The above photo was taken in 2012 at our Book Across The Bay ski race.
That is/was the Ashland Oredock in the background.
On my sisters weekend, the Oredock was gone.
My last visit to Ashland was in 2013, and some of the Oredock was still in place.
It was a big change for me to not see the dock out in the bay as I was driving into Ashland.
The former Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) Ore Dock was the iconic feature of Ashland in regards to its representation of the economic impact on one of the City’s founding industries, its visual impact to the cityscape, and its geographic impact to the community’s waterfront.
Despite the community’s efforts,
the deteriorating, unmaintained superstructure on the dock was removed
with dismantling commencing in 2011 and being completed in late 2013.
1. What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?
Life can be hard. Full of ups and downs. What I have learned is how I react to it.
I try to keep this advice from Charles Swindoll in mind as I go along.
2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year...awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable.
Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most
ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud?
Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?
I do not think I would use any of the following.
I sometimes pick up fun words my boys make up, I think I will stick with that.
3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it
comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made
variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy,
country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast
and gravy...which one on the list is your favorite?
No, I do not usually like gravy. I think it covers up the taste of the food too much. I will put a little on some of my foods if it is offered.
We do not make gravy here at our house.
My mom will make it, homemade and I will have a little of hers.
4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.
Yes, I am a planner! Yes, I usually need a plan of some kind. It is okay if the plan needs to be adjusted. I do not get all bent out of shape if it does. I am flexible.
Yes, I had a plan fall into a trillion pieces. When this happens, I sometimes cry, depends on what the plan was, and move to plan B.
5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day.
Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy
playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on
November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a
railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?
Yes, we have the original game and the Star Wars version.
Yes, I enjoy playing Monopoly. I loved playing with my mom when I was in middle school.
I will not have time to play Monopoly on November 19th. I already have plans.
No, I have not been to Atlantic City.
Yes, I have taken a ride on a railroad.
Yes, parking is free in my town.
The last thing I took a chance on? The United States Postal Department. I honestly think the U.S. Mail service has it in for me. My mail, my packages get sent all over the the place, but to the person who is to receive them!
My parents live two hours East of Cameron....it took a over a week for my mom to receive a letter in the mail from me.
I think I could do a blog series on my U.S. Mail Stories.
This is kind of funny, my grandma worked for the U.S. Mail for 40 years! She had a rural route. I helped deliver mail with her many times.
6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?
Thank God I am a Country Boy
7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude....what is something
you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're
grateful for?
My home. I can take my warm house for granted.
Yesterday, it was cold and rainy here in Wisconsin.
After running some errands, it was so nice to know, I would come home to a nice warm house.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Next Wednesday, I will be traveling to my parents for Thanksgiving.
Wishing all my Wednesday Hodgepodge readers, a Happy Thanksgiving.
She was in the hospital, nursing home, back to the hospital and then to hospice.
My mom taught my sister and I the importance of writing letters at an early age.
Taking time to write a friend, it means so much to that person.
During our friends time in the hospital, nursing home and hospice. She kept my mom's letters. My mom made it a practice to write Irma a letter each and every Monday during her illness.
While in hospice, she asked for the letters to be read to her again and again.
My parents live on a farm. They have all kinds of fun things going on. They have cows having calves, chickens, pigs and of sharing about family adventures in the letters too.
I wrote Irma as well, sharing about our boys, our adventures and our garden.
While writing the letters I did not know how important they would become later for her.
To say Thank You, to all my wonderful readers and for all the support of my blog. I am doing a Thanksgiving Giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment below.
The winner will receive a crochet basket, towel, and a bouquet of strawflowers.
My husband, Jeremy, will pick the winner the old fashioned way, out of a hat on Thursday, November 19th. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 20th.
Smiles from our favorite people are such a blessing.
Saying "Thank You" to all of you who read and support The River.
I appreciate you!
To enter all you have to do is leave a comment below.
My son Atticus will pick a winner the old fashioned way, by pulling a name out of a hat on the evening of Thursday November, 12th. I will post the winner Friday, November 13th.
The winner will receive two butterflies, two doilies and a bouquet of strawflowers.
3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon,
sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned
white bread?
Banana!! I love warm banana bread with real butter.
YUM!
4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?
Parsnips!
I think I planted too many. They did very well, which is a good thing.
I need ideas on preparing parsnips for my family.
And my boys are NOT real crazy about parsnips so far.
Ha!
5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?
No, redheads in my family.
Who is my favorite redhead?
1982 Annie - I love this version of Annie.
6. The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to
see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's
#1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in
your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA
answer as it relates to your state, city or province.
Rock Island State Park was the spot for Wisconsin. I have not visited the Island, but I think it would be lovely from the photos I looked at on line.
Wisconsin is an amazing place. It is full of beauty in every direction. I would not be able to pick one spot.
7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot
each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-
What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?
It is okay to say, NO. This has not been easy for me. It has taken years.
I am a people pleaser at heart. I can take on too much. Over the years I have burnt myself out.
I am very thankful with the progress I made this year.
