Saturday 9: Kung Fu Fighting

 

Kung Fu Fighting

Saturday 9: Kung Fu Fighting (1974)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Have you ever taken a martial arts class? no, but I wish I had.

2) In this song, Carl Edwards sings about funky Chinatown. Many cities – including San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver, London and Antwerp – have a Chinatown. Have you ever visited Chinatown? No, I am not aware of anything like that where I live but would love to visit.

3) Many Chinese restaurants give out fortune cookies. Can you recall one of your fortunes?  I don't remember the fortunes.  I love getting the fortune cookies though.  I don't think we got fortune cookies the last few times.

4) This week's featured artist, Carl Edwards, was born in Jamaica, spent his childhood in the US, and relocated to England. Have you ever lived abroad?  unfortunately, no.

5) In 1974 he became the first Jamaican to have a #1 hit in the US with this song. Have you been to Jamaica?  no

6) When this week's song was on the charts, ABC TV had a hit with the show Kung Fu. Today it's available to stream. Were you a fan?  I don't think I have ever seen it.

7) Also in 1974, the FIFA World Cup was played in West Germany. Have you been following the FIFA World Cup this year?  I watched USA a few times and I wanted to see Messi and Ronaldo play, so I watched 4 matches probably.  My husband is a huge fan.

8) Two of 1974's most popular toys were popular with adults, too. Would you prefer a Rubik's Cube or a Magic 8 Ball?  I had a Rubik's Cube as a kid, but not an 8 Ball.  I am not sure I would want either anymore.  I have enough to do.

9) Random question: Have you ever cut someone else's hair?  no

Tuesday 4 Meme- Summertime

 

Summertime

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4...
Summer time is upon us.

                                   



1. What special memories do you have about summer when you were younger?  I lived close to a lake and we would go out boating during the day, we all had so much fun.  I also remember going out with my friend Debi a lot.  Such happy free times with little responsibility.


2. What is the highest temperature you've experienced in summer? What about so far this summer? How do you weather the heat or humidity?  In the 100's, probably 110 or so.  This year it has stayed in the upper 90's with humidity making it feel like the 100's.  It is the worst here in August. (Missouri)  When it is really hot, I used to go to the pool, but now I just stay inside in the A/C

3. What's been on your menu so far this summer?  We try not to use the oven much when it is so hot in the summer, so hamburgers have been on the menu a lot.

4. What is on your reading list this summer... anything to recommend to us? What's on your TV this summer. Any music you're liking this summer?  I recommend The Calamity Club.  It is historical fiction set in 1933 Mississippi.  It is by the same author as The Help.  It talks about how hard life was in that time.  TV- I am getting ready to watch Little House on the Prairie on Netflix, but The Four Seasons was funny and I already watched that.  If you are a reader, Five Star Weekend was good on Peacock.  Even if you didn't read it, it was good.  I haven't listened to a lot of music this summer.  I have been reading.

Sunday Stealing Asks Your Name

 

Sunday Stealing Asks Your Name


                                  

What Is Your ...

1. ROCK STAR NAME (current pet and first car)? Example: If you have a dog named Max and your first car was a Chevy Malibu, your rock star name would be Max Malibu.  Meisha Fairmont

2. RACECAR DRIVER NAME (the first names of your grandfathers)?  J.D. Carl

3. SOAP OPERA NAME (your middle name, town you were born in)?  Lynn St. Louis

4. WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM NAME (your parents' middle names)? Geneva Douglas

5. ROMANCE AUTHOR NAME (favorite flower, favorite season/holiday)? Petunia Christmas

Saturday 9: There'll Be Some Changes Made

 

There'll Be Some Changes Made

Saturday 9: There'll Be Some Changes Made (1962)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Ann-Margret sings that she's going to change her way of living. If you could simply snap your fingers and change something in your life, what would it be?  I would have us living by the lake where I am from.  I just want a lake view.

2) She tells us she's going to change her name. Have you ever changed your name, or asked people to refer to you differently? (Example: "Don't call me Betty anymore. I want to be Elizabeth.")  no, I did not like my name when I was younger, but I like it now.  I am not sure what people would call me.

3) Ann-Margret was born Ann-Margret Olsson in Sweden and when was 5, her family moved to Winnetka, Illinois. She is fluent in both Swedish and English. When did you last converse in a language other than English?  I don't really know enough of another language to have a conversation, but I have had Spanish speaking students I have said some words to and I had Ukrainian students that I learned some of their language to talk with them.

4) Olivia Newton-John was a big Ann-Margret fan. When she was cast in the movie Grease, Olivia asked that her character's name be changed from "Sandy Dumbrowski" to "Sandy Olsson" in tribute. Grease is one of the most profitable movies ever made. Have you seen it more than once?  Oh for sure.  I have seen it several times.  I love that movie.

5) Ann-Margret celebrated her 85th birthday earlier this year. Back in 2024, Ann-Margret told a reporter that she planned to celebrate her 83rd birthday with a spin on her motorcycle, a lavender Harley-Davidson. "I love speed," she explained. Do you always observe the speed limit? Or have you been known to zip along a little faster?  I typically go 2-3 mph faster than the speed limit.

6) This week's song was written in 1921 and over the last 100+ years it's been recorded more than 400 times. Before today, had you heard it?  no, I had never heard any of the versions.

7) The lyrics were written by William Weldon Higgins, who was better known as vaudeville comic Billy Higgins. When did you most recently laugh out loud?  I just watched The Four Seasons with Tina Fey and the others and I laughed so hard all the way through it.  It is hilarious and Alan Alda made cameos.

8) The music was composed by William Overstreet. In addition to writing music, he was a respected director at Chicago's Grand Theater. When did you last see a live performance (concert, play, etc.)?  It has been a while.  I think it was The Nutcracker ballet a few years ago.

9) Random question: Do you have more or less than $20 cash in your wallet right now?  more

Tuesday 4 Meme- What Do You Call It?

 

What Do You Call It?

Welcome to Tuesday 4 which was started by our friend Toni Taddeo and kept up in memory of her.
Different sections of the USA have different words and customs they use. Let's talk about
them.


                                        

1. In New Jersey you put your groceries in a paper bag or plastic bag. In Athens, Ohio where I went to
university, you put them in a paper sack.
Is it bag , sack or something else where you live?  I worked at a grocery store when I was in college and we would ask "paper or plastic" meaning bags.  Same as New Jersey.

2. Though no one seems to wear them anymore, NJ says Stockings.
Athens, Ohio used to call them "hose" and in Britain they are tights.
What about where you live?  hose

3.Soda, Pop, Coke?  I have said pop and soda.  I think I do not call it a coke, because I drink Pepsi.
Hero, sub, grinder, hoagie?  sub

4. Shopping cart or trolley. buggy?
What do you call it?  I call it a shopping cart, I have heard my mom call it a buggy.

Sunday Stealing Is Artificial

 

Sunday Stealing Is Artificial



                                     
 


Since it's the 4th of July weekend, we're going to keep this simple. On us all! The first question came courtesy of AI.

4th of July Questions

1) If you could attend a 4th of July fireworks display anywhere in the United States, where would you choose? Washington D.C.

2) What book are you currently reading?  I just finished The Calamity Club and highly recommend it.  My next read will be The Bright Years.

3) What have you been listening to?  YouTube channels and I have been watching the Elevate conference online for school.  I have been doing that all of June.  I have one session left.  It is for professional development. It is 39 hours.

4) What shows or movies have you been watching?  I just watched Enola Holmes on Netflix.

SATURDAY 9: God Bless America

 

SATURDAY 9: God Bless America 

Unfamiliar with Connie Francis' version of this song? Hear it here.

1) Irving Berlin's lyrics celebrate our mountains, prairies, and oceans. Which of these geographical features is nearest your home?  It is hilly where I live, but they call the hills the Ozark Mountains.  They do not look like the real mountains.  The prairie is not far either.  The ocean is nowhere near me.  It is definitely not flat here though.  Here is a picture of what it looks like here.

2) Berlin donated his royalties from "God Bless America" to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. Were you ever a Scout?  I was a girl scout in elementary school

 
3) While this week's song has been recorded many times, we're concentrating on Connie Francis' 1959 version. It was never intended to be a hit, released as the B-side to her popular "Among My Souvenirs." But it took off when it was played at school rallies and patriotic events. Do you know all the lyrics to "God Bless America?" Could you sing along with Connie?  I was in choir all of my school years, 1 year in college and church choir, so yes, I learned and performed it while in choirs over the years.

4) After she wrote her autobiography, Connie said she wanted Valerie Bertinelli to play her in the movie. Even though Valerie isn't known for her singing, Connie liked that they were both Italian-American and 5'5". If we made a movie of your life, who should play you?  I always thought Sandra Bullock, just because she is so silly.

 

5) Connie had a passionate romance with Bobby Darin, and their relationship is included in the Broadway show about Bobby's life, Just In Time. While Connie expressed her support for the production, she never saw the show because hip problems made flying difficult. How about you? Are you dealing with any aches or pains today?  My hips always hurt and my back.

6) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen? yes, if I am going to be out in the sun, I apply it generously.

7) More beer is purchased for the 4th of July than any other holiday. What beverage will be served with your July 4th meal?  Probably tea, soda or water.

 

8) Emergency rooms expect an increase over the July 4th holiday. The most common causes are sports injuries (like jammed wrists and wrenched knees) and the unwise use of home fireworks. Have you  been to the ER or Urgent Care during 2026?  I took my husband early in the year for migraines, but I haven't been for myself.

9) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend? Probably hotdogs and hamburgers.