Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4...Summer time is upon us. 

1. What special memories do you have about summer when you were younger? So many fun memories! Playing in my grandparent's backyard, swimming, skating, playing with the neighborhood kids, riding my bike to the local park and playing tether ball and carrom's. We would have ice cream/popsicles and play in the sprinklers. One year we went to Yosemite and camped by the river. I remember dunking our Sees hard candy pops in the cold water and popping it in our mouths. I really enjoyed the end of the summer church camp and more. 

My birthday is in August, so we would celebrate at the park.

My tablecloth says Happy Birthday from Disneyland.

Newport Beach around 1960.

This was either 1965 or 1966 at Camp Colby.

We slept in the cabin with our parents. 

Once we hit jr. high, we could sleep with the girls our own age.

2. What is the highest temperature you've experienced in summer?  What about so far this summer? How do you weather the heat or humidity? We will hit 99 on Wednesday. We don't get humidity very often though we did this past Sunday. I think one summer it got up to 115! We have air, so we survive. Last year our AC went out and we had to stay with family for a couple of weeks. So happy that we got a new system because it works so much better!

3. What's been on your menu so far this summer? I started out eating salads. But with this parasite making people sick, I am going to forgo salads for a while. I am eating cooked veggies to get my greens in, I need to buy some frozen veggies and fruit. 

4.  What is on your reading list this summer... anything to recommend to us?  What's on your TV this summer. Any music you're liking this summer? I am reading the 5th book of the AD Chronicles. I have mentioned it several times. I listen to mostly Christian music either on my phone or on YouTube on my laptop. I do have a few oldie stations and that would be anytime from 50's-2000's.

1. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." Sam Keen

Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate. I am retired and can experience days of laziness. My groups are on summer break right now, so things are quiet. I don't feel guilty except when I don't manage my time well. For instance, being on the computer too long when I know I have my garage project to work on. Because it is hot, I am spending time in the late morning and late evening to go through things. Hubby took another trip to the second hand store. I always make time to do things with the grands, but that is not as often as it used to be when they were younger. I do spend more time in the spa.

2. What's a telltale sign you're upset? I don't get upset often, but my husband knows when I am because I will complain to him. If I am upset with him, I take a time out for me to "cool my jets" I put on my music and ask the Lord for peace.

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposely used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative? I think like anything new, I am hesitant to jump in. I want to know more about it. So far, I have not used any new features like Cat GBT. I like to use SIRI on my iPhone. Like many things, it has the potential to help and hurt someone.

4. You're invited to a summer potluck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing? I usually bring fresh fruit. That would be hard to do right now. Maybe I would take guacamole and chips instead.

5. It wouldn't be summer without a trip to the beach. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. My Israel trip is 3 months away. I am trying to stay positive about it. I am making 3 of my friends travel journals. Minnie is holding her own. She is happy to have family around. We have but back on the steroids but she still wants to eat all the time. She does bump into things, so we keep a close watch on her. 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and this week our friend Susan suggested the topic of decorating our homes for the holidays, especially for the 4th of July as it is the USA's 250th birthday.  So, lets do that. On July 4, 1776 we declared our independence from the British Empire and King George III  when the First Continental Congress set forth the Declaration of Independence. We became a free and sovereign, independent nation on September 3, 1783 

1. Will or have you decorated for the holiday? Yes, all US holidays are celebrated, and I have decorations for seasons too. If you don't reside in the USA, do you have a special holiday you decorate for on the outside of your home? Yes outside too.

I put flags in the front yard too.

2. What special little touches do you add to the outside of your home? I like to put out my seasonal garden flags. I have yard signs and scarecrows for fall. Do you enjoy puttering around in your yard? I used to, but I have to stay out of the sun for the most part because of skin cancer. My neck and back can't handle anything heavy.

3. Are plants and shrubs an important part of your house decor? I used to really enjoy gardening. I love looking out at my palm trees in the backyard and the plumerias in the front yard.

4.  On which holidays do you spend time decorating either inside, outside or both? Christmas, Fall and Easter and the 4th. inside and out. 

This is my seasonal tree. The grandfather clock was a gift from my parents.

I made this valence after cutting a bunch of strips. 

I like to make things when I can. I am working on a wreath right now.

I had left over material from making the valence, so I made the decoration below.

1. What do you love most about your country? Our country has a lot to offer. I can go to the church I want. My kids have all done well in schools and have good jobs. Grands are all doing well. I don't think they youngest generation-grands really understand true freedom . It is something not to take for granted.  

2. Your favorite patriotic song? God Bless America & American the Beautiful.

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? Lots of things are out in my house now, see above.

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. My dog is sick right now and things revolve around her. We don't know how long she has with her mass in her colon. Things will be on the quiet side this year. Summer weather goes till October here. I am going to Israel in October with my church if it is safe to do so.

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid?  

Just being out of school for 10 weeks was great and I know kids still feel the same. Days at the beach, swimming, bike riding and hanging with friends. At the end of the summer, my family went to church camp. It was more special when we graduated to the Jr High and High school cabins. 

The last time I went, my boyfriend went to and stayed with the boys. One of the boys I had like before him was in that cabin, but all was cool. Oh, I also enjoy the beach parties with my youth group.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I had some dental work done on Monday and my cataract consult on Tuesday morning. I am always thankful for health insurance. I will be having my cataract surgery after I come back from Israel in October. I can see pretty well in the daylight. With Minnie being sick, it is probably best. Enjoy the 4th of July!

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the memes this week,

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  

March 29-31 are the "borrowing days" when weather is traditionally rough or stormy and the month was named for Mars the god of war because March was the time for the start of wars.

1.  What brings out the lion in you? What brings out the lamb? My kids have seen the mama bear in me when it comes to protecting them and my grands. I am sure they have seen the lion when they were in big trouble. They probably see more of the lamb in me now. I think they can look back and see the lamb that was me when they were younger but focused on the lion.  Not they are parents and understand. The news makes me feel like a lion, but the Lord reminds me I am one of His lambs and listen to Him.

2. What are you enjoying in terms of TV, movies or books right now? I am reading two books right now. First Light and Footsteps with the Savior.

Hubby and I enjoy watching several tv shows together like NCIS, FBI, Chicago Fire, and Boston Blue. We have been watching Survivor for 25 years. I like to see anything medical. I like to see American Idol. I have been watching When Calls the Heart on Hallmark and Call the Midwives on PBS. Season 15 of the Midwives was on last night. You can find the series on Netflix.

3. It's Spring now... are you happy to see it come?  Will you be going out more? Seems like we skipped spring and went right into summer. It was in the 90's last week and it will be in the mid to high 80's this week. But We have had cold weather hit at times as late as April. I sure hope we get some rain and cooler weather.

4.  Create an ideal weather scenario for each season.. the perfect weather for summer, spring, autumn and winter. 75 year round would be nice. Then I would not have to bring out warm clothes for a few months. I would actually like cooler weather so I did not have to run the air.

1. It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? We went straight to summer here in So CA. I like spring and fall and wish they would last longer here. The only season that last too long is summer. From June-late October.

2. What's your favorite thing about spring? I like to see the flowers come back and the birds chirping. I do not like crickets and spiders that come back with the warmer weather.

3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

Spring into action - I am working on decluttering several boxes in the garage.

Spring in your step and spring to ones feet: I have been doing strength training exercises and now I need to start walking at the gym.

4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions. I enjoy salads. I also enjoy eggs. I like most veggies. Not sure if I had mesclun. I had fresh artichokes a few years ago when were in Monterey CA. Salinas valley in known as the salad bowl capital of the US. What we are had just been picked a few days earlier.

5. What's one task on your spring-cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? I don't have a list written down, but cleaning the blinds is on my list. I also plan to paint the trim on the baseboards and trim around the doors.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Hoping the war is done soon. I am old enough to remember the Viet Nam war. So many young men died. I am supposed to go to Israel with a large group from church in October. God willing, we can still go. My son leaves in 3 weeks for Japan with his wife. I am hoping all goes well with check in and their flight.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Why did you begin blogging?  I was looking for graphics and found "country graphics" That led to a whole community of people that were making webpages with a country flair. Most of the women had their sites through Yahoo-Geocities. We were assigned names and numbers. Geocities has easy page setups with a single page and graphics that are similar to a plain Blogger page. Then things upgraded to more complicated set ups and we were getting Websites. I think my first Geocities site was from 1998.

I had new site by 2000 and actually added 2 other sites. So now we had "Webhomes." We got our own domain names and I got garden4mylord.com and called it Susan's Garden of Friendship. We all had a guestbook set up were we visited each other and we could even leave gifts. We exchanged banners , signatures-siggies and cards. We shared our new pages and we made many pages. I still have my website. That were written with html-computer language and I learned from others. Some pages have 3-4 backgrounds We could really be creative with your pages by adding music and animation. I started blogging in 2002 and I have all my pages at my webhome. Then something changed. Facebook came on the scene and lots of people that made pages now could make farms from Farmtown and Farmville. Then more people moved to the free Blogger pages. I visited people on Blogger, but they did not understand inline frames. This is when you click on a link from th column and the page opens in the middle. I got a Blogger page in 2007 but didn't use it much. Then I officially moved my blog over here in 2021. 

2. What benefits does blogging offer you? It has allowed me to make new friends.  It lets me use my graphics and stories from my webhome. I met women from all over the World through his country webhomes and many great artist were born. I still can be creative. 

3. Have you made friends from blogging? Yes, I have made many friends and have met a few.

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you? Blogs were about your life. When 911 happened, the graphic artist made graphic to share on your blog to show our compassion for what happened. Some of these artist were from other countries showing they cared.

One of my favorite things from my old Susan's GOF was the Homework page. One of my friends was a teacher. Each month she gave an assignment. We would all do our assignment on a creative page and then we would turn in our assignment. Then we would all visit each other's pages. This was 2003-2006

Now we use memes that work in a similar way. But back then, everyone visited everyone's pages. I don't see that as often in some of the memes now.

1.  Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle which side of the middle do you lean towards more? Middle, I love to be around people, but I do need my down time.

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what's your favorite kind of party? I would say birthday party first and Christmas second. Birthday to celebrate one's life that is a gift from God. Two, a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate our Lord's birth.

2. Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list?

 The appreciation of life and specifically with my relationship with Jesus.

3. How do you feel about your birthday? How do you want to be celebrated? Or don't you? I appreciate each year I get. My family gave me a 70th birthday and it was fun to be with my family. This is me at 2 and My tablecloth says Happy Birthday from Disneyland.

4. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birthday and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month. My granddaughter was born on my birthday. The Singer sewing machine was patented-1851, Josephy Lister used antiseptic-1861, Thomas Edison records himself on the early phonograph-1877. First model-T tested by Henry Ford in 1808, Clarence Birdseye gets a patent for quick freezing food-1930. Minimum wage is raised by President Eisenhower from.75 to $1.00-1955 Found here.

5. Share two good things about your life right now. I am caught up with my reading through the Bible, Day 260 with the Bible Recap Girl. Our new air conditioning is working great!

6. Insert your own random thought here. Looking forward to celebrating September birthdays with my family this Sunday. I am a little concerned about my upcoming surgery next Friday. I would appreciate your prayers!

Update and Tuesday 4

Today was a nice relaxing day. I stayed up watching another old movie I record from Turned Classics.

It was called The Best Years of Our Life. and came out in 1946. It was 3 hours long so I watched it on two nights. Hubby and I also watched Gone with the Wind this weekend. Watching the old movies makes me think of my mom because we used to watch them together. I spent a lot of time working on my Lent Faith journaling on the names of Jesus. Saturday I went to a women's event at our sister church and had a great time. We heard for 4 women speak after a great time of worship. Then we enjoyed a great lunch from 2 tables in a charcutier layout.

Sunday was a great day. Our younger grand sang the Goodness of God, It was one of the songs Cece Winans sang at the concert we went to a couple of weeks ago. But even more exciting was the fact that my daughter and granddaughter got baptized at her church. She said it was a last-minute decision, or she would have invited us. My grandson recorded it and sent it to us. What makes it special is that they were singing the Goodness of God while they were getting baptized! 

I have a busy 3 days ahead and I got approved for more physical therapy!

March, they say, comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  

It is called the windy month like Chicago is called the windy city!

1.  Has March come in like a lion or a lamb in your neck of the woods? 

Yes, we got wind and lots of much needed rain. 

2. There have been some awful storms of late.. have you suffered through them or have you ever suffered through a very bad storm in your life? (if so we wish you well)

If you mean weather wise, no, nothing to serious. Life wise, yes, several.

3. Spring begins March 20th and ends with summer on June 20th this year. Any plans for Spring in general? How about the spring holidays? 

Today is my daughter in laws birthday and we are going out to dinner. We are supposed to go to our son's timeshare for a couple of days in April. We celebrate our daughter and grandson's birthday on April 16. Easter is April 20th My Bible journal group meets in March and April. Our marriage group  meets weekly. Wednesday we are going to see The Last Supper after lunch. Hubby and I are going to see the Chosen next Friday at the movies.

4.  What are your favorite springtime flowers?  Trees or shrubs?

My roses are starting to bloom, and my plumerias are coming back to life. Our Meyer lemon still has a few lemons, but it also budding. I need to pick them and actually make something with them. We have a lot of succulents, and they are easy to care for.

How about a song with a springtime theme to it that you enjoy?  

Easter comes either in March or April and this song makes me think of my grandma.

I Come to the Garden Alone

1 I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing. [Refrain]

3 I'd stay in the garden with Him

Tho' the night around me be falling;

But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe,

His voice to me is calling. [Refrain]

Flowers from my garden.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  In some places people name their homes or properties. What would you name your home and why?

If you would not name it, why wouldn't you? 

Home is just home. I live in the city. I have a nice size backyard, and out neighborhood is pretty quiet for the most part.

2.  Are you more of a romantic or a pragmatist when it comes to your home or apartment's decor and color? A little of both. Comfort is key. My home is small but adequate. I have 2 grands that live here 4 days a week and each have a room. It gives me less space for my crafts, but it is a sacrifice I make because they matter more than my things. Hubby makes a sacrifice too because lots of things are stored in the garage. I am working on downsizing my crafts.

3.   Do you have enough room in your home? Storage space, kitchen cabinets?  What would you add or subtract from your home? Storage space in the kitchen is sufficient. If possible, I would enlarge the window over the sink and paint the kitchen white. I would enlarge the family room so I could entertain more.

4.  Is your place really home sweet home?  Would it be hard to leave it?   Are you firmly rooted in your abode or would you move if a better opportunity came your way?  

If a better opportunity came, I could leave. Leaving my last home was hard. It was 1000 square feet bigger and newer. But it had high taxes and was on the outskirts of the city and we wanted to be closer to things as we aged. We are blessed to have a roof over our home and the things we need.  My friend hosts my Bible study group. Family events are help at my son's home.

1. What do you love most about March? The hint of spring. 

I don't like the time change, but I do like to see more daylight hours.

2. Hey! Did you know March is National Celery Month? Do you like celery? What's something you make (or like to order out) that calls for celery? I can't eat plain celery. I like it chopped up and in my tuna salad or in soup and stuffing. 

3. _______________ is the soundtrack to my life right now. 

Not sure how to answer this. Maybe the audio Bible reading I hear each day with Bible Recap.

4. Share a favorite motivational quote for overcoming challenges. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; 

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do, 

and He will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

5. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday this year. Do you participate in Lent in some way? If so tell us more. I only learned about lent in 2016 when I started Bible journaling. I plan to do a study I found online. I combine verses with illustrations. I plan to do it in a journal. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Tuesday 4, Wed. Hodgepodge & Fires.

As I sat down to do the Tuesday 4 questions, my mind went from winter nights to deadly fires. I have lived in So California all my life and have experienced earthquakes and high winds. I have been on an evacuation call from the fire department because of the dry brush on the hills that surround our city and many cities in California. People forget that California is pretty dry We have not received much rain this fall and winter.  Every year the Santa Ana winds come. I remember that from my childhood in the 60's. When it gets really dry, our city like many cities in California will go to water conservation mode. We have to get our water brought in from the rivers and reservoirs in and out of state. We actually moved from our home in the hills to the city because of the fire risk and higher taxes.

Fire stations are prepared to handle fires that are on a much smaller level than what happened during the firestorm caused by the hurricane force winds. I am sad to hear some of the political meanness of those trying to blame California for what has happened. When I hear of the hurricanes and floods in other states, I pray they get the help they need. I see our church send money to those that need help. We pray over those states, not blaming a state over something that was caused by nature. I am thankful for the help we are getting from some states, Canada and Mexico and other countries. So please pray for California and I know more people care because they understand humanity and have empathy. More wind is in its way.

1. Do you find yourself a bit more lazy or tired as the nights get longer or does it not seem to do much to you? In general, how are you doing this winter? I like to keep busy in all seasons. We don't get a really cold winter. Today it was 66 and sunny. I was able to wo to my life group and it was good!

2. Do you appreciate the extra hours of dark that allow for more sleep, more leisure, less travel and hurry or not? I do not like the early night hours. I like the summer lights more, but not the hot heat we get in the summer. I tend to go to bed the same time year round.

3. I know I love a hot drink on a chilly evening and the quiet of the streets outside as people stay inside more on cold nights.  I feel more relaxed in the winter.  How about you? I live in the city and though we have mild winters compared to other cities, I tend to stay in where it is warm. I do drink more warm drinks in the winter. I am enjoying a decaf green tea with honey as I write this.

4. Do you ever gaze out of your window like Miss Kitty in the picture just watching the world go by? How do you find yourself relaxing on a chilly evening? I do like to look out my bedroom window as I sit at my desk. I have to keep myself busy, so starring would not last too long. We watch tv, and use blankets to stay warm. During the windy season, we can't wood fireplaces. 

1.  It's been said January is 'the month of opportunity, inspiration, and change." Which of the three do you need most right now? Elaborate. I would say inspiration. Specifically spiritual inspiration. I have joined people from church that are reading through the Bible chronologically using the Bible Recap program. 

2. Do you consider opportunity as something that comes to you or something you create for yourself? I think you have to look for it for the most part. Opportunities are out there. It is just a matter to pursue what you really want to do.

3. The British Museum opened on this date (January 15th) back in 1759. Do you like visiting museums? Do you have a favorite? I do like them but have not had a lot of time to see them. I enjoyed the Ronald Regan Museum. I also like the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles, the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angles were we go to meet a survivor of the Holocaust I have also been to several Museums in San Diego.

4. It's National Oatmeal Month (yes, apparently it gets a whole month as opposed to a single day). Do you like oatmeal? How often do you eat a bowl of oatmeal? How do you like yours? What about an oatmeal cookie? Is that a sweet treat you enjoy? Yes, I do like oatmeal. I had a really good oatmeal cookie while I was on a cruise. I do like to eat oatmeal, but I prefer protein in the morning and that is usually eggs with toast and avocado or cottage cheese.

5.What's something useful you learned in high school? Get involved in activities. I was in Competitive sports, Girls League, Usherettes, Student Relations, Spinsters and Honor Society. They helped me to interact with different people and also helped me get into college.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I think I wrote it at the beginning of this page.

We were on the cruise when the fire broke out and most people seemed pretty concerned.

I am working on my cruise picture. There are a lot to sort through. I have been busy packing up Christmas too. I would love to take another cruise and I learned a lot from this one. I read several revues and tip. I am so glad I ordered the packing cubes!  I got the assortment pack and used every one.