Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Another week has flown by! Joining Susanne and Sam for the following memes. Links on the left.

Thankful for my iPhone. I can refer back to it for pictures that help me remember events. The calendar on the IP helps too! I still use a pocket calendar too. 

Thankful for a nice lunch after church this pass Sunday! Also for going to my son's house later for dinner where my other grands were also there. They don't like to take pictures.

Thankful for Facebook Memories! This was from Farmville 2010. I loved playing this game. It started with the home farm. By 2020 when it ended, I had about 30 farms! It really appealed to the creative me. I was sad when it ended. I made friends from all over. I learned a lot about crops and trees from around the word. The Hawaii Farm was my favorite! Especially since I was playing it in 2012 when we sent to Hawaii. My dad would watch me play when I stayed with him after my mom passed.

Thankful for a week that I didn't have to go anywhere except Monday. I was able to get my kits ready for my next Bible journaling meet up on the 5th. 

Thankful for mild weather for July, mostly in the mid 80's. Not happy about the earthquake we had today(Thursday) Thankful that is was not nearby, but still to close at 31 miles away.  It was a 4.4 and I could feel my bed shaking. My husband was in the other room and he said the crystal in my China hutch was making noise. So glad I am not in a two story. I am from So CA and I have experienced many earthquakes, but you never get used to them. 

Saturday 9: Jive Talkin' (1975)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. 

These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 50 years ago, "Jive Talkin'" was originally called "Drive Talkin',"

 because it was inspired by the "chunka-chunka" sound the Bee Gees' car made as it rolled over the bridge from Biscayne Bay to Miami every morning. Tell us about a drive you make regularly. What do you love, or hate, about it? My husband takes one route to church, and I take another. His route has a long light and a big dip in the street. I am usually putting on makeup in the car at that time and that bump gets me every time! The driver chooses the route so I will just have to bump along.

2) Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb always enjoyed singing together and as kids, practiced their harmonies in the bathroom because that's where the acoustics were best. Do you sing in the shower?

Sometimes, but mostly at my desk when I am Bible journaling and listening to music.

3) Early in their career, the brothers wrote and recorded a radio jingle for Coca Cola. If we were to peer into your refrigerator right now, would we find any carbonated beverages? No, we don't buy them.

4) Though their sound depended on tight harmonies, all three Bee Gees were heavy smokers, which is bad for the throat. Do you smoke? Are there smokers/vapers in your life? No and no!

5) Robin Gibb agreed to perform on the CD Sesame Street Fever so his kids could meet Cookie Monster. Who is your favorite Muppet? Elmo.

6) In addition to younger brother Andy, who also scored hit records, the Bee Gees have a sister, Lesley. Unlike her siblings, she didn't go into show business. Instead she became a dog breeder. Tell us about a dog who holds a special place in your heart. First there is my current dog Minnie. Then my grand doggies, Coca and Daisy. Dogs in my life that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. My Reina, and Missy. Grand doggies Rey and Pepper. Family doxie Mandy Belle. This is us with Missy in 1975.

Missy passed in 1992 and Reina in 2010. Minnie will be our last dog.

Reina

Let's look at the summer of 1975.

7) That summer, producer Lorne Michaels was auditioning talent for the Not Ready for Prime Time Players. This band of comedic performers would premiere that October in a new show called Saturday Night Live. In the days before DVRs and streaming, Saturday Night Live was considered "appointment television," a show you wanted to catch when it aired so you made sure you were in front of a TV to hear "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" Is there a show you go out of your way to watch when it airs? Or is most of your viewing either recorded or streamed? Hubby and I try to be home when Survivor is on. But we do record our favorite shows to see them if we are out or they are on too late. We each like our own shows, so those are recorded to see when we are ready to see them.

8) The top movie at the box office that summer was Jaws. Have you seen it? Oh yes, we went the week it came out and we had to wait a long time. It scared me for sure and I did not go out far in the beach after watching it. Later, in the 80's we took our boys to Universal Studios and we saw the Jaws exhibit.

My middle son and his wife went in a shark cage in Oahu's Shark Cove while on their honeymoon. That was back in August 2016. In 2012, my sister and I went on a boat called Pride of Maui to Molokini Crater, about 2 miles from the shore. We went snorkeling and it was fun. If we got to far from the boat, a spotter would have us go back towards the boat. The next day we went on the Road to Hana tour. The tour guide told us they have people that feel sharks early in the morning  so they don't go hunting later. There were also people hired around the perimeter to spot for sharks. I am glad I did not know that until after the snorkeling event!

9) In 1975, Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles was having a career season and won the second of his three Cy Young Awards. In 2012 he put all three trophies up for auction. As proud as he was of the awards, he said, "My priorities have changed," and the money would help pay for college for his grandchildren. Think about your belongings. Is there anything you would never part with at any price? There are things I have that mean a lot to me. But I can't take them when I leave to my eternal home. I plan to give things away starting next year now that I am turning 70. Most are thing that were from my parents or grandparents. My granddaughters have already asked for my teapots and teacups. My older grandson wants my Disney Castle and Characters I got for the 60th Disney Birthday. I have some stamp sets that I will give my son to son. The grands can pick out ornaments. I would like each of my grands to have one of my Bibles as well as my kids. Yes I have several study Bibles and I am about to start my 3rd journaling Bible in January. 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Where have you traveled and what is the furthest you've been from home? I have traveled to Mexico City and Acapulco in 1970  Novia Scotia, Canada, while on a New England Cruise. Juneau Alaska while on a cruise and Puerto Vallarta Mexico while on a cruise. Hawaii, 2000, 2009, 2012 and 2018. The Mexican Riviera Cruise is listed above. I need to finish a couple of more days.

2. Is there a location other than where you are, that you think would be a nice place to live? Hawaii!

3. Do you have a photo or story from a favorite place to visit? I have photos and whole links to the pages I did at my Website. I linked a few at my last post. My website is linked on the left under the memes link. Ifo you go there and click on Site Map, it will take you to a page that list 100's of pages. The vacations are on the lower middle section.

4. What dream destination do you have tucked away in your heart? Do you think you'll be able to visit them one day or are plans in the making? Israel, Spain, Italy. I don't think I will go there physically, but there is a lot to see online. I am just traveling through. My final place is Heaven and one place I know I will get to in God's timing. I hope I smell plumerias there!

Waikiki

1. When does time pass slowly for you? When does time past quickly for you? The days just fly by now. I like to be busy for the most part. The day drags when I don't have anything to do.

2. Do you have a favorite beach? What's your favorite 'beach' activity? Tell us what we'd find in your beach bag. There are several beaches I like that are about 30 miles away from me. Takes about and hour to get there because of traffic. If I had to pick one that is local, I would say Corona Del Mar. I would go there while I was attending the University of Irvine. We would go in between classes or just miss a class because we could. It was a wonderful break from school and the reality that childhood was over. It is the beach we took our kids too. The water is a bit more calmer. We also went there with the grands.

Corona Del Mar

Huntington Beach

Balboa is another beach. Our kids liked walking the pier and playing in the water. Then we would leave the parking lot, what across the street, and head to the bay. There was a Ferris wheel at the boardwalk. We would get corndogs, pizza and Balboa bars, a favorite of mine. Sometimes we would drive our car to the ferry and go across to Balboa Island. We were last there with our married group in October. We took a bay cruise, but the captain took us out further towards a pod of dolphins which he estimated 200-300 dolphins. 

It was great! But my most favorite place is Hanauma Bay in Oahu Hawaii. I haven snorkeled there 3 times and loved it. Clear water, and lots of fish. The time with my husband in August of 2009 was the best. The water was warm compared to our Pacific Caost Beaches that are cold.

The grands are older and now the family goes to Newport and Huntington Beach. The piers are busy, and there are a lot of shops. And of course a lot of surfers! It's a lot harder to get a family day for the beach with everyone's schedule. When I go, I take one of several beach bags I have. I always take the basics like sunscreen, sunglasses, towel and water. The past few years I take a journal or travel Bible so I can watercolor in it. Hubby usually packs everything else. 

3. Your favorite book or movie with a beach setting? South Pacific comes to my mind along with From Here to Eternity.  I have seen the Halona beach cove from the love scene in that movie. This picture was taken in 2009 when we were on an Island your of Oahu.

4. What's a food you love, but find it's a pain to eat? Is it worth it? Pomegranates.

5.  Do you like roller coasters? What's the best (or worst) roller coaster you've been on? Yes, I do like roller coasters. I like to go on them at Disneyland. The tallest one was Magic Mountain. I think it was called the Colossus. The last one I went on was the Incredicoaster at Disney's California Adventure. It goes upside down and I liked the feeling. It actually made my neck feel better!

6. Insert your own random thought here. I love to be at the beach. The sounds and smell of the ocean are the best. I like to collect shells. I do not like the drive and hard to find parking. Hubby does not care for the beach for the same reason. I usually ask to go there for our anniversary. which is August 10 or for my birthday which is August 12. My family is giving me a pool n all party on the 9th. I will see how we feel on the 10th!

Hawaii 2009     Hawaii 2012

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the Memes, links are on the left.

Tuesday 4 Spring

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

1. Many of my neighbors have chickens.  Have you ever raised them for fresh eggs or is the grocer your go to for them? Also.. would the sound of a neighbor having them bother you? 

I think our neighbor was raising them, but I have not heard anything for a while. Maybe she moved them to the other side of her yard. Our city is not zones for farm animals. The city next to is and all the streets have to have horse trails. Some of the Disney horses have been housed in Norco. If I lived in Norco and didn't have my physical issues, I would try it. 

2.  How does the change in seasons effect you personally? Are you happier in some seasons , do allergies get to you, do you perk up or down due to weather? 

I do love spring, but it does bother my allergies. I like mild summer days, but we are hot, 90+ from July - Oct. Our fall does not get here until the end of October. I enjoy fall and even winter. We don't get cold until January - 50/60's. day and 30/40's at night. We have mild winters compared to most of the country. It was beautiful today. Sunny, 74 and breezy and I got to work in the backyard. Getting ready to root some plumeria cutting and repot a tomato plant.

3.   This week our youngest family member is in France.  She will see Paris, Provence, the Riviera, all very exciting for a young teen.  Most of us don't ever do anything that big...but even the smallest things can have a big effect on us.  What experience do you think stands out most for you in your memory?

Since you mentioned the youngest member, I would say the trip I took to Mexico for 6 weeks the summer of 1971 after 10th grade. I went to Mexico City with a friend and her family because her sister was getting married. We went by car and it was a great learning experience for me. I took a novel with me to read. I think it was Nicolas and Alexandria by Robert K Massie.(The last of the Romanov Dynasty) 

I am not fluent in Spanish. I learned most of it in school and some from one of my grandparents. I was able to practice while I was there. We went to several beach cities where I first tried fresh shrimp and fish from the sea. We went to Guadalajara where we went shopping in a huge open air farmers market. I tried new foods, and I made new friends. We drove through Taxco, a well know silver city. We drove to Acapulco and saw the cliff divers. We got to stay one night at the Swimmers village from the 1968 Olympics. Each apartment had its own mini hot spa/pool. They had a great botanical garden there. I ate black beans instead of pinto beans. The family I stayed with were Christians and we had dinner together as a family and the grandma, the matriarch said the prayer. I just checked and it is 2280 miles from Los Angeles to Acapulco. It is a trip I will never forget. I did miss my family. My mom was so happy she bought me the Carole King Tapestry album to welcome me back. I still have that album!

All 4 of my trips to Hawaii have been so special! The first was in 2000. I went with my sister cousin and Aunt for a Christian Conference, and we had the best time. I went in 2009 with my husband for our 35 anniversary. We went in 2012 for my niece's wedding. My husband, dad and I spent a week in Oahu because dad wanted to go to Pearl Harbor and see the USS Missouri since he served in the Navy. Then we flew to Maui for the family wedding. The last time we were there was in 2018 and with our family and grands. God willing we will go one more time in 2026.

4.  What do you look forward to in each of the year's seasons? 

I love the Christmas season! This past January, we took a Mexican Riviera cruise out of Long Beach and it was great. Spring has been great so far. I have been enjoying tie in the backyard while the nights are cool and the mosquitoes from hell have not arrived yet. I have a few plumerias I have to transplant so I will do that this week. The weather will be cooling a bit this week. 

We haven't really made plans for the summer, but I do turn 70! We were supposed to go to Hawaii in the fall, but it has been postponed until next spring. Also depends on what losses we have from the crazy stock market and over all poor economy and how it effects our son's job. We will wait and see.

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

Fridays Fave Five, & Saturday 9

Another week has gone by and there is always something 

to be thankful for. 

1. Thankful for a few days to relax. Church was good and we decided to get some food and take it home. We are looking at YouTube videos on excursions for our cruise in January.

2. Thankful that my face biopsy is healing well. I got the results back and I do have a precancerous condition and will have to have the area hit with frozen nitrogen. But they are waiting for the biopsy area to heal. In the past, my skin has healed well. Thankful that it is not melanoma!

3. Thankful that Wednesday class night class was cancelled. I was tired and end up reading the wrong chapters. 

4. Thankful that the slip I had did not result in a break. It happened Wednesday night. I was reaching for something from my nightstand and end up getting up. As my feet song over, I slid off and put my hand down and felt a pop on my left thumb and it really hurt! I iced it and took Motrin. Thankful my granddaughter had a splint that I could wear. I saw the doctor Thursday morning before our Life group. The doctor examined me and sent me to have x-rays. She showed me the x-rays and pointed out to something in the area above the bruised, swollen area saying it looked like a sliver of bone. She left and then came back after a consult saying it looks like the tendon was pulled hard enough to yank out a piece of bone. So now I have to wear a splint and wait for a call back from the ortho department. Thankful that I can type and not use my thumb. Thankful it was my non dominant hand!

5. Thankful for my married groups prayers. We are going out to a dinner and movie Friday evening.

Saturday 9: Jolene (1973)

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

1) In this song, Dolly Parton sings about a woman with great hair, great eyes, a great smile and a great voice. OK, so Jolene has it all. Of these, which is your most attractive feature: your hair, your eyes, your smile or your voice? My hair. 

2) Dolly tells us her husband mentions in Jolene in his sleep. Do you talk in your sleep? on occasion.

3) Dolly has said this song was inspired by a bank teller she caught flirting with her husband. That was in the 1970s. Today we can do our banking from our computers, our phones or a bank ATM. When is the last time you spoke to a banker? 2 Weeks ago and I plan to go next week to deposit a check.

4) Dolly had a crush on Johnny Cash. When she was just a teen she saw him perform at The Grand Ole Opry and called it "love at first sight." Are you crushing on anyone right now? 50 years to the same man. But really babying our Minnie our doxie since we are missing her mama Rey.

5) Dolly is more than a singer/songwriter. She's an industry! Her Dollywood is a theme park, water park, hotel and spa. Looking back on the summer of '24, did you visit a theme park, water park, hotel or spa?

This summer we stayed at a nice hotel overlooking the beach. We went whale watching and then out to dinner at a really nice restaurant.

6) A luxury stay at Dollywood can get expensive, unless you're the teacher who wins this year's Chasing Rainbows Award from Dolly. She treats a deserving teacher to a week at Dollywood. Tell us about a teacher who made a difference in your life. The first teacher was Miss Helm, my 4th grade teacher. Because of her, I discovered how much I loved reading and learning. She was nice and positive.

7) Dollywood is in Sevier County, TN. Her ties to the community are strong, and in 2007, Dolly raised the funds to build a new hospital that opened there in 2010. When you were last in a hospital, were you a patient or a visitor? I was a patient, having an MRI. Have to go next month to see an orthopedic.

8) In 1973, when "Jolene" was popular, Elvis' "Aloha from Hawaii" concert aired. "Aloha" is the native Hawaiian word used when greeting or parting. Can you say anything else in Hawaiian? 

Mahalo-thank you, Ohana-family, Lei-necklace made of flowers, shells or other material given in love. Keiki- child, Luau- special ceremony with food and music. Wahine-girl/woman, kane-man/boy, huku, Akua-God, Honu-turtle, Imu-underground oven, Mele Kalikimaka-Merry Christmas, Mele-song, ono-fish, poi-pudding made from taro, pua-pig, tutu-grandparent, pali-clift, lanai-patio, lilikoi-passion fruit, Kai-sea, Moana-beach, paniolo-Hawaiian cowboy, malama-serve. We are going to Hawaii next April. This will be my 5th visit.

9) Random question: Have you more recently eaten cold pizza or cold fried chicken? Cold chicken, but not dried.

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

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

How about now? September is still a new beginning to the year.  What will it hold for you?

1. As summer's heat fades do you get out and about in nature often?  Where do you go, what do you do?  What would you like to do? There is a park I like to go to, so maybe next month. I live in the city and surrounded by a lot of cities. No country places around here

We have been over 100 all week. I think we got to 108 this past Saturday. School started August 13. They get 1 week of at Thanksgiving, 3 weeks off after Christmas and 1 week for spring break. It doesn't usually cool off until the end of October. 

We did go to the movies today and saw Regan. It was a good movie.  I like historical movies. I remember the day President Regan was inaugurated. I was watching it on screen as I was getting ready to leave the hospital after my son was born. 

2. What has changed in your life that you miss/regret the most? My health. I have what I need material wise. I have lost a lot of muscle, and it is hard to sit for long periods of time. I can't eat all the food they say. My doctor is sending me back to physical therapy. I am having a MRI on Wednesday. I have a mammogram on Friday. The doctor said not to lose any more weight.

I really miss my parents. I have questions that won't get answers. I miss their hugs. 

I miss my old house and the neighborhood. I don't miss the high taxes!

3.  Money is no object; nothing stands in your way. are you going to move or stay where you are? 

Oh I would definitely move to a bigger house! I would love a pool. 

4.  How can you improve your life? Besides the physical part I mentioned, stay active with my family and church friends. To keep enjoying my Bible journaling. We are going on a cruise in January and Hawaii in April so I need to really strength train to build up muscle strength.

1. When the Hodgepodge lands on September 11th I want to acknowledge that. Will you purposely pause to remember, pray, or attend any sort of ceremony on 9/11? Share any thoughts or memories you'd like to share about this day. I will be having a MRI on Wednesday. Maybe I will think about the day while I am in that chamber. I still remember hearing about it as we got in the car to drive to work. It was about 5:30 in the morning and we could not believe what we were hearing. I worked for the postal service we went on alert since we were a government building. The breakroom was full of people and I remember watching the second tower go down. It was so sad. You don't forget something like that. I don't forget the day President Kennedy was shot. I was 8 years old. They sent us home from school.

2. Growing up, did you spend a lot of time with your grandparents? What's something you learned from a grandparent? I did get to spend a lot of time with both sets of grandparents. I have lots of great memories! My grandparents said we were lucky to be an American citizen. We were blessed to have all that we had, mainly our family. This is a picture of my grandma's from 1994. My grandma Louisa on the left lived to 87. My grandma on the right lived to 79. She got an infection, then sepsis. I loved them both and I have both of their bibles.

                              This picture was from 1973. Grandpa Susano, and Grandpa David.

3. What's your go-to breakfast? I eat eggs every day. Sometimes over medium, sometimes scrambled, and I even make an omelet once in awhile!

4. Tell us the story behind one of your favorite photos. Family trip to Oahu in 2018. I had the best time with my family! We stayed a whole week at the Marriott Ko Olina. On our last full day, we went to the Disney Aulani for the character breakfast. We all loved it!

Dole Plantation

Aulani

Sunset at the North Shore

5. This week Friday lands on the 13th. Are you superstitious in any way? Do you like scary movies, and if so what's your favorite? I am not superstitious. I do not like scary movies.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I sure enjoyed looking back at the pictures from Hawaii. We will be going back with my son and his family. My daughter and kids will not go this time. They will be watching our dog and taking their own vacation at the end of the school year.

Friday's Fave Five & Saturday 9

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

So many things to be thankful for this week!

1. Thankful for a birthday lunch with a couple of my August birthday friends. 

2. Thankful for the beautiful day hubby and I had last Friday. He got me flowers and upgraded our room so I could have a few and soaking tub. He told me about the place were going to eat at the next day and I told him about the dress I got. So we ate at the original place on Friday instead. The Wind and Sea gave us a free dessert!

3. Thankful for 50 years of marriage last Saturday. We went whale/dolphin watching and it was great even if we did not see whales. We had the best dinner at the Chart House and he liked my dress. We also got another free dessert. It was a special weekend, and I was not going to say no to the desserts.

4. Thankful for dinner with my eldest son's family and my daughter and family. Since I share a birthday with my granddaughter, we both took our picture together and everyone loved the gluten free cake she made. Thankful to have dinner with my middle son and his wife at BJ's. 

5. Thankful for my Bible journaling group that met on Tuesday and a large group of friends met on Thursday to celebrate a friend turning 70. Most of my friends are seniors and we know how important is to be in fellowship.

Saturday 9: I Get Around (1964)

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

1) 60 years ago this month, the Beach Boys were singing that having a cool car and helped them get girls. In your teen years, what did you drive? A VW Bug and Chevy Malibu SS.

2) They are searching for a new place to party. This weekend, will you be visiting any bars, theaters or restaurants? I plan to rest and go to church. It has been a busy 2 weeks!

3) When Brian Wilson was forming the group, he turned to his friend Al Jardine, his brothers Dennis and Carl, and his cousin, Mike Love. Though most of their songs were about cars, beaches and surf, only one of those founding members was a surfer: Dennis. Do you enjoy the beach? Are you good on a surfboard? I do love the beach. I never tried surfing though I have sat on one. I did go on an Outrigger Canoe in Waikiki and it was a similar experience of paddling out to sea and catching a ride back in.This is a picture of me in front of the Duke Statue. August 2009.

Waikiki, June 2012

4) They were originally from Hawthorne, California. Hawthorne was the early childhood home of Marilyn Monroe. Since Marilyn was one of the most iconic women of the 20th century, we know you recognize her image. Have you seen any of her movies? All about Eve, The Misfits, Some Like it Hot.

Hollywood, 2109

5) "I Get Around" is included in Endless Summer, the greatest hits compilation released in 1974. Influential music critic Robert Christgau said Endless Summer should be part of any basic record library. What's one of your favorite CDs? I have lots of them! Amy Grant-the Collection, Carole King's Tapestry and I also have the original album. Just too many to mention.

Let's look at the summer of 1964.

6) The #1 film of the summer of 1964 was Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. Have you seen it? Yes, our whole family went to the movies when it came out. My mom got us the album too.

7) President Lyndon Johnson accepted the Democratic party's nomination at the August 1964 convention in Atlantic City, NJ. Atlantic City is known for casinos and gambling. Do you often play the lottery, bingo, or any other game of chance? Our Senior Fellowship plays bingo once a month. We don't have to pay anything. We just bring a dish to share.

8) Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was still a baby in the summer of 1964. What was in your most recent Amazon delivery? ink for my printer.

9) Another little one born in '64 is Mariska Hargitay. The star of Law & Order: SVU is the daughter of a well-known movie star. Without looking it up, do you know who her mother was? Jane Mansfield.