Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Don't Desert the Hodgepodge

I guess y'all noticed that Empty Nest has a new look. I was ready for a change which is weird because I don't really do change well. I was going for something clean and fresh that reflected the big happy that comes with being a grandma. Happy is the grandma mood. :) Please let me know your thoughts! 

Wednesday is here and that means Wednesday Hodgepodge! Yay for us! If you've never participated before, click the Hodgepodge button and link up! It's the most fun thing about Wednesdays! 



1. Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert? I've been to the Grand Canyon which has a part called, 'The Painted Desert.' Does that count? What did you think? I was not that impressed but, in defense of the Grand Canyon, I'm not sure what I expected. That being said, I had to Google deserts in the USA to see if I had been to any. That should tell us something about my feelings towards the desert. LOL Travel and Leisure lists the 'coolest' American desert towns as-

Palm Springs CA, Virgina City NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT, Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac AZ

Have you been to any of these? I don't think so. My aunt, grandmother, and I drove back from CA when I was 12 and we took the southern route. We traveled through a gazillion towns and cities but all I remember is being totally in awe of those giant redwood trees in CA. They were amazing. Oh, and I remember how dang hot it was in Texas. Would you like to visit a desert town? Only one. Which on the list would you most like to see? Marfa, Texas! I am ready to go in a moments notice because I want to see the Marfa lights! The boys (The Wild Feathers) have been twice and I know they saw them once. MUST! GO!

2. What's a plan or project you've deserted in the past year? I'm always deserting (desserting? hahaha) my diet and fitness plans. I can't think of anything else in the last year. Usually, though, if I desert a plan or project, it's because it was a joint plan or project and I'm not the one who drops the ball. 

3. Desert-dessert? Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling. OCCASION. I swear I cannot spell that word right to save my life. I always get it wrong. I'm pretty sure the spelling police change the spelling every time I write it so I will get it wrong. The other one is, COMMITMENT. And yes, I spelled both of them wrong this time. Sigh.

4. High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house...which phrase can you relate to currently? None of them, really. But I could go with, 'not a dry eye in the house.' Explain. Having a grand-love causes you to tear up from a plethora of emotions on a daily basis. Because this:



5. How often do you frequent the dry cleaners? Never. My granddaddy owned the only dry cleaners in the town he lived in and I've never found a dry cleaner who cares or does quality work like he did. Not to mention how expensive dry cleaning is these days. Wow. No wonder the most popular dry cleaner here lives in a mansion.  Starch or no starch? No starch. That stuff is way too stiff.   

6. What's a food or beverage you enjoy that's named for a place? I'm going to go with New York cheesecake. And, in honor of Marfa, Texas toast. :)

7. Do you need solitude? Y!E!S! Not only do I need it, I crave it. I cherish it. I never get enough of it. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. Ok, back to the Marfa thing. Deanie (Lovely 2) has a most wonderful boyfriend who happens to be the drummer in, The Wild Feathers (and most of you already know this). The boys went to Marfa a while back and saw the Marfa lights! I think the story goes something like this: They were looking for the lights and were disappointed that they couldn't see them. This old guy comes up and starts talking to the boys and they tell him they were trying to find the Marfa lights. The old man showed the boys where to look and, THERE THEY WERE! But, the old man WAS GONE! I have GOT to get to Marfa! 

This last trip to Marfa, DrummerBoy struck up a conversation with a local guy who worked the front desk of the hotel where the band was staying. DrummerBoy's text said that the guy "was a younger dude. I asked him if he just thought they were car lights from the interstate, thinking since he lived there he probably wouldn't put too much stock in it. And he said, "No, there isn't a road out that way." He also said that someone in his family (maybe aunt and uncle) owned horses and one night he went with them on horseback to go see what it was. He said the lights got smaller and dimmer the closer they got until they disappeared completely. And then the lights were behind them. Like somehow they passed by them. Without ever getting closer to them."

Who's up for a trip to find the Marfa lights with me?

Here's a pretty cool video about the lights from people who live in Marfa. Seriously, y'all! I've got to go see these lights! 


Have a great rest of the week, y'all!


Peace, Peeps!

21 comments:

  1. Three things. One: that darling baby! Two: Marfa lights, never heard of that before. Now I'm curious. UFOs??? Three: I always spelled occasion wrong (wanting to double the second consonant) until one day I realized that in both commitment and occasion, the sion or ment are common word parts (sion, tion, cian) and there's no reason to double the consonant that precedes them. No trouble since.

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    1. Isn't she adorable? :) I'm not sure what the lights are but I'm willing to go out there and develop my own theory. LOL Maybe that will help me with those spellings. It drives me crazy every time I have to write them.

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  2. I've never heard of the Marfa lights, but that's interesting. Do go check it out and let us know what you see!
    I love your new blog design :)
    Kathy (Reflections)

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    1. They are most interesting. I have put Marfa on my once nonexistent bucket list. LOL Thank you! :)

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  3. Your grand is beautiful! I've never heard of Marfa lights, but that would be really weird. Now I want to go to Marfa!

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    1. I hadn't heard of them until I saw the segment on CBS Sunday Morning a few years ago. I think it would be well worth the trip! :) Thank you!

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  4. The Redwoods are amazing!! I went with New York Cheesecake too. Me, me I want to go see those lights.....

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    1. They really are. They were the best part of the trip and we went to Disneyland. LOL Let's go! :)

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  5. Your new avatar is so darn cute!! Wow! I had to watch the video about the Marfa lights. That would sure be something to see. I'm surprised that the source hasn't been discovered and dissected after all these years - makes it even more intriguing!! I enjoyed reading your answers, Pam, and still love your new site!!

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    1. Thank you! Lori sent me suggestions she found on etsy and I chose this one. The girl who did it is fantastic and she's going to do a family one for me for Christmas gifts! I first learned about Marfa from a segment on CBS Sunday Morning. I'm glad they did it before Jane took over. Ha! Thank you, Terri!

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  6. I really like your new look for your blog.

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    1. Thank you! It was hard to change but I needed one. :)

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  7. Well, the Marfa Lights are a new for me and I live in an adjoining state. Thanks for sharing this marvel.

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    1. I really want to go and see them for myself. I never had a bucket list but I do now. :) Thank you!

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  8. Great answers.
    Marfa lights - I liked what was said at the end - "it's a nice mystery have"

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    1. I like that too. I absolutely must get out there to see those things. I love this mystery stuff. :) Thanks!

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  9. I'd never heard of the Marfa lights either. You learn something new in every Hodgepodge : ) You are so right about quality dry cleaning. A good one is hard to find!

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    1. Yes we do! And I love it! Hope all is going well with you and the family and the new home!

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  10. Thanks for sharing your moments with us.
    http://www.samspacenter.com/

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes me feel connected to everyone even though we may live far apart! Have a wonderful day!

 
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