A Flying Medley

Another Wednesday has arrived! The teachers have been back at school since last Wednesday but it's the first day of school here for the students so I want to give a first day shout out to my TeacherDaughter, all my teacher friends, and all those sweet kiddos and their parents to have a most wonderful school year!

Ok, we're back on Wednesday with the Medley! It's all about WIND today so get your aviator hats on. Join us to find out how many meddlers fly the friendly skies.  

1.  Tell us about the first airplane ride you took and do you like to fly? The first time was either to Baltimore with my dad's mother to visit her sister or to Nevada with my mother's mother to drive back to SC across the country with my Aunt Betty. I didn't mind flying then and the other 3 times I've flown but I mind it now. Those planes are tight on space and I am claustrophobic and tall so... Lula Mae and Opie have probably flown more in their short time than I have in my long time on the planet. Here's Lula Mae and Auntie TeacherDaughter on the way to Nashville in May. 

2.  Have you ever gone hang gliding and was it on the beach with boat power, or from a mountain with only the wind and your body? Hang gliding, no. But I have been up in a glider plane and that was amazing! 

3.  Have you ever gone kite flying and with whom? We used to fly kites at the beach when the girls were growing up. 

4.  Experimental aircraft is quite popular as a hobby where Terri lives.  Have you or anyone you know ever constructed a flying machine and did you ride in it? I don't know anyone who has constructed a flying machine and I don't know anyone who might construct one that I'd be willing to ride in. LOL

5.  Another big hobby around Lakeland is Radio Controlled Airplanes.  Have you ever seen them flying or tried your hand at it? I have seen them but I've never had any interest in trying it out. 

6.  Please tell us something about your week. I don't want to go off on a lecture here but I do want to say be careful when judging others. We never know what other people are going through in their lives and judging them is not helpful. What is helpful is a bit of understanding and compassion. Otherwise, just keep the mouth shut. 

In other news...LOL There's not a whole going on around here which is great for the creative process as I have moved into creating all things autumnal while pretending the temperatures aren't ridiculously oppressive. I am ready for fall, Y'all! 

At least football is back! Even if it is preseason.  

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

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Blowing Up the Medley

We're back on Wednesday with the Medley! It's all about V-J Day today so get your history hats on. Join us to find out how many meddlers remember the stories their history books told them. 

1.  I'm sure many kids today have no idea what V-J Day is all about. If they go to school they do. Unless they forgot. Did you have a loved one who fought in WWII? Not a loved one but a couple relatives I never knew because they died during that one and I wasn't born until a loooong time after. 

2.  The iconic sculpture from the famous photograph of  "The Unconditional Surrender" has been defaced recently because of the #metoo movement. I know we can get very political about this subject, but just keeping it in the spirit for which it was created, what are your thoughts? IDK...free love in 1945? Surely if she had objections she would have fought him off? I think it was more of being caught up in the excitement of the moment as opposed to an attack. I will say he should be very glad I wasn't the one he grabbed regardless of the reason. 

3.  Terri's grandson, Tristan, loved playing a game called "Axis & Allies".  It was quite complicated, took up the entire dining room table, and was not something Terri wanted to play (Grandpa understood it and played though).  Can you name three Axis countries and five of the many Allies (okay to look it up!)? Axis: Germany, Japan, Italy. Allies: US, Great Britain, Soviet Union, and China were the main players. I think. I was a history major as an undergraduate until I had Dr. Webb. That switch to a double major in psychology and sociology happened speedy quick. LOL

4.  Terri was surprised to learn that most historians agree that WWII began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Others say it started when Japan invaded Manchuria on September 18, 1931. And some scholars suggest WWII is actually a continuation of WWI, with a break in between.  Have you ever visited Pearl Harbor in Hawaii or any other WWII memorials around the world? Nope. War memorials are not my thing. 

5.  Calvin Graham was only 12 years old during WWII when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He won a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart before the Navy found out how old he was.  (God bless him.) Terri doesn't know any 12-year olds today who could qualify or get away with something like that.  Times are so very different now but (in the US) we do have ROTC in high schools.  Do you know anyone who started in ROTC and went on to enlist in one of the services? I don't. 

6.  Please tell us something about your week so far. It's the week before school starts for students so Lula Mae's school is closed until Monday which means I'm enjoying some granddaughter time. We took her to Opie's on Monday for some cousin time. 

While we were watching the birds having breakfast on the deck this morning, Lula Mae noticed my very first wildflower bloom! "It's PINK Amma!"  Yes, it is sweet love! We were so excited. Some of you know I've been waiting all summer for these things to bloom and was just about to give up hope when this happened. We are so excited about watching for others to bloom, now.

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Whole30 in the City

But, wait. You don't live on a farm and your garden is usually unsuccessful so how can you participate in Whole30 because isn't that doesn't that require organic foods grass-fed beef and so on? It may shock you to know but just because you live within a town or city limits doesn't mean you aren't health-conscious especially when it comes to food. One thing I love about this area of the low-country is our easy access to organic foods.

We use the grill as much as possible in the summertime. BBQ chicken
and veggies on the grill are great for Whole30 detoxing.
Yes, the BBQ sauce is Whole30 compliant.

In the Charleston area, there are three farmers markets within no more than 20 minutes to visit on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. And if you don't mind driving a little further and by further I mean no more than 45 minutes you can also travel to Summerville or Goose Creek.

Sweet potatoes are in nearly every recipe I have
found for the Whole30 plan. Be careful not
to slice your finger. Like I did. Ouch.

If that's not enough we also have local farmers who are South Carolina certified organic and one who also raises their animals in a way that's free of hormones and antibiotic-free.

Roasted spicy sweet potatoes and chicken on zoodles!

Now, don't faint but we also have Whole Foods and Trader Joe's and all our grocery stores sell organic veggies and grass-fed beef as well as offering organic, cage-free poultry options AND each store gives us locally grown options.  Oh, and we actually have neighbors in our neighborhood who are gracious enough to share eggs from their chickens from time to time.

Potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, and
grass-fed beef with seasonings. So good!

So, though they are super cool, you don't have to be a farmer or homesteader to live and eat healthily.

There are several organic farms in our are but I have two favorites, Joseph Fields Farm on John's Island and the Johnson Family Farm in McClellanville. The first one I always seek out at the farmers' markets and grocery stores because it's way too trafficky to get to them and I'm not sure they have people visit their farm. The second one is just about 30 minutes up 17 North and we do visit them. You can buy their veggies, meat, eggs, and dairy from their farm store and everything is grown right there on site. We enjoy taking Lula Mae and Opie out there.

The husband/dad of the Johnson Family Farm was diagnosed with cancer a mere 3 weeks or so ago and everyone is amazed and proud of how the community has come out to harvest, weed, prepare for fall planting, taking animals to wherever they take them for processing (and yes, it's right here in SC), tending the store, and all other things farm-related. Honestly, it's almost overwhelming but I love how we not only have access to good, clean foods but the community also lends a hand to help farmers keep it going.

And THAT is how you do Whole30 when you live within the town/city limits.

BOOM.

This is one of my favorite breakfasts so far.
I took left-over loaded sweet potato taco skillet
from supper and added eggs, avocado slices,
and grapes and BAM! Breakfast!

Coming soon- the differences I'm noticing following Whole30.

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Lighting the Medley

We're back on Wednesday with the Medley! It's all about lighthouses today. Have you ever been to one? Join us to find out how many meddlers have and what they think about lighthouses! 

1.  Let's start with a number! How many lighthouses have you visited? Only 2 or 3. There is one only 3.5 miles from my house. This one--

This is the Sullivan's Island lighthouse at Fort Moultrie.
Not a pretty lighthouse at all. 

This one is much better. It's the Morris Island lighthouse and I've been out there by boat once but you're not allowed inside. 

2.  Have you been inside a lighthouse and did you walk to the top? Yes and yes. Is it even possible to visit a lighthouse and not climb to the top? Provided they allow you to climb up there, of course. 

3.  Do you seek them out when you are traveling the coastlines or are you not that big a fan? I do not. I mean, I live at the coast so I don't travel to other coasts so... Mother LOVED lighthouses and she did travel and visit them when she was on any coast but she didn't live at the coast. I can't imagine wanting to visit another coast with the possible exception of Maine because I'm not as fond of the coast as I am the mountains. Plus, the coast is was too touristy for my taste. 

4.  Do you have a favorite scripture or another reference to share with us concerning a guiding light in your life? I do not but Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is a popular song around here lately. 

5.  If you don't collect lighthouses when you travel, is there something tangible that you tend to collect as a souvenir when you are on vacation or a road trip? When anyone in the family travels (and my close friends) they bring me back a Christmas ornament. My 4' tree is now too little to hold them I have so many! This year, I get a new tree on which to hang the treasures. I have them from all over the US, South America, Europe, some islands in the Atlantic...I LOVE my travel ornaments! AND there's even a lighthouse amongst them. 

6.  Please share something with us about your week. I started Whole30 with the Hollars (if you have time, check them out on IG- @hollarhomestead who are the son, DIL, and grandsons of @bkwrmmom) and while slicing sweet potatoes yesterday I also sliced my finger and it HURT. I'm not sure Whole30 is worth this.

I did get time with these two over the weekend, though.

They are both the very best at being goobers. LOL

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

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Parks and Wednesday Medley

Welcome to another Wednesday and the Medley where we meddlers come to partake in a weekly meeting of the minds in the sharing of our week. Please feel free to join in! Just click the Medley picture below, answer the questions on your blog, and link up on Terri's blog! 

1.  Is there a National Park near where you live?  Well, we have the Francis Marion National Forest and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie are considered national parks and there are rangers who work at both forts. We have Congaree National Park in Hopkins, SC but I've never been because I didn't know about it and I have no idea where Hopkins, SC is... LOL. We also have national historic sites but as far as something stunning/gorgeous/beautiful such as Yosemite? No. 

2.  How many National Parks and which ones have you visited? Only four that I recall-  Sequoia, Grand Canyon, the Everglades, and the Great Smokey Mountains. Is there one you would really like to visit? I wouldn't say no to visiting any located in Montana, Wyoming, Maine...such beauty. I have a friend who is leaving next month for a six-week camping trip where she and her hubby will be visiting and camping in all National Parks along their way. I'm so excited for this trip and cannot wait to hear all about it in October!  

3.  The Park Rangers are protectors of the environment, of the wildlife, and visitors in the parks.  Is there someone (human) in your life who you count on as a protector or are you someone's protector? I wonder if Lula Mae and Opie consider us protectors? I'm one of those who look to self for most things and protector is filed under this category. I'm pretty sure the family would come to the aid of any of us who were in real danger, though. I hope we would, anyway. I also hope we never have to find out. 

4.  Have you ever had an up-close-and-personal experience with a wild animal that you can tell us about? Other than a deer or a bear outside the mountain cabin when I was a kid, no. People around here are complaining about deer and bobcats and coyotes but if they would stop destroying all the natural habitats around here I don't think it would be an issue. Seriously, how can people complain when they have caused the problem? Idiots.  

5.  It is certainly an honor to show value to this profession by giving them a day of remembrance.  What is another profession that you like to see honored by a "day" of their own? Teachers and firefighters! 

6.  On this last day of July, please tell us something about your week so far. I had a lovely lunch out with a friend yesterday. We went to the Mill Street Tavern where the food was good and the view lovely. The best part was having time to catch up a bit with my friend. Since it was Tuesday and a bit early for the regular lunch crowd, it was practically empty which I totally loved. This place is one I would definitely visit again but more for everything other than the food. There's one other place in town I visit for everything but the food. Not that the food is bad, but everything else about them is better. Does that even make sense? Anyway, the important thing is the time spent with a friend. And there was nothing disappointing about that. Pictures? We never stopped talking long enough for that. LOL

 

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

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