Saturday 9: Love Is All Around

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...

"Love Is All Around" (1970)
Theme from The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Listen to it HERE.

1. This week's song is the theme from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a sitcom that originally aired from 1970 to 1977. Were you a fan?

Yes. Watched it every week. 

2. The song tells us that Mary Richards can turn the world on with her smile. Yet the real-life Mary Tyler Moore said she was uncomfortable with her "wide mouth." If you could improve on one of your facial features, which would you choose?

Do ears count? I've always hated my ears — they're too big and they stick out. I usually try to keep them covered by my hair. Other than that, I think my facial features are mostly sort of OK.

3. We also hear that Mary can "take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile." What do you think makes a day "a nothing day?"

Hmmm. Probably what I'm doing right now — sitting around, staring at a computer screen. Why am I not out and about, doing something wildly entertaining? I am so boring.

4. Mary works in the newsroom at WJM. Her desk is neat as a pin. Are you neat? Or do you lean to the sloppy side?

Definitely leaning toward sloppy, I'm afraid. I do try to be neat and I do admire neatness, but it's hard to achieve.

5. Mary's best friend, Rhoda, worked as a window dresser at Hempel's department store. What department store did you most recently shop at? What did you buy?

Ah yes, Rhoda! I really liked her more than Mary, even though Mary was probably more like me, personality-wise. Actually, my favorite character on the show was Sue Ann Nivens (played by Betty White) — she was such a delightfully nasty piece of work. 

But I digress. 

So, back to the question. Like so many of us, these days I do most of my shopping online. So it's kind of hard for me to remember the last time I was actually in a department store. And when you say department store, are you talking about the classic, traditional sort of department store like Macy's? Or do discount and "big box" stores count? I guess the last brick-and-mortar store I shopped in (aside from grocery stores) was probably Walmart or Target. Or maybe Kohl's. Can't remember exactly what I bought — most likely cosmetics, toiletries and housewares. 

6. Mary Richards lived in Minneapolis. What city is nearest to where you are right now?

Austin is the biggest city near us. There are a few smaller towns, too.

7. Originally the part of Mary Richards was written as a divorcee, but in 1970, there were no TV shows that centered around a divorced woman. Think about the women in your life. Are most of them married, divorced, single or widowed?

Married. Although a couple have also been divorced.

8. The MTM production company logo featured a mewing kitten. The cat was found in a Minneapolis shelter, and, after her sequence was shot, she was adopted by a crew member who named her Mimsie. What's the name of the last cat — or dog or hamster or rabbit — that you petted?

The last animal I actually petted was a cat named Billie. She belongs to a neighbor and has wandered onto our property a time or two. 

9. Random question — Would you rather have a job that kept you seated on your fanny or standing on your feet?

I would rather not have a job. I'm very happy being retired, thank you very much. But, if I really had to choose, I guess I'd prefer seated rather than standing. I'm not sure my arthritic knees would make it through a whole workday of standing up.

Happy Saturday, everyone!
Have a great weekend.

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Sunday Stealing: Food, Glorious Food!

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

1.  Do you like pie?

I love it. There are some kinds I can't eat, but I love those too.

2.  Italian or Mexican?

Italian, although Mexican runs a close second.

3.  Can you bake? If so, what are your favorite things to bake?

I'm actually a pretty good baker even though I'm a terrible cook in general. Haven't really done any baking in quite a while because the hubby is diabetic and doesn't eat sweets. When I did bake, I liked baking Bundt cakes and brownies best.

4.  Do you use cook books or do you try to find recipes online?

Both. Lately I mostly look for online recipes and I've found a few that are very good and work even for those of us who are not champs in the kitchen.

5.  Do you own a kitchen aid mixer?

No. At the moment I don't own any kind of mixer. My old Sunbeam Mixmaster died a number of years ago and I just never replaced it.

6.  Ever cooked a meal for more than 15 people at one time? 

Hmmm. Not that I remember. Not a WHOLE meal, anyway.

7.  Do you like hospital food?

I don't like anything about hospitals.

8.  Favorite fast food restaurant?

Does Panera count? We don't really go to fast food restaurants anymore.

9.  Any picky eaters in your family?

Yeah. Me.

10.  Soda or Tea?

Tea.

11.  Hot chocolate?

I love any form of chocolate. Don't really drink much hot chocolate, though.

12.  Favorite holiday dish?

Depends on the holiday. And whether I'm just eating, or doing the cooking.

13.  What is the most tasteful strangest looking thing you have ever tasted? 

I don't eat strange looking things.

14.  Fries or tater tots?

Fries.

15.  Do you like cheese? If so what kind?

Love it. All kinds. Have to be careful about my fat and lactose intake, though. Used to love doing baked Brie as an appetizer, but that would probably kill me now.

16.  Home made or can soup?

I like either, if it's tasty. I don't make much soup from scratch anymore — we eat a lot of Amy's soups, especially the minestrone and the vegetable-barley and the lentil.

17.  Do you like to eat out?

I do. We don't do it as much as we used to.

18.  What kind of food is popular where you are? (Like in Alaska it is seafood)

Texas? Barbecue and Tex-Mex. Also, German food in my hometown of San Antonio.

19.  Do you like cotton candy?

Not really. I liked it when I was a child. But even then, I thought it never tasted as good as it looked like it should.

20.  Turkey or Chicken?

Not crazy about turkey. I like chicken, but get tired of it very quickly.

21.  Hamburger or tuna helper?

Neither. I never used any of the "helper" mixes. And we're almost completely vegetarian now.

22.  Raw or cooked veggies?

Well, I like a nice green salad. Otherwise, I prefer my veggies cooked.

23.  Do you like salad? If so, what is your favorite kind of salad?

Love salad. Green salads, fruit salads, potato salads, pasta salads, tuna, salmon, shrimp, chicken. Just about any kind really. (Why am I getting so hungry all of a sudden?)

24.  Favorite pizza topping?

Cheese, mushrooms, olives, peppers. (Okay — time for a little snack.)

25.  Do you like meat loaf?

I do. And I make a great meat loaf. Actually, I make several different kinds of great meat loaf. It's one of the few things I can really cook. Unfortunately, we haven't eaten meat loaf in at least 30 years.

😸

Saturday 9: The Theme from Gidget

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 Theme from "Gidget" (1965)

Listen to it HERE.

1. Gidget was a sitcom that ran only one season. Have you ever seen it?

Yes, it was one of my favorite shows when I was a teenager. I watched it as much as possible, but that was a really busy period in my life and I'm sure I didn't see every episode. I've always loved Sally Field. (Have to admit, though — I really didn't remember this theme song.)

2. Gidget is a high school student who is more interested in surfing and boys than in the books. When you were Gidget's age, was your top priority getting good grades? Or were you more involved in the social side of student life?

I'd have to say both. I was always focused on getting good grades, but I was pretty social too. 

3. Gidget's father was nearly always unflappable when it came to his daughter's high-spirited shenanigans. Who is the coolest, calmest person you know?

That's a tough one. I know lots of "cool" people, but none of them are especially calm these days. Strange times, y'know?

4. Gidget spends as much time as she can at the beach, hanging out with her best friend Larue. Fair-skinned Larue doesn't share Gidget's passion for surfing and prefers to stay on the beach blanket, wearing a floppy hat that protects her from the sun. Are you a sun worshipper? Or, like Larue, are you careful about your exposure to the sun?

Again, both. I love being in the sun, but I definitely try to limit my time out there. (Larue is an interesting name. I once worked with a girl named Larue. She hated her name.)

5. Gidget, the quintessential California girl, was created by Freidrich Kohner, an Austrian-born screenwriter. Can you think of another Austrian import?

Well, there's Ah-nuld — Arnold Schwarzenegger is originally from Austria. And my great-grandfather was born in Austria (and died in Texas, 84 years later).

6. Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller wrote this week's Gidget theme. They also wrote the 1960 hit song, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool." When is the last time you felt foolish?

Hey, I'm sitting here in my jammies, playing with an almost defunct blog that hardly anyone reads, answering questions about a sitcom that no one has seen in over 50 years. So don't get me started on "feeling foolish."

7. This is the show that introduced Sally Field. She went on to win two Oscars and four Emmy Awards. When you think of Sally, what role comes to mind?

As I said, I'm a real fan of Sally Field. I've always found her very easy to identify with — we're the same age, we're both "petite," and we have similar hair (mine's a little lighter). And she's funny. I think she's a very good actress, and she's been in some of my favorite movies. So I don't really associate her with any one role. But if I had to pick one, I'd probably say the reporter she plays in "Absence of Malice" was my favorite.

8. Today Gidget is a grandmother. Sally reports that her grandchildren especially enjoy "sleepovers at Granny's." Where were you the last time you spent the night away from home?

Hmmm. We haven't gone anywhere this year, so I guess the last time I was away from home overnight would be last September when we went to Hawaii. We need to get out more. 

9. Random question -- Describe your perfect lazy afternoon.

At home with the hubby. A good book to read. Sunshine, no emergencies, no errands, no plans. And somebody else does the cooking.

Happy Saturday, everyone!
Have a great weekend.

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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!

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