Wednesday Hodgepodge

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

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

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

 

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

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

pumpkin spice latte or chai latte 

apple cider or hot chocolate  

stew or chili

sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole 

butternut squash soup or creamy mushroom soup 

cranberry sauce or gravy 

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Hodgepodge

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pumpkin spice cupcakes.

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

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

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

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

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

   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Why is tradition important to you? It is one generation passing on a part of family history to the next generation. It gives comfort as it passes on family familiarity. 

2. Have family traditions helped to shape who you are? Yes, it has, especially the traditions started and now we see our kids and grandkids enjoying it.

3. Do you believe that tradition helps a community or shapes the unity of family and community? Yes, it can. For the community, the tradition of a parade and family event brings families in the community together. Traditions hold a family together in some ways. 

4. Are there any traditions you would like to bring back and why? My husband's family always made tamales for Christmas eve. My in-laws had their kids help, later the grandkids. My brother-in-law carried on that tradition, but my husband only did a couple of times. I would like my grands to experience it at least once.

Hubby, Sons and Grandpa Smiley

I am a bit behind in Tuesday 4 because I was busy getting a new phone!

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? I never made it to the beach. We pretty much stayed home because we needed to be by our dog.

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? Closer to the front. Competitive sports because my friends from my Jr, High were there. Most of my regular classes were college prep and most of the students in there came from the other Jr. high.

Some teachers made us sit in alphabetical order. In Jr high, I preferred sitting closer to the front. When I got to high school, there were kids from the other Jr high. I was in a lot of classes geared to college and none of my friends were there. So being a little out of place, I preferred the back. Eventually I moved closer. By my junior year, was up by the front. Probably physiology because I really learned a lot and I had to pass that class to get into the university. My favorite class was Competitive girls' athletics because a lot of my friends from my Jr high were in it.

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? Having a positive attitude and affirming personality.

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? I have only had it a couple of times. I think I would like butter and honey.

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? Family. Spending time with them and also accepting the change in family dynamics as they age. Friendships are important too. Finally, my personal relationship with the Lord.

6. Insert your own random thought here. “Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” John F. Kennedy

Family Tamale Day, 2007

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. August 19th is National Aviation Day...do you like to fly?  I was afraid for so long. I did not get on a plant until I was about 45.  I finally gave my fear to God. I also bought a small Bible for my first trip to Hawaii in 2000. I call it my travel Bible and I always take it with me. It will be going to Israel with me.  Last time you were on an airplane? August, 2023 when we flew to Oregon. The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? No The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace) No. I have been down the hall of aviation while waiting to get on the Soaring Ride at Disneyland's CA Adventure. I have been to Hawaii 4 times and going to Israel will be my first international flight.

2. In what area of your life do you tend to 'wing it'? Is this an area you should be winging? 

I am more of a planner for most things. But sometimes I will wing it.(to act without preparation) When my friends and I went to Lake Tahoe a few years ago, we decided to take a hike. We figured it would take about an hour or so. But then we heard there was a waterfall and we decided to go see it. Luckily, I had each friend get a walking stick and it came in very handful. After a couple of hours, we were wondering if we should turn back. Then we saw an older man coming back down after having seen the falls. He took some time to talk to him while we rested. He encouraged us. We took a break at one point and ate our snacks and drank some water. We really did not have enough water. Those last few steps were not easy and my heart was pounding. We finally made it.

9:30-12:49, reached the fall! Back down at 2:25 By 8:15 I had 23, 214 steps on my Fitbit!

with Charles who was 91! We ranged from 67-72 in 2022

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way? The Left Behind Series, book 1. One of the main characters is a piolet. He is flying his plane when the rapture occurs. The rapture is when the Christian get taken up to heaven and the rest are left behind. So, the flight attendant is freaking out because some of the passengers are missing. Two movies were made based on this book One stars Kirk Cameron and the other stars Nicolas Cage.  You can watch it free on Tubi. Let's go fly a Kite is the first thing that came to my mind.

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream...what's your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge? My first choice would be real cream and vanilla ice cream. I can still remember the taste of the little cups we got on a school trip to the dairy. The last time I had anything it was gelato pineapple and Passion fruit. We were at the Venetian in Las Vegas. I rarely indulge because it is so high in sugar. I want to make a frozen treat with yogurt, peanut butter and chocolate. We had some really good vanilla ice cream when we were on the cruise. Thrifty's strawberry, banana and Rocky Road were my favorites when I was younger.

5. I never get tired of listening to music. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Today I started looking a new iPhone. Mine is really old! I got it new back in 2018 before our family trip to Hawaii. I paid extra for extended memory. The battery drains quickly and the picture quality can't be compared to the new ones which are great! But the price is high of course and the only way you can get a good discount is when you add a new line and or trade in the old phone. Mine is so old, it isn't worth anything. So, to get a 17 with the memory I want, it would cost around $800. I would have go get a new charging cable, case and screen protector and that would probably be another $100. I need to get it now so I can learn how to use it before I go to Israel. Now if I wanted the best one, it would be around $1200 with more memory. larger size, best camera with 3 lens. But I don't want to spend that much, and I want to pay it cash because I have the money set aside for it from the sale of my mom's ring. The newer phones are waterproof up to 30 minutes!

      Susan

Previous entry has my birthday pictures.

Thanks to Joyce for the meme, and the link is on the left.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.   What foods make you think of the autumn months ahead? Hearty soups & Pumpkin Spice!

2.   Are there any songs you associate with the fall month? Not really.

3.   Are you looking forward to the ber months at all? Yes Why? Cooler weather, but not until the end of October. I like decorating for fall.

4.   School in New Jersey always begins after Labor Day and before that I would have dreams 

of going to school in my pajamas! Did anything similar happen to you?  Did you dread going back to school or were you happy and excited? I was both excited and scared. I liked getting new clothes. We went back after Labor Day. My younger grands went back to school on Monday. My oldest granddaughter started her senior year Tuesday. My oldest grandson starts college in September. It is so hot and I feel bad for the kids that have outdoor sports.

1. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-'The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while." Time is crazy isn't it? So...what were you up to in the year 2002? 

I made my first official blog. I had a website and was in a country group where we would all visit each other. We had guest books and left comments at the guestbook. It was also a hard time for me, going through depression. I got counseling and worked with my doctor. She said lots of woman in perimenopause go through this as there body's estrogen declines. I learned a lot of things while in counseling at church. Later I because a lay pastor and counseled women going through it.

2. "Me? I'm scared of everything..." What's something that scares you that you'd like to try anyway? Flying to Israel is something I thought I could not do. How do I sit for all the hours or sleep on the plane. We will see if we still get to go.

3. Watermelon-yay or nay? Which melon is your favorite-watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew.  I do like watermelon and I have had a watermelon drink. But I don't do well with anything in the melon family. It makes me burp. Cucumbers do the same things.

Of the watermelon food/beverages listed which would you say yes to. watermelon salsa~  watermelon feta salad~    watermelon sorbet~ a watermelon Jolly Rancher~ a watermelon margarita 

4. August 12th is National Middle Child Day. Are you a middle child? If not, where do you fall in the birth order in your family of origin? Do you think this has influenced your personality? Elaborate. Today is my birthday and I am the oldest. Birth order does influence personality. A lot is expected of the first born. My parents were both first born. A lot was expected of me. I became who they wanted and pushed down the real me, an ADHD creative child. I learned to control me and play out the roles expected of me. I really think that is why I went through depression. I am thankful I got the help I needed and learned to embrace the creative, sensitive me.

5. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time, or have a significant conversation with two people? Explain. It really depends on the type of party. When I was in women's ministry, I made it a point to talk to people, especially the new women. I can easily talk to strangers. But I save the deeper conversations for a few people.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Monday was our 52nd anniversary and our granddaughter watched Minnie so we could go out to eat at Longhorn Steakhouse and run some errands. We both share a birthday today and she is doing something with her mom- dinner and shopping. I plan to go to Senior fellowship Wednesday, morning, then get my free Starbucks drink. I will celebrate with my family this coming weekend. It is the first week of school and the schedule is a little crazy. Since our dog Minnie needs a lot of attention, we weren't able to go to the beach this summer. I will have to go to the beach another day. 

 Since we were celebrating two occasions, they brought us 2 desserts on the house. 

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the memes that are linked on the left.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Linking with Joyce for the

1. What's something on your August calendar you're looking forward to? Or dreading if that's easier to answer. On Monday I had a cataract consult with an ophthalmologist I met last year and I really like him. It will happen in the fall. Wednesday, I have a phone appointment with the Kaiser travel specialist. Our 52nd anniversary in on the 10th and my birthday is the 12th and I share it with my granddaughter. Lunch with friends on the 21st. My Bible journaling group meets on the 25. Disneyland is the 28th which is the thing I am looking forward to the most.

I am wearing pearls for this picture. My mom also gave me

a small diamond cross that day for my birthday that I am wearing.

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day...do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? I do not like raw oysters. I do like Oysters Rockefeller and first had them while in Seattle in 2006 at Elliots Oyster House on the pier. They were so good! They were expensive too! I have several sets of pears that were my moms.

3. Tell us about a time when you felt like 'the world was your oyster'. We got married at 21 and 22, I was 23 and my husband was 24 and we bought our first home. We had our first child when I was 25. Those were the early times of thinking we had it all. Material things were more important. I am going to be 71 and not simple things like having the basic comforts of life, health and family are the oyster in the shell. Lots of pearls have been collected over the years!

4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). 

If you're answering today from outside the US you'll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let's pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month...which one do you choose and why? 

Catalina Island California~Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii. I have been to Catalina and Hawaii(Oahu & Maui)

I would like to go to Kaui because love Hawaii and the warm climate. It is the most lush of the islands and not as busy.

Catalina August 1999

5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following- "August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time." Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? No rain in August, just hot!

6. Insert your own random thought here. Not sure what we are doing for our anniversary this year. We normally go to the beach for lunch and spend a couple of hours by the water. But we are not letting Minnie be by herself. The grands are going back to school. We usually go out for my birthday too. Senior fellowship lands on my birthday and I can go to that and hubby will stay with Minne. We are just trying to keep her safe and comfortable.

Previous post, 35 questions about me from Sunday Stealing

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1 A movie theme song will play every time you walk in the room. what is it? (consider asking family or friends) That is a hard question, because it would depend on my mood. I have been thinking of my cousin that I have not seen in a while. We used to do everything before she moved away. Our song was, You've Got a Friend. Carole wrote it for her Tapestry album in 1971.( I still have my album) James Taylor also sang it. They both won Emmy's for that song in 1972! 

2. What movie are you eager to see... what book are you eager to read... what TV program are you interested in most? I want to see Moana and Oddysey. I miss going to the movies with my husband. We don't like to leave Minnie alone right now. I have been reading more and I am on the 6th book of the AD Chronicles, that takes place around the time of Jesus. Hubby and I are watching Dancing with the Stars, Next Pro. We have been watching some things on the Disney + Channel. We have also been watching I Love Lucy.

3. Is there a book/movie/TV program you often think about or that affects you in some way? We watched a live on YouTube on Sunday about The Chosen. They talked about how the movies came about and then it ended with a tease from Season 6 that will be about the Crucifixion of Jesus. They showed a scene where Jesus talks to the Women at the Well and is one of my favorite Bible Stories. I think I want to watch the series before I go to Israel.

4. OK friend, it's your turn to organize our Blogger Movie Night where we get together as a group for snacks and movies!  What movies have you planned for us tonight and what snacks are we going to have? Popcorn of course, smores, and maybe some candy. This makes me think of the Covid Lockdown. We had the grands over a lot and we would show movies and give them snacks. We watched the animated Prince of Egypt and the Greatest Showman. I miss the days when we could do things with all the grands. It is so different now. Several of us all went to see The Mandalorian. 

1. What was the last thing you celebrated? My grandson's high school graduation and his party.

2 July 29th is International Day of the Tiger. Besides the wild animal itself, when you hear the word tiger what's the first person-place-thing-whatever that comes to mind? Song, Eye of the Tiger-Survivor and the movie Rocky 3, Eye of the Tiger.

3. The expression 'eye of the tiger' describes someone with intense focus, determination, and the drive to succeed. What area of your life are you currently bringing that kind of energy to? Decluttering a lot of old things, mostly paper things, books and craft items. I have emptied several boxes and have several bags of books to go to the library.  

4. What was the last meal you cooked? My husband cooks chicken every few days for Minnie. She gets plain chicken. I plan to make some pasta and veggies. I miss eating salads.  

5. Describe your July using exactly five words. Expensive, productive, patriotic, hot and quiet. (because all my groups are on vacation right now.

6. Insert your own random thought here. My back and neck are feeling better this week. I have disc budges in both areas and sometimes they flare up enough to have to slow down to use ice and heat. Thanks for the well wishes. Minnie has her good and down moments too. She is totally okay when it comes to eating and I know it is because of the steroids. Or maybe her body knows it needs the extra food to help fight what is happening in her body, sometimes she pants and that is a sign of pain. It is not all the time, and I try to just pet her and talk to her softly. I bought whole carrots and peeled them, cut them up and cooked them. She loved eating raw carrots. She was happy to get some after I made them. Okay, need to make pasta for hubby!

Thanks to Anne and Joyce for the memes.

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

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What brand of shampoo do you think works best for you and what does it do for you?

I use Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo with Peppermint, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Botanicals. I like how it makes my scalp feel and it cleans my hair well. I like that it has natural essential oils and doesn't bother my allergies. They also have a body wash that is nice!

2. Do you use cosmetics and if so what do you use? I don't wear a lot of makeup unless I am going to church or out with friends. I wear mascara and use a brow mascara for my greys. I like to wear a light plum color lipstick from Avon and Burts Bee products. I wear CeraVe moisturizer with a SPF 30 and CeraVe Night moisturizer as recommended by my dermatologist.

3. Do you use a washcloth on your face? Sometimes.

4. Do you have an all-time favorite perfume or scent that you wear? If you don't wear perfumes, is there a scent that you love in general? I can't wear fragrances, but I can wear essential oils. I like one called Stress Away by Young Living. It has lime, lavender and vanilla. 

1. Do your goals and dreams energize or exhaust you? Elaborate. There is only one goal, dream I have right now and that is to go to Israel. I am praying this war will end, but so far it only gets worse!

2. July 23rd is national lemon day. Are you a fan of this flavor? What's a favorite dish or beverage you enjoy that calls for lemons? I do love lemons and we have a Mayer lemon tree in our backyard. We mostly cut up lemons to put in our water. Sometimes we add it to certain dished like lemon piccata. 

3. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"...is this something you're pretty good at managing? Have you had to do this recently? If so tell us about it. There are some things that are pretty sour like the news, so I limit my time on the news. So I try to stay off it and work on my studies, crafts or declutter process. I am doing good on that. 

4. Something you love that is lemon yellow in color? I just got a shirt that has yellow in it and I really like it. I like a mellow yellow color and like to use it when I am crafting.

5. How would you describe your attention to detail? I am a very detailed person. When I look back to certain committee's I was on, I always liked to add things to make it special. Friends said they could tell I took the time to make is special. I am the same way with my Bible journaling. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Minnie is holding her own but is still always hungry. We know she is blind in one eye and bumps into things and can't see things we put in front of her. We wonder if she also has a bit of dementia. Yesterday morning, she just laid in my arms and did not even get up when hubby went to bbq some hotdogs. Then later she was acting like she was catching flies like she use to, but there were no flies and she can't see really well. She wants to go out but then stands there. She paws at the door and forget she has a doggy door. Most of the time she follows us and then plops down on her side which is a new everyday behavior. So we have stayed home a lot. We have not gone out together since the last time we took her to the vet. She wants to be close to my husband who is her alpha and I am second. She still gets happy to see the grands and that is good. We are cutting back on her steroids and so far it seems okay. If she seems to be in pain, we will call the vet up.

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.