Friday's Fave Five & Saturday 9

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

Five favorite things I am thankful for this week.

A few of my friends and I met up for a pool party potluck and delayed birthday celebration for my friend Stephanie and I. That was on Tuesday.

Thankful for all the things I am learning as I prepare for my next Bible journaling day.

Thankful that our trip to the vet didn't show a back problem for our doxie. But she did have some bites on her lower backside, probably from her and Coco playing to rough. Coco is bigger and a year and a half. She is not aggressive, and they both play hard. Minnie is long hair and so we didn't see anything. But we did notice she was licking herself a lot and then not herself for two days, so we took her in. She will be on antibiotics for a week, pain pills and ointment. Sure wish we had doggie insurance!

Thankful that I was able to go to a nearby large church to her Lisa Harper speak on Thursday. I also got one of her books called Luke, Gut Level Compassion. She will be speaking again on Friday night.

Thankful that my son was not seriously hurt Thursday when he got hit from behind. He said the car hit him a few times and he looked in the mirror and saw that the driver was having a seizure. So he called 911 and after the police took the report, he drove himself to the urgent care. Hopefully his card won't be totaled by the insurance. 

Morning Train

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

1) In this song, Sheena Easton sings about her lover, who takes a train to and from work each day. When is the last time you took public transportation? Where did you go? I went to spend two weeks in Walnut Creek Ca with my cousin in 2018. She was house sitting for her brother. One day we took the Bart train trans tube line, under the Bay bridge and we came out at Downtown San Francisco. We walked to the wharf and got on a boat and went up to and under the San Francisco Bridge, then by the Alcatraz and toward the Bay Bridge. We went shopping and ate in China town. We took the cable cars back downtown to get back to the Bart.(Bay Area Rapid Transit.) On the Bart

We had so much fun and then I had to fly home, 400 miles away.

2) His workday begins at 9 and ends at 5. Do your days stick to a predictable schedule? I am retired and don't have a work schedule. Our church groups start back on the 9th and then we will be on that schedule. But most of what we do revolves around our family.

3) In the evening she sings that they may go to a movie, a restaurant or slow dancing ... whatever she wants. Which of those would you choose? I want to go to the movies.

4) As a little girl, Sheena Easton performed at family gatherings, not just because she was talented but because she could be a bit of a ham. When you were a kid, were more often shy or outgoing? I was a hyper outgoing and talkative. I made friends easily. I learned to be in control of my behavior. I am now more of who God made me.

5) In the late 1980s she was the spokeswoman for Bally's health clubs. Do you have a gym membership? Yes, I do and I have to get back to Chuze. I get a free membership with my health insurance.

6) In 1987 she played Sonny Crockett's love interest on Miami Vice. Were you a fan of the show? No.

7) This weekend is a good reason to have a picnic or barbecue. The best-selling barbecue sauce flavors are sweet, spicy, and smoky. What's your favorite? Sweet with just a hint of spice.

8) Labor Day weekend may offer a golden opportunity for napping and sleeping in. Do you snore? My husband says I do if I am on my back and my sinuses are bothering me.

9) Labor Day traditionally marks the beginning of the fall. Will you be adding any new fall clothes to your wardrobe? Maybe, but it doesn't get cold here until near November. I will be decorating the house for fall starting this weekend.

Previous entry had a fun make a story based on a picture, and I really enjoyed it. I need to copy it and send it to a friend. 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  If you were or are married, did or do you enjoy being married?  If you are not married are you content and happy in that life? I will be married 50 years this coming Saturday. Yes, I am happy to be married. My parents were married for 57 years until my mom passed. My in-laws were married about 51 years. 

2. What are the best parts of your life today? Our family and extended family being close. We went to our family get together at my sister's house and it was so much fun. We plan to meet again at the end of September.  What were the best things about your life in the past? Doing fun things with my family, The fun things my husband and I did before we had kids. The special memories with our kids. Having my faith in the Lord has always been important, but even more now.

3.  What more could you add to your life to make it better, or conversely, what could you remove to make it better for you? Better physical health would make things better.  

4. If you work... are you really pleased in your job or would you like something better?  If you are retired is it all you hoped it would be and how could it be better for you? My husband and I are both happily retired.

1. What's a task you do on a regular (or semi-regular basis) that feels like it should be an Olympic event? Exercise, strength training with elastic bands.

2. What's in the trunk of your car right now? A small ice chest.

3. Summer foods vs. fall foods...which do you prefer? I like both, but if I had to pick one, it would be fall food. Summer food is easier to put together, but I like the heartiness of fall/winter food.

Would you rather-watermelon or caramel apple? iced coffee or pumpkin spiced latte? potato salad and sweet potato casserole? barbecued ribs and roast turkey? ice cream sandwich or apple pie? corn on the cob or candy corn? I like it all!

4. August 7th is National Lighthouse Day. Have you visited any lighthouses? Do you have a favorite? Is a lighthouse something you seek out if you're visiting an area known for theirs? I have been to a few.

The last time was last August while we were in Oregon. We visited the Yaquina Head lighthouse in Newport Oregon. We came here after speeding down the Rogue River in Grants Pass Oregon.

Sailing away from Portland Oregon  2008

I took this picture of my parents at Peggy's Cove, 

Nova Scotia Cananda. 2008

5. Light at the end of the tunnel, out like a light, give the green light, a lightbulb moment, in a new light, in the limelight...of the 'light' idioms listed which applies in some way to your life lately? Explain. 

Give the Green light. This questions really made me think. Though I am dealing with the loss of a lot of muscle, I choose to keep going. I have to give myself a mental green light and go. Looking past, I have lots of times that I did not stop when the going got rough. I pushed through it. I know a day will come when I can't, but until then, I will keep going. I did a page on Lighthouses at my website. You can find it here.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Happy 8th Anniversary to my son Daniel and his wife Melinda. They are spending a week at Disneyworld. He proposed to her at Disneyland. We went to Disneyland with them after they came back from their Honeymoon in Hawaii. I am happy for them!

Saturday 9

Beautiful Day (2000) Unfamiliar with this week’s song? Hear it here.

S1) This song is about finding joy in an imperfect world. What brings you joy today? Studying the Bible. Time with my grandkids. The morning welcome from my dog.

2) The lyrics mention being stuck in traffic. A poll of Boston commuters revealed that drivers have a variety of responses to be stuck in traffic — everything from bored to impatient to angry. How do you feel when you’re stuck in a traffic jam? It depends on whether I have to be somewhere on time, or not. I try to just enjoy the music because the traffic is out of my control.

3) This year Bono and his wife, Ali, celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Who is the longest-married couple you know? My friend's parents just celebrated 68 years. We are going on 48. My parents were married 57 years when my mom died in 2010.

4) When Bono inducted Frank Sinatra into the Grammy Hall of Fame, he complimented Frank on his “swagger.” Do you think you have “swagger?” Nope!

5) When U2 guitarist The Edge did a charity concert at the Sistine Chapel, he became the first rocker to perform there. If you were to travel to Rome, what sites would you be certain to visit? The Vatican, The Sistine Chapel and Museum, St Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain

6) This week’s song was chosen because St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, and U2 is one of Ireland’s most famous exports. What else is Ireland famous for? St. Patrick, Food, castles, pubs, Leprechauns. Cliffs of Moher and the Kissing Stone.

7) Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dish. Is it a favorite of yours? I have had it and it was good. It is not something I would say is a favorite.

8) St. Patrick is credited with driving snakes out of Ireland. Ophiophobia is the fear of snakes. Do you suffer from ophiophobia? Yes!

9) St. Patrick’s Day fantasy: A leprechaun will share his gold with you, but you must request a specific amount for a single item. How much would you ask for, and what would you buy? I would ask for 3 million to by a huge estate that would house all my kids and grandkids. It would have a large swimming pool, basketball court, and a huge Craft room for me. Not sure I could get that here in So Calif!

Saturday 9 I Left My Heart in S.F.

Saturday 9: I Left My Heart in San Francisco (1962)

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

1) This song is a valentine to the city of San Francisco. Songwriters George Cory and Douglas Cross moved to New York to find fame and fortune and found themselves homesick for the city by the bay. Have you ever been homesick? Or, in the parlance of the song, where have you left your heart? My heart is homesick for my parents. I think they went to a Tony Bennett Concert. I inherited some of there CD's. 

2) Cory and Cross were buddies with Ralph Sharon, a piano player who often worked with Tony Bennett. Ralph brought the song to Tony and the results were very happy for all involved. Have you more recently done, or been on the receiving end of, a favor? The only thing I can think of is giving a homeless woman some money the other day. 

 

3) The lyrics compare San Francisco to Paris, Rome and Manhattan. Have you visited those cities? I have been to San Francisco a few times. I was last there in 2018. I was in Manhattan in 2008. Does Paris, Las Vegas count? We ate at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. 

Banana Eiffel Tower Soufflés 

4) This week's artist, Tony Bennett, sang professionally for the last time in August. He retired after performing at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga. Their musical collaboration dates back to when they both performed at President Obama's inauguration. Though 60 years apart in age, they became fast friends based on their shared love of jazz. Do you find that most of your friends are older than you, younger than you, or within 5 years of you? Most are within 5. But one of my friends is 10 years older than me.

5) While Lady Gaga grew up listening to Tony Bennett, as a young man Tony recalled listening to Bing Crosby, Judy Garland and Joe Venuti. Which singers did you enjoy during your teen years? Too many groups to mention. I did enjoy Motown Music like the Jackson 5.

6) While he's famous for singing about San Francisco, Tony is a proud son of New York. Born in Queens, he chose to end his career at Radio City Music Hall and was excited to perform "New York State of Mind" with Billy Joel at Shea Stadium in 2008. Do you have a favorite Billy Joel song? Yes Uptown Girl. Reminds me of Frankie Valli.

 

7) Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra may have been competitors but they shared mutual admiration. Sinatra called Bennett "the best singer in the business," and Bennett did a Sinatra homage album called Perfectly Frank. Think of people you have worked with over the years. Tell us about someone who has impressed you, and why. My supervisor Vera Parks made a big influence in my life. She brought me back to the Lord in the 80's when I was looking. She helped me a lot at work and taught me many things. She was like a mother figure. She helped me gain confidence in myself. I eventually took over one of her programs when she retired. 

8) The 1970s were a difficult period for Tony. During the days of disco and Studio 54, he said singing new songs made him feel like his mother, a talented seamstress, when she was forced to make a cheap dress. OK, so Tony doesn't like disco! Is there a genre of music you just don't care for? I  don't really care for country music. I have talked to a lot of native Californian's and they say the same things. Not sure why. There are a few sings and songs I like, but I would not choose that station. I don't mind a rap that I can understand, and don't like anything with bad language. I did like the rap in the musical Alexander. You do have to listen really well because they go so fast. I thought it was educational too! I have preset stations in my car for Broadway musicals, Classical, easy listening and Soul. Then there are stations for the 60's, 70's, 80's. I do not like heavy metal. I mostly listen to Christian music. 

9) Random question: Imagine you're the passenger in a long car ride. Are you more likely to be calm or fidgety? Calm because I am usually working on my crafts.

ORDINARY PEOPLE (2005)

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

1) In this song, John Legend sings that both he and his girl have "room to grow." What about you? In what areas would you like to improve? My health, I need to exercise more and cut out sugar. I do not need to lose weight. I need to build muscle because I have lost a lot of muscle. I would like to be a volunteer too. Our church is doing various things to get involved with the community.

2) He sings that when he hangs up in anger, she calls him back. Are you quicker to anger, or quicker to forgive? I don't get mad to often and I don't stay mad very long.

3) "Ordinary People" was John Legend's first big hit. He originally wrote it for The Black Eyed Peas, but -- happily for him -- recorded it himself. Have you ever purchased a gift for someone else but then decided to keep it yourself? Yes, usually because I misplaced it and bought something else!

 

4) Ordinary People is also the title of an acclaimed novel by Judith Guest and an Oscar-winning film. Are you familiar with either the movie or the book? Yes I saw the movie, it was sad.

5) John is married to Chrissy Teigen, who gained fame as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. When is the last time you dove in? Were you in a pool, lake, river or sea? In a pool at the Newport Coast Marriott with my grandkids.

6) John unexpectedly proposed to Chrissy on vacation, but he was afraid airport security would ruin the surprise when they went through his carry on very thoroughly. He worried she would see the ring box and he'd have to drop down to one knee right there at the airport! Tell us about one of your flights: your first, your most recent or your most memorable. My first flight was to Las Vegas and I was sitting in a seat the faced away from the front of the plane. So the takeoff felt weird. I remember saying "This is better than Star Tours!" The people around me smiled and I am sure they new I was a first time flyer. My best flight was my first flight to Hawaii with my cousin and sister. It was so much fun! Then our last flight in 2018 when our family went to Hawaii with the grands.

7) John is currently a coach on The Voice. The other coaches are Nick Jonas, Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton. Of those four singers, which is your favorite? I would say John. I saw him in a tribute concert to Carole King and he played one of her songs and sang it to her.

8) In 2005, when this song was popular, Johnny Carson died. After he retired from The Tonight Show in 1993, he traveled extensively and discovered he especially enjoyed photographic safaris in Africa. If time and money were no object, where would you go on vacation? Israel, Spain and Italy.

 

9) Random question -- In your typical day, what's the longest you usually go without saying a word to another person: all day, a few hours, an hour, or five minutes? Maybe 3 hours. My husband and I are both retired. He likes to watch his programs on tv and I am usually bible journaling or crafting in another room or if the weather is nice, I will go out. But normally it is not more than an hour.

On Friday hubby and I took our dog Minnie to Big Bear Mountains. It is about 90 minutes away and we started seeing snow around 5000 feet. It was sunny and 54. 

Sunday Stealing

1. What is the farthest you have ever traveled? From Los Angeles to Oahu, Hawaii 2564 miles. San Diego to New York, 2433 miles. From there we got on a ship and traveled up the New England coast to Halifax Nova Scotia-900 miles.  1971 From Los Angeles to Mexico by car. 1900 miles.  I was 15 years old for 6 weeks. I went with a friend I met in Jr. High. The whole family was going for a wedding. It was a great learning experience for me. I am thankful to my parents who allowed me to go. It was another 235 miles to Acapulco. They took me so I could see the famous cliff divers. Then there was the drive back! But I will never forget that trip. The people were friendly even though they teased me about my Spanish. But they did encourage me. I learned many new things about the culture of my grandparents.  We eat  pinto beans here with red Spanish rice. They ate black beans and white rice. I was use to crispy fried tacos with hamburger meat ad potatoes. Over there a taco was a soft warm corn tortilla filled with the meat of your choice so I chose shredded port.

2. Who did you date while in high school? Kevin Dodd, in 11th grade and my now husband in 12th. My husband got to meet Kevin because he was also a friend of my cousin Joanie. We meet Kevin and his wife at my cousin's wedding and Kevin played the guitar and sang. I was his first girl friend. We had a lot of fun together and he helped me with chemistry. We were both active in school and with our friends and then we kinds of just stopped dating. We stayed friends, but I always wondered what happened. A few years later Kevin was at his mother's going through his school stuff and found the letters I left in his locker when we were dating. His wife Debbie suggested he mail them to me instead of throwing them away. He included a personal note. He stopped dating me because he was a new Christian and and going to church and dating was a temptation for him. At least he left me for Jesus and not another girl!

 This was at the Silver Ball in the Winter. We also had gone to the Harvest Ball(Sadie Hawkins )

This is my then boyfriend Jr and we were to the Prom. going Green was popular back in 1973.

3. What is one of the worst trips you've ever taken? What went wrong?  Can't think of anything.

4. How do you like to spend a lazy day? I am retired so I get a lot of lazy days! I like to Bible journal. When it is sunny and warm I like to go out and read my Bible or go in the spa.

5. How old were you when you found out that JFK had been assassinated?  8 years old. How did it affect you? I remember sadness. Our teacher was crying. School let out early. We were glued to the television. My mom was crying and my dad was so sad.

6. Who has been one of the most important people in your life? My parents.

7. What is one trait you would most like to improve in yourself? Better time management. But if it is a physical thing, it would be exercising to build up my muscles.

8. Did you date someone in college? I was engaged during my first year at the University and then we got married after that first year.

9. What was your dream car? Jaguar a long time ago. Here is my first car. Chevelle Malibu SS.

10. Did you have a family member you wish you'd gotten to know better? Yes my mom.

11. Tell me about your greatest gardening success. When I let my husband take over!

12. What was your Dad like when you were a child? I had a very close relationship with my dad. He called me his curly hair Mija. Mija is short for hija which is daughter in Spanish. But it is an endearing word also. He also called me his princess but my grandma would call me her Reina, the queen. I was  tomboy and very active and he played ball with me and taught me how to ride a bike and encouraged me when I asked for a skateboard. He helped me with my school projects and encouraged me a lot. He was patient and a a funny sense of humor. We could talk about anything. He was a kind man and had many friends. He did well in his jobs. He worked for HUD in the 1970's at would fly to DC for meeting and take my mom. He would stop by and visit me when I was married with young kids. He got along with my husband. He took care of my mom when she had Alzheimers. We had a lot of long conversations when I would go over there  to help him with mom  and after my mom passed. I have tears in my eyes as I write this because I missed him so much. I was with him when he passed away 8 years ago this month. He taught me so many things. I will seem him and mom in heaven someday.

13. What is the best job you've ever had? My first job when I was 14. I worked at a toy store called Toy City. My mom was the manager of  the 9 stores in Orange Country. I got to work one summer and one Christmas. I got to learn so many things. We had to know math and use the old cash registers. If the store was not busy, I could wrap presents with the red and white stripe paper. I enjoyed the book and science section. I worked on stock. Checking the invoice to for each box and then putting the price stickers on. I especially liked being able to walk across the street at lunch to eat at Woolworths. At the end of the summer I bought a sting ray bike. The following summer I worked as a Candy Striper.

14 .What are your favorite songs? That is a loaded question!  I mostly listen to Christian music. But hubby and I will play an oldie station and listen to song that were popular when  we were dating like Peaches and Herbs Let's Fall in Love. We both like Motown and music from the 70's. If I had to choose a few I would say I Can Only Imagine and Shout to the Lord. I still have my 45's I bought when we were dating. I also love musicals and have seen Phantom of the Opera in NY and LV. I like the music from Fiddler on the Roof and Sound of Music.. 

15. If you could choose any talents to have, what would they be? I wish I could have been better at playing the music. I wish I would have gone into nursing because I like the medical field. But I embrace who I am, being creative and using that to teach others. I have taught Bible journaling and I have been a lay counselor at church. My main focus is teaching my grands about Jesus.

My Website is called Susan's Garden of Friendship(1999-2020) The link is to the right. Lots of inspirational pages too. That is where I get most of the pictures for here.