Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Sunday Stealing: For Those Who Celebrate Christmas (#1)

Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere.

This week's list is borrowed from Pinterest.

1. What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?

They only happen once a year.

2. Do you send out Christmas cards and if so how many do you send?

I do still send out cards. In fact, the sending and receiving of cards is one of my favorite things about the season, and I'm sad to see the custom dying out. We don't send nearly as many as we once did, and this year we sent out fewer than twenty.

3. Be honest: holiday newsletters. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

I've never written one, but I like them. I know I'm probably in the minority on that. I think it's a nice handy way of catching up with all the family and friends and what they've been up to during the year. Of course, I'm not a Facebook devotee — I suppose if I were, I wouldn't need the newsletters. 

4. Be honest: photo cards. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

Don't really have a strong opinion on this. Honest.

5. How soon do you start shopping?

Usually not early enough. My mother was a wonderful Christmas shopper. She would shop all year long and have everything ready to wrap by the first week in December. I did not inherit her organizational skills. But I do like to get it all done as early as possible — definitely no last minute Christmas Eve shopping.

6. Real or fake tree?

Well, I would prefer a real tree, but the hubby and I both have allergies. I can't even have cut flowers in the house for longer than a few minutes before my eyes start itching and swelling shut. So — no real trees for us.

7. When do you put up your tree?

Usually right after Thanksgiving, but this year we had it up before that.

8. When do you take down your tree?

Twelfth Night — January 5th or 6th. Although we've been known to leave it up later than that. 

9. Describe your typical tree (size, decorations, type). 

10. What do you top your tree with?

For the last few years, we've had a Saint Nicholas topper that we bought at Hobby Lobby. 

11. Do you put Christmas lights outside your house?

Not recently. When we first moved into this house, M put up lights around the front roofline, but it's an awful lot of trouble. And an awful lot of him climbing up and down on ladders — which is something I find really scary. When we lived in the condo in Virginia, we used to put lights on our balcony every year. 

 12. Is there a wreath hanging on your door?

Yes, there is, and this is it:

13. Do you hang up stockings?

Yes, but just for decoration. Santa never fills them, darn it. 

14. Your favorite Christmas Movie(s)

Please don't get me started. Christmas movies are a real problem around here. M loves any movie that even mentions Christmas, and over the years he's added a couple of dozen to the list he just must see every year. Of course, we very seldom actually watch them all — but it gives him a goal. The only one I do try to see every year is "It's a Wonderful Life" — not because I really like it, but because I've watched it every Christmas since I was a toddler. And I prefer watching it on Christmas Eve.

15. Be honest: A Christmas movie you hate

Well, I don't really hate any of them (although I'm extremely tired of most of them), but I've never been terribly fond of any of the film versions of "A Christmas Carol." Not a Dickens fan. Also, don't care much for "Miracle on 34th Street."

16. Favorite Christmas Song(s)

I like a bunch of them, but I think my favorite is the song from the Charlie Brown Christmas special, "Christmas Time Is Here."

17. Be honest: If I hear this/these Christmas songs again I will throw up

"Santa Baby" is probably the only one that could make me barf. 

18. Give or Receive?

Receive, I think. But only because I'm the world's worst chooser of gifts to give.

19. Eggnog or Mulled Cider?

Well, I'm lactose intolerant — so cider, I guess.

20. Ham or Turkey?

Ham. 

🙋‍♀️

SkyWatch Friday: Local Shots

I haven't posted any sky shots lately. And the main reason for that is that I haven't been going far from home this year, and the skies around here haven't been all that dramatic. In fact, lately, they've pretty much all looked exactly like this:

Lots and lots of clear blue skies. And I love it. But, as I said, it makes for a bit of a boring photo.

But we did have a couple of nice sunsets around the end of last month, with some really interesting color effects. So here's a shot of one of those. 

It's the same view, or at least looking in the same direction. I always love the way the setting sun turns all the greens to a sort of rusty red. But I love those blue skies even more.

Happy Friday, everyone!

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Wordless Wednesday: Merry Christmas Tree!

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Sunday Stealing: Halloween

Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere.

This week's list is borrowed from League of Extraordinary Pen Pals.

1. What is your favorite spooky song?

The only "spooky" song I can think of right now is Monster Mash. Are there others?

2. What do you want etched on your tombstone?

"She'll be right back."

3. Who is your favorite horror movie villain?

I suppose it would have to be Dracula, although I'm really not a vampire fan. But I loved both Bela Lugosi and Frank Langella as the blood-thirsty Count D.

4. Have you ever seen a ghost?

Yes. Several times. Not all the same ghost.

5. Do you prefer gore, thrillers or supernatural movies?

I enjoy most thrillers and usually love movies with supernatural elements. I really don't like gore, in movies or books. I don't find that frightening — just nauseating.

6. What is your favorite scary book?

Wow, it would be hard to choose just one. Probably Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Or maybe Turn of the Screw, by Henry James. I've also enjoyed a lot of Susan Hill's books, and several by Jonathan Aycliffe. And Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby is a spooky-fun read.

7. Have you ever had a tarot card reading?  Was it accurate?

Never had one. I've played around with tarot cards myself, but never had an actual reading.

8. Are you superstitious?

Yes, about some things.

9. Have you ever used a voodoo doll?

Yes. It sort of worked. That's all I'll say.

10. Have you ever participated in a seance?

Only on stage, in a production of "Blithe Spirit." Never in real life.

11. Have you ever heard voices when no one was around except you?

Yes, but I don't smoke that stuff anymore. (Heh-heh!)

12. What is your favorite Halloween candy?

I'm not really sure what qualifies as Halloween candy these days. As a kid I used to love candy corn, but it's been decades since I had any.

13. What was your most memorable Halloween costume?

When I was about ten or so, I dressed up as a "gypsy princess" with lots of scarves and clunky jewelry and a long skirt borrowed from one of my aunts. It wasn't scary but I loved it, even though I probably looked more like a homeless person.

14. Do you like going through haunted houses (not real ones)?

Haven't gone through a "haunted house" since I was in elementary school, and I think I helped put that one together.

15. If someone dared you to spend the night in a haunted house (a real one) would you do it?

Possibly. Would I have a private bathroom?

 

🙋

Saturday 9: So Emotional

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...

"So Emotional"
by Whitney Houston (1987)

Listen to it HERE.

1. Whitney sings that she keeps her lover's photo beside her bed. What's on your bedside table?

No photos, but lots of other stuff. Here goes: A reading lamp; a box of tissues; a little plastic Fendi box that holds my earplugs; my iPad and a charger; a white ceramic plate with a miniature replica of an Egyptian cat sculpture sitting on it; and a stack of acid-free boxes that contain my collection of Betsy McCall paper dolls. And if I'm in bed, my phone will be there too. My bedside table is actually a small file cabinet, so it's a little larger than the average nightstand. 

2. She's getting frustrated, waiting for the phone to ring. If your phone were to ring right now, who would you expect to be on the other end?

Well, right now it's around 9pm, and we don't generally get phone calls at this time of night. If we did, it would more than likely be a call from family or friends with bad news. Or a wrong number.

3. The video was filmed at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA. It seats 6,200. As the nation reopens from Covid19, would you feel comfortable sitting knee-to-knee with a stranger in an arena like this?

Definitely no. I'm just not ready for much "reopening" yet.

4. This week's featured artist, Whitney Houston, appeared on the daytime drama As The World Turns. She played herself, performing with Jermaine Jackson at the Miss Cinderella contest in the fictional town of Oakdale. Have you ever been hooked on a soap opera?

Yes, back in the '70s and early '80s I used to watch All My Children religiously. I seem to remember that it came on around lunchtime, and for several years I would come home for lunch everyday (my job was within walking distance) and watch the show while I ate my peanut butter sandwich. 

5. Whitney had a sweet tooth, and her favorite breakfast cereal was Fruity Pebbles. Do you often eat cereal for lunch or dinner?

I eat some kind of cereal for breakfast everyday. Never eat it for lunch or dinner, but sometimes I eat a little as a bedtime snack.

6. At Whitney's wedding to Bobby Brown, her bridesmaids all wore lavender dresses and the groomsmen had custom made alligator shoes. Have you ever "stood up" for a friend or relative? If so, do you remember what you wore?

Yes, I have "stood up." Twice. And yes, I do remember what I wore. Sort of. Both were long dresses. One was sleeveless (right, Cuzzie?) and one had elbow-length sleeves. I think both dresses were pink (or pink-ish). And both times, my grandmother made the dress I wore — she was a wonderful seamstress. I've got photos of both dresses, somewhere — if I wasn't so lazy, I'd go look for them.


7. In 1987, the year this song was popular, Cher won the Oscar for Moonstruck. Her most famous line was, "Snap out of it!" When you think of Cher, do you first think of her movies, her TV show, or her music?

Probably her music (I've always loved her voice), but I like a lot of her movie work, too. Never watched the TV show much. 

8. Michael Douglas won the Oscar that year for Wall Street. His most famous line was, "Greed is good." His character goes on to say that, "Greed in all its forms -- greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge -- has marked the upward surge of all mankind." Do you agree?

Sounds right. Unfortunately, I think those greedy urges are also likely to wipe us out. Possibly sooner than I expected. 

9. Random question: When you woke up this morning, were you ready to get out of bed? Or do you wish you could have snoozed for a bit longer?

I always feel like I could snooze just a little longer. Never been one to hop out of bed and get going right away. And it seems the older I get, the harder it is to get up at what the rest of the world considers a "reasonable hour." 

Happy Saturday, everyone!

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SkyWatch Friday: Saharan Sunset

I guess this one belongs in the "one more thing to worry about" file.

Here in central Texas for the past couple of weeks, we've been inundated with clouds of dust all the way from the Sahara desert. People (like me) who have respiratory problems are being encouraged to stay indoors on the days when it's really thick. So if the pandemic doesn't keep us home, the dust is there to give it a try.

But even though it's made breathing a little tough at times, it's also provided a few really spectacular sunsets. I have to run outside, take a quick photo, and then run back in, but I've managed to get a few shots.

That tiny silver dot at the top of this photo is the moon.

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Blue Monday: Summer Sky Blues

I haven't posted anything for Blue Monday in a very long time. Actually, I've only just started blogging again after almost letting this blog fade away. I've always wished I could be one of those reliable people who post something everyday, but I'm very lazy. And I live a really boring life, ya'll! Don't get me wrong -- I like it that way! But it doesn't give me much to blog about.

Anyhoo...back to Blue Monday. I know it's not summer yet, officially, but it certainly seems like summer around here. (Yay!) And lately we've been having some gorgeous, deep blue skies. Just like this one....

Also a little boring, I guess; but I love them.

But the other day we had some pretty interesting cloud cover that looked just like feathers. Almost like some giant bird had dropped them overhead. Not sure what caused them, but they hung around long enough for me to get a snap, then wafted away. (Like this blog keeps trying to do!)

Happy Blue Monday, everyone! Hope you have a lovely, colorful week.

Blue Monday is hosted by Magical Mystery Teacher

Ah, Nature!

Apparently June 15th is National Nature Photography Day. So here's a little bit of the nature around our place lately. Our cactus plants started blooming early this year, and kept producing flowers right up until the last week or so. I think we've probably seen the last blooms for this season, but they were a welcome sight while they lasted. The bees and wasps and other buzzy creatures certainly enjoyed them!

. . . . . .

More about today, from the NANPA website:   "Each year, June 15 is designated by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to promote the enjoyment of nature photography, and to explain how images are used to advance the cause of conservation and protect plants, wildlife, and landscapes both locally and globally.
....
NANPA encourages people everywhere to enjoy the day by using a camera to explore the natural world. A backyard, park, or other place close by can be just right. "
 

Sunday Stealing: The Household Meme

Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere.

This week's list is borrowed from MimiWrites.

1. How many gravy boats do you have in your kitchen?

One, I think. It's stored way up on one of the highest shelves in our kitchen, and I can't really even see it without getting on a stepladder. I don't make a lot of gravy.

2. Do the clothes in your laundry basket need ironing?

Well, around here things get ironed as we need them. Otherwise, they just get put away wrinkled.

3. What is the last thing you wallpapered?

I have never wallpapered anything. I was going to put wallpaper in a kitchen once upon a time, and even bought a couple of very expensive rolls of the stuff. Then decided it was too busy for our tiny kitchen (we were living in an apartment at the time), and gave up on the project. So I don't know if I'd be any good at wallpapering. But I'm VERY good at giving up on projects.

4.  Wooden floors or carpet?

I love wood floors and that's mainly what we have, although we do have carpet in a couple of areas. I actually don't mind carpet, and think it's especially nice in bedrooms. But I have asthma and allergies, and carpet is not the best choice for me.

5.  Why do we put out guest towels if no one is supposed to use them?

Well, we don't actually have "guest towels." We have a bathroom that we call the guest bath and we do have some different towels for that room, but mainly just because its color scheme is different from the one in our master bath. So around here, the guests really just get the same towels we use ourselves. I do try not to put out the ones with holes or bleached patches or ragged edges.

6.  If your spatula could talk, what would it say about your duvet?

Probably "where the heck is that duvet?" I don't have a duvet. I do have several spatulas.

7.  Have you replaced the batteries in your smoke alarms this year?

Um, I think so. That's the hubby's job and he's pretty dependable about those sorts of things. So I'm gonna go with Yes.

8. If you could put thyme in a bottle, what is the first thing that you'd like to do?

Thyme? Or time? And could I take them out of the bottle to use them? Thyme is not one of my favorite spices and I don't use it much. Time, on the other hand, is something I'm always happy to have plenty of.

9. Do eggs really crack or do they merely have a nervous breakdown?

I'm not sure what a nervous breakdown in an egg would look like. And can you avoid such a problem by coddling your eggs?

10. Why are you whipping the butter? What did it ever do to you?

Mostly just wrecked my gall bladder. But I don't whip the butter. Just switched to margarine.

11. Do your spoons spoon in the drawer? Have you ever noticed? And more importantly, if wooden spoons spoon do they get splinters?

Actually, yes they do. Get splinters, that is. (They spoon too, but that's OK -- they're spoons.) And they give splinters to the people who use them. And to avoid spoon splinters in the fingers (or, worse, in the tummy) I have purged all drawers of wooden implements and replaced them with acrylics. They don't splinter; they do melt.

12. You hear: "Dumpling, my Dumpling, come hither." The candles are lit, the fondue is dipping, the Godiva is pouring, the scallions are steaming and the music is playing.....but wait, the windows are open.  Why did you close them?

I have absolutely no idea. But if anyone ever called me Dumpling, the fondue would be pouring all over his head.

13. Do you need a recipe to cook or are you a bohemian chef?

I do need a recipe for most things. There are just a few things I'm really good at cooking without a recipe. I make a great meatloaf, and a fantastic pot roast. I'm also pretty good at fried chicken. Unfortunately, those are things we never eat anymore. I never fry anything, and I haven't cooked beef in over twenty years.

14. Is your pot black?

Hmmm. I think I do have a black cast iron skillet, but I have no idea where it might be hiding. Haven't used it in decades.

15. What is the sexiest spice or condiment in your cabinet?  What makes it so? 

No comment on this one, folks. I'm much too old to know what makes anything sexy. Most spices just give me indigestion.

🙋

Saturday 9: The Rain, The Park and Other Things

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...

"The Rain, The Park & Other Things"
by The Cowsills (1967)

Listen to it HERE.

1. The Cowsills were a family band who had three hit singles. Can you name another group of popular singing siblings?

The Osmonds, Jackson Five, Everly Brothers, Beach Boys (or were they cousins?), Pointer Sisters, Isley Brothers, Lennon Sisters, Bee Gees. I could go on, but they'd all be "vintage" groups — I haven't really kept up with more recent singing groups.

2. This was their first hit, and it reached #2 on the Billboard charts. It was kept out of the #1 slot by the Monkees and "Daydream Believer." What's your favorite Monkees song? 


I like both of their "believer" songs — "Daydream Believer" and "I'm a Believer." But my favorite has always been "Listen to the Band," written by Michael Nesmith (hear it). I believe it was the first time they got to perform music actually written by one of the group. I was never really a Monkees fan, but they had some very good people writing their music — Neil Diamond, John Stewart, Carole King, Boyce & Hart, Paul Williams, and Nesmith himself. And even though they took a lot of flack for not being a "real" group, they were genuinely four very talented guys.

3. After seeing the Cowsill brothers perform with their mother and sister, TV producers were inspired to create the sitcom, The Partridge Family. Did you ever watch it?

No. I've seen clips from it over the years, but never saw a whole episode.

4. In the song, the narrator takes a flower from a girl in the park. Are there flowers in your home right now?

Not inside the house. I'm allergic to most flowers.

5. He isn't sure if the girl was real, or if he dreamed her. Tell us about a recent dream you had.

I don't really remember how recently I've dreamed it, but one of my most frequent recurring dreams is the one about being out somewhere and needing to make a phone call and discovering that my phone doesn't work, or I've forgotten how to use it (!), or I've left it somewhere. They tell me it's an anxiety dream and very common. Wouldn't be so scary if there were still any pay-phones around. Remember phone booths? I used to love phone booths.

6. At the height of the Cowsills' popularity, they were hired by the American Dairy Association to promote drinking milk. If we were to peek into your refrigerator right now, would we find any milk?

Only soy milk. The hubby and I are both slightly lactose intolerant.

7. After the band stopped performing together, John Cowsill went on to become a back up musician for the Beach Boys. His job has kept him on the road much of the time. When you travel, do you enjoy staying in hotels, or would you rather stay with friends/family?

I enjoy both, but I'm really not a great traveler, no matter where I'm staying. Don't think I'll be doing any traveling anytime soon, though.

8. In 1967, the year this song was popular, Elvis married Priscilla in Las Vegas. Have you attended any weddings yet this year? Are there any weddings in your future?

No weddings, for several years now. None coming up this year, that I know about. Which is just as well. I probably would not be eager to attend any big gatherings at the moment.

9. Random question: Are the bottoms of your feet ticklish?

Hmmm. I think so. Anyway they used to be. Nobody's tickled me lately. And isn't that just a little sad?

Happy Saturday, everyone!

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Saturday 9: When Love Goes Wrong, Nothing Goes Right

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...

"When Love Goes Wrong,
Nothing Goes Right" (1953)

Listen to it HERE.

1. This is from the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Have you seen it?

Yes, I have, on TV many years ago. 

2. The lyrics tell us that, when love goes wrong, "a match won't light." When did you most recently light a match?

Probably the last time I lit a candle. And I haven't done that in the last couple of weeks.

3. The duet is performed at a French sidewalk cafe, where Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe are (literally) sharing a cup of coffee. With whom did you most recently have coffee?

The hubby, this morning.

4. The tune was written by prolific composer Hoagy Carmichael. He was influenced by his mother, who earned extra money for the family playing piano during silent movies. Who in your life influenced your career choices?

This is sort of a sensitive subject for me. I always say I didn't really have a career -- I mostly just had jobs. I was more influenced by circumstances than by any one person. 

5. Jane and Marilyn shared something beyond movie stardom. They were both married to Hall of Famers. Marilyn Monroe was married to Joe DiMaggio, who was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. Jane was married to quarterback Bob Waterfield, inducted into the football Hall of Fame in 1965. Which sport would you rather watch: baseball or football?

Football. I'm not much of a baseball fan. 

6. Jane and Bob Waterfield were high school sweethearts at Van Nuys High. The Southern California school was used as a set for the 1982 movie, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Tell us something about your high school.

I went to the same high school my parents went to, although it had been relocated to a different part of town by the time I was a student there. It still exists, but it's been almost completely reconstructed over the last few years and really doesn't look the same. As far as I know, there have never been any movies filmed there. 

7. Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio met on a blind date at a Hollywood restaurant called Villa Nova. Have you ever arranged a blind date? If so, did the couple hit it off and end up dating?

My husband and I once tried getting a couple of our friends together. They seemed to have lots in common and we thought they'd be the perfect couple. They met once, for lunch, and couldn't stand each other. Not something I'd ever do again.

8. In 1953, when Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was released, a tornado did severe damage to Waco, TX. Tell us about a major weather event that you endured (tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, etc.).

Here we go. Actually, I'm sort of a magnet for bad weather. We were living in Chicago during the big blizzard in the winter of 1979-1980. It was the coldest, snowy-est winter they'd had in the 20th Century, and there were snowdrifts up to the rooftops of houses everywhere. The city couldn't do any snow removal because there was no place to remove it to. No traffic moved. We never knew how long the electricity would stay on. There was only one grocery store that stayed open in our neighborhood, and a trek there and back home could take all day. That experience was not fun and did not improve my opinion of snow. (But I loved Chicago, in spite of the dreadful weather.)

I've been around a couple of tornados — one in Louisiana, and one in Virginia that was actually pretty deadly. Fortunately, I've always been on the edge of the storms — close enough to see and feel them, but away from the major damage. I've also been through a couple of earthquakes — one in Mexico City and one while we lived in Alexandria, Virginia. The Virginia earthquake lasted for almost a minute plus several aftershocks. It was really very scary, especially since we were living in a highrise at the time. When you're several stories up in a building and the ground starts shifting underneath you, it's definitely terrifying. 

9. Random question: You see a filthy puddle. Floating on top are cigarette butts, a leaf, and a $1 bill. Would you bend over and rescue the dollar?

Sorry, I stopped reading after "filthy puddle." 

Happy Saturday, everyone!

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Wordless Wednesday: Even the Lizards Are Social Distancing

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Sunday Stealing: Conversation Starters

Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere.

This week's list is borrowed from Two Drifters and it's all about "Conversation Starters."

1. What do you think is the greatest television show of all time?

Wow, greatest show of all time? Too many to choose from. I guess if I had to pick just one, I'd have to say the original Star Trek. It's been so influential and has had such amazing staying power. I never get tired of re-watching it.

2. Would you rather win a Nobel Prize or an Academy Award?

And the Oscar goes to..... Definitely an Academy Award. I'd just like to thank everyone I've ever met.

3. What one food would you banish from this earth if you could?

Well, I'm not crazy about kale, but I don't know that it deserves to be banished. Just keep it out of my salad.

4. What’s the scariest story you’ve ever heard?

The tale of the 2016 US Presidential election.

5. Who is the most famous person you have ever met?

Hmmm. I haven't met that many famous people. And most of the ones I have met are no longer with us. Once met Leonard Cohen after a concert in Austin, and took him back to his hotel. Met Townes Van Zant several times over the years. I'm not really a celebrity collector.

6. What’s something you’ve done that most people wouldn’t know or guess about you?

No comment on this one, folks.

7. You’re strapped in a rocket ship about to go to the moon. Are you thrilled? Or terrified?

Probably both. Or maybe just amazed.

8. What is the correct way for toilet paper to sit on the roll?

With the paper coming over the top and from the front, NOT underneath and from the back. There should be no debate about that.

9. Talk about a mistake you made, or something you regret.

Never learned to play a musical instrument, and really wish I had. Too old to learn now.

10. What would be the best gift I could give you?

I don't really need many material things at this point in my life. I'd like someone to come up with a way to wipe out this current pandemic, before it wipes us out. If you could do that, you'd have my eternal gratitude.

11. What makes you feel better when you’re sad or stressed?

Spending time with the hubby. Almost always works. Unless he's the one making me sad or stressed.

12. What is the most romantic movie you’ve ever seen?

Hmmm. Hard question. I'm not a huge fan of romantic movies – I generally prefer mysteries or action films. I guess I'd say "Somewhere in Time" (with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour), or maybe "Doctor Zhivago" (Julie Christie, Omar Sharif, and a great cast).

13. What is the worst date you’ve ever been on?

It's been so many eons since I dated, I've sort of repressed all that. I know there were dozens of really dismal dates before I met Mr. Right. (Who is, by the way, napping in the bedroom down the hall right now.)

14. What is the glue that keeps couples together?

Well, love, I hope. And trust, of course.

15. What was your first crush.

My first crush was in first grade, and the young man's name was Ronnie (I think). I don't really remember his last name right now, but I'm sure I still have some school photos of him somewhere. As far as I know, he was completely unaware of my feelings, and never spoke a word to me that I can remember. I worshiped from afar.

16. When did your parents talk to you about the birds and the bees?

I don't remember ever having that discussion with an adult. It would have been a big help.

17. What is your greatest achievement?

Well, I'm officially among the elderly now and still getting around on my own. I've been married to the same man for over 50 years. I've never been in jail or rehab. I think those are achievements of a sort.

18. Were you close to your parents growing up?

Very close to my mom. My father died when I was ten and he had been very ill for several years before that. We were as close as his illness allowed us to be.

19. What was the most life-changing event you’ve ever experienced?

Two of them – one sad, one happy. My dad's death and my marriage.

20. Have you ever had a falling out with a friend? What happened?

Not as an adult. I'm sure it happened many times when I was a kid. Making friends gets harder as you get older – or at least that's how it's been for me. I try very hard to do whatever it takes to get along with the ones I've got.

🙋

Saturday 9: Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey

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...

"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey"
by Paul McCartney & Wings (1971)

Listen to it HERE.

1. The lyrics tell us Paul believes it's going to rain. How's the weather where you are today?

I'm writing this on Friday, May 29th (not Saturday yet), and the weather has been lovely all day. Well, lovely by my standards anyway – mostly sunny, with the high temp somewhere in the low 90s. A little more humid than I like it, but that's OK. I know a lot of people around here are upset about such hot weather in May, but I'm loving it. I try to take a "photo of the day" every afternoon ‒ this is the one for today:

2. Paul sings that he is sorry because he hasn't "done a bloody thing all day." What do you hope to accomplish this weekend?

These days I don't set my sights very high. I'm hoping to get through the weekend with no major dental or medical problems, and no surprise bad news announcements from family or friends. 

I'd also like to get some reading done.

3. He also references butter pie, which is made primarily with potatoes (with onions and, of course, butter). That dish is not popular on this side of the Atlantic. Last time you had potatoes, how were they prepared (baked, mashed, hash browned, french fried ...)?

Baked, I think. I eat a lot of potatoes, since I had oral surgery not long ago (getting some implants) and there's not a lot I can actually CHEW right now. For the last few weeks (well, more like months), mashed or baked potatoes have been a big part of my diet. Also potato soup. If I ever get this dental adventure over and done with, I would not be terribly unhappy if I never ate another potato for the rest of my life. (I'd make an exception for potato chips.)

4. Linda McCartney is credited as co-writer and performer on this recording. Paul and Linda were partners in real life, too; married 29 years, they raised four children together. They often said they tried never to spend more than a few hours apart. Do you enjoy a lot of togetherness, or do you value your personal time? Has your experience with Covid19 and quarantine changed how you feel about this?

I'd have to say yes to both those choices. I do value time spent on my own, but I love spending time with the hubby too. Also love seeing family and friends, of course – but right now we're still "staying home" and don't really see many people except each other. So the pandemic hasn't really changed the way I feel, but it has changed the way I function.

5. Paul and Linda came from very different backgrounds. His family was lower middle class, lived in Liverpool's public housing and received government aid. She grew up in affluent Scarsdale, the daughter of a wealthy theatrical attorney. Do you think it's more important for a couple to share a common background, or to share common interests?

I don't think there's any strict rule about that. When it clicks, it clicks.

6. Paul is known for his work ethic. At age 78, he's still making music and performing live. What's your favorite Paul McCartney song?

Wow, so many to choose from, but most are also John Lennon songs. Of the songs written by Paul on his own, I guess I'd pick Maybe I'm Amazed, from his first solo album. 

7. In 1971, when this song was a hit, Bobby Fischer was the world's most famous and highest-rated chess player. Do you play chess?

No. I've tried, but never have been able to maintain interest long enough to learn.

8. England's Princess Anne turned 21 in 1971. The occasion was commemorated by a formal portrait, taken by celebrated fashion photographer Norman Parkinson. Who took the most recent photo of you?

Probably me. I've taken several selfies lately. By the way, Princess Anne is my favorite royal, after the Queen. The royal family is so entertaining, aren't they?

9. Random question: Do you find it more satisfying to work with your hands, or your head?

Well, I like doing both, but the arthritis in my hands has sort of limited me to more "cerebral" activities these days. But that's OK. Gives me more time for reading. 

Happy Saturday, everyone!

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Saturday 9: On the Radio

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...

"On the Radio"
by Donna Summer (1979)

Listen to it HERE.

1. The action begins when a letter falls out of the pocket of a brown overcoat. What color is your coat?

I have a lot of coats. Most of them are leftovers from the time I spent living in Virginia. Most of them are black. But I also have a red wool short coat, a dark green parka, a light blue rain jacket, and a sort of beige puffy jacket. I don't have any brown coats.

2. The lyrics ask if it "kinda strikes you sad when you hear our song." We don't want to be sad this Saturday, so we're asking what song makes you happy.

Well, since we're talking Disco, I'll say Dancing Queen by Abba. We heard it in the supermarket the other day and I started singing right along. It always makes me feel happy. I asked my husband and the young grocery checker if they'd like to see me do my dancing queen routine. They both said no! 

3. Right before this song hit the charts, Donna Summer hit the cover of Newsweek. Are there any magazines in your home now? If yes, who is on the cover?

There are hundreds of magazines in my home right at this minute. Most of them are years old. I tend to accumulate magazines without really noticing it. I have no idea who's on the cover of most of them. But the Vanity Fair on the coffee table in front of me here has someone named Ana de Armas on the cover. I have no idea who she is or why they chose her for a cover shot. I will Google her.

4. Donna wrote the lyrics to this song, while producer Giorgio Moroder wrote the tune. Moroder is known as "the father of disco." Is disco a genre you enjoy?

Some of it. I used to like it lot back in the '70s — loved to dance to the BeeGees. Even got the hubby to learn to do the Hustle. Of course, we were both very young back then, and a lot more limber. 

5. This song got additional airplay throughout the 1980s because the game show The Price Is Right played it every time a contestant won a stereo. Today, the most popular audio equipment sold at Best Buy is a sound bar to improve the quality of TV audio. Have you added a sound bar or sound system to your TV?

We have a Sonos sound system in the house, and we could play the TV through that. I think my husband would like to install a sound bar — he looks at them whenever we're out shopping. But I'm not sure I really want all that sound booming at me all the time. 

6. Moroder has won two Academy Awards for Best Song. The first was for "Flashdance ... What a Feeling" from Flashdance and the second was for "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun. Do you  have a favorite movie soundtrack?

Haven't listened to any movie soundtracks for quite a while. I used to like the soundtrack from Barry Lyndon, the Stanley Kubrick film. Also loved the soundtracks from A Hard Day's Night and Help!, the Beatles' movies.

7. He grew up in Ortsei, Italy. Located in Northern Italy, the Ortsei economy is fueled by tourists who ski in winter, hike in summer and shop for woodcarvings all year around. Do out-of-towners find their way to your hometown more often in summer or winter?

My hometown is San Antonio TX, and they get tourists at all times of the year.

8. Kourtney Kardashian was born in 1979, the year this record was a hit. Keeping Up with the Kardashians has been on since 2007. Have you ever seen it?

No. I'm not even really sure who the Kardashians are, or why anyone would want to keep up with them.

9. Random question — When getting dressed in the morning, what's the second item of clothing you put on?

Second item? Well, when I get out of bed, I usually throw on the sweats that I wear for my morning stretching workout. So I guess the second thing I put on is usually a sports bra. Unless I'm going bra-less that day. OK, I guess that might be too much info. And not a pretty picture, believe me. 

Happy Saturday, everyone!

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Saturday 9: Waiting All Day for Sunday Night

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...

"Waiting All Day for Sunday Night"
by Faith Hill (2012)

Listen to it HERE.

1. This week's Saturday 9 has a football theme because there's a big game Sunday. Will you be watching?

Probably. We generally do watch the Super Bowl, even though our favorite teams are almost never in it.

2. The Super Bowl is a big day for food consumption in the US, second only to Thanksgiving. What's on your menu this weekend?

I have no idea. We're not having a Super Bowl gathering – it'll just be the Hubs and myself, so we'll probably be having our usual Sunday night dinner. Which could be just about anything.

3. The NFL has decreed that the Super Bowl will never be played in a city that has a median February temperature of less than 50º. Would your hometown qualify for the Big Game?

Well, my hometown is San Antonio TX, and I really don't have any idea what the median February temperature is. Generally, the winters are pretty mild down there, although February can be really icy – at least for short periods. But San Antonio has the rodeo and stock show in February, and I remember attending years ago, walking around the exhibits in western garb and not being terribly bothered by the cold. So yeah – they could probably play a Super Bowl game there in February. 

4. This version of the NFL theme song mentions the Steelers and the Broncos. During the regular season, which team do you root for? How did they do in 2019?

How 'bout them Cowboys!!!  I've always been a Dallas Cowboys fan, but I like the New Orleans Saints too. (Used to live in Shreveport.) The Cowboys haven't done very well for about a decade now, and didn't even make it to the playoffs this year. The Saints did a little better, but lost their "wild card" game, so no Super Bowl this year. 

5. This version of the Sunday Night Football song is by Faith Hill. She also has ties to the MLB, since her husband is Tim McGraw, son of the Mets' pitcher Tug McGraw. Which sport do you prefer – baseball or football?

I love the Sunday Night Football opening and theme song – sometimes it's the best thing about the game! But I did not know that about Tim McGraw being Tug McGraw's son. How did I miss that? Anyway.... I hardly ever watch baseball – the games just take too long now. I used to like it a lot when I was a kid. My grandmother watched baseball games on TV (or at least, she used to have them on all the time – not sure how much she really watched), and I got hooked. But now I'm much more of a football fan. I do usually watch some of the World Series games, though. Actually, the hubby likes basketball (Go, Spurs!), so we watch more of that than either of the other sports.

6. Faith has performed live at more than one The Super Bowl in the past, performing both "America, the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner. What's your favorite patriotic song?

Hmmm. Interesting question. Patriotic, as in pro-USA? Probably "This Land Is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie. Would that qualify? Actually, I think my favorite patriotic song is "La Marseillaise," the national anthem of France. Its music is very stirring, although the lyrics are pretty horrific. 

7. She has a perfume line with Coty that was a big seller at CVS during Christmas 2018. What's the last item you bought at a drugstore?

I was at CVS just this week. Had to replenish our supply of decongestant – the hubby has a cold. Caught it from me. (So sorry, babe.)

8. Faith Hill is the producer of a talk show on CMT called Pickler and Ben. Is the TV on as you answer these questions? If so, what are you watching?

No TV at the moment. Right now, it's 11am, and we don't usually have the TV on during the morning. 

9. Random question: You've got a chip in your hand and three dips to choose from – guacamole, salsa, and onion. Where does your chip get dipped?

First, let me say Yum!  Those all sound really good. I've spent the last few months going through round after round of oral surgery, prepping for implants – and haven't really been able to eat a chip of any kind, with or without dip on it. But if conditions were ideal (and all the implants implanted), I'd definitely go right for the guacamole. Ole!

Happy Saturday, everyone!

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