Currently & Tuesday 4

I am spending my last day of the 60's as I write this and I will post it on the 12th, my 70th birthday today along with my granddaughters' 16th. The big family birthday party this past Saturday was great!

Sunday we celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary! We had plans to go to the beach for seafood. But we were so tired we decided to watch church online, then catch up with several episodes of Andor, part of the Star Wars series on the Disney Plus channel. We went to Kings Fish House and had a great dinner.

On Monday we met at our favorite Chinese food place for dinner and then went back to our house for cake. All the dogs were there too and we were able to get a grands picture outside. 

1. What are some essential classic books that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime? 

I would say the Bible

2. Monday September 22 is the first day of Autumn. That is my dad's birthday. He and my mom were avid book readers and had bookcases filled with books. 

Would you make up a list for us of books that you think would make great Autumn reading? So I got a few books of theirs that I would be good reading for anytime. I have my mom's Gone with the Wind book. I have my dad's Michener's book called Mexico and Hawaii.

3 What genre will we find most in your library? Sci Fi, Romance, adventure, biography, non fiction, mystery? Historical fiction. What do you like most about the genre? I like history, especially Biblical My favorite series is the Left Behind(16) and AD Chronicles (12). My current library also has many Bibles in different versions. I also have my grandmother's Bibles and my dad's. Israel My Beloved by Kay Arthur is another favorite. It tells the history of the Jewish people in a love story.

4 What book would you like to see made into a movie? Any idea on who should be cast in the rolls?

I can't think of anything. But I would suggest the Chosen series. I might have to add the books to my library. I am glad that I did not know any of the cast. The producer/creator of the series is the son of one of the author's of the Left Behind series. They really do their research for their work.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you have a favorite kind of book that you like in the summertime? What kind is it? Mystery? Bio?... I like historical Christian fiction.  

2. Is there a book you return to again and again and if so, why? 

I am always in the Bible. I am doing an online Bible through the year with the Bible Recap Girl. I listen and read on my phone. I do a lot of studying for my Bible journaling group and use the Bible and books to learn more.  AD Chronicles and The Left Behind series. Our church has started studying the verse by verse of Revelation. I read all the Left Behind last year and I might read it again. It chronicles the life of a few people who are left behind when the church is raptured up to heaven. It is all based on the Bible and this time I plan to take notes.

The authors are Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins.  Dallas Jenkins, son of Jerry is the director /Producer /Writer of The Chosen. He studies the Bible and World history to make the scenes more true to life. One of my favorite authors died this past week. Kay Arthur, a bible teacher of Precepts wrote Israel My Beloved.  It was not a study book. It was a love story of Israel and I have read it a few times. I plan to read it again this summer.

Kay signing my book at a Women of Faith Conference back in the 1990's.

3.  What book is better than the movie and what movie is better than the book?? 

Gone with the Wind Book has more details, but the movie is just as good without the missing part. Otherwise, the movie would be 6 hours long! The Ten Commandments with Charleston Heston has always been a favorite of mine. I would say I enjoy it more than reading it from the Bible though I have read it many times.

4. Do you have a list of books you are looking forward to reading this summer? 

I am reading The Conclave now and so far, I like the movie better. I found a series of 6 books at the used bookstore at the library that I plan to read. It is called The Zion Covenant by Bodie Thoene. She and her husband are one of my favorite authors. I have read all the AD Chronicles and may read them again. I am starting a woman's group and we will be reading a book called 12 Daring Women of the Bible.

1. What's your favorite room in your house and why? 

My bedroom. I like to sit at the desk while I bible journal and look out the window and see the birds at the fountain or the palms sway with the breeze.

2. What's something that will instantly annoy you? A loud cricket. 

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...will you celebrate? How do you like yours? If you're not cooking at home is there a favorite place you like to go for a burger? Did you ever work in a fast-food restaurant? I like In and Our Burger for a quick burger and Chilis burgers. I have never worked in any food place.

4. What are three scents you like? Bacon, Coffee and Lavender.

5. What do you miss most about being a kid? Riding my bike everywhere without a care in the world.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am looking forward to staring Camp Acts with Illustrated Faith. I like to set my craft corner up with camp things, even a little fake pine tree. 

So proud of my granddaughter for singing the national anthem for our city's Memorial Day ceremony. After she sang her solo acapella, her friends joined, and they sang America the Beautiful.

Thanks to Anne and Joyce or the memes which are linked on the left.

Tuesday 4 GWTW

Gone With the Wind is an epic novel and a big silver screen hit.

1.  Have you read the book or seen the movie Gone with the Wind and what did you think of it?

I have read the book 7 times and plan to read it at least one more time. There is more in the book that is not shown in the movie. I have my mom's copy in my bookshelf. I have seen the movie several times on the big screen and on TV. In fact, my hubby and I watched it last weekend. We watched 2hours on a Saturday and 2 hours on Sunday. I also own a DVD of the movie.

We watched it the week before the Academy awards. 

The 1939 classic movie, “Gone with the Wind,” received a record 13 Academy Award nominations in 1940. The movie won 8 Academy Awards. This film held the record for, winning the most Oscars. Vivien Leigh won best actress and Hattie McDaniel got best actress and the first time a black woman received an Oscar.

2; Which character was your favorite? 

I like many of the character. I loved Scarlet of course! Vivien Leigh was perfect for the part, but I also liked to Melanie. I loved Olivia De Havilland and also Hattie McDaniel who played Mammy.

If you didn't read it or see it. who is your favorite fictional character from a book or movie and why?

3. Are you a fan of big epic films like Dr. Zhivago, Gone with the Wind, etc." If not, what kind of films do you enjoy the most? 

I like many of those epic movies. My mom and I watched many of them together and read the books. We saw Nicholas and Alexandra 1971 and I read the book. We also enjoyed musicals. I have been watching more movies from Turner Classic Network and recently saw Great Expectations Hubby and I plan to watch Fiddler on the Roof and To Sir with Love next weekend. In the past couple of weeks, we saw Ben Hur, Ten Commandments and

Birdman of Alcatraz. I am glad we can see these movies together. 

4. The Ante Bellum era is indeed gone with the wind.  Is there an era in history that you are interested in or that you have a good deal of knowledge about? Perhaps there is an era you would like to learn more about?

I read several books on the Civil War in high school and college. I also read the sequel to GWTW called Scarlet. I wish Margaret Mitchel had written a sequel. I love historical Christian fiction. I plan to re-read the AD Chronicles. I read all 16 books from the Left Behind series last year. I spend a lot of time studying the Bible to prepare for my Bible journaling class.

Right now I am doing a Lent study on the names of Jesus. So my number one book is the Bible.

Season 14 of Call the Midwife starts this weekend on PBS. The rest of the series in on Netflix and I have read three books about the series.

Here is a list of some of the books since 1992. Pictures of me with the authors at Women of Faith.

My Library 

GWTW graphic dolls purchased many years ago for my Country web home. Link on the left.

Friday's Fave Five & Saturday 9

Today I am thankful for cooler weather. We had a week of over 100 degrees weather and last Saturday it reached 109. I sure hope we don't get any more heatwaves this year, but in So California, anything is possible! Also thankful that we have air conditioning and solar panels!

Thankful that our Tuesday morning group started back up. It was nice to share what happened on our time off and pray for each other. There is always food to enjoy too!

Thankful for my Wednesday night class. We used to meet on Zoom, but it was nice meeting in person. We will be using a Lysa Terkeurst book called

Thankful that our marriage group started back too. Everyone brough food and I brought fruit.

Funny how we all share about our ailments for prayer request. I had my MRI on Wednesday and prayed through the whole procedure. I go for my Mammogram later today.

Thankful for m computer that lets me study for my next Bible journaling topic on oils in the Bible and the Jewish Fall festivals.  Here is a page we did at our September 3rd meetup.

 Saturday 9: Minute by Minute (1979)

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

1) It's easier to keep track of the minutes if your timepiece has a second hand. As you answer these questions, are you wearing a watch or can you see a clock that has a second hand? I can see a clock on the wall above the television. It does have a second hand.

2) In this song, Michael McDonald admits he knows his girl has lied to him. Do you suspect any one of your friends/family has fibbed to you recently? Not that I know of. In 2019, I went to a concert at the Orange Country Fair that featured Michael McDonald and Chala Kahn.

3) McDonald's big break came in 1973 when he joined Steely Dan's touring band. What do you consider your first professional success? My first job at Toy City at 14!

4) In 1975 he joined The Doobie Brothers. He was originally supposed to be a temporary replacement for Tom Johnston, but he ended up working with the band uninterrupted for seven years. Tell us about something that's happened to you that turned out better than you anticipated. Being forced to retire. It is a long story and they changed my hours so my husband and I could not car pool. So after two days, I told my husband I was done. I was 55 and eligible to retire, though I wanted to go to 62 for a better annuity. I used my vacation and sick leave. But it turned out for the best. I was able to take care of my new granddaughter and spend time with my dad. I have been officially retired since 2011.

5) In 1986 he guest starred on an episode of The Young and The Restless. Have you ever been hooked on a daytime drama? Yes, I used to watch All My Children and One Life to Live. I still watch General Hospital.

6) Michael and wife Amy raised their family near Nashville, where they had their own pond and a garden they lovingly tended. Do you enjoy yard work? Just a little. I tend to my plumerias and roses.

7) In 1979, when "Minute by Minute" was popular, movie star John Wayne died. In 2004, the US Postal Service honored him with a stamp. What was in the last envelope you stamped and dropped in a mailbox? My jury summons response. My doctor filled her part and said I cannot serve anymore because of my sarcopenia that keeps me from sitting still.

8) In 1979, the most popular new car was the Oldsmobile Cutlass. Ads promised drivers the Cutlass could make it easy to get in and out of tight parking spots. Are you good at parallel parking? I have not done that in years. but with all the help we get with rear viewing, I probably if I felt it was safe.

9) Random question: Did you know your great-grandparents? Yes, these are my mom's grandparents on her mom's side. I think they had 11 kids and lived until there 90's. You can't tell in this picture, but my grandpa Gus had blue eyes. My grandma had green eyes like my mom. A couple of my grandma's brothers had blue eyes. My great grandfather Augustine(Gus) was quiet and I liked his smile and the sparkle in his eye. My grandma Cruz seemed stern or maybe she was just tired after raising 11 kids! I was in grade school when they died.

I also met my mom's grandma on her dad's side. She was grandma Francis. She could not walk but I do not know why. She had really white wispy hair. I met my dad's grandpa Quirino on his mom's side. I have a copy of his draft card somewhere. 

Meme links are on the left. Thanks to Susanne and Sam for hosting.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

Happy Birthday to my granddaughter Audrina. 

We were supposed to go to dinner, 

but she woke up sick today and we hope to 

go out Sunday after church. 

This picture was from this past Sunday.

Congratulations to our granddaughter Jazzy.

Her color guard team received a special awards

 recognition by the School board. 

They won first place for winter guard division out of 12 schools.

Team mates and best friends since kindergarten.

 

The Autumnal Equinox is September 21 and it is the actual beginning of Autumn. Many, however, consider Labor Day as the unofficial opening of the Autumn season of the "Ber" Month

1. What's on your reading list for September? Finishing Fairwell to the East End, book 3 of the Call the Midwife series. Plants of the Bible and the Bible to prepare for my next to Bible journaling studies. My different groups start back this month. I will be continuing Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers. and starting a Lysa TerKeurst book on boundaries.   

2. Does your favorite reading nook look anything like the one in the picture or do you wish it did?

I wish it did. When I moved into this house, I had a room that had my dad's reclines, a bookcase with my books and a whole wall for my Bible journaling. My grandson ended up with that room. I usually read in bed.

3. Can you name some books you've read many times?  Do you recommend them? I just finished reading the Left Behind Series again. I have told several people about this series. My son read them all too, The same authors wrote book about the mend who wrote the four Gospels, My dad read Luke but did not finish the rest because he got sick. My parents were avid readers.

I plan to read this series again too. Each bring Bible characters to life as they encountered Jesus. There is the blind man in the first book. He is given a name and the story comes to life.

4.   Which of the classics have you read?  Good Reads offer a list of classics they recommend here.

I have read 36 of the 100 mentioned. I have read the Bible 4 times. I have read Gone with the Wind 7 times. I plan to read the Bible through in the New Year. 

I did a webpage  called My Reading Room at my webhome. You can find it here. It is filled with cute country graphics and there are pictures of some of the authors I met at Women of Faith Conferences.

1. Something you're working on currently? Going through boxes in the garage and decluttering. It is a long overdo project, but slow moving because I can't move the boxes anymore. Hubby has been helping. Our paper shredder has been getting a good workout.

2. Tell us something about your first job? Was it a positive or negative experience for you? Did your parents insist you work while in school (either high school or college) or did you work because you wanted to? Though I did babysitting, my first real job was working at a family owned toy store called Toy City. I got to work one summer and one Christmas with a workers permit. The owner owned 9 stores in Orange Country CA. Each store had a manager and my mom was the manager over them. She would drop me off in the morning and go to visit her stores. She also got to go to New York to buy toys from Mattel. She went over things  with me and the store manager Harriet did the rest of the training. I learned a lot and always kept busy. I really enjoyed that job. I would to Woolworths for lunch once a week. I was 14. When I was 15, I was a Candy Stripper and enjoyed that too except I did not get paid.

I did not work anymore because I had competitive sports and was taking a lot of college prep classes and my parents felt that was enough until the end of my senior year.

3. Have you ever had a job that required overnight travel? How did you feel about that? Have you ever had a job that required you to wear a uniform? Do you work better in the morning or at night? I retired from the postal service after 36 years in 2011. I worked part time. I worked 6pm-10 or 11 pm for 19 years and then I went to day hours. No overnight travel.

4. What's something you bake or cook that is labor intensive? Is it worth it? My mom's recipe for hard shelled ground beef tacos with potatoes. Yes it is worth it, but I don't do it often.

5. One thing you're looking forward to in the month of September? My marriage group and 3 others start back next week. A wedding and family pool party at the end of the month.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I had my physical today. My doctor followed up with my last visit for numbness in my hips, legs and feet. She is sending me for an MRI and suspects a bulging disc and lost of muscle to be the problem. Because of that issue, she signed me off jury duty because I cannot sit for long periods of time. She wants me to continue physical therapy and does not want me losing any more weight I have lost 4 pounds in a year. I have to have a mamo too. I also got referred to dermatology for a spot on my face. My mom had basal cell cancer on her face when she was around my age. I am glad my doctor took the time to go over all my concerns. Since I recently had blood test in May, I did not have to get more blood work done. I have to continue my exercises, but with the lowest exercise bands. No heavy lifting! 

Friday Fave Five and Saturday 9

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

1. Thankful for the nice time we had with my son's family at his time share in Newport Coast. This is one picture I shared on my previous post. Newport Coast is at the end, before it turns into Laguna Beach.

2. Thankful that my older grands and our daughter could watch the dogs.

3. Thankful for doing better with my sleep. All my blood test came back normal except my cholesterol and A1C. I am borderline diabetic and working on cutting back on bad carbs. My cholesterol is lower than last time, but still higher than normal. Exercise will help both. My doctor referred me as soon as she got my x-ray results. I should be starting physical therapy again for my cervical and lower back.

4. Thankful that I finished the Left Behind series. 16 books! I am enjoying my bedtime reading.

5. Thankful to be able to watch the Chosen series with my husband. 

Saturday 9: Footloose (1984)

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

1) In this week's song, Kenny Loggins encourages everyone to lose their blues by dancing. What reliably shakes you out of a funk? Listening to music. Bible journaling.

2) To cut footloose, he has to kick off his "Sunday shoes." What's on your feet as you answer these 9 questions? Flip flops.

3) This is the title song of the popular 1984 movie of the same name. It's so well-identified with the film that the AFI named it #96 of the top 100 movie songs of the last 100 years. Have you seen Footloose?

Yes, but I don't remember much of it.

4) The title of his 2022 memoir, Still Alright, was inspired by "I'm Alright," the song he wrote for the raucous golf comedy, Caddyshack. Do you play golf? (Yes, putt-putt miniature golf counts!) Do you watch it on TV? I have played miniature golf on occasion and I don't watch it on TV.

5) Thinking of movies, Kenny says watching Yankee Doodle Dandy when he was just 7 years old made him think performing looked like fun and says, "I knew deep inside this is something I could do." Do you recall when you set off on your chosen career?

I never made it to my chosen career. I got into a student program at the postal service out of high school in 1973. You had to be a full-time student. I got a part time job with them while in college. I graduated in 1977 and stayed at the PO because I wanted to start my family and the PO had good benefits and I worked part time in the evening. My degree was in the bio-social field. If I had to do it all over, I would have gone into my real chosen career which was in the medical field.

5) Kenny grew up in Everett, Washington, north of Seattle and 84 miles from the Canadian border. Have you ever visited Canada? If yes, where did you go? 

In 2006 we went to Alaska, and we took a bus from Skagway to Canada and then back down on a train. In 2008 I went on cruise with my parents, and we went to St. Johns and Halifax Canada. 

Pictures below 6.

6) In 1977 Kenny struck up a friendship with Stevie Nicks, who was a source of encouragement and would sing with him on one of his biggest hits, "Whenever I Call You Friend." Tell us about when you met one of your best friends. 

I had a few best friends I met in high school that I am still friends with. My cousin and I became "best friends in 1992. We both moved to the same city in 1990 and we reconnected in 1992 and we have been best friends since. She moved and is taking care of sick family, so we don't see each other much. We do message each other. 

Sister Ann, Mom and me at Peggy's Cove in outside Halifax.

Me in St John's.

Dad heading back to our ship

Our next cruise in in January 2025!

7) In 1984, when this song was a hit, Angela Lansbury premiered in Murder, She Wrote, 

 a show still seen in reruns today. Were/are you a fan? I never watched it.

8) Let's tweak your memory about something else that happened in 1984. Without looking it up, can you recall why Michael Jackson's Pepsi commercial made headlines the world over? 

Yes, fireworks spark landed on his greased hair, and it caught on fire. He had some serious burns.  

9) Random question -- Think of your last professionally prepared meal. Did you dine in, carry out, or have it delivered?  We dined in.