Saturday 9- It's Late

 
It's Late (1959)

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.


1) Ricky Nelson laments that he should have been home hours ago. When is the last time you stayed up later than you should have? What were you doing?  I stayed up late last night watching Pillow Talk with my son Josh.  We stay up late in the summer.  It is so hard for me to go back to school in August because I just love staying up with him.  I LOVED that movie by the way.  I laughed so hard!  So glad Summer is here!

2) Compounding Ricky's problem is that he's nearly out of gas. How is your gas tank right now? When did you most recently fill 'er up?  It is full...got filled up today.

3) It gets worse! He can't call home because he doesn't have a dime for the pay phone. Have you recently been in a situation where you've been glad you had your cell phone handy?  Maybe not recently, but the reason I have never been without a cell phone is I was traveling late at night many years ago and someone had a car wreck and the body was laying in the road.  Then some guy comes running toward my car.  I was so freaked out.  The guy running toward my car turned out to be someone I knew though.  I was afraid I was going to be killed.  I was on a dark winding road.  I also had a flat one time that my cell phone came in handy.

4) The video for this song is from an episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Ozzie Nelson, Ricky's father, was in charge of the show and made the rules. One was that no one was allowed to smoke on the set ... except his wife, Harriet. Do you smoke? Have you ever lived with a smoker?  I do not smoke and I do not currently live with anyone that does.  My mom smoked when I was a kid though.

5) Life magazine coined the phrase "teen idol" to describe Ricky's popularity. According to Tiger Beat, today's teen idols include Johnny Orlando and Ruby Jay. Johnny was born in 2003, Ruby in 2004. Sam admits that before today, she had no idea who these young people are. How about you?   Nope, never heard of those people, but I remember Tiger Beat!  I loved that magazine as a teen!


6) While Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan have posthumously praised Ricky Nelson's music, 1950s music critics dismissed him as a lightweight. What's the last review you read? Was it written by a professional critic, or was it contributed by a consumer to a site like Amazon or Yelp?  Probably something on Amazon or even Ulta.  I never read professional critic reviews.

7) At the height of his popularity, Ricky tried his hand at movies, appearing in the western Rio Bravo with John Wayne. He turned 18 during the filming, and Wayne celebrated by playfully throwing Ricky into a sack of horse manure. Do you think pranks and practical jokes are funny?  Not particularly.

8) In 1959, when this song was popular, the St. Lawrence Seaway was completed. It connects Canada to our Great Lakes. Without looking it up, can you name all 5 Great Lakes?  no, I was able to come up with three and had to look the other two up.  I remembered Erie, Michigan and Huron. 

9) Random question – You drive past a local motel and see the car of a very married friend right there in the lot. Would you ask her about it?  Oh wow!  I would probably never pay enough attention to actually look at the cars at a hotel, but if I did, I would probably wait to see if the friend said anything first.

Wednesday Medley- NATIONAL PAPERCLIP DAY

NATIONAL PAPERCLIP DAY

1.  Wow!  Had you ever heard of the Holocaust project involving paperclips?  It is a great teaching project, for sure!  I had not heard of this project, but very interesting and yes a great teaching project!

2.  Have you ever created a paperclip chain?  How long did it get?  not on purpose, but occasionally I would play with paper clips when I was younger and put them together and make a chain, it was small though.

3.  I use paperclips as hooks at Christmas time to put ornaments on the tree.  Works like a charm!! What is something you used a paperclip for, other than holding papers together?  I have straigtened out paperclips and used them to clean playdough from small areas at school.  I have also used them as ornament holders as well.

4.  I am amazed at the shapes and colors of paperclips available.  I found my favorite... share your favorite with us here!  I do not have favorite paper clips.  Just the normal ones are fine for what I use them for.

5.  Say goodbye to May on this last Wednesday of May.  Be poetic if you will, or simply bid it adieu.  Good bye May and may June not bring us so many tornadoes!

6.  Tell us something about your week so far, please!  We went to Rogers, AR on Saturday to do some shopping.  I had never been, so it was fun.  Then on Memorial Day, we spent the day in our yard enjoying the breeze in our gazebo.  It was a hot day...86º, but the breeze was so nice we stayed out.  We also grilled and ate dinner in there too.  It was a nice relaxing day.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Your Brand Is Showing

Your Brand Is Showing
1.   Food: ~ Do you buy brand names or go for the cheaper store name brand?  It is a bit of a mix at my house.  I have found many store brands taste the same or even better to me.  There are other items that I must have the brand name though.

2.   Clothes: ~ Wear designer jeans/slacks with a brand name or regular department store jeans/slacks?  department store....whatever I can find that is not expensive.

3.   Handbags: ~ Buy a designer bag or look for a less expensive copy?  I do not even care about a copy, I just buy an inexpensive handbag.

4.   Shoes: ~ You got the drift, designer or a cheaper copy?  I spend more on shoes because I am on my feet all day,  so designer, but they are still not crazy expensive.

Memorial Day Poem

I wanted to share this poem my Uncle Gary wrote when he was in Vietnam.  He also died there, so today on Memorial Day, I remember him.  He was my dad's youngest brother.
Here is a picture of him.  It is the only one I have of him as an adult.  I have one of him with my dad when he was a little boy and I do not have his military picture.  I never met my Uncle Gary.  He died the same year I was born.

Vietnam

Here I am in Vietnam

So many miles from home

But though I am so far away

I know I’m not alone.

As I was nearing Vietnam

I almost shed a tear

As I bowed my head in heartfelt prayer

Dear Lord, remove my fear

And when the plane landed

It was plain for me to see

That here in this dense jungle land

I would have no luxury

This war is mean, and this war is cruel

And many men must die

Yet there seems to be no answer

To our single question Why?

There are no boys in Vietnam

So onward we must go

For all the units fight bravely on

To conquer Viet foe

The people here in Vietnam

In this small community

They know the real meaning

Of the words real poverty

To stop the Communists

Is the reason we must try

For in it lies the answer

To our simple question Why?

And back home I miss you all

And if there is something you want to do

Say a prayer that this war will end

And I’ll soon be home with you.

                             …Gary Lee Burkett

Saturday 9- God Bless America

Unfamiliar with Deanna Durbin's rendition of week's tune? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. 

1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, this is when memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood?  no, I live in the country, but there are some about 20 miles away more in the city.

2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial/Decoration Day  was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our 45 Presidents? no

3) According to the AAA, more than 30 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend? I will not be traveling at all.

4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? fried chicken

5) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?  Oh yes!  Our A/C has been on a couple of weeks.

6) Though she's belting out one of America's best loved patriotic songs, Deanna Durbin was born in Canada. Is there anyone in your family or circle of friends who wasn't born in the USA?  not that I can think of.

7) No longer a household name, Ms. Durbin was once one of the biggest stars in the country. One of her most popular films was 1937's One Hundred Men and a Girl, which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Recommend a movie that you really like, but don't think many Saturday 9ers have seen.  Ten Things I Hate About You (1999)...I am guessing you guys have seen all of the movies I have seen. hahahaha

 

 

8) Back in 1938, Deanna Durbin had her handprints cemented in front of the TCL Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Have you ever visited that Los Angeles tourist attraction?  nope

9) Random question: What food did you hate as a child, but enjoy now? General Chicken

 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

 

Wednesday Medley- NATIONAL ROAD TRIP DAY

NATIONAL ROAD TRIP DAY

1.  Have you ever done a spur-of-the-moment road trip?  Where did it take you?  Oh yes, I do this to my poor husband on occasion.  The last time  I decided we needed to go for a trip we went to the capital of Missouri Jefferson City and we also went to The Lake of the Ozarks.  It was a fun day.  I am mostly spontaneous for day trips.

2.  If time and money wasn't an issue, what roads would you choose to travel and how long would you be gone?  I do not know what roads.  We did a road trip down Route 66 for a while...another day trip we did.  I would want to visit all over the United States, it is so beautiful and I would want to see as much as I could.

3.  When you go on a long road trip, what snacks and beverages do you take?  Do you pack a picnic? Does the back seat turn into a nest?   We pack a ice cooler of different drinks.  We also take different types of snacks and they are not typically the same from trip to trip.

4.  Please tell us about something interesting or strange you have seen on the side of the road.  More on the strange side are the adult arcades and adult movie rental places.  Not sure what goes on in an adult arcade...sounds so gross.

5.  Who does the driving when you head out in the car?  Do you stop in the rest areas along our Interstate highways when you have to use the facilities, or do you choose a fast-food restaurant or gas station instead?  Not TMI... inquiring minds want to know!  My husband drives.  We mostly stop at gas stations or fast food places, but we have had to stop at rest areas before too.

6.  Please share something with us about your week so far.  This is the last week of school and today was our last day with kids.  I hate the last day with kids.  It is always so sad for me.  I love summer though, so I am looking forward to that.  Thursday will be our last day we have to work.  We are packing up our classrooms.  We also had yet another tornado warning today and had to take our kids to safety.  They did great.  They did not act scared at all.  They probably did not know what was going on.  I teach preschool.

Tuesday 4 Meme- The News

The News
1.   Do you read an actual print newspaper? If so, how often?  No, never.  The only time we ever buy a newspaper is for Black Friday ads.

2.   What is your main source of news?  National News or reading the news online.  I probably catch a lot of stories on the local news too.

3.   Do you believe that it's possible for the media to be unbiased?  no, I feel like they have a view like everyone else and that is ok.   I have a hard time watching the national news because they cannot even pretend to be unbiased.  I have always heard the older newsmen were able to appear unbiased.  That is the way I want the news reported.  I am not interested in anyone's views as I watch the news.

4.   Who is/are your favorite TV News Anchor Personality Or Real Live Reporter/s?  I am watching Lester Holt right now as I write this, but I do not really have a favorite.  I trust my local news reporters more.  I have met many of them and go to church with several.

Sunday Stealing- Unconscious Mutterings

    

I say ... and you think ... ?

    Hurry! ::  UP!
    Dumb ::  founded
    Fudge :: sundae
    Sturdy ::  wood
    Printing ::  press
    Itch ::  poison ivy
    Creaks ::  floor
    Paste ::  glue
    Waste of time ::  social media

    Let down :: disappointed
    Cancellation ::  flight
    Suspect ::  crime
    Fireplace ::  cozy
    Spring ::  flowers
    Commute :: to work
    Places ::  and spaces
    Fraud ::  fake
    Adoption ::  kids
    Election ::  politics
    Moving day ::  pack up

Saturday 9- Secret Love

Secret Love (1953)

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

Rest in peace, Doris Day (1922-2019)
 
1) In this song Doris admits she's spoken to the stars, "the way dreamers often do." Do you often daydream?  Oh my word!  All...The...Time!  I am often lost in my own thoughts.

2) What's the last secret you kept? (It doesn't have to be romantic.)  My co-worker told me something this week in confidence and I am not saying a word.

3) While "Secret Love" was one of Miss Day's best-selling records, and the song won an Oscar, she did not perform it at the Academy Awards Ceremony. She said she was just too nervous to sing it live before an international television audience and an auditorium full of entertainment professionals. When did you last suffer an attack of nerves?  Every time I see a doctor I have to do breathing to calm me down before the doctor comes in.  I am not sure what I think they are going to do to me, but I sure get myself worked up in my older age.

4) Doris' well-publicized attack of Oscar stage fright was unexpected because she began her career as a band singer, performing before live audiences every night. But she reportedly did develop more phobias over the years, including a fear of flying. Is there anything that scares you now, as an adult, that didn't frighten you as a child?  YES!  I feel like I did the same thing...developed fears as I grew older and possibly more attentive to things.  I was never afraid of heights when I was a kid and now I am.  I can go right up anything, but I get scared coming down. 
 
5) Doris Day made 39 movies between 1948 and 1968. She said one of her favorite things about filmmaking was working with costume designers on her wardrobe. Do you enjoy shopping for clothes?  not really.  I wish I had more money and time.  I might enjoy it then.

6) Doris confessed that when she had to lose weight for a role, she gave up ice cream. If we checked your freezer, would we find any ice cream?  yes.  I had to stop eating ice cream when I was having gall bladder problems a couple of years ago, but now that my gall bladder is out I can eat it fine and I even crave it in the summer.
 
7) In 1985 she hosted a cable show called Doris Day's Best Friends. She used the show as a platform to promote pet adoptions and animal welfare. Most of the guests were  celebrity friends who reportedly donated their salaries for appearing on the show to Doris' pet foundation. Did you more recently ask a friend for a favor, or perform a favor for a friend?  It goes both ways for us, but most recently I asked a friend for a favor.


8) For more than 20 years, Doris co-owned the Cypress Inn in Carmel, CA. The Inn expects to continue on without her, and maintain the pet-friendly policies she introduced. Have you ever traveled with your dog or cat?  I have not, but I do appreciate pet friendly places just in case.

9) Random question: What's the last thing you complained about?  The heat here...Hahahahaha, it isn't even that hot yet.  It was high 80's today.  I hate being sweaty.

I was so sad to hear about the passing of Doris Day.  My son Josh loves her.  I am sure he will want to show me some of her movies once I am done with school.  Do you have a favorite you would share that we could look for?