About The River

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Over the Rainbow and it is the Hodgepodge

 

Happy Wednesday my friends, planting the garden is on the agenda for the next few weeks. We will work on planting the plants that are cold hardy first. As the days and nights continue to warm we will start to plant out our peppers, tomatoes and tropical flowers.

On to the Hodgepodge..

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

Hold tight to the dreams you have today and walk with God in their direction. 

 

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

Brains.. I am taking on a painting project. I will be using paint I have not worked with before. I need to study up on the best way to tackle this project. 

 3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

We live about two hours from my hometown and our family farm. It is always good to take a trip back home. It is usually at Thanksgiving and Christmas when we all get together. For the past three years, I only see my sister during Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Our family will travel back "home" a few times during the year. Our next big family time on the farm will be our summer weekend of fishing, kayaking, fireworks and more.

  

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 
 
We do own a Weber grill. My husband does all the grilling at our house. I love how my husband grills fish, especially trout. YUM!
My husband grilled a turkey on Sunday for our annual Mother's Day dinner. We have been doing this for my mom for many years. It is something she looks forward to each Mother's Day. We host a fun dinner, and grilled turkey is the showstopper on the menu. 
And dessert too. 
 
 5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 
 
Oh, it would be a memory with our boys. We have enjoyed so many good times. We still do. They know how to make their mom laugh. 

  
 6. Insert your own random thought here. 
 
If you need me, I will be out in the garden.
 
 
 


 
  

 

 

 

Monday, May 11, 2026

Joy List Monday

 

Joy List Monday

 ♥ a weekly ritual ♥

a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day

 

 ♥ visits with both of my son's

♥ special Mother's Day gifts 

 ♥ spending time with my parents on Mother's Day

 ♥ fresh rhubarb, made into rhubarb crisp

 ♥ the first homegrown salad

 ♥ evening walks with my husband and Ernie too

 ♥

Carla 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

May the Month of Hope and it is the Hodgepodge

 

May 2023 ~ Yep, that is snow!

 

Hello Friends,

It is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Hodgepodge!

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 

 1. What's something you may do this month?

We hope to go out on our kayaks.


 

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option?  

 I like Mexican food. We are fortunate to have a very good Mexican restaurant in our neighboring city. 

Enchilada are a favorite of mine.

Yes, we have made enchiladas at home. 

 

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember?  

 My neighbor to the right of us has kids. Her son is five and her daughter is a teenager. The other day I was working outside in the garden, they were playing out in the yard. It is often to hear police sirens in the distance. (sad to say) The sirens were getting louder as they came closer to our direction. 

I heard the young girl say, "I wonder what happened?" 

 Her little brother answered, " oh, someone killed someone."

It broke my heart. 

I hope they will remember the kindness they received from their gardening neighbor, instead of the current events on the local news channel.  

 4. What advice would you give a new mother? 

 Remember your marriage ... it is easy to get caught up in motherhood. 

You are busy.

You are tired.

The to do list never ends.

My advice... 

 Make it a priority to make time with your sweetheart. 

It makes you a better mom, wife and your sweetheart will benefit from this time too. 

 

If this advice is going out to a single mom. 

Make time for friends or some self care time.

 

 5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children? 

Sleep tight and do not let the bedbugs bite.   

Yes, I sure did.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. 

  May is the month of expectation. The month of wishes. The month of hope.

Emily Bronte