Singing--off key and Remembering the good times!

As I was looking through my eCrater store for an item to go along with this week's ESN theme of singing I came across this pair of black and white cows outfitted in full western regalia. You might well ask what these have to do with singing...or music of any kind. Well, they triggered memories of "way back when" I was just a little girl.  Remember riding across Zarzarmora Street in San Antonio going to or from my grandmother's and singing "I'm an old cowhand from the Rio Grande".  We only sang a small snatch of the song and from what I can find now we didn't even sing it right word-wise. I remember puzzling over how someone could ride (a horse) before they could stand. Mama explained that my little brother had ridden (in the car) before he could stand.  I had no idea until just now the origin of the song and that it was a spoof, I only knew and remembered the phrase we sang as a family.  And it was no doubt off key as well as the wrong lyrics.  We were not a family of singers.
Daddy had been  a real cowboy in his earlier life and he would sing "Get along little doggie, yippee,yi oh kyah!" and taught brother and I a crazy song that went  "Sheep and a hog, walking in a pasture. Sheep says "Hog, can't you walk a little faster?" Hog says, "Huh?"Hog says "Huh!"  Researching that I come up with a fiddle tune called "Sheep and Hogs Walking Through a Pasture."  I can only guess that Daddy made up the lyrics...Maybe so, maybe no...

Here's my "cowpoke" cows, that triggered my memories.

Purchase them HERE!

My Store--Hazel's HodgePodge

Most of you know that among other things I am a private tutor.  My main focus  is on reading disabilities, especially dyslexia, and teaching beginning readers.  However, this spring much of my tutoring time has been spent helping students improve their writing skills. I am working with a GED student on developing an essay, and I have a 4th grader who needed work on putting together sentences and paragraphs.  I don't think we learned such a formal approach to writing an essay when I was in school.  Maybe that is why freshman college English put so much emphasis on writing. (And was so hard for so many of us.)Anyway one prompt I worked with recently was about starting and naming a business.  I proceeded to apply the prompt to my business and answer the questions.

1.  Write down the name of your store and why you chose that name.
     Hazel's HodgePodge
     I chose the name Hazel's HodgePodge for two reasons. First, I think it sounds good.   Secondly, I have so many different types of things to sell, and HodgePodge means an assortment.  It is very seldom that I have two of the same item to sell. There are other words for a random assortment of things, such as olio, mishmash, jumble, or collection.  Again, none of these have the alliteration of Hazel's HodgePodge. Thus the choice of the name for my store.

2.  Describe what it is that your store sells. Do you sell things or provide a service?
    I sell things in my store, but I also strive to provide superb service.  I shop at garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets to find collectibles and vintage items.  I have replacement china and glassware, along with other kitchen items, decorator items such as pictures, lamps, and boxes, toys, dolls, games, and more. Clothes are not my specialty, but I even have a few clothes and shoes in my stock. You will find clocks, cookie jars, Christmas ornaments, and music boxes at Hazel's HodgePodge.   As far as service goes, we make sure all our merchandise is clean, and we describe it in detail. When the customer makes an order, they can expect prompt delivery of a well packaged item that is exactly as described.

3. Describe who your store benefits.
   Since Hazel's HodgePodge is mainly an on-line store, it benefits those who like to shop from home. The vast array of vintage and collectible items benefits collectors who need that special "something" to complete or add to their collection.  Maybe you are looking for a replacement piece for your old set of dishes. You could certainly benefit from shopping at Hazel's HodgePodge. My store also benefits anyone who is looking for something nostalgic or anyone who is looking for that unique item to complete their decor.  We

Misty Eyes,Best Friends, and Hugs

I've missed  out on more than a few weeks of blogging and ESN scavenger hunts.   I spent over a month "working" at "regular" job. It was only regular in trying to get in a 40 hour week and in getting a regular pay check. I worked at home and set my own hours within the time frame set by the company.  I will say that these old eyes needed more rest than at the same computer work 10 or 12 years ago AND it sure seemed to be harder to get in hours at home than when I spent consecutive hours at their facility.  The good part was not spending gas and time to travel to and from work, being able to rest my eyes every hour or two, and even though I couldn't give her direct attention while I was working, I was here in the house with Mimi and able to cater to her needs and wants during rest breaks.  I was also able to take off for lunch at the senior citizen center  each day. We've come to take that for granted now.

Anyway,    I'm Baaack and looking at the ESN scavenger hunt topic this week.  I think they get harder and harder to find. The topic this week is Misty.  My thoughts turned to "misty eyed" and I found two items in my store that go along with that theme. The first is a wall plaque that I think is cute. The handmade-ness of it makes it desirable to some. Seeing the two friends hugging made me think of how sometimes when you are distraught and/or misty-eyed for whatever reason how good it is to have a good friend to just give you a big hug.

Purchase this for your special friend

The second item is a holder for your tissues to dry those misty eyes. It is a unique southwestern themed item.

Add to your southwest decor and keep those tissues handy.
Never know when you will mist up and need one.

Stop by ESN and shop with our friends there. They have a huge assortment of things for sale.  Also take a look around Hazel's HodgePodge.

It's good to be back and we hope to do more listing now.  Since I know now I can get a good amount of time in on a job each week, I should be able to get more time in on my store if I put my mind to it.