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!

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

Wordless Wednesday: Even the Lizards Are Social Distancing

For more Wordless Wednesday,

click on the button:

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!

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