Tuesday 4 Summer Solstice

1. How is summer treating you so far this year?  Could things improve? How do you make summer fun in your neck of the woods? The weather has been great and should be 82 today. My lifegroup is having a study/potluck/pool party today. Then we will break for about 6 weeks. My grands go back to school the 2nd week of August. Eddie is in summer school, Jazzy starts flag twirling camp at the end of August. The younger two are busy with mom since she is off too. We do have a few park days in the works along with a beach day. Just depends on the weather because we can get pretty hot. I do like to spend time in my hot tub, with the temperature lowered of course!

I will be visiting my sister in July. In August I am going with some of my friends to Grants Pass Oregon. We are going on a jet raft on the Rogue River. Our hotel overlooks the river. I am excited to visit a new place and try something new too! Hopefully I can meet up with an online friend that lives close to the hotel called the Riverside.

2.We give you magic powers! You can change the climate, the surroundings, even your house and anything you like. Tell us what you are doing to make your summer or your entire year better..... GO!

I would sell and move to the mountains overlooking a lake. I would like our weather to stay around 82 with a breeze with occasional showers.

3. The puppy on the boat at the right is your new friend.  He wants a name.  What name will you give him, and would you like to be in that picture (if you can't sail we will provide someone for you!)

I would call him Freedom and I would love to be in that boat with friends or hubby. Maybe my whole family, but then I would need a bigger boat!

4.   It's friendship potluck day at your house this month.  Everyone is coming. Please assign us what dishes each of us are to bring to make for a great day.(by the way, you needn't use names. Just name some dishes you would like people to bring along) Green salad, pasta salad, fresh fruit, deviled eggs, tuna salad sandwiches, pickles and chips and dip. I am taking chips and dip to our potluck today. Ice water that is fruit infused and iced tea for drinks.

Friday Five and Saturday 9

There is always so much to be grateful for, and linking to Susanne for today's post.

So thankful that I had a great father. He has been gone for 10 years now and not a day goes by that I don't think about him. He was very loving, and uplifting. I miss his hugs and how he called me his beautiful curly hair baby. He would tease me that even though I was a senior(57 when he died) I would always be his Suzy. My dad had a lot of friends. He was friendly talked to strangers with no problem. He taught us the importance of being kind, not judge and treat people fairly.

Thankful for my Lifegroup. We met at a coffee shop at a church near me. The weather was nice enough to eat outside. We bring our own food and we bought the coffee in the shop.  I had a lavender white mocha half caffeine with whip cream. It was so good!

Thankful that my husband cooks. He made home made beans. Then he made chimichangas(fried bean burritos) and he made tostadas (fried corn tortillas with beans and cheese on top)My daughter had made ground turkey so that we also could add meat to either. At least Jazzy can eat corn, but no soy. Thankful that there are more gluten free items in the stores too!

Thankful that hubby and I were able to get a new copy of our marriage certificate and it only took 10 minutes. We drove about 25 miles to our last city we lived in to get it. We drove by our first home and though the neighborhood still was nice, the home needed care. We stopped at a Staples in Orange and hubby went to the copy section. I picked up some paper clips and Washi tape(removeable, decorative tape) for my next Bible journaling class. Then we stopped in Anaheim Hill where he went to a Postal Annex and I went to Hobby Lobby. Finally, we stopped for lunch at Cholos. I had chicken tortilla soup in a creamy tomato base. Hubby had a cheese enchilada and chili relleno.

Thankful that all my Bible journaling friends have signed up for the August meetup. The theme is Camping with God(finding God in nature) We are taking a break in July. Works our good for me because it gives me time to get the kits together.

It was a nice day!

Saturday 9: It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over (1991)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Lenny Kravitz sings about all the tears he's cried over this relationship. Scientists theorize that human tears fall into two categories: emotional and irritant. "Emotional tears" are most often shed over physical pain, empathy, compassion, depression, and anger/frustration. Think about the last time you cried. What triggered your tears? Father's Day. I missed my dad.

2) We also cry "irritant tears," which means we well up when a foreign particle gets in our eye. Over-the-counter drops can help. What's the last thing you bought at the drugstore? Was it a medication (OTC or prescription) or something else entirely? Systane Eye drops and vitamins.

3) TV actresses have played a big part in Lenny Kravitz' life. His mother was Roxie Roker, who played the neighbor Helen on The Jeffersons. His wife (and the inspiration for this song) was Lisa Bonet, who played one of the daughters on The Cosby Show. Their daughter, Zoe Kravitz, appeared in the HBO series Big Little Lies. What TV series do you never tire of, and could watch again and again? Hubby and I like to watch Survivor and we have been watching it for 20+ years! I like Grey's Anatomy too! There are other shows I like too.

4) Thinking of Big Little Lies ... Zoe Kravitz co-starred with Nicole Kidman. Shortly after Kidman divorced Tom Cruise, she dated Lenny Kravitz. Have you ever been curious about a partner's past love?

I was just thinking of my first boyfriend from Jr. High. We didn't date, just talked on the phone and saw each other at church youth group. We did kiss! My hubby met him. My granddaughter asked me how old I was when I had my first boyfriend. I last heard he was a retired Fire Captain. This was from his sister who liked my younger brother.

5) Lenny Kravitz and Today Show weatherman Al Roker are second cousins (their grandfathers were brothers). Do you turn to a TV weatherman for the forecast? Or do you check a website or app? I usually check my cell phone.

6) Also a talented photographer, Lenny's work has been displayed at the Leica Gallery in Wetzlar, Germany. What's the most recent photo you took? The picture of the food in the Friday Fav Five above. I take lots of pictures with my phone every day. 

7) In 1991, when this song was popular, Murray Bicycles were the top seller among younger set. Popularity is fleeting, though. By 2004, the company filed for bankruptcy and no longer produces bicycles. Was your bike a big part of your summer when you were a kid? I loved riding my bike everywhere. It was a safer time and I loved the freedom of going places and creating my own adventures. 

8) Also in 1991, Gene Roddenberry died. Mr. Roddenberry is best known as the creator of Star Trek. Who's your favorite Star Trek character? Spock and Bones- the doctor and Uhura. 

9) Random Question: How do you think your high school classmates remember you? I don't know, but I will find out in August when I attend my 50 year class reunion. A couple of friends are on the planning committee and my husband knows one of them because they worked together for the postal service. My mom and dad were both on their planning committees. My dad went to his last reunion 5 months ago. He had friends from elementary school that visited him and went to his service. I keep touch with my closer friends from school on Facebook and one is not on social media. I remember how sad my dad would get when his friends died. Many were sad when he died. Someday I will see him in heaven!

Friday Five and Saturday 9

Linking with Susanne today's post

1. Thankful for the great drop in price for eggs. Hubby and I eat an egg every morning. They only have six  grams of protein. but they do have important ingredients like vitamin D, E, B6, calcium, zinc and choline. I need a lot of protein so today I made a scrambled egg with milk and added to chopped medium shrimp from last night's dinner. It was very good and I also had some cottage cheese that is also high in protein.

2. I am thankful for the time I have to work on my Camp Hope Bible study. I am also glad I can watch my church midweek study on YouTube. We are on in Daniel 7. I can download the study sheet and take notes as I watch. I can hit pause if I need more time for notes.

3. Thankful that we don't get tornadoes here in So California!

4. Thankful for friends that visit my blog.

5. Thankful for having a loving father. He has been gone 10 years now and my mom 13. So thankful for that my Heavenly Father is always with me!

Saturday 9: Beautiful Boy (1980)

This song was chosen in honor of Father's Day. Hear it here.

1) Paul McCartney has said that "Beautiful Boy" is one of his favorite John Lennon solo songs. What's yours? (This link will take you to his greatest hits.) This was my favorite John Lennon songs since I have 2 sons and 2 grandsons.

2) Lennon wrote this for his son, Sean. Father and son share an October 9 birthday. Does anyone in your life share your birthday? My granddaughter Jazzy shares my birthday in August. 

3) John asks Sean to take his hand before they cross the street. Name another song that references holding hands. Put Your Hand in the Hand by Ocean.

4) Today Sean Lennon is in his late 40s. He lives in Greenwich Village, creating art and music from his elaborate home-based music and film studio. Are you into the latest in electronics? Nope

5) In Thailand, Father's Day is observed on the birthday of the current King. Are you celebrating any birthdays this month? Not this month. I missed my friend's birthday party because I was in San Diego with my family. 

6) Crazy Sam vividly remembers her long-ago high school days when her father gave her driving lessons. Do you consider yourself a good driver? Yes, I do, and I remember my dad teaching me how to drive when I was 15. I passed my test the first time. I have had 2 tickets and I will be 68.

7) Sam's dad is a stickler about car maintenance and reminds Sam to change her air filter regularly so her a/c and heater can run efficiently. Share a car maintenance tip. Hubby.

 

8) When he fills up the car, Sam's father also stocks up on his favorite candy: Life Savers. He always has a bag in the glove compartment. What's something you don't leave home without? My purse.

9) Random Question: How long can you go without checking your phone? A few hours. 

Tuesday 4, Summertime Memories

It is Summer!

1. What memorable times have you had in summer? Lots of memories as I approach 68 this August.

Lots of birthday parties! My parents gave me a surprise party at the park and I got a big girls bike! Kids playing with the hose and Slip and Slide. Neighborhood kids riding around the block. Summer camping trip to Yosemite. It was family church camp every Labor Day weekend.

 Right now I am doing an online Bible camp study. This is my cover.

2. What foods bring back that summertime feeling? Bbq ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs. 4th of July celebrations at the beach or with all the family, swimming and eating. My grandma brought the whole kitchen when we went to Newport Dunes. Fresh tortillas and beans.

3. What music do you associate with summertime? Whatever is popular. I remember one summer our youth group was at our house. We were playing ping pong in the garage. Sprit in the Sky came on the radio and we were dancing around pretending we had guitars. I think it was 1969, and I think I was in 9th grade. This was as wild of a song that I could here since I was more into mellow rock and Motown.

4.Where do you want most to be in the summer if money is no object and you have the time? My husband wants to go on a Mediterranean cruise. I would like to be in the mountains with lake access or at a beach house. A few days with just hubby and then family joining us.

Saturday 9 and San Diego

Saturday 9: Big Spender (1966)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) In this song, Peggy Lee invites a gentleman to join her for fun, laughs, and a good time. What will you be doing for fun this weekend? 

Zoom with some crafty girls and Illustrated Faith Hope Camp. Church and Bible journaling.

 

2) Peggy was blessed with perfect pitch. It's estimated that just 1 in 10,000 has this gift. Tell us about something that comes naturally to you. Talking!  Bible journaling/study.

 

3) Peggy was an influential performer whose fans included singers as diverse as Carly Simon, Petula Clark, and Joni Mitchell. Bette Midler even did a Peggy Lee tribute album. What songstress do you listen to most often? There are so many talented singers, but I have seen these 4 in concert. 

Carole King, Amy Grant, Mandisa and Lauren Daigle. 

 

4) Paul McCartney was also a big Peggy Lee fan. In the 1970s he was invited to meet her in her London home. He arrived with a carefully chosen hostess gift: a bottle of champagne and an original song ("Let's Love") which she recorded, and he produced. Have you more recently given or received a gift?

Yes, I just gave my friend Linda a birthday gift. I also bought my grands a stuffed animal when we were in San Diego.

5) Cy Coleman wrote the music to "Big Spender." Unlike Peggy Lee, who never took a music lesson, Coleman was classically trained and studied composition, conducting, and orchestration at New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts and at the New York College of Music. If you could take classes in anything that interested you, what would you choose to learn more about? 

Bible classes. Hebrew/Jewish culture.

6) Coleman met lyricist Dorothy Fields by chance, at a party. Though Fields was more than 20 years his senior, they hit it off immediately and he invited her to work with him. Their collaboration resulted in two Broadway shows including Sweet Charity, which featured "Big Spender." Think about the person you spent the most time with last week. 

Were they older, younger or about the same age as you? Younger(grands) and same age as me. My hubby and my Bible journaling friends.

 

7) In 1966, when disc jockeys were playing this record, consumers were discovering garage door openers. These transistorized devices weren't cheap. Typically about $150 in 1966, that would be more than $1,000 in today's dollars. These days garage door openers are far more affordable and common. Can you think of something that was a luxury item when you were a kid that today you take for granted? We didn't have air conditioning in the house I grew up in. I am really glad we have it now! The other thing would be computers!!! It has opened up a new world for me since I started working on them back in 1988.

 

8) 1966 found Jacqueline Susann atop the best seller list with her steamy novel, Valley of the Dolls. Though it was savaged by critics, countless Americans enjoyed the book. Do you have a similar guilty pleasure? Is there a book, movie, TV show or song you enjoy, even though you know it has little artistic merit? I like to watch General Hospital during the day. Hubby and watch a lot of shows together.

9) Random question: When at a Mexican restaurant, what's your go-to order? 

Hard shell tacos and chips and salsa. We ate Mexican food twice when we were in San Diego and we stayed at the Marriott Courtyard in Old Town, June 2-4. The plate below has a fish taco, a chicken enchilada and a chili relleno, rice and beans too. The best thing was the homemade flour tortillas with butter.

Hubby and I sharing a passion fruit and pineapple drink.

Kids had churros. 

I like to take flag pictures. This was still in Old Town

which has a lot of Mexican collectible shops.

Click the link below is you want to learn more about

Promotion and Saturday 9

I missed Friday Fave Five, but I am thankful for my granddaughter Jazzy!

Our granddaughter was promoted to high school today- June 2.

She was part of the Avid program

and excelled in her honors English class.

Now she will be dog sitting for a few days.

Then off to flag twirling camp.

She will be joining her brother in high school in August.

They will be dog sitting for us while we join our son's family in San Diego.

Thank You Lord!

Saturday 9: The Best (1991)

In memory of Tina Turner, who died on May 24.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) In this song, Tina Turner sings that she can think of no better place to be than her lover's arms. Since we're entering summer vacation season, let's switch it to: What's the best place you've ever traveled to? Hawaii! I have been 4 times and I love it! Hoping to go back in the spring of 2024.

2) Songwriters Holly Knight and Desmond Child originally offered this song to English pop singer Paul Young. He declined it. Can you think of a time when you said "no" when "yes" might have been a better answer? Not going into the medical field. I wish I would have said yes.

3) Tina Turner was born in Nutbush, TN. In 1973 she recorded a song about it called "Nutbush City Limits." Is there a song about your hometown? No.

4) It was at Nutbush's Spring Hill Baptist Church that very young Tina began singing with the choir. She credited those early performances with giving her confidence in front of a crowd. Are you comfortable with public speaking? Depends on the situation. I did speak when I was a leader in Women's Ministry years ago. I think my largest group was 200 women. I am at a different place now. I am more comfortable speaking/teaching with my journaling Bible group.

5) When she was a teen, her mom relocated the family to St. Louis. It was here that Tina played on the high school basketball team. Can you make a free throw? I played basketball all through school.  I got hurt while young, 21 and then again, a few more times at work and had to give it up.

 

6) Tina met her second husband, Erwin Bach, at the airport. A record exec, Erwin went to Heathrow to meet her flight and help her prepare for her London appearances. The last time you were at the airport, were you a traveler or were you meeting or dropping someone off? I was a traveler and flew back from Texas after visiting a friend.

 

7) In 1991, the year this record was released, Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury died. What's your favorite Queen song? Bohemian Rhapsody, We are the Champions, and You're My Best Friend. 

 

8) Also in 1991, Disney's Beauty and the Beast became the first animated movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. What's your favorite Disney movie? I like so many of them! All the classics are so good! I love all the music. I think the one that touched me was the song from Frozen, Let it Go.

9) Random question: What's your perfect day, weatherwise? 74 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze. That is what we had last week. We are back to June gloom.