Friday's Fave Fives & Saturday 9

This week has been hard. As I mentioned in my previous post, our Minnie is sick, she has a mass in her colon that was diagnosed this past Tuesday. We have to give her medicines at specific times and take h er out frequently. I have had some anxious moments, and I have to pray for peace. I had the same feeling when my dad was dying, and I have to do what I can to cope. Minnie is getting a lot of attention because she needs a lot of attention. 

I am thankful for my husband who has the night shift. 

Also Minnie's love and trust as we care for her.

Thankful that family is visiting her because it makes Minnie happy.

Thankful for the meds that are helping her right now. I get those ready.

Thankful for this computer and so I can ask for prayers and keep my mind busy.

Thankful for music that ministers to me.

Saturday 9: Cadillac Ranch (1981)

Unfamiliar tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Bruce Springsteen sings about taking his father and his aunt to see The Cadillac Ranch. Have you recently taken a road trip? If yes, where did you go? We have not taken one in a couple of years. Hubby and I took a trip to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite in 2019 and it was a long but fun trip. We have taken a few since then, but this was a favorite.

2) The Cadillac Ranch is real. It's an outdoor art installation in Amarillo, TX. Tell us about a statue, mural, or other piece of outdoor art in your community. Our city was known for its' races and the city has a street that goes in a circle and has the nickname as Crown Town.

3) Not only is Bruce singing about a real place, he mentions three real people. The first is "James Dean in his Mercury 49." That refers to the 1949 Mercury driven by James Dean in his first starring role, Rebel Without a Cause. Though he remains a legendary star, Dean made only three movies before his death at age 24. Have you seen any of his films? Yes, Rebel, East of Eden and Giant.

4) The second is "Junior Johnson runnin' through the woods of Caroline." Junior Johnson was a folk hero, famous as a NASCAR driver and notorious for running moonshine through North Carolina. He was the inspiration for "Midnite Moon," an animated old Ford in the 2017 Disney movie Cars 3. What Disney movie did you enjoy when you were growing up?Too many of them to mention. But I really enjoyed Fantasia because of the music and of Leopold Stokowski. I played Walz of the Flowers for one of my piano recitals. I also enjoyed, Dumbo.

5) The third man Bruce sings about is "Burt Reynolds and his black Trans Am." This is a reference to Burt's biggest hit, 1977's Smokey and the Bandit. Burt also had success as a restaurateur. He co-owned Burt and Jack's, a popular steakhouse at Port Everglades, right on the water. Tell us about a restaurant that offered both good food and a memorable view. In 2022, we went to Salinas for my husband's brother's 60th birthday. Salinas and the surrounding cities produce many veggies and fruits for the state and export it other states. We had some fresh picked artichokes that we had just seen on our way to Monterey Bay. This area was a theme of a Steinbeck book. The restaurant we at was just a block away from Cannery Row, a title to one of his books along with East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath

Great seafood at Scales

6) For decades, Cadillac was the gold standard of luxury. For example, an eatery referred to as "the Cadillac of restaurants" would be best or most prestigious. Think about your neighborhood. Tell us about a restaurant, hotel or business that is "the Cadillac" of your community. Miguel's overlooking a lake. We usually eat at their fast food chains. 

7) Since he's been singing about America and cars for decades, it should come as no surprise that Bruce Springsteen has a collection of classic American cars. For the cover of his autobiography he chose a photo of himself leaning on his favorite, a 1960 Corvette convertible. Think about your favorite photo of yourself. What are you doing? Any photo with my grands is a favorite. This photo was taken June 26, 2022 at Mammoth. This waterfall could be seen across the lakes.

8) In 1981, when Bruce released this recording, Dolly Parton had a hit with "9 to 5." What's your favorite Dolly Parton song? Her duet with Zach Williams, There is Jesus. I am not a country music fan, but I like Dolly and this song really ministers to me,

9) Random question: When did you last DIY and fix something around your home or yard? I am not fixing anything right now. I am going through a decluttering process right now and making progress. I have a few plumerias that need to be planted.

Wednesday Hodgepodge & Prayer Request

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? Since I am retired summer days are just another day. I do enjoy the down time from all my groups to catch up on projects. I do not like the super hot days we get in July-mid October. We seem to get more days in the 100's but at least we rarely get humidity. The worst thing is the mosquitos! The rest of the year is mild since we live in So Calif. We were more active when the grands were younger. Now they all want to do their own things. We still get to see the grands often and will be here more to help with Minnie.

2. What song always reminds you of summer? Anything Beach Boys

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate.

I have a lot of good memories of summers as a child. Most of them are playing outside. Playing in the sprinklers on a hot summer day. We loved the Slip N Slide. Swimming at the community plunge, beach days, riding our bikes in the evening with playing cards on the spokes. Lots of outside time, sunshine and friends. I don't thinks kids of today get the same experience that we did when life was simpler. Electronic takes more time. Neighborhoods are not the same anymore. Kids not can't just roam the streets in safety. One thing that is true, kids love to be out of school! 

4. We celebrate Father's Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa.

I favor my dad, both in looks and temperament when it comes to the social aspects. We both like to be around people. Dad passed in 2013 and I still miss him so much. I shared pictures of him in my last post.  My husband and son Andrew are good dads and they both cook too!

For those of you who read my last post, I am the girl on the left.

 A summer memory taken outside my dad,

 

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

flip flops or sandals~sandals

beach or pool~beach

watermelon or peaches~peaches

shorts or sundress~shorts

iced coffee or ice cold lemonade~iced cold peach tea

amusement park or water park~water park for sure...Waterpark and Disneyland! 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I mentioned in my previous post that we were taking Minnie to a specialist. She has a large mass in her colon. We discussed options and surgery would be over $10000 and that does not include medications and chemo. Because the mass is big, they suspect that it probably has metastasized. So, we are going with the second option of making her comfortable, loving her and then helping her when her times comes to cross that Rainbow bridge and join her mom and other family dogs. I would appreciate prayers during this hard time. 

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

It is Saturday, after dinner and still light outside. I finally get some computer time.

Thankful for vets, doctors, nurses and medical workers. It has been a busy week with Minnie our doxie. She has been sick for over a week. She was not good last week, better yesterday and the vet was happy, but she is not good today. We might have to take her back to the vet. No insurance for her so I am thankful I have a dedicated credit card for her. I had my eye appointment and they dilated my eyes. My consult for cataract surgery is next week. Hubby had a nurses visit today too. Thankful for our insurance.

We watched church online this past Sunday. We had grands here Through Wednesday. Our oldest grand still stays here when he works. We are thankful we can see our grands often.

Thankful that my hair grows fast. I had a haircut and she cut too much off. I did want it shorter and define the layers, but I would not consider it a medium cut. It does feel much better-cooler.

Thankful that all my groups are on summer break. We can spend time with Minnie and get things done around the house. I have had time to put out my patriotic decor and watch shows that we like.

Thankful that I had a great dad. I sure miss him! He has been in Heaven since 2013. Thankful that he and my husband got along well. 

Hawaii 2012

Pearl Harbor, 2012  Jr. and Sam.

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

Chosen for Father's Day.

1) In this song, a father shares the story of his daughter's life through first the boys, then the men, she brought home. The first is Rod, a little kid who wants to play in the backyard. Who were your playmates when you were young? Did you find it more fun to have them over to your home, or to go to theirs? As a preschooler and through first grade, most of my friends were boys. When I moved half way through first grade, I started making friends with girls from my class that lived in my neighborhood. So you know which one is me?

2) Then his daughter asked if Lee could carry her books on the walk to/from school. During your junior high years, how did you travel to school (bus, bicycle, car pool, shoe leather)?We walked. It was only about 10 blocks away.

 

3) Throughout this song, the father recalls that his daughter alternately called him "Daddy," "Dad," "Popsie," "Pop" and "Father." How did/do you address your father? Daddy as a little child, Dad as high schooler on. Then daddy as he neared the end of his life.

 

4) The song ends with the daughter asking her father to babysit. When did you last look after someone else's child? I watched my grands this past week.

 

5) This record was a Top 10 hit in the US and it made the Top 20 in Canada.  Much of its success was attributed to Mike Douglas' TV popularity. From 1965 to 1981, he hosted a daytime talk show. Do you watch much daytime TV? I watch a few soaps. A talk show once in a while.

 

6) Mike Douglas was a father himself. He had three daughters, including twins.  Are there twins in your family? No

 

Now about Father's Day ... 

 

7) Retail chains like O'Reilly Auto Parts, Auto Zone and Jiffy Lube are all promoting gift cards  and car-related gifts for Father's Day. If you got a gift card from one of those stores, how would you upgrade your ride? New car mats and phone holder.

 

8) Dick's Sporting Goods also enjoys a spike in gift card sales around Father's Day. Have you more recently given or received a gift card? I gave gift cards to a few graduates.

9) In days gone by, ties were the #1 Father's Day gift. But as today's workplace has become more casual, fragrance has taken over the top spot. Dove Men+Care offers  gift sets with shampoo/conditioner, body wash and antiperspirant. Think about your shower routine. Are your shampoo, body wash and antiperspirant all the same brand or the same scent? No, they are not. But they are either essential oils or fragrance free.

A Tribute to my dad.

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

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. I remember watching some of it on tv. I don't remember anything else. That was the year I went from working nights to days. 

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?Mediterranean salad, Lettuce, olives, feta cheese, chicken, tomatoes, chickpeas, avocado and balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? I found this in the description (the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, namely courage, honour, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak:)

 I think those are all great things but I can sum it up: be kind and be honest.

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska?  I have been to both. I was in Hawaii in 2000 with my sister, cousin and aunt. I went in 2009 with my husband for our 35th anniversary. We went in 2012 for a family wedding. We first went to Oahu for 7 days and then joined the rest of the family in Maui. We last went in 2018 with our grands. Hubby and I went on a cruise to Alaska in 2006 and we had a great time. We went with a bunch of people from church. We got to see the Northern Lights while on the ship. I like pineapple on my pizza and I have eaten a baked Alaska while on the cruise. I need to add Hawaii 2018. Maybe I will add it here. I hope to go back one more time if things all work out for next year and if oil and gas prices come back down.

2012

So glad we took this trip. We lost our dad 8 months later.

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-I have only caught bits of it. My grandson played a season of soccer. Baseball was more important.

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why. I would like to go Philadelphia because I have not been there.  I visited Guadalajara and Mexico City with my friend when I was 15. I was there for 6 weeks while they prepared for the sister's wedding. It is a trip I have always had fond memories. I have been to Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and New Jersey. I would like to see Atlanta too. I read about it when I read Gone with the Wind. I know a lot of movies are filmed there.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I am looking forward to my trip to Israel if it is safe to go. It's planned for October 5-14 and I am going with about 60 people from our church and the pastor is leading it. He has been there 5 times.

My Website is at Susan's Garden of Friendship The link is to the right. Lots of inspirational pages too. 

My vacations are listed at the Site Map

Thanks to Joyce for hosting this meme. 

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