Chats on the Farmhouse Porch: Hotter Than a Firecracker

I missed Patrice's chat last week. I guess I am spoiled by having fairly speedy Internet available to me 24/7. When we were out of town we could have one person on the computer at a time and it was soooo sloooowwww. It was almost painful! My teeth hurt from clenching them.

Patrice mentioned that it was hot. Here, too. I've been enjoying getting up at the crack of dawn and getting things done. But, then I fall into the trap of checking the blogs - and suddenly it's 95 degrees outside. I need to switch things around and save blogging for midday. Maybe tomorrow!

So here are Patrice's questions - and you must stop by her blog because she coerced bribed Wendell into participating with her.

1. What are your plans for the 4th of July?
2. What's your favorite ethnic food?
3. What's your least favorite chore?
4. What really "stopped you in your tracks" and made you think twice?
5. Would you rather dry your clothes on a clothes line or in a dryer?

1. Our plans for the 4th? Who knows? There is a town picnic that we might go to... but if it is as warm hot as it has been, we'll probably opt to stay home. I'm not sure if there are any fireworks in the area with the concerns about fires. I know that some have been cancelled.

2. It's hard for me to answer this question. My hubby isn't very adventurous when it comes to food and since we tend to go out together, I don't have much exposure to ethnic foods. He really dislikes hot foods, and I guess I have similar taste. So, strike off any hot ethnic foods - that eliminates a lot, right? I really can't think of a favorite.

3. My least favorite chore? I am with Patrice on this one - I really dislike cleaning bathrooms. I also don't particularly care for vacuuming. Especially when I have to drag the vacuum upstairs. Washing windows is high on my 'yucky' list. Tucker leaves nose prints inside and outside. I don't like dusting. Our house gets really dusty - I guess it's because of the wind. I abhor washing down walls. Luckily I don't have to do that too often since we don't have kids and Tucker isn't the sort who gets wet and comes in and shakes. I hate messy kitchen counters and getting the stuck-on bits of food off is a trial. I guess you could say that I dislike ALL household chores!

4. Something that stopped me in my tracks and made me think twice? Hmmm, that's a tough one. I am kinda like a bull in a china shop - charging ahead, sometimes  often oblivious to all that is around me. So, an epiphanic* moment? (*Hey, it IS a word... I checked it out in the dictionary!!) OK...yesterday I took Tucker for a walk on one of the wonderful trails in our town. We walked along Sulfur Gulch, a small waterway that is often dry. There were huge piles of sand along the paved trail. I suddenly realized those piles had been plowed off the trail after our huge rain/hail storm a month ago. There was also the remains of a cottonwood tree that was easily 4 feet in diameter. The bank on which it sat had been carved out by the rushing water. The water in the gulch must have risen from its usual trickle to 8 - 10 feet, at minimum! Wow! That was a lot of power! 

5. I would love to dry my clothes outside - well, some of them. I don't particularly care for towels that scrape the top layer of skin off when you dry with them - and drying outside sometimes does that. Hubby didn't like it when I used to dry his underwear outside for the same reason. It's funny, but not too long ago I mentioned getting a clothes line. Maybe that's what I'll do on the 4th! 

So, time to get going. I have a busy day ahead. I'm volunteering for 4 classes at the therapeutic riding center - it's gonna be hot! 

Click on the image to visit Patrice's blog and to be able to read other's responses.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

God Bless America!