Saturday 9: Back in the USA

The Saturday 9  meme is hosted by Sam Winters. Nine questions posted every Saturday — sometimes random, sometimes with a theme. This week, the theme is...

"Back in the USA"
by Linda Ronstadt (1978)

Listen to it HERE.

1. This song lists seven cities — New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge and St. Louis — that Linda just loves. How many have you visited?

I've been to New York lots of times, lived in Chicago for a year, driven through Chattanooga (I think), had several airline layovers in L.A. Never been to Detroit or St. Louis, or Baton Rouge (which is kind of a shame, since I lived in Louisiana for almost ten years). 

2. The lyrics refer to hamburgers sizzling on the grill. What toppings do you believe make a perfect burger?

It's been so long since I actually had a hamburger, I'd probably accept just about any toppings if you'd bring me one right now. Extra pickles, please. No mayo.

3. The original recording of this song by Chuck Berry has always been one of Linda Ronstadt's favorites, one she used to enjoy singing along with in the car. What's the most recent song you sang?

For some reason, I woke up this morning singing "I'm Alabamy Bound." ???  I have absolutely no clue as to why. Didn't even know I knew it. It's such an old song — even older than I am, so I doubt I heard it anywhere lately. But Ray Charles used to do a nice version of it, so maybe I heard it on TV or the radio or something. Alabama is one more place I've never been and I have no plans to go there. So....?

4. Linda sang The National Anthem at Game 3 of the 1977 World Series. The New York Yankees won both that game and the series. How is your baseball team doing this season?

I don't really follow baseball (too many games in a season), so I don't have a team. But if the Astros or the Rangers make it to the playoffs, I usually watch some of the games. When I was a child, my grandmother used to watch baseball on TV just about everyday during the season (especially the Brooklyn/L.A. Dodgers, for some reason), so I saw a lot of games. But I never really became a fan.

Since this is our last Saturday 9 before Independence Day, let's ask some questions about the holiday.

5. During the Revolutionary War, General Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his troops a double ration of rum. Will you imbibe any spirits on Independence Day?

Probably. I'm not really a big drinker, but we're having a July 4th reunion with some of the "kids" we went to high school and college with (all now in their 60s/70s), so I'm sure I'll be having a drink or two. 

6. The first man to sign the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, said he wrote his name so large King George could see it, even without his glasses. Do you require glasses for reading?

I require glasses for everything. 

7. Since July 4 is a federal holiday, banks are closed and there's no mail delivery. Thanks to email and ATMs, Sam finds going without those services isn't a hardship. What about you? Will you find it inconvenient that banks and the USPS are closed on July 4?

Well, not exactly inconvenient. Not concerned about the bank closures — haven't been inside a bank in at least ten years. But since we retired and moved away from the big city, getting the daily mail delivery is a big part of our routine. So we miss it when it doesn't happen. We really need more excitement around here.

8. The first 4th of July parade each year is held at 12:01 AM in Gatlinberg, TN. Will you attend a parade or fireworks to celebrate the 4th?

No parades — the Hubby hates parades. Actually, it's looking like our community July 4th activities might get rained out this year. But if they do have any of the annual fireworks displays in the area, we'll be able to see them from our front porch. 

9. More and more Americans celebrate our nation's holiday by eating foods from Italy and Germany. For the July 4, 2016 holiday, more than $50 million was spent on Italian sausage and bratwurst. What's on your 4th of July menu?

This year, we're keeping it vegetarian and at least partially gluten-free. So no sausages or wursts of any kind. (Bummer.) Generally, when the Hubs and I are on our own for the 4th, we have hotdogs (sometimes brats) with mustard, relish and sauerkraut, and baked beans on the side. Gosh, I'm getting so hungry!

Happy Saturday, everyone!
Have a great weekend.
And for all of you in the USA, Happy Independence Day!

For more Saturday 9 Q&A, just click on this button:

Saturday 9: No Gettin' Over Me

The Saturday 9  meme is hosted by Sam Winters. Nine questions posted every Saturday — sometimes random, sometimes with a theme. This week, the theme is...

"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me"
by Ronnie Milsap (1981)

Listen to it HERE.

1. Ronnie Milsap sings about how worrisome it can be when you realize you forgot to pay a bill. It's happened to all of us, hasn't it? Tell about a time you accidentally missed a payment.

I'm sure that's happened to me at some point, but I really can't remember the occasion. (I've probably blocked out the unpleasant memory.) Both the hubby and I are really too obsessive to forget about things like that. We've been paying most of our bills with automatic payments for quite a while now, just so we won't miss any. I can, however, remember back when we used to mail our bill payments every month, and once or twice I put checks in the wrong envelopes and sent them out. And that was way before I was old enough for "senior moments."

2. He also references a dream that keeps him awake. Do you have any recurring dreams?

I have several. None that keep me awake, though. Mostly connected with my former workplace — not exactly nightmares, but usually not very pleasant either. I also have these panic-attack dreams where I'm out somewhere trying to get home, and realize I've come out without my purse or keys or phone. When I was a child, I used to have a recurring dream about being locked up in a garage. (Good morning, Dr. Freud.)

3. He sings about the face you see in the crowd. Tell us about someone you see regularly, but don't really know.

Hmmm. That's a tough one. Well, we have nearby neighbors that I see now and then (maybe not "regularly") that I don't really know. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't even know their names.

4. He mentions the book that you just can't put down. What's the last book that you finished?

Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels, by Katherine Anne Porter. Read it last month. Haven't finished anything this month.

5. Ronnie Milsap is a big fan of new technology, and believes the advancements make both his professional and personal lives easier. What about you? Do you embrace new technology? Or do you long for the good old days, when we weren't so connected to personal devices?

Yes, to both those questions. As George Carlin used to say, I'm new wave but I'm old school.

6. As a child, Ronnie used to surreptitiously listen to late night radio, especially gospel broadcasts. When you were a kid, what rule did you break again and again?

"Don't tease your cousin." That was a rule I just couldn't resist breaking. (My cousin MLB will know what I'm talking about. And I hope she doesn't hold a grudge.)

7. Country star Blake Shelton says Ronnie Milsap was a big influence on his music. Do you watch Blake on The Voice?

I have absolutely no idea who Blake Shelton is and I've never watched The Voice. Actually, I've only heard one or two songs by Ronnie Milsap, and had never heard this one before today. 

8. In May, Ronnie appeared at the Choctaw Casino in Grant, OK. Do you enjoy games of chance?

I'm not a gambler. Games of chance make me nervous. And just getting through an average day is enough of a crap shoot.

9. Random question — When did you last "do it yourself" and repair something around the house or yard?

I happen to be married to a great repair man who loves fixing things around the house. So I don't really get a chance to DIY anything much. And I'm fine with that.

Happy Saturday, everyone!
And have a great weekend.

For more Saturday 9 Q&A, just click on this button:

Sunday Stealing: From The Friday Five

Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  -- questions stolen from all over the blogosphere. This week's list was stolen from Friday Five.

1. Is there a smell that will immediately sicken you?

We have some millipedes around here that give off a terrible odor, as a defense when they're threatened. It is absolutely the worst smell I have ever experienced (and I used to work in Washington DC!). And the really maddening thing is that my husband has never been able to smell it at all.

2. When you want quiet, where do you go?

The bathroom. (Actually, our house is usually pretty quiet.)

3. Do you need/prefer total darkness when you sleep?

I can't really sleep in a totally dark room — I like to be able to see the walls at least a little or I feel like they're closing in on me. Yeah, I'm just a bit claustrophobic.  

4. What is your least favorite taste?

Hmmm. Hard to think of a least favorite. I guess I don't like things that are extremely tart or sour. But then, I do like the taste of limes. And pickles. So....?

5. How heavily do you rely upon your sense of touch?

At first, I was tempted to say "not a lot." But here I am typing on a keypad and using a touch pad on my laptop. So I guess I rely on my sense of touch quite a lot. And as my eyesight gets worse and worse, I'll probably be relying on it even more.

6. Do you mostly prepare your meals at home or do you eat out more?

Mostly at home. We don't eat out nearly as much as we used to. Unfortunately, I'm a terrible cook. But my husband is a pretty good cook and hasn't seemed to mind taking on more kitchen duties over the years. Actually, he probably sees it as self preservation. 

7. Is there a time of day when you are more likely to buy food already prepared?

Like takeout? Probably for dinner more often than lunch. 

8. What is your average weekly grocery bill (for how many people)? What is your total restaurant/fast food bill for an average week?

That's not really something I'd want to post here on the blog, even if I knew the answer. This is probably an alarming thing to admit, but I honestly have no idea what our weekly grocery/restaurant expenditure might be. I'd have to search out receipts or credit card records and do the math. Which I'm not gonna do.

9. What is your favorite meal to prepare at home?

Spaghetti. Not that I love to prepare it, but I do love to eat it.

10. What is your favorite meal to order in a restaurant?

I guess that would depend on the restaurant, and the condition of my digestive system at the time. My favorite meal used to be steak and salad, but I've almost completely stopped eating beef these days.

11. Do you believe in fate?

Not really, although sometimes it seems very plausible. 

12. If Karma was to visit you now, would it be kind or kick you in the butt?

I'm sure I'd get that karmic butt kick.

13. Do you believe you have lived another life previous to this one?

No.

14. What do you believe in with an unshakable resolve?

Gravity.

15. What one factor influences your life the most?

Once again, it's hard to come up with just one factor. Health? Money? Weather? The government? The hubby's mood? I guess today, the one factor doing most of the influencing is our broken garage door — gotta wait around for the repair guy to get here before we can do anything else. So maybe the major influence changes from day to day.

😸

Saturday 9: It's Impossible

The Saturday 9  meme is hosted by Sam Winters. Nine questions posted every Saturday — sometimes random, sometimes with a theme. This week, the theme is...

"It's Impossible"
by Perry Como (1970)

Listen to it HERE.

1. In this song, Mr. Como maintains it's impossible to ask a baby not to cry. When did you most recently hold a baby? Did you ask him or her not to cry?

I cannot actually remember when I last held a baby. It's been a long, LONG time ago. And I have no idea what I might have said to him/her.

2. Perry Como was known for his casual, easy going style. Therefore people were surprised to learn that he could lose his temper. His long-time musical director reported that bad drivers really got under Perry's skin. What is one of your pet peeves?

Well, I've gotta lotta peeves. It's sort of hard to pick out a pet amongst them. The latest thing that set me off was the cable going off just before the end of a movie I'd been watching. I really hate when that happens. But I agree with Perry about bad drivers.

3. Though Perry Como was born in Pennsylvania, he didn't speak English until he began grade school. His parents were Italian immigrants and the family only spoke Italian at home. Do you know any words/phrases in Italian?

A few, mainly related to food and drink, or music. And things I've picked up from movies about the Mafia.

4. He met Roselle, the girl he would marry, when they were both still in high school. Tell us about a high school classmate you were crazy about back in the day.

I met my husband in high school. We were in the same class and started dating in May of our senior year, just before we both graduated. I was crazy about him then and I'm still crazy about him now. Other than him, there really wasn't anyone I was "crazy about" in high school — I dated a lot of guys, but never got hung up on anyone.

5. When he was just 14, his father's ill health made it essential that Perry begin working after school to help support his family. He apprenticed to a barber but was so short, he had to stand on a box when he cut hair. Again, going back to school, were you taller than your classmates? Shorter? Or were you the average height for a kid your age?

Well, for a while I was actually a little taller than most of the kids I went to school with. But around the age of 12, I stopped growing and a lot of them passed me up. Today I'm the same height I was in 6th grade.

6. While taping his annual holiday special in 1971, he fell from a platform and broke his knee. He had to wear a cast and endure 8 months of rehab. Have you ever broken a bone?

Never had a broken bone (pardon me while I do a little knocking on wood). 

7. During the decades when he was a recording and television star, Perry Como was also an avid golfer. He was so popular that many of the best pro golfers of the day — Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, etc. — were happy to play with him. It's estimated that it takes about 4 hours to play 18 holes of golf. What celebrity would you most like to hang around with for four hours?

At my age, time is precious. And I'm not a celebrity watcher. I really can't think of a one that I'd want to spend that much of my time with.

8. After he retired, Perry's passion switched from golf to fishing in the waters near Palm Beach, Florida. His catch of the day often ended up as his family's dinner. What's for dinner at your house tonight?

Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, and a green salad. And probably some Zantac later on.

9. Random question — They say "birds of a feather, flock together." But that's not always true. Can you think of an area where you are out of step with most of your friends/family?

Most of my friends are my friends because we "flock together" and have similar opinions about life, the universe and everything. Where family is concerned, though, I'm pretty much completely out of step with most of them, especially when it comes to politics or religion.

Happy Saturday, everyone!
And have a great weekend.

For more Saturday 9 Q&A, just click on this button: