The first icon is for the Amazon kindle, which is one of the most awesome handheld personal library/media/tiny laptops on the market, in my opinion.  This item takes up so little space in a purse or briefcase and eliminates the bulk of conventional textbooks. The second icon represents the Converse tennis shoe, which has maintained popularity in and out over a few decades(I hate to admit it but these were all the rage when I was a teenager and that has been a "few"years ago).  Different colors have been manufactured as well as different styles to appeal to both genders and different age groups. The third icon represents one of Americans' favorite candies, the M&M.  These are one of the longer lasting candies still manufactured, which have changed very little.  Different varieties have been made available and marketing has changed to appeal to the differing generations, but basically the M&M is its old familiar self to some of us later baby boomers.

     I chose the Amazon kindle icon as this has been one of my favorite products.  Before I became ill, I purchased my first basic kindle with wireless capabilities and was hooked.  I love to read and not only could I access books, but I had access to a few magazines and some newspapers as well.  During my illness, the slight weight of the kindle was easy for me to manage and came in handy for entertainment while I was incapacitated.  When the kindle fire came out, I had to have one and bought one for my youngest daughter as well.  It was awesome!  I not only had access to more books, newspapers, and magazines, but had my computer at my fingertips and access to games, movies, etc.  What a joy to be able to stay updated from the comfort of my bedroom when I had to be "resting".  It was great to be able to share the experience with my daughter and then my grandchildren.

     The Converse icon is near and dear to me from a past and present perspective.  How cool is it that a name brand has survived and thrived in the last several decades to come in and out of style like the most awesome pair of bell bottom jeans ever?!  I loved the high top sneakers as a teenager and if you had a pair of those back in the day, you were almost as cool as the popular athletes/cheerleaders, at least fashion wise.  Today, they bring back pleasant memories of bygone days.  I like the attention to the female gender with the different color and style selection.  My youngest daughter, who is my fashion "icon", has a pair of feminine high tops.  It feels good to see something I wore and admired recycled into another generation with upgraded enhancements.

     M&Ms bring back a sense of nostalgia of visits to the "General" store in our small town of New Castle, Ohio.  I can clearly associate those trips to the store with my father with a bag of my favorite plain M&Ms as  a treat.  Indeed they were very special as they lasted longer than other candies, as you could savor them one at a time as you let them "melt in your mouth and not in your hand".  Going to the store with my dad was an adventure in itself as you got to listen to the old farmers gathered around the pot bellied wood stove tell their tales.  My brother and I felt very special indeed when my dad would take us with him on these trips.  Today a bag of M&Ms brings those memories to mind and I enjoy relishing this treat from my childhood from time to time but even more so I love to share them with my grandchildren.  M&Ms are a treat for all ages!