Hello from Israel!

Below the star is the place that Jesus was buried

The church of the Nativity

The Church of the Shepherds 

Olive factory in Bethlehem 

Garden of Gethsemane 

October 9

Friday's Fave Five & Saturday 9

Thankful for so many things. My trip is in 3 days and I am asking for prayer. I have a cold again and I am hoping it does not get worse. I am resting, taking fluid, Tylenol decongestants and eating chicken soup. I am almost packed and I have broken in my shoes. I have a few last minute things coming in from Amazon. I got a scale, so I will weigh my luggage by tomorrow. I spent a lot of time looking for shoes and I think I burned more calories shopping and I lost weight because I was not eating enough. So I am adding protein drinks too. I am trusting in God to get me through this so I can enjoy my trip.

Thankful that I am going with several of my close friends and there are around 50 of us going led by our pastor who has taken 3 groups already. 

I am thankful I found a backpack that meets the size requirements of Lufthansa airlines. Thankful that I was able to break in my Brooks shoes and Sketchers that I will use for the airport. I am taking one other lightweight pair of Sketchers if I need them.

The black is what I was going to use.

I am thankful that you have been thinking about me and praying. I hope to post a few pictures here. Now that I have a new phone, I can access Blogger. I could not with my old phone.

I am thankful that my husband can cook and he will be fine when I am gone. Minnie will keep him company like she always does. The grands are here during the week before school and my daughter will check in on him. 

Eastbound and Down (1977)

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

1) This week's song was featured in the movie Smokey and the Bandit, the surprise box office hit of 1977. Have you seen it? No

2) Though not well received by critics, Smokey and the Bandit had one very famous fan: Alfred Hitchcock. The classic film director enjoyed re-watching the movie on video at home, often while having dinner. Do you ever watch TV with your meal? Yes, quite often now that it is just the two of us. If family comes over, we eat at the table.

3) Jerry Reed not only wrote and performed the movie's theme, he appeared in the movie as truck driver Cledus "Snowman" Snow. Have you ever driven, or ridden in, a big rig? No

4) He sings, "We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there." Have you recently felt rushed? These past couple of weeks have felt like that.

5) Director Hal Needham asked Jerry Reed for a song that explained the plot of the movie. He wrote this overnight and always considered it a happy accident. Can you think of a time when something turned out better than you expected? Yes, but I am too tired to think of something.

6) Reed was born in Atlanta and, coincidentally, he mentions Atlanta in the lyrics. Has your hometown been immortalized in song? I don't think so.

7) Jerry met Priscilla Mitchell at Capitol Records, where Jerry was a session musician and Priscilla was backup singer. Though she was only 18 when they wed, it seems their union was a happy one and they were together until his death almost 50 years later. If a newly engaged 18-year-old asked you for advice, what would you say? Don't rush into it and get pre marriage counseling.

8) In 1977, when "Eastbound and Down" was on the radio, nostalgia for the 1950s topped the TV ratings. The two most popular shows that year were Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days. If you magically transported back to the 1950s, what do you think you'd like about it? What do you think you'd miss about your life in 2026? Time with the grands.

9) Random question: Were you ever afraid of monsters in your closet or under your bed? I think so.

Not sure if I will be back soon so bye for now.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When you think of autumn what sounds come to mind? Childhood memory would be wind and falling leaves.

2.  Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy? What's your favorite mountain? I love the beauty of the mountains. We don't go very often. Big Bear Mountain

is the one I have been to the most. It is the home of the nesting eagles that made lots of news. I hiked a mountain in Lake Tahoe a couple of years ago. Our hotel was by the lake and we hiked further than we planned. My two friends in the front are going to Isreal with me. 

 

3. What's something that once felt like a mountain, but is now just a molehill? Raising kids?

4. Let's play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes you have to choose. 

pumpkin spice latte or chai latte 

apple cider or hot chocolate  

stew or chili

sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole 

butternut squash soup or creamy mushroom soup 

cranberry sauce or gravy 

5. Sum up your September in a sentence or two. Busy, family fun, shoe shopping!

6. Insert your own random thought here. We are supposed to leave to Isreal on Monday. Our last meeting was Sunday and we went over all the things about getting to the airport and the flights. The larger group flies to Frankfurt and then to Isreal. The smaller group flies to Munich and then to Isreal. But things can still change. We woke up to news of a plane to Isreal from Dubai had to do am emergency in Saudia Arabia, The passengers took another plane on too Isreal. A pilot stabbed another pilot and tried to take down the plane. But the pilot of Indian descent, was able to fight off the bad pilot-attacker, open the cockpit doors where passengers and crew took down the bad guy. An off duty pilot took over and Saudi Arabia allowed the plane to land. and then the passengers headed to Isreal. Passengers got on another plane and headed to Isreal.

I am still hoping we can go. I am more concerned with sitting though the long flight that being worried about being in Isreal. Netanyahu is putting stronger security on inbound flights. As long as Tel Aviv is open, we plan to go.

My Website is at Susan's Garden of Friendship The link is to the right. Lots of inspirational pages too. I hope to see you there!

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

A week ago we were at my granddaughter's Senior night. So thankful that we could be there for her.

My son Daniel got there after the presentation because 

he had to work. So we took a second picture. 

There are around 800 seniors and they are acknowledged 

throughout the year at various programs 

they are involved in and accompanied by family.

Jazzy left Song/cheer to be on Sports Medicine that she loved.

So thankful for my family!

Thankful that I was able to go shoe shopping on Saturday and found some Brooks. I also found some pants in my size and a hat on clearance. Sunday I greeted at church, went to the market and then rested the rest of the day and caught up with some of our shows. 

Thankful to be able to sleep in on Monday. I was so tired from a busy week, and I am still getting over the cold I got the previous week. We took Minnie to the vets for a well check and were there a couple of hours because they had an emergency. The doctor was surprised to see how well Minnie was doing. She gained weight and the doctor does not want her gaining anymore. She is blind in one eye and has loss of vision in the other. The bad eye had a cut on it and she was prescribed antibiotics. Then I told them to look at her ear, and she had an infection in that too. So, she had it cultured and a spray medication was put on it. I can relate because I have had ear infections too. In fact, I have an appointment next week to have my ears looked at it and if I am still stuffy I will bring it up. I want to make sure my ears are okay before I fly. Minnie also had her nails clipped. Toward the end of the appointment, she was barking at the vet. The vet left and we put Minnie down and she pooped on the floor. Minnie must have really had to go, probably because she was scared. She has only had one accident in her almost 10 years. That was when she was sick. She will have to stay on the stool softeners and steroids because of the mass. We left after one so we decided to get some In and Out hamburgers and got a no salt patty so she could have a little bit. 

Women's Bible study that night was great!

Thankful that I had canceled my Bible Journaling group for Tuesday and our marriage group was canceled too. I was able to get a lot of things done as I prepare for Isreal. I am thankful that I can order things from Amazon and one thing got delivered the same day. Thankful that when I have to return things I can go to Kohls and they give me $10 off if I shop at the store. Thankful that my new backpack for Isreal holds what I need. I wrote about this in my previous entry.

Saturday 9: Don't Take Your Love from Me (1956)

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

1) In this song, Doris Day sings about what happens when you take a petal from a rose. When did you last get or give flowers as a gift? My husband had flowers for me when I came back from my girl's get away last week.

 

2) This song is about a woman who fears losing her love. What's the most recent thing you lost? (Hopefully it's not as consequential as a great love. It could be as small or unimportant as the back of one of your pierced earrings.) I have lost a lot of time trying on shoes.

 

3) Doris was known as The All-American Girl Next Door. Who lives next door to you? Rosalie, a 86 year old spry lady that loves to talk. I hope I can be as spry as her when I am her age!

 

4) As a young girl, Doris Day was passionate about dance. She recalled that concentrating on her lessons helped distract her from the pain and embarrassment of her parents' divorce. When you want to escape from what's troubling you, what do you do? Listen to music, pray, read.

5) The maitre d' at one of Doris' favorite restaurants wanted to ask her out. Knowing how she loved her dogs, he impressed her by handing her a bag of meat scraps and bones to take home. They began dating and, in 1976, he became her last husband. What's the best way to your heart? Saying something nice.

 

6) Over her long career, Doris received Golden Globe and Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was also inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, honored for being one of the most celebrated women to have been born there. Name a famous person born in your home state. Diane Keaton. She was born in Los Angeles and moved to Santa Ana and graduated from Santa Ana High in 1963. I graduated from that same high school in 1973 and my mom graduated from SAHS is 1953. She was in the drama club and also acted at Santa Ana College.  

 

7) She was frank about her financial difficulties, yet some people are uncomfortable discussing money. Are you one of those people? I discuss it with family. Sometimes with close friends.

8) In 1956, when Doris released this song, The Wizard of Oz was shown on network TV for the first time. What movie have you seen multiple times? Gone with the Wind. Fiddler on the Roof. The Ten Commandments.

9) Random question: Would you rather have a chef or a chauffeur? Chef!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live? No, 90's this week and if leaves change, it is mostly from the heat.

What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall? Decorate.

I love to bring fall into the house since we really don't have it here until November-December. I did not put as much out this year. I love scarecrows but didn't put out as much this year. I miss going to the pumpkin patch with the grand like we did when they were little. The picture below is my practice setup for our church's Fall Harvest Festival.

2. What's a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy? Dusting, it always brings on a sneeze attack.

3. What's something you're falling for lately? Shoes, I have been trying on a lot of shoes for my trip to Hawaii and exercise. I have a few I have to return. I have been dreaming about trying on shoes.

4.  Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year.  Are you a fan? Yes, I do like my pumpkin spice creamer. I have several fall coffee mugs that I like to use. I like pumpkin bread and scones. We give plain pumpkin to our god Minnie to help her digestion.

Pumpkin spice cupcakes.

5.What's something you wish would never change? Explain. Time with my family. I am blessed to see my immediate family, but I don't see my siblings often anymore. Everyone is busy with their families. But there is a shift even with our immediate family as the grands are doing more things with their friends. I look back and see it was the same when we were raising our kids, being busy with them and church. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. The trip to Isreal is still on. We got our information packs from the tour agency. I went to the Lufthansa site and looked up the size for the personal item, and it is smaller than the backpack I got. So, I had to order a smaller one. I got my check in luggage out and now to fit 9 days of clothes in a medium-size luggage. We need to take water shoes too. I plan to take a beat up pair of shorts and a shirt that I plan to throw away after going in the Dead Sea.

Lots of planning and prep and I am excited. If the tour agency says it is not safe, they will let us know.

It is in God's hands and prayers are appreciated.

Minnie is holding her own and we thank God for that!

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

Thankful for a much cooler weather for the week. It was in the  80's here at home and it was in the 70's while I was on vacation.

Thankful to get many things done before my friends get away. After church on Sunday, I picked up my trip information and itinerary travel pack. Then I went to the Good Feet Store and the Riverside Plaza and found some really comfy shoes by Brooks. But the Good Feed store only carries whole sizes. Tomorrow I will go to back to REI to return my white shoes I got and get some black Brooks.

Thankful that my friend Stephanies' car was so comfortable for the ride to San Luis Obispo. We stopped at a placed in Summerland for breakfast. I rarely eat bacon, but I sure did enjoy it. After we left, I noticed my throat was hurting more. I thought it was just my nose spray, but it felt worse. Thankful that I did not feel sick. We got to The Apple Farm Inn around 3 and got settled in our rooms which were very nice. Later we took a drive to Avila Beach and then found a place for dinner. Though the beds were comfortable, I had a hard time sleeping. I took a Motrin and had some Vicks for my nose that helped a bit. Thankful that I had brought those with me!

Tuesday morning and I still had a sore throat. Thankful that I did not feel achy or have a headache, but I had sinus breakfast. I can't remember if it was before or after breakfast, but we did stop by to CVS and I got some throat lozenges and Tylenol decongestant. We had breakfast at the Madonna Inn. The food was good and we enjoyed the eclectic atmosphere.

After we left the Madona Drive to took a drive to two other cities that we had been to before. Both were quiet beach cities. We enjoyed the quiet town, the great weather and big ocean. We then went out to eat at a really nice place for dinner.

The next morning we ate at the Apple Tree Inn Restaurant. My friend Carole and I share a breakfast with home fried potatoes and chicken sausage along with eggs and toast. After that we left to Pismo Beach.

After breakfast we went to the San Luis Obispo Mission

We had dinner at Pismo and some of us stayed and some of us went back to the room. The lobby always provided coffee, tea and hot apple cider. They gave us warm cookies too. We left by 9am the next morning at we got home around 2. Thankful for a fun, safe friends road trip.

Finally, I am thankful that our family got to walk Jazzy on the field for Senior night. There was a photographer there and I hope to get the family picture. Here is the picture of us with her. We took this during halftime when they were presenting the senior football pictures. It was weird to be at a game and not seeing her cheering. But she chose Sports Medicine over cheer that will look better on her college admissions. She has more time to work on her dual classes which are transferrable to college.

During her presentation, she had on her varsity jacket, and a sash and crown.

Clown (1965)

SATURDAY 9 Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Not everyone loves clowns. "Coulrophobia" is the irrational fear of clowns. Do you have any fears or phobias? I don't like snakes, but I can't say I have any phobias.

2) This week's featured artist, Gary Lewis, sings that he jokes a lot at parties. In social settings, are you more a talker or a listener? Talker

3) He's dreaming of a special girl. Do you often daydream? I get ideas for Bible journaling.

4) Gary named his band The Playboys because they were always late to rehearsals and Gary joked that they would rather play than work. Do you tend to be early, late, or exactly on time? On time.

5) Gary Lewis had first-hand knowledge of clowns. His father was famous funny man Jerry Lewis. Who always makes you laugh? My son Daniel and my grandson Elijah.

6) In 2017, Gary was in the news when it became known that Jerry disinherited all six of his sons from his will. Have you ever attended the reading of a will? No.

7) This past summer found Gary Lewis on The My Generation Tour, performing with other acts from the mid-1960s, like The Lovin' Spoonful, The Hollies, and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Do you enjoy listening to "the oldies?" Yes and I am an oldie. I liked music from 40's-70's because it reminds me of my parents. 70's was our music. I love music! I mostly listen to Christian music.

8) In 1965, when this song was popular, Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Have you ever attended a boxing match? No.

9) Random question: What color is your toothbrush? Pink

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

My Blogger Friends feed is not updating as of this morning.

On my previous post I talked about my thoughts from 911. I am watching the tribute ceremony as I write this. It made me think of when I met a Holocaust survivor and he told us, "Never forget" Never forget the times that help us remember that life is precious. That we grow strong if we can focus on the good.

Thankful for the wonderful time we had celebrating at our granddaughter's Sweet 16 birthday party last Saturday. Our son and his wife also celebrated their birthday's last week.

Thankful for the rain we got on Sunday and Monday because we need it. Not used to the humidity we got with it, but it came from a tropical storm coming up from Mexico. We have been in the 100's this week so thankful for air conditioning!

Thankful for another fun time at our Senior Fellowship. There is always lots of food because it is a potluck. The games are always fun. Thankful that my friend Linda could take me.

Thankful that my friends and I could get together on Thursday to work on the travel journal kits I made them for our upcoming trip to Israel. We will get our travel information kits on Sunday. I have received certain things I ordered for the trip. I am just waiting for my shoes to come in. I will use some of them when I go with some friends on a 4 day get away on Monday. Thankful that the weather will come down.

Thankful that I have learned so much from Bible journaling. 

Saturday 9: Devil in the Bottle (1974)

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

1) This song begins with T. G. Sheppard taking off his shoes to slip into the house with disturbing his sleeping wife. Are you wearing shoes as you answer these questions? No

2) His wife hears him anyway. Are you a light sleeper? Yes

 

3) This is the first of 22 consecutive #1 hits for T. G. Sheppard. Not bad for a high school dropout. What's the last year of education that you completed? Bachelors in Social Ecology, University of CA at Irvine. Also took 2 years of courses I liked at the local junior college while waiting to get pregnant.

 

4) He was born William Browder and chose the stage name T. G. Sheppard just because he liked the sound of it. He says "T. G." doesn't stand for anything, and he gets a kick out of fans who insist there's some secret meaning behind the initials. Since most of us didn't choose our names: Is there a story behind your name? Did your parents tell you why they chose it? (If you did choose your name, share what influenced your decision.) I was named after two people, my grandfather and Susan Hayward.

 

5) It was after hours at a Memphis roller rink when he first met Elvis and his entourage. As T. G. was leaving, Elvis was entering and asked if he wanted to stay and skate longer. T. G. was confused because he knew the place was closing for the night. "Not for me," Elvis replied and T. G. skated with Elvis and his buddies until dawn. Are you good on roller skates? I was when I was younger. I would dare not try it now or I would break if I fell.

6) T. G. loves NASCAR and was an associate sponsor of the Folgers Chevrolet. He enjoyed the collaboration with the coffee company and has performed the familiar jingle – "the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup" – in concert. Are you loyal to a particular coffee brand? Hubby and I drink Folger's Half-Caff.

 

7) T. G. understands the lifestyle of his fans. That's why he named his live country music venue Guitars and Cadillacs. If you were going to name a business after two of your favorite things, what would you call it? Susan's Garden of Friendship. It's the name of my website. I used to love to garden, http://www.garden4mylord.com/  I was combining both physical and spiritual. My website has over 200 pages. One of the pages is linked to the candle on the top.

 

8) In 1974, when this week's song was on the country charts, Linda Ronstadt was getting a lot of radio airplay with "You're No Good." That song is about a real cad. Let's turn that around: Who is the nicest person you know? I know many nice people. My cousin Joanie, several of my friends and my granddaughter, Audrina.

 

9) Random question: Have you ever had your palm read? No, and I would not.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes, links are on the left.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. How do you observe Labor Day and were you aware of the background of it? We don't do anything special. Everyone just relaxes that day. Grandson will be working because the school is closed and the amusement park is opened.

2. Many holidays become just a day off rather than a real commemoration of an event.  

How do you propose we can remedy that? Not sure. I am retired. Two of my kids were off and relaxed at home after a busy weekend. One son works at Kroger's and he had to work since he was off for the weekend. 

3. What is the most labor intensive job or activity you have done? Childbirth! My husband worked in the cement business with his family for a few years and he said it was hard work.

   

4. If your income was cut by 30%, could you still survive?  What would you do? Yes, we could survive, but we would have to cut back some things. I try to live within my means now. My trip to Israel, certain things needed for it and my new phone were paid by the sale of my mom's ring to my brother. I have savings for emergencies. The biggest expense besides utilities is gas for the car.  

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football. I am not really into football. I will go to my son's family to watch a super bowl game/party

2. What's something you currently have a game plan for managing? Going over my accounts with my daughter before I go to Israel. I just got my ETA-Israel, Electronic Travel Authorization online. It is like a visa, but all electronic and no paperwork. No stamping of the passport which is sad.

3. Do you like chicken wings? Hot, mild, or some other flavor? What's a must have food for you on a tailgate menu? I know tailgating isn't as big of a thing outside the US of A as it is inside the US of A, but you can also answer the question this way-what's a must have food for you at a sporting event viewing party? I do like chicken wings and my son makes them for us and they are really good. I found some sauce at Aldi's we like to go with it. Chips and dip, fresh fruit, dessert.

4. Teams typically have strict playbooks they follow. What is one unwritten rule or piece of advice in your 'life playbook' you think everyone should know? Life happens, sometimes good and sometimes bad. How you handle it is up to you. Look at the bright side. Ask for help when you need it.

5. This is the week we remember and mourn all that was lost and changed on September 11, 2001. I always include a spot for bloggers to share anything they'd like to share about 9/11. Share as much or as little as you like. I don't think I could ever forget that day. Hubby and were getting in the car that morning around 5am and listening to the news, We could not believe what we were hearing. We both worked at the post office, him at a station and me at a main facility. Our office went up to a higher security alert. I remember how anxious my husband was with the mail poison mail alerts. It was a sad time. I went to NY in 2008 and they were just starting the foundation for the new structure. I liked how people came together and churches filled up. I did this tribute page back then. It is here. 

My grands were there in December of 2021 and saw the Freedom Tower.

6.Insert your own random thought here. My granddaughter had her Sweet 16th party this past weekend and it was a lot of fun. We took a lot of pictures. They had a taco man and DJ. They had a photo booth and photographer. They had a dessert stand where they made ice creams sundaes with lots of different toppings. Hubby left after this picture to be with the dogs.

 

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

It's Friday evening and I am just getting to sit down with my laptop.  

Another busy week! Now for Friday's Fave Five

1. Thankful that I could make it to church and hear my granddaughter sing. The message was good and pastor talked about his new book. It will be on Amazon on Saturday and it is called Cycle Breaker. I plan to get one for me and one to gift. After my granddaughter was through singing at 3rd service, we left and we got some lunch and then went to her house. Then I went shopping before going home. Then hubby and I watched some more of the When Calls the Heart series that I recorded last year. Thankful that hubby wants to watch this with me and we can free up recording space on our Direct TV list.

2. Another great Bible study on Monday. Thankful to be able to trust in God for my night driving.

I got home and was able to work on band exercise. I had breakfast with the girls I am taking a road trip with in two weeks. Most of us have been on road trips before. I may get to the beach after all.

3. Thankful that I was able to finally get a new iPhone. They were able to do a phone to phone transfer of my everything and I had a lot! I started playing with and did not like how it felt so much smaller because it was not a plus the larger size I had before. My old phone was an 8 from 2018. My hip was really hurting and I think I over did a couple of exercises. Luckily I was able to get an appointment the next morning, but we missed married group. Dr. said I overdid my exercises and to not push to hard. We went over the history of my back and neck issues. We also went over things for my flight to Israel. I got my compression socks and she said to stand up every hour if possible, walk if possible and move my feet while sitting. Thankful that I have good insurance and a got good advise.

4. Thankful that I followed my feeling of not being happy with my phone and took it back and got the bigger phone. Yes, it was more money, but I plan to have it a long while and I had set aside the money for it knowing I would need a long lasting battery with good picture quality for my trip. Also thankful to celebrate my granddaughter's 16th birthday at a restaurant of her choice. Her party is Saturday.

5. Thankful that all my information from the small new phone to the bigger one finally completed. It's amazing that things go to the "cloud" and then come back down to the newer phone. I have a lot to learn, but I love the speed and how long the battery last. Thankful for my friend Linda that I nice enough to drive me places that we are both going to.

Working in the Coal Mine (1966)

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

1) In this song, Lee Dorsey sings that at 5:00 he's already on the job. What were you doing this morning at 5:00 AM? Sleeping

2) He's worked so hard all week that he's too tired to enjoy his weekend. What are you doing for fun this holiday weekend? Going to my granddaughter's Sweet 16 party. 

3) Lee Dorsey was raised in Portland Oregon, home of the Portland Trailblazers. The NBA season kicks off next month. Do you have a favorite basketball team? Lakers.

 

4) This song was written by Allen Toussaint, who had a long career as a composer and producer. He produced Fats Domino in the late 1950s and worked with Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney into the new millennium. What job have you held the longest? I worked for the postal service for 36 years.

 

5) In 1966, the year this song was popular, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey was born. Are you a good cook? I am descent. I did more varied cooking when I was first married. Once we had kids, I did more limited cooking. I did most of the cooking the first 19 year when was home during the day. When I started working the same shift as hubby, we cooked together. When he retired, he took over most of the cooking. He makes most of the meats and I make most of the sides. We each have our specialties. 

6) 1966 was the year when more Americans purchased color TVs and black and white sets. When you were a kid, did your family have a black and white TV? Yes, when I think I remember back to when I was 4 or 5 and I remember getting a color tv, and the neighborhood kids coming to our house to see the Wizard of OZ in color.

7) Labor Day is a big weekend for mattress sales. Do you plan on buying a new mattress before the year is out? No, maybe a pillow.

8) Though kids go back to class earlier these days, store aisles are still full of school supplies. When she was a little girl, Sam was crazy about her big box of 96 Crayola Crayons with a sharpener in the back. Share one of your back-to-school memories. First day of school around 1965.

New clothes was always a fun thing.

 I actually liked pants better, but girls had to wear dresses!

9) Labor Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of fall. Have you had any pumpkin spice yet? No

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes, links are on the left.