Grateful for Good Weather Hodgepodge

1. What's something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for?

Good weather! When it's here I take it for granted and when it's missing ... I really miss it... I'm not partial to soaking rains/with wet heavy snow that takes out our power; not even for 10 minutes! I was pretty happy to blow out all the candles and have the lights and heat come back on. Now, good weather 'could' be a snow storm ... but the kind that piles nicely and packs well so we can go out to play :-)

2. The color brown-love it or no? What's your favorite shade of brown? Most loved something in your home or closet in a shade of brown?

Brown is fine; not my favorite but many other colors blend nicely with it so it is in my wardrobe.  I prefer a deep chocolate brown color. In fact, I prefer chocolate :-)   I also have a pair of (chocolate) brown corduroy slacks that are warm and perfect for chilly days. 

3. What's something you're looking forward to today?
Well today is almost over, but this morning I was looking forward to substitute teaching - art class, today.  I have been sick for a few days and this was my first assignment all week. It was lots of fun and the kids were great!  

4. The word 'feminism' is not new, but it has been generating all kinds of headlines in recent days and months. What do you think/feel when you hear the word? If you're a woman, do you want to be described as a feminist? Why or why not?

I've never cared for the word "feminist" or "feminism."  I found (and still do) the women involved in organizations like "NOW" and others to be loud, selfish, and self righteous...  perhaps time has helped temper their attitude. There was a time back in the 70's where a man would refuse to open or hold a door for a woman... would ignore normal 'niceties' and thankfully those days are past.  I would rather be considered "feminine" - as in lovely, proper (mostly), and the gentler half of the keeper of our home. 

5. What's something you personally can't eat without making a mess?

I absolutely CAN NOT eat anything like spaghetti, vermicelli, or angel hair pasta without making a mess. Eating it in public is a real embarrassment for me and if given a choice, I will choose penne'. 

6. When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift? What was it?  

Hard one... let me think. A little gift... a friend of mine let me borrow a series of books and on the very top, she had a lovely brass bookmark. She said she had several just like them and wanted me to have one.  I thought that was very thoughtful of her! I made an apple pudding for my son, daughter-in-love and granddaughter just because I love them.  

7. Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric or scripture relating to gratitude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpEbQGsPqHE   "For the Beauty of the Earth"

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Frozen rain from a few years ago on our Christmas trees in our back yard.  Amazes me each time! Of course, they have to thaw and dry out a bit before we can cut and sell them, but in the meantime...  :-)

It's Been Awhile Hodgepodge

1. My hubs spent last weekend pheasant hunting. Are there hunters in your family? If so, what do they hunt? Which of the following have you tasted-pheasant, rabbit, venison, duck, goose? Which of those would you most like to taste, or be most willing to taste?
Vegetarians keep calm and Hodgepodge on.

I've tasted them all, though not all hunted by my husband.  He does hunt - pheasant, turkey, deer but not often.  Venison is my favorite.

2. What high spot have you visited that gave you a wonderful 'bird's eye view' of something below?
Living near mountains gives us the pleasure of seeing things from above - probably my favorite is the view of the Hudson Valley from the Catskill Mountains.  I loved hiking along the trail that leads from North Lake to North Point along Artist's Rock and Newman's Ledge. Awesome view!

3.  Do you have any birds in your home? These could be either real live pets or decorative, as in bird prints, knickknacks, fabric or pottery.

No birds inside. I much rather enjoy them outside at the feeder.

4. Tell about a time you 'killed two birds with one stone'?

I guess it must be the hour because I can't think of anything clever...  This summer I was hot and thirsty so I cooled off with a nice glass of ice water and quenched my thirst as well.  Wow! That was exciting!

5. Your favorite song with a bird in it's title?

I just knew this one was coming...  When I was a child I loved to hear and sing, "When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob Bobbin Along" 

6. What most recently gave you goose bumps?
The weather. It got cold too quickly one afternoon...and then I turned the heat on for the first time this fall. 

7. Halloween is this Friday...any plans? Did you trick or treat as a child? Carve pumpkins? Share your most memorable costume.

As a child we carved pumpkins, dressed up, and with our friends, went through the neighborhood trick or treating, never worrying about whose house we went to. It was fun and seemed so innocent.  As an older teen, I started dressing as a witch to answer the door and kids started coming from miles around to see the witch at Halloween. However, as I grew into adulthood, Halloween became sinister with more teenagers and young adults "tricking" and as a Christian, decided that Halloween really was not an innocent holiday for kids and with such emphasis on witches and ghosts, felt that it was not honoring the Lord and was no longer for me. Once married, our our children did not "celebrate" it.  We even took them out of school if they were going to spend most of the day doing Halloween activities. They attended church parties and helped us hand out candy to other kids, and of course, they always got our leftover candy, which there was always plenty!  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  

The last of my blooms from about a week ago (along with some marigolds) -  Pink roses are still blooming but they will be gone after the big frost hits later this week  :-(  

Wild Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. July is National Anti-Boredom Month. When was the last time you were bored? What's your go-to cure for boredom?

Tough one - I don't think I'm ever bored. Maybe sitting in the car waiting for someone...  I most always have a book to read.

2. What's the last thing you made a reservation for?

Dinner but I can't remember where.  I also remember NOT making reservations and not being able to eat in the restaurant of our choice while on vacation :-(   Good news, though; 2nd choice place was delicious!   No, wait! I made reservations for the B & B and hotel for the item in my Bucket List (#3) !

3. What's one thing on your summer 'bucket list'? Any plans to make it happen?

Taking our oldest granddaughter to Maine!  I've wanted the whole family to join us but we've never been able to do that so this is our treat for her birthday :-)

4. What's your favorite summertime sip?

Chocolate milkshake!  But on a daily basis, I'l drink just plain water.

5. What do you find is the best way to handle another person's hostility and hopefully ease the tension?

If it doesn't involve me, I'll walk away. If it involves me, I'll just listen and won't give advice unless I'm asked.

6. Your favorite film set in summer?

Goodbye Miss 4th of July - a Disney for TV movie that may be on DVD -based on a true story about a Greek family coming to live here to avoid the fighting in Greece and the challenges they face being "foreigners" in the south and how their daughter seeks to help those who have become sick during an influenza epidemic.  

7. What word are you using too much lately?

One word? Maybe the word "ache" because something usually does every morning when I wake up.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Ooooh! I love these random thoughts! It's where I never get political but usually post a picture so here goes:

This is sweaty 'me' and my garden near the end of June - as you can see, the corn was already knee high and it wasn't even the 4th of July! It was looking really good and had doubled in size by this past Monday, then the hail and wind hit --- though the corn had not yet tasseled and tomatoes, beans and peas had not yet set on and everything else grows underground, the leaves were shredded so, for memory's sake, we'll just stick with this picture!  

Wednesday Hodgepodge #180

Joyce at "From This Side of the Pond" brings us Wednesday Hodgepode faithfully every week and this week marks her #180! Thanks, Joyce - we have a lot of fun doing this!



1.  Speaking of 180...when was the last time you 'did a 180' on something?

Literally: Well, Walmart moved from their "old" place to their "new" place now making me turn left at the end of my driveway instead of my usual right - except I've turned right just a few times, necessitating a 180 at the intersection up the road ...

Figuratively... I can't remember!

2. It's Independence Week in the US of A! What's your favorite thing about America right this very minute? Favorites only! Let's hear what you love about America.

Freedoms many other countries do not enjoy; seeing the ocean, plain, and mountain in the same day; Family Dairy Farms - especially early cornfields (before they tassel) in the morning when the dew is still clinging to the leaves of the stalks - it shimmers and catches my eye each time! 

If you're playing along today, and you're not an American but have been to America, what do/did you like best about this country? If you've never been to America, do you have any desire to visit? What's the number one thing you'd like to see?

3. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream, or blueberry pie?

Stars; Blue; Definitely homemade vanilla ice cream - with chocolate syrup and whipped cream :-)

4. When did you last see stars, figuratively speaking?

It was probably last summer when I had my sun glasses on top of my head and when I tried to get into the car, drove those things right into the top of my head - hurt for days

5.  'Clear as a bell', 'with bells on',  'lots of bells and whistles', 'saved by the bell'...which phrase 'rings' truest for you lately?  Have you ever seen The Liberty Bell?

I have never seen the Liberty Bell.  My decision to apply for Social Security at age 62 instead of 65 was 'clear as a bell' and I can't wait to see that first check in August!  (I still work part-time and volunteer all summer but I don't HAVE to if I don't want to...but I want to!)

6. Are you caught up in World Cup fever? Have you watched a lot or a little or none at all?

I've only seen a few highlights here and there. I'm not  a soccer fan.

7. Bid farewell to June in 10 words or less.

"You were lovely but too short. See you next year!"

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on June 29th with a quick getaway to Chincoteague Island, VA - it was awesome and way too short!  Here is a picture of my anniversary "card" at sunrise at Assateague National Seashore :-)  It says  H A P P   for Happy Anniversary Peggy Pitcher.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - by golly, I didn't forget!

1. What news story are you following right now?

Hmmm! I haven't had the news on all day...but ongoing situations involving US citizens overseas, being held as prisoners because of their Christian faith have held my attention and my prayers for a while, now.  My husband told me tonight that Meriam, living in the Sudan, has had her baby and can nurse her for 2  years, and THEN they will execute her for being a Christian.

2. What's the last thing you wanted but didn't get?

I'm spoiled!  I get everything I want (usually). Well, maybe a cruise to Alaska - we've talked about it but we never seem to be getting any closer to going :-(

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...when did you last have a hamburger? Other than your own kitchen or BBQ grill, where is your favorite place to go for a hamburger? And for all you non-meat eaters out there...when you're invited to a cookout what is the one side dish you hope is on the menu?

My last hamburger was actually a cheeseburger (never eat plain hamburgers)  was delicious and just greasy enough to be part of the experience and I can't for the life of me recall where we were for sure ...either "Jumpin' Jacks" in Scotia, NY or "Klippel's Kozy Korner Deli" in Northville, NY.  Favorite place for a hamburger/cheeseburger?  "Jumpin' Jacks" or "Klippel's Kozy Korner Deli!"

4. How have your priorities changed over time?

Wow! I've been around a while so, let see:  My first job took priority over just lazing away the summer, waiting for school to start again :-)  Then there was college which was more important than working for a living :-/  Then there was that first REAL job that was more important than almost anything 'cause I had a car to maintain! Then there was dating but that didn't become a priority until I realized I had found Mr Right :-D  Then our marriage was 1st priority but then the kids came along and they were definitely a priority for many years (stay at home mom for most of them), and sometimes it was tough balancing marriage and child-rearing - fine line, sometimes; then we retired and now a favorite priority is spending time with my husband; But through all of this, top priority never changed and that was my walk with the Lord, serving him and having fellowship with other Christians at church!!

5. What's a favorite memory with your grandparents?

Sadly, both sets of grandparents had already passed on by the time I was born. I didn't really have anyone local who could step in and be a proxy grandparent, either, but my girlfriends grandparents used to invite me to their house sometimes and that was always fun.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being fantastic!), how good are you at multitasking? Share an example.

Not good. Not at ALL! I would be a "1"  For example, I use a timer for everything important! I was never good at multitasking, so I don't think there 's room for improvement, either.

7. How would you summarize your highs and lows for the month of May?

May was pretty "even Steven" - the weather was a little on the poopie side, but it didn't snow so that was good.  I had lot's of substitute teaching jobs and that's always a good thing! May is going to end on a high note as my friend Kim and I get to attend a women's conference in PA called LYFE: Live Your Faith Every Day!

That's about it - I lead a pretty quiet life (and that's the way -uh huh, uh huh- I like it!)


8.  Insert your own random thought here.


I'll be 62 next month and able to collect Social Security - think I can afford another Cadillac?  

Hodgepodge for Lunch

1. April 22nd is Earth Day. Are you inspired by nature? In what way? 


I am inspired by God, our Creator of all things! He has done such marvelous work through nature and it amazes me to watch wildlife and I love to gaze over open fields and watch the wind blow through whatever is growing there. I love the colors that blend and contrast with all that God has created and yes, it does inspire me, sometimes to write poetry, other times to capture something with my camera. Other times it inspires me to slow down and rest.


2. Down to earth, four corners of the earth, move heaven and earth, not have an earthly chance, or salt of the earth...which earthly idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.


"Down to earth", I think - that pretty much sums up my life here on the Christmas Tree Farm. We are plain and simple  in our everyday lives by the world's standards, and that's the way we like it!


3. Share one piece of advice you might give a newly engaged couple.


Don't wait until you "can afford" to get married. If marriage is your plan, then plan to get married! Your wedding day is important but it should reflect who you are and how you live, right now. Lavish, expensive weddings set a standard of living that often can't be met and couples are left wishing they could live the life their wedding day appeared to be instead of celebrating the love that brought them together.
 

4. When did you last engage someone to perform a job, task, service, home repair, or improvement? On a scale of 1-10 (ten being the best) how would you rate their work and/or your satisfaction with the job or service provided?


We only choose reputable people to do work for us and it has been a very long time since we needed work that couldn't be done by us.  However, it was major work in that most of the inside of our house had to be rebuilt because of flooding. We were blessed to have our insurance pay for it and I'm happy to say that we would give our builders a #9 on their work!


5. When did you last find yourself engaged in small talk? Are you awkward or an expert or somewhere in between?


"Small talk" is one of those weird expressions! I pretty much don't engage in it as I either have something to say or I don't. When I find someone to converse with, we talk forever :-)  I guess I'm more of a listener, to start, but then...  :-)


6.  What was the last historic place you visited?


Well, we tried to visit lots of places on our big trip last fall, but the government turned us away all along the coast of North Carolina :-(   We did manage to visit Currituck Light and the restored area on the Outer Banks of NC.  We also got to visit the area where the Wright Brothers made their first flight.


7. The world would be a better place if we just__________________________.


As a world, turned back to the Lord, placing him at the head of each of our houses and kept Him there.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.


We love finding interesting stuff wherever we walk and this piece of  'sea creature' was on the beach in Virginia. It kind of looks like a piece of starfish, but I'm not sure and it was the only piece we found. Anyone have any clues? 

Wednesday Hodge Podge and Snow Flakes

1. Are we always responsible for our actions? Are there any exceptions?

Always. No exceptions.

2.  Has anyone from your home town become famous?

I come from a very small town in the Catskill Mountains and I don't believe any one there has become famous. We did have the "priviledge" of the company quite often of Jack "Legs" Diamond, the NYC gangster. He had a home nearby and frequented it often. He was generous to the local people and especially loved kids, but I always wondered if those people "owed" him something, or perhaps he was buying their friendship so he had a place to escape to? He was shot one time in a bar not too far from his "safe" home.

3. January was National Slow Cooker month. Do you own a slow cooker/crock pot? Did you use it last month? What's a favorite dish you make using a slow cooker or crock pot?

I had no idea it was National Slow Cooker month - I guess I missed the memo! We like to cook chicken, sausage and beans (with some spices) in our crock pot (among other things) and that was probably the most recent dish.

4. How do you feel about private companies collecting data about you?

I don't mind if they collect demographic type info, but they need to keep their memory banks away from my name, address, family and my money.
5. The Games of the 2014 Winter Olympics kick off with their opening ceremony this coming Friday....will you be watching? Which Winter Olympic event would you most like to see in person? Have you ever been to Russia? Any desire to go, Olympics or otherwise?

We like to watch many of the Winter Olympic sports and find the opening ceremony quite interesting, though l-o-n-g.  I like figure skating, best, but if I could stand the cold, I would like to watch some of the skiing events, too. Have never been to Russia and no real desire to go unless it was a mission trip with my church or I found some ancestral heritage there.


6. Share a good or bad sports related memory from your childhood or teen years.

HAHA!!  I loved sports but was not very good at them; that said, most any sport has something funny attached to it. Here's one:  Our softball field was flooded but our gym teacher was determined so we moved our bases out to the soccer field and turned it sideways so that home plate was about 20 feet from a ditch, hence, the catcher (me) was 10 feet from the ditch - I had no trouble with the ditch, but being ever mindful of it's location, I failed to notice the woodchuck hole mere steps behind me. I discovered it several plays into our game by stepping backwards, toe first, and then losing my balance, landing right on top of the back of my foot, wedging it tightly with my heel against a rock -- it took several minutes and many hands to dig my foot out, much to my embarrassment and of course, fear of what might actually be IN that hole and would they be upset by a cloth sneaker invading their privacy!  I was so afraid of being bitten, I could only scream, "Get me out! Get me out!"  LOL!!!!


7. What's a must have song for you on a work out play list? If you don't work out, run, swim, bike, walk, or anything else that could be construed as 'exercise', then what's a song that movtivates you to at least get up off the couch?

It's been a while, but I loved doing Tae Bo exercise to Michael W Smith's "Freedom" CD with one of the selections by the same name. Some of the music was hard driving (Celtic Style) and others were quiet for cool down.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

From my kitchen window looking out on our back yard tree farm, I decided the icicles resembled teeth :-)  

DEFINITELY a Wednesday in JANUARY!!

1. It was decided on Sunday the Denver Broncos will meet the Seattle Seahawks in this year's  Superbowl. So when was the last time you bowled? Not where you thought this question was going is it?  Do you like to bowl? Are you any good? 

I think it was in 2006 and I wasn't very good, but the kids in our "Winter Camp" youth group found me... entertaining...

2.   Should sports stars be role models? A repeat question from some time ago and YES, sports stars should be and in fact, ARE role models. 

Some of them are very good ones, and some are extremely bad :-(

3. January is National Oatmeal month...are you a fan? How do you like your oats? 

Oats can be cooked and eaten with brown sugar; mixed into cookie dough and baked; mixed in with hamburg, egg, onion and tomato soup for meatloaf! Mmmmm!

4. What is one book on your reading list for 2014?

Only one so far, and it comes out in February:  Saloma Furlong Miller's 2nd book, "Bonnet Strings" and here's her blog: http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/  Her first book was very interesting; growing up Amish and making a break for personal freedom which included higher education. So refreshing to read of a "real" Amish girl who tells it like it was and probably still is for most - caught in the middle of their church's rules and regulations.

5. What would you like your future self to say to your present self?

 Keep it up! Pass it on! Well done!

6. When scrolling through the TV guide, what is one movie title that makes you want to stop, grab the popcorn, and watch for a while?

I watch very few movies but at Christmastime, it could be "Holiday Inn" or "Miracle on 34th Street" as I don't have them on VHS or DVD.

7. What are two style trends you hope never come back into fashion?

Easy!  Bell Bottoms and Stirrup Pants and lets add Leisure Suits for good measure!!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Two bird feeders were covered with Goldfinches! Made me think a big storm was coming but it didn't; no clue why they converged like that, but I'm glad the feeders were full.

I was Right on Time and Forgot to Post!

(Cause I'm too lazy to think up my own subjects for my blog!) 

(Thanks, Joyce!)

1.  Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?

Not normally, but if I sense an injustice, I'll step right in! I can take on the best in 'verbage' :-)
2. What are two things you love about the wintertime? Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you 'like' about winter? 

I love snow. Really, I do! I love it when it falls from the sky both in dance patterns and in heavy blanket form; love how it piles up so quickly and when I was younger, I could see the intrinsic pattern of each flake on the black sleeve of my jacket!  I love being outside in the cold, fresh air when the sun is shining - usually in late February or early March; the air has such a sweet smell after a fresh snow;  I can also smell snow before a storm hits - it's different than the smell of rain, similar to the sweet smell after it snows but more mellow. I can't smell snow squalls or flurries so it must have something to do with picking up moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, maybe?

3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health benefits, particularly during the winter months. Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried? 

I like to eat kiwi by cutting one in half and then taking my spoon and scooping out the insides as one might do a grapefruit - no mess and delicious right out of its own little bowl! I do not care for guava or pomegranate and have not tried a kumquat.

4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their outdoor sign- 'When all else fails, do the right thing.' Your thoughts?

Kind of an odd way for a church to advocate truth -  I think I would not belong to a church where one is not expected to do the right thing the first time around :-/

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are-St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland.  Of the five listed, which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer. 

I cross country ski so they would have to accommodate my style with great trails :-)   Perhaps one of the ones in Europe and I could get in a little genealogical research, too!
6.  What's the last thing you looked for online? (Besides my blog!)

Ancestry hints for James Lines from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland (see 2nd half of #5)  or  if I have any substitute jobs being offered for work tomorrow - I don't remember which I did last! 

7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?

Oh, I don't know. There have been too many of them floating around Facebook for me to choose just one. Some are clever, witty, etc., but most are lame and have spelling and grammatical errors that bug me to no end!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm always to tired to have a random thought but I do love pictures :-)  My 6 year old granddaughter and I played Jenga tonight and she did very well, especially not getting upset when they tumbled down.

"I'm Late! I'm Late! I'm Late! "

1.  Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English.  Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen).  Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2014-

selfie, twerk/twerking, hashtag, Twittersphere, Mr. Mom, T-bone, _______on steroids, the suffixes-ageddon and -pocalypse added to anything and everything, from the world of politics the words-intellectually/morally bankrupt and Obamacare, and from the world of sports the words-adversity and fan base

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why?  Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

TWERK/TWERKING and anything/one associated with it. 

2. What one unfinished project nags at you begging to be completed in this new year?

One? *sigh* I want my "green" room back to looking like a library or den. It became a store room after our heating system burst 7 years ago and just has not been cleaned out since! 

3. When did you last have a bowl of soup?  What kind? Homemade or from a can? What's your favorite soup?

Last night, for supper I had some vegetable beef soup that I made from leftover New Year's dinner. Spicy and delicious with mushrooms, potatoes, carrots and onions to go along with the beef. However, once in a great while, my husband and I both get a hankering for good 'ol Campbells Condensed Tomato Soup, made with milk and a pinch of sugar, of course, and served with grilled swiss cheese sandwiches!

4. Snowed in, snowed under, snow job...which one most applies to your life in recent days, figuratively speaking?

Snowed in, I guess, though we have lots of ice and very little snow at the moment. However, the temps have been pretty cold and no one wants to leave the house. Being "retired" and not having to go to work unless I want to, (substitute teacher) I have relished my early mornings where I have not had to get up until I felt like it!  This is a "snowed in" feeling that I just love and is reminiscent of my childhood days when, from my bed,  I would hear my mom's radio announce "Cairo Central" on their list of school closings; but now I don't have to wait for the snow!

5. What's the funniest movie you've ever seen, or at least one of the funniest?

"The Muppet's Christmas Carol" is probably the funniest and followed close behind by "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!"  I watch them every year and every year I laugh and can even speak the parts as they are being spoken!

6. In general, would you say you're clumsy?

In general? No. I'm not as graceful as I once was, but I maneuver on x country skis and snowshoes without major embarrassment.

7. Elvis Presley was born on Hodgepodge Day (January 8th) back in 1935.  Are you an Elvis fan?  What's your favorite Elvis tune?  If that's too hard, which Elvis tune do you dislike the least?  Click here for a list of his songs. 

Not a big Elvis fan. I really disliked his fast songs, but liked some of his slower ballad type songs. "Love Me Tender" came to mind.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Thinking back on #6, sometimes this happens: