

Don't you want to be sitting near the wood stove come winter?

                    

I asked for hot tea to warm me up and got this basket of a large assortment of tea's which I loved! So unexpected. 

So much better than a cup with one tea bag!

It was so nice and warm

                                                                                              

We began our meal with sweet potato fries with a very spicy honey mustard which was really good.  Very unexpected.

I had clam chowder which was wonderful and hubby had their signature dish "Shepherd's. Pie". Which he enjoyed very much. So this place was a unexpected find. We never would have stopped here otherwise.

                                  

                                                                                                              

       

We then went out for ice cream and Becke the wonder dog got a small cone just for her. It was vacation after all. No we don't get her ice cream all the time, but she really deserved it.

Then we walked to the Quechee Gorge  Bridge. We took some wonderful photos of this beautiful place. You can see that the trees are not turning yet, summer is hanging on! We didn't hike down but look at these photos! Just beautiful!

 

Since I'm Scottish, no trip to Quechee is complete without stopping at Scotland by the Yard. Where you can get all sorts of gifts. We picked up some chocolates and some gifts for Christmas.  When hubby and I were dating, and for many years after I wore a celtic ring. After many years, it became so thin that it was kept in my jewelry box. That box was stollen a few years back and the ring with it. Hubby got me new one.

Hubby and Becke 

An unexpected gift

We then stopped for more Christmas shopping at Quechee Gorge Village and had a great day in spite of sore backs and stiff neck. An unexpected stop at that.

Becke the wonder dog had a great time traveling. She had a bedspread in the back of the car that she would lay on while traveling and when we went into the Motel, the bedspread went on the bed so that her fur would not get on the bed.

In the car

In the Motel room, ready to sleep

So our plans were changed by circumstances beyond our control. We didn't whine about it, we just went with it and in return we got an unexpected day. These are blessings,...recognize them,...enjoy them,...share them.

Ever had a unexpected day? Tell me - I have on my bifocals and I'm ready to read your story. And have an unexpected weekend. See you all Monday

The Bucket List

Have you ever heard of a Bucket List? If not, it's a list that one makes of things they want to accomplish before they "Kick the Bucket."

I have such a list but it's not a formal list of 10 items written down but it is a list that I have. Recently hubby and I had the opportunity to cross off one of the items. In all the years I've lived in the Northeast, I have never been to Niagara Falls. Never been to either the America side or the Canadian side so we put Becke in the car and headed out. New York is an interesting state with lots of fun town names like Rome, Verona, Amsterdam, Corfu and it was quite fun thinking we were traveling the world!

The falls are breathtaking! I loved being covered by the spray. We walked the walking path, took photos, and enjoyed His beautiful creation.  Here are some photos we took.

Believe it or not these are people walking in the falls. 

These boats were giving tours through the falls! Can you see the boats down there?

Becke at the Falls

So I have now crossed off Niagara Falls/American Side off myBucket List.

Oh of course there has to be a "duh" photo!

Do you have a Bucket List? What have you been able to cross off?