I have enjoyed reading all the post as I too miss the quality that "used to be" but got a giggle from the image of Joe on the floor with the cats crawling on him-------I remember how proud my mom was to get her Kenmore zz in the late fifties after sewing on a Minnesota treadle for many years.......she sewed so many quilts, clothes, prom dresses and endless repairs.....And now our Sears is closed......sad.