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.

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Saturday 9: Last Night a DJ Saved My Life!

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

"Last Night a DJ Saved My Life!"
Indeep (1982)

Listen to it HERE.

I have to admit, I don't remember this song or the video. Which is odd, since I was a real MTV junkie back in the early '80s. But somehow this one got past me. I like it -- it's got a good beat and you can dance to it.

1. This song is about a girl who is heartbroken about a boy who won't take her calls. Do you screen your calls, deciding to let some go to voicemail? Or do you pick up whenever you possibly can? (We're referring to calls from people you know.)

In general, if someone I know (not a telemarketer) is calling, I pick up. We have a service on our phones now that blocks robo-callers, so we don't get that many unknowns anymore.

2. When she was feeling her lowest, she heard a song on the radio that lifted her spirits. What's the last thing you heard on the radio?

"Love For Sale" by Miles Davis.

3. This song includes the sound of squeaky wheels, indicating a sudden stop and perhaps a near-miss. Tell us about your most recent traffic mishap.

Well, driving around the Austin area, you can have a lot of near-misses. We haven't had an actual "mishap" lately, that goodness.

4. "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life!" is featured in the 2002 video game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Do you spend much time on video games?

I spend exactly 0 time on video games. Never got into that.

5. This week's featured artist, Indeep, was a trio. We've had many groups, some duos and tons of solo artists on Saturday 9, but not many trios. Can you name another popular trio?

Music trio? The first that comes to mind is Crosby Stills & Nash. But also Peter, Paul & Mary, the Kingston Trio, the Supremes, the Bee Gees, ZZ Top.... Non-musical? The Three Stooges.

6. The last time Indeep performed together was in 1997, at a New Year's Eve show in Paris for French TV. Have you celebrated a holiday in another land?

Not really. We were once in England on the 4th of July, but we didn't exactly celebrate the day (not much of a holiday in England).

7. Britain's Royal Family is in the news this weekend, with attention centered on the nuptials. The Royals made news in 1982, as well. When this song was popular, Michael Fagan gained momentary fame by breaking into Buckingham Palace. He found The Royal Bedroom, where he came face-to-face with the Queen. He reports that Queen Elizabeth sleeps in a nightie that "reached down to her knees." What did you wear to bed last night?

A nightie that reached down to my knees. It was blue.

8. In 1982, you could buy a loaf of white bread for 50¢. Today, the national average price for that loaf of bread is more than $2.50. When you go grocery shopping, do you comparison shop and make purchases at more than one store? Or do you prefer one-stop shopping?

We usually shop at more than one place, just because we're very brand-loyal and different stores have different brands. We don't really comparison shop as much as we should.

9. Random question: What's the first famous quote that comes to your mind?

"To be or not to be: that is the question."

Happy Saturday, everyone!
And have a great weekend.

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

Sunday Stealing: Mary's Questions

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

1. If you could, where would you max out a credit card?

Well, since I do most of my shopping online now, I suppose it would most likely be Amazon. 

2. Why do you like the music you listen to?

I mostly listen to jazz — it's interesting and relaxing. Sometimes I'll listen to classical music, too; same reasons.

3. What are your favorite colors?

Turquoise, aqua, yellow. Just about any shade of green.

4. Do you collect anything?

Yes. Too many things. Though I'm really not actively collecting anymore. But at one time or another I've collected books, comic books, stamps, cat figurines, dolls, paper dolls, greeting cards, postcards, old photographs, vintage patterns and sewing supplies, Hallmark Christmas ornaments, dishware, vintage Pyrex items, and probably several others things I could think of if I sat here long enough.

5. What's your dream job?

The one I've got right now. It's called retirement.

6. Favorite cosmetics brands:

I don't think I have a favorite at the moment. I have to be very careful about cosmetics because I have a lot of allergies and my skin tends to react to chemicals. 

7. Favorite scents:

If we're talking perfume — again, allergies and asthma mean I have to be careful about wearing scent. I used to love the perfume my aunt wore (Fleurs de Rocaille by Caron), but they've changed the formula over the years and it doesn't smell the same. (Never smelled as good on me as it did on her, either.) For years I wore Arpege by Lanvin, but it smells different now, too. All these new synthetic perfumes smell pretty awful on me. Lately I've been using a little amber oil instead.

8. Favorite flavors:

Again I'm not sure I really have a favorite flavor. But I'm addicted to coffee and chocolate. So....

9. Favorite magazines:

Most of the magazines that I always thought of as favorites have either shut down or changed so much I don't recognize them anymore. But I still read The New Yorker and Vanity Fair (I'm liking VF much more since they decided to go after the Trumpster.)

10. Favorite piece of jewelry:

Except for earrings, I don't wear much jewelry. The hubby gave me a pair of diamond studs a few years back (as an anniversary gift, I believe) and those are my favorites, even though I don't wear them very often.

11. Favorite Holiday:

Halloween. Costumes, candy, scary movies on TV, no cooking required. Definitely the best.

12. Favorite season:

Summer.

13. Coffee or tea?

It would be hard to give up either one, but I'm very addicted to coffee.

14. Where would you go on vacation if you could go anywhere?

I've still got a few places on my "must see" bucket list — the Grand Canyon, Italy, Wales. Also always wanted to visit the Bahamas. And Egypt, but I'm just not that brave.

15. What kind of geek are you?

A very old one.

😸

Saturday 9: Mother and Child Reunion

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

"Mother and Child Reunion"
by Paul Simon (1972)

Listen to it HERE.

1. The title of this song, "Mother and Child Reunion," came from a dish Paul Simon had at a Chinese restaurant. "Mother and Child Reunion" was chicken and egg drop soup. When did you last eat chicken?

Yesterday — I had chicken noodle soup for lunch.

2. Paul Simon's mother, Belle, was an English teacher Monday through Friday and then gave piano lessons on the weekends. Have you ever worked more than one job?

Well, not officially. But I worked my way through college, which is just about the same thing as working two jobs. Come to think of it, I worked my husband's way through college too — and grad school!

3. Mother Winters taught Sam to always dispose of the dry cleaning bag, as storing clothes in the bag may discolor the fabric. Do you have any useful household hints to pass along?

I'm afraid housekeeping isn't really my strong suit, although I've certainly had a lot of experience with it over the years. My "household hint" would be hire a maid — not sure how useful that is.

4. Have you put away your winter clothes yet?

Not really. I've put covers over some of my sweaters and long-sleeved T-shirts. We have a big closet and I don't have that many clothes, so instead of "putting away" my off-season things, I usually just move them around.

5. Flowers and plants are popular on Mother's Day. How is your yard or garden? Is it green and/or blooming?

At the moment, the yard looks great and the garden is doing very well, too. The hubby gets all the credit for that. (And there's another helpful household hint: It's a good idea to marry a man who likes to do yard work.)

6. In the 1600's, the British began celebrating "Mothering Sunday." Children presented flowers to their mothers after Sunday service. When did you last place flowers in a vase? Were they store-bought, or picked from someone's garden?

It's been a while since I engaged in any sort of floral activity. I'm allergic to just about all flowers, so we don't generally have them in the house. 

7. The German word for "mother" is "mutter." What other German words do you know?

My father's family are German and my grandmother (his mother) lived with us when I was a child. She taught me lots of German words and phrases (I was her little fraulein). Then I took a year of German in college, many years ago. So, I do know a little German but not enough to hold a conversation. Traurig.

8. When Sam was a teen, her mother used to scold her for monopolizing the family landline. With the advent of cell phones, do you think parents and children still clash over telephone etiquette?

Not sure about that. But you probably don't want to get me started on telephone etiquette transgressions. We could be here all day.

9. To celebrate Mother's Day, Sam is giving away her mother's favorite, Hershey Bars! Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or milk chocolate with almonds?

Those all sound perfectly yummy and perfectly acceptable. I never turn down chocolate, so just hand over the Hershey Bar and nobody gets hurt.

Happy Saturday, everyone!
And have a great weekend.

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