Tag: Hummm

Hummm…Vacation

The Cedar Journal May 4, 2023

When on vacation we like to relax and unwind and during those moments of reflection we can “see” things we otherwise would not notice. “Do” things we don’t normally do. Wonder about the sights in the areas we travel.

Both the Hubby and I spent our careers busy with work and now it is nice to actually relax and enjoy the moments and all the things at make us go Hummm… this vacation to the United States from The Netherlands was filled with such moments.

Like yesterday as we were enjoying a meal at a restaurant in Moose Lake, MN and sat watching a guy clean the parking lot, by hand, one five gallon bucket at a time.

A record snowfall in Northern Minnesota has left parking lots with piles of gravel after the snow melted.

Hummm… suddenly the “hand work” turn to “dust blowing work”. Hummm…his vehicle didn’t have a MN front plate. Later I saw he was from South Carolina😳!

We did wonder if he was financing this work by the coins he might have found while cleaning up. We actually found that looking at those gravel piles issued us some coin rewards during our trip. A small but entertaining vacation activity.

Then we have the entertainment of what we find at parking lots here in the US. Hummm…

Then we seemed to have a doggie vacation.

Hummm… this dog looks very tired…JD is my son’s dog, four full days of activity, this puppy was worn out.

Hummm… one more neighborhood dog that stopped to see me.

While visiting my son in St Louis, MO I had a visit from Finn. Finn is a international famous dog blogger and his “Human Mom, Ann” lives in the neighborhood. Ann even wrote a blog about meeting me for a walk on one of the days I was visiting. You can read about her experience.

https://muddlingthroughmymiddleage.com/2023/04/30/small-world/

I have followed Ann and Finn’s blog for years and was inspired to visit the animal shelter where she volunteered on one of my visits to the St. Louis area. I had no idea where Ann lived in St Louis until just recently when my son and daughter in law purchased their first actual house. When I emailed her a picture of the house she said she lived in the neighborhood.

Hummm… I wondered, is that by European or American distance standards? I never asked. When she stopped by while I was there and she showed me where she lived, it was very close! I thought that the universe was joking! We couldn’t even plan a house purchase in her neighborhood and here she lives just down the street. Hummm… a wonderful karma experience for both bloggers and the new neighbors who now have a trusted resource close by. Thanks Ann!!

The artist… Hummm… Hanging Horn Resort’s youngest manager…

Tutu and artist/manager with supervisor in the background.

I spent a wonderful afternoon with the youngest resort manager I have ever known learning about how we “are not to talk to the customers, what we needed to clean up, and items that needed to be added to the supervisor’s To Do List.” In her spare time she is an artist. If this is the future generation I don’t think any of us have to worry.

Hummm…looks like the Hubby has lost weight on this vacation!

Maybe it is because we visited my son and daughter in law. We spent time fixing a “free” grill, a bad gate, and trenching the lawn to solve some water issues. Hummm… team building event? Possible.

Vacation is also a time of appreciating what you have at home. So when we returned today I was greeted with a garden of beautiful tulips.

My straw bale garden looking great after three weeks.

Our back garden with long grass and tulips.

Wishing each of you to “see” the Hummm… in your lives and enjoy each day as if it were vacation. Carpe diem!

Hummm…St Patrick’s Day 2023

The Cedar Journal March 17, 2023

I had to check my calendar today to make sure there wasn’t a full moon as some strange things have surrounded me the last few days.

I mentioned in my last post I saw a gal with devil horns on and satin cape draped on a bench.

Today, it must be because it is St Patrick’s Day and the universe always wants those of us with some Irish blood running through our bodies to have fun. This was what made me laugh today.

Check out the boat name. Hummm… wonder what services they provide?

Irish are all about what is green and little sprouts are green.

Hummm… little green sprouts on these rose bushes.

Hummm… me and my shadow…

Fertilizing the roses at my volunteer job at the Historic Garden Aalsmeer.

Humm…Happy St Patrick’s Day everyone!🍀🇮🇪

Hummm… Lost and Found?

The Cedar Journal March 9, 2023

Ahhh, my blog readers, it is time for another Hummm… from my location here in The Netherlands. I just researched when the last one was posted and OMG! January?! That can’t be true. Wow, time has flown and so there must be dozens of Hummm… to post. Let me see … where to start.

Ok… hummm… Jetpack on WP is again challenging my technology skills… just LOVE the challenge of new changes, thanks WP!…sarcasm.

Oh no! Transported to the polar ice cap! Hummm… nope, but recently I picked a book out of our extensive library and found this collection of pictures, about some Navy submarine that was the first to find a path to the North Pole!

Hummm… interesting… I wonder what the Russians thought about that at that time…

Hummm… the social media of that time. They didn’t seem like they worried about telling the Russians or World the route they took. This is exactly why Democracy and freedom always wins! Courage to do what no one thought was possible and then using the media to make sure everyone knows how you did it!
Free Press= Freedom= Democracy!

Hummm… the things I find on my hikes. What could this be? A old sock?

No! The cutest little bear! I hope someone found him a good home.

Yet, another American mailbox on a Dutch house! Hummm… not sure what to think about this one…the full barrel of water under it makes it look like the mailbox is leaking… or…they get a great deal of wet mail…

Spring in The Netherlands brings mole hills…and Hummm…people who must just find it cool to place a foot print on them…easy to follow this person…

Sometimes the Hummm… is in the English language. I think “sensitive” was what this Dutch person should have spelled.

Another lost item…identified as…a glove.

Hummm… lots going on here! “Hubby? Where are you? What are you doing? I really hope you aren’t thinking of moving out and sleeping there!”

Hummmm… “If you do I am guessing you will have plenty of toilet paper!”

As of this publication of Hummm… 9 March 2023 Russia still is attacking the Ukraine! Still thinking they can shell helpless civilians!

So many of us living in Europe are wanting this Russian aggression to end, as we f today there is no indication of the situation getting any closer to a resolution. Please send your support and prayers to those inside the Ukraine and to the thousands who are tirelessly working here in Europe to find some way forward to a more peaceful situation.💛💙❤️

Hummm… Doomsday Clock

The Cedar Journal January 25, 2023

I am not really one for talking seriously about the “End of Times” but when yesterday a bunch of scientists declared we are 30 seconds closer…it made me…yes… Hummm…

Calendar on my desk with one of my favorite castles. Bamburgh is the setting for Bernard Cornwell books The Last Kingdom, I am sure the Saxons thought it was Doomsday when the Vikings came… Hummm… I have both DNA in my bloodline…

I laughed and made jokes and went about my day. I have heard it all before that we are close but this time, it could be actually true. Hummm… if you knew it was what would you do?

There must be people really thinking it could actually happen this time. As I was approached, not once but twice in this month by people who knock on my door and want to spread the “word”. Good for them, but I would rather do something creative with my time.

Some of the collection has become a pair of socks… Hummm… the Doomsday sock collection.

The situation is concerning in both Ukraine and Afghanistan. War or the aftermath of war is never easy or fun. Hummm… at least it now seems my former employer is doing something to help!

More relief effort items sitting next to my door. Not waiting for doomsday!

I know that democracy must win! We can’t wait for others to do the hard work. If doomsday is closer we each should hope we did enough to stop or at least slow it down.

Sometimes it is just hard to choose the right path to take, even if it might end up at the same end point.

Hummm…

So, do I need Divine intervention?

I think if there is a possibility of a Divine then I think maybe it could give a push to fix some of these issues we are facing, or maybe push some people to do the “right thing” to help.

As far as my plan, I will laugh at the doomsday clock, continue to close the door at people who try to “push” their religious belief on me, help those I can and dance like baby groot from the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 movie intro.

For all you who don’t believe in democracy and want to stop those of us who do… Hummm… I will never surrender!

Hummm… Spring in January in my back garden.

After Thanksgiving Hummm…

The Cedar Journal November 25, 2022

Now we have finished our Thanksgiving feasting and are looking for entertainment, or maybe a little “Black Friday” shopping. Look no more, as you can read and ponder the After Thanksgiving Hummm…

Let’s start with this beautiful 1980’s Suzuki! Hummm… isn’t it beautiful?

How about the interior? Hummm… perfect! Seemed like we had stepped into a time warp to experience this car. Actually was donated to a Suzuki dealer by the owner. Must travel to Heemstede, NL to see this gem.

Hummm… next stop Leiden, NL, warning – it was around the full moon…

If you wondered what happened to the Queen of England, she was waving at me while I was visiting Leiden. Hummm…

But then from there it got serious! As I stepped into a local “thrift store”. Hummm… we aren’t in MN anymore, are we?

Around the corner and this was just picture perfect for the Hummm…files!

But… it didn’t stop there…

This is the store that just keeps on giving, as this larger than large painting had to be added to the Hummm…

Or maybe someone needs this to add to their wall collection. Hummm… let’s get a closer look…

Hummm… who needs Ancestry.com if you have this?

This month brought changes too. My son’s dog I am sure is thinking “Hummm…what a cool new neighborhood! Wonder if there are any friends out there?”

When I owned a house in MN I would always have a project or two in my garage. Since, I am living here full time with the Hubby, well… let’s just say the projects are his deal not mine. Until… Hummm…

Someone at the community garden had broken a handle on this shovel and tossed it out!😳 Hummm… looked like a perfect low key project. Hummm… of course I received all kinds of helpful advice from the Hubby…”yes,dear; no, dear; I am sure I don’t need your help dear; No, I won’t use any power tools, dear!” Hummm… project complete. Hummm…next.😬

How about writing a few of my Congressmen or the White House about how I feel about the situation in Ukraine? Hummm…

More boxes waiting to head to Ukraine with clothes, food, candles, female products.

Another box… hummm… maybe… Congress or the White House will answer my emails… Hummm…

Hummm… not really an answer to my email… but… still I am hanging it on my wall!

That wraps it up on this side of the November Turkey feast. Hummm…what will next month bring for the blog? Until then, keep looking for the Hummm…in life.