Saturday 9- No. 9 Dream

Saturday 9: No. 9 Dream (1974)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) John Lennon liked the number 9. It shows up in three of his songs (in addition to this song, he performed "Revolution #9" and "The One after 909" with the Beatles). He was born on the 9th of October, as was his son Sean. Coincidentally, "No. 9 Dream" hit #9 on the Billboard chart. Do you have a favorite number?  no, not really

2) The phrase repeated in the chorus, "Ah bowakawa pousse pousse" means nothing. It's gibberish that John sang until he could come up with "real" lyrics for this melody. Then he decided he liked the sound of it, so he kept it. Can you think of a word that's fun to say just because you like how it sounds?  I like to say shenanigans, it is just fun.

3) John referred to "No. 9 Dream" as an example of "craftsmanship writing." A snatch of the melody just came to him and he got it down on a tape recorder, wrote lyrics, arranged it and recorded it in short order because he needed another song to finish the LP, Walls and Bridges. What's the last thing that you did because you were supposed to or you had to, and not because you wanted to?  It is a long story, I was going to write about it, but it was way too long to explain, so basically wrapping a bunch of gifts in a really short amount of time...I had to be somewhere.  I like to do things right and make things look nice.

4) Yet once "No. 9 Dream" was recorded, it became one of John's favorite of his solo songs. He loved its ethereal feel. Tell us about something that turned out better than you thought it would.  Last summer my husband and I worked on our house...he did all of the hard work and I did the cleaning up of the house inside (deep cleaning).  He put up a privacy fence and a gazebo in our yard.  Our yard went from looking trashy in a way to looking really nice.  I say it turned out better because I had no idea it would look so good.  He did a phenomenal job.
 
5) When he was working, John drank a lot of tea, as many as 30 cups in a day. Do you take your tea with cream, sugar, honey, or lemon?  I only drink cold sweet tea.  Hot tea is ok if it is really sweet, but I never drink hot drinks.


6) During his reclusive years (1975 to 1980), John didn't have household help, preferring to take care of his young son and housework himself. He did, however, have a chauffeur on call around the clock. If you could afford to a staff of one, what single thing would you have him/her do?  cook

7) When John was a boy, he requested water colors and colored pencils for his birthday and at Christmastime. Do you recall a special birthday or Christmas gift you received as a child?  I asked Santa for a doll house one year.  My Papa made me a doll house, it is so beautiful, he also made the furniture in it and my Granny made the curtains and cusions...things you sew in the house, she also made my Barbie's crocheted dresses!  They were the most beautiful things.  My mom told me Santa had asked my Papa to help him with the doll house and of course I have an heirloom now.

8) Beatles producer George Martin said John was "a completely impractical man." Would you describe yourself as impulsive, with flashes of practicality? Or are you practical, with flashes of impulsivity?   I am practical with flashes of impulsivity and I love it when I am impulsive, I wish it struck more often.


9) Random question -- Congratulations! You just one the Saturday 9 Sweepstakes, and the prize is your choice of a boat or a motorcycle. Which one do you take?  the boat, we live near a lake and it would be nice to be able to go boating again.  That was something I did a lot growing up.  I am not a fan of motorcycles, they kind of scare me.

Wednesday Medley- All AboutPets

1.  Have you ever had a special pet in your life?  Will you tell us about it?  I have had a few pets in my life, the most special pet for me is my dog Mandy...she is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and is currently 11 years old turning 12 in May.  She does not have a lot of time left.  She has a condition called Degenerative Myelopathy...basically she is slowly losing the use of her muscles.  Her back legs do not work anymore, but she can still get around.  Once things get into her front legs and affect her breathing, it will be the end, but we are not quite there yet.  We got Mandy as a puppy, she slept with us until just a couple of years ago, she still sleeps in a bed right next to my side of the bed.  Mandy always knows when something is wrong and stays close.  She is really smart and I love her a lot.  This is Mandy probably about 3 years ago.  She looks the same, absolutely gorgeous!

2.  Did you grow up with pets in your home?  What did it teach you?  I had a dog named Kai as a kid, but my mom made him live outside, I had a parakeet and it was cute.  I did learn that I would NEVER make a dog live outside again in my lifetime.  I do not want a pet to be penned up and have little interaction.

3.  Do you ever wonder what animals are thinking?  I do wish I knew, I just make up things that I think they might be thinking.."I love you so much, mommy", "I am hungry, mommy", "I want a treat"...hee, hee

4.  Sometimes a pet gets out and doesn't return for a few days. What do you think happens to them when they go on a walkabout?  We did have a lab several years ago that refused to stay home...he would escape our yard and go out hunting animals..rabbits, etc.  We learned later he ate the neighborhood cats too, he also played in a pond a lot.  We had to give him to my husbands parents so he would stay put...they live on a farm.  We tried putting a huge tall fence around our yard to keep him home, but he climbed it...no joke, I watched him do it.  He dug under fences too. 

5.  With cats and dogs being the most popular pets, what is the most exotic pet you have personal experience with (didn't have to be yours)?  I dated a guy with a ferret, well actually now that I am thinking about it, I think it was his roommate's, it was super cute and sweet, but they are smelly little things.

6.  Please tell us something random about your week so far...  We were all hoping for a snow day yesterday and possibly today, but we ended up staying in school all day Tuesday and went to school today (Wednesday) too.  We have a baby shower for a co-worker on Thursday and a birthday party for a co-worker on Friday!  We love celebrations!

Tuesday 4 Meme- I Wonder

I Wonder
1.   What song will always remind you of a favorite time in your life? anything by The Cars...I listened to The Cars with a group of friends in college and I still listen to them to remember those fun times we had. 

2.   What did you do on your past birthday?  I worked, but the girls at school had a birthday party for me.

3.   What was the best thing you ever bought?  My Grandparents car when they passed away.  My Papa was so proud of that car and was so eager to show it to me and tell me all about it.  My Granie used to let me drive her around in it.  I was allowed to be the first to be offered to buy the car.  It is a Toyota Camry and we (Karl and I) paid $6,000 for it.  It had really low miles at the time and it still runs like a dream.  My Grandparents bought it brand new.  I wanted it for sentimental reasons too though.  I feel like I am still connected to them because of that car.

4.   What do you wish you'd done less of in your lifetime?  worry

Sunday Stealing- Aesthetic themed List

I have tried to make the font larger, I think I have it working for my answers anyway.  So sorry.

1. when did you last sing to yourself?  I was singing Dirty Deeds by AC/DC yesterday as I was driving into Springfield...it was playing on the radio.

2. if a crystal ball could tell you the truth about anything, what would you want to know?  I would want to know if Josh was ever going to be ok or would he struggle with his depression and anxiety the way he is his whole life.  We went to see his doctor yesterday and he made another medication change.  He said it would be a process to find the right medicine for Josh.  I just want him to feel good again.

3. what is the greatest accomplishment of your life?  being a mother. Even though my son has depression, he will always be my greatest joy and accomplishment.

4. what is the first happy memory that comes to mind, recent or otherwise?  The kids at the preschool just had their Valentine's Day party, they seemed to have so much fun.

5. if you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living?  I think I would quit my job and be with Josh all of the time.

6. do you feel you had a happy childhood?  I do!  I was and still am really a very upbeat happy person.  I try not to dwell on the negative and focus on the positive things in life.

7. would you ever have a deep conversation with a stranger and open up to them?  I kind of do that here when I talk about Josh (my son).  I talk about more things here than I do to people in real life.

8. what would you title the autobiography of your life so far?
Fighting for Josh

9. how do you feel about tattoos and piercings? explain.  I am not a fan of them for myself, my ears are pierced and that is it.  I have no tattoos and do not want any, but I think if other people want them, that is totally fine.  It is just not me.

10. do you wear a lot of makeup? why/why not?  I keep my make-up natural looking, but I do wear a lot of make-up.  I feel better in it and feel more confident.

11.The world is listening. pick one sentence you would tell them.  Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding.  (The Bible verse I live by).

12. who in the world would you most like to receive a letter from and what would you want it to say?  My son, I mean, he lives here with me, but I would love for him to write a letter and tell me everything about how he is feeling with his depression and let me know if there is anything I can do to help.   I ask all of the time...he is pretty shut down right now.  He seemed to be getting better for a while.

13. do you have a desk/workspace and how is it organised/not organised?  I have a small area I keep my things and work from.

14. what’s your starbucks order, and who would you trust to order for you, if anyone?  I never go to Starbucks...I do not drink coffee....in fact, I often get Starbucks gift cards and I give them away. However, several years ago I worked with a teacher that would go to Starbucks and she would get me some kind of vanilla bean frozen drink...it tasted like a vanilla milkshake.  It was good.  I would drink sweet tea and hot chocolate also, but I am not paying the high prices for it, so I never go.  I would trust that teacher that got me things from Starbucks.

15. what is the most important thing to you in your life right now?  Josh's (my son) well being.

Saturday 9: Valentine

Saturday 9: Valentine (1993)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


This song was specially chosen for the Saturday 9 closest to Valentine's Day.

1) This is a love song written by Willie Nelson for his young son. Have you sent any Valentines this year to someone you love who isn't a romantic partner?  I got Valentine's for my son and all of the kids in my class at the preschool and my co-workers.

2) Today that little boy, Lukas, is a singer/songwriter who wrote eight of the songs for the 2018 A Star Is Born soundtrack. Have you seen the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga big screen romance?  no, but I am so excited to see it!

3) On Valentine's Day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the first telephone. Who did you most recently speak to on the phone? My mom today.

4) Penicillin was also introduced on Valentine's Day (in 1929). When you get a shot, do you look away when the needle touches your skin?  I think I do.  I mean, I do not look at the needle going into my arm, I try to just look forward.

5) According to legend, a gift of red roses signifies love and romance. When did you last purchase flowers or plants? Did you buy them for yourself, or someone else?  I got them to decorate outside our house.  I bought mums in the fall.


6) This week's artist, Willie Nelson, can trace his family tree back to the Revolutionary War. Captain John Nelson served with the Minutemen back in 1776. If you could go back in time to witness any great moment in American history, which would you choose?  There are so many things...I loved the show Timeless, there was a time machine and they visited moments in history every week.  The main characters were trying to stop the bad guys from changing history.

7) Before he became a musical success, Willie was a door-to-door salesman, peddling first Bibles, then vacuum cleaners. INC magazine tells us that the traits of successful salespeople include resilience and good listening skills. Do you think you'd make a good sales person?  not at all.  I am not pushy at all and I am kind of shy.

8) In 1993, when this song came out, Saved by the Bell aired its series finale. Crazy Sam likes to tease her brother because he once admitted to her that he has seen all 86 episodes of this teen sitcom. Is there a show that you believe you've seen every episode?  There are several now that we can binge watch shows, but back in the day I would say I probably saw all of the episodes of Friends and ER.

9) Random question -- We're having milkshakes! What's your favorite flavor?  Chocolate

Wednesday Medley- VALENTINE’S DAY

1.  I think St. Valentine's Day is for everyone, whether you have a romantic love interest or not.  I received a Valentine card from my sister (thank you Patti!) - case in point.  It is all about LOVE, not just romantic love.  What are your traditions for celebrating Valentine's Day?  I usually buy chocolate or some sort of little gift for Karl and Josh and then sometimes we go out to eat.  Nothing crazy.

2.  When you were in elementary school, did you decorate a shoe box and deliver those little valentines to all your classmates?   Perhaps in Sunday School?  Yes!  I had a nice box in school for Valentine's Day.  Since I teach preschool, I have been helping the kids make a little folder for their Valentine's they will get from friends to take home.

3.  Do you enjoy playing Cupid?  Have you ever introduced a couple who really clicked?  I do not do that.

4.  Which traditional Valentine's Day gift would you rather receive:  Chocolate, flowers, or a card with a personal message?  Karl usually gets me all of those things.  I really love flowers!

5.  What is the best movie to watch on Valentine's Day?  We do not watch anything special for Valentine's Day.  Just whatever our shows we watch that are on...normal day for us.

6.  Tell us something random about your week!  The weather is still crazy!  It was super cold on Monday...ice on Sunday and tomorrow we will have sun and 60's!  I have been busy at work getting things ready for the Valentine's Day party for the kids.  It will be fun.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!!! 

 

Tuesday 4 Meme- What, Was, Would And Do

What, Was, Would And Do
1.   What was the best thing you have ever bought?  I was able to buy my Grandparents car when my Granie passed away.  They bought it brand new and put hardly any miles on it.  It is a Toyota Camry and I just love it!  I feel like I have a connection to them with that car and of course it drives great still!  My Granie had put it in her will that I have the first opportunity to buy the car.  My cousins were not happy.  The money went to my mom and Uncle.


2.   What was the best book you have ever read?  I love To Kill and Mockingbird for a more serious read and The Great Gatsby for a fun read.


3.   What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?  We bought a lot of new things we are still paying for from 2018...the yard make-over and the new furniture, so we probably will not make any big purchases unless something breaks.  The next would be the stove or the washer or dryer.  What I really want is for Josh to start getting better from his depression and anxiety.


4.   What do you wish you have done more of in life?  Trying things that scare me...bungie jumping, ziplining...stuff like that.  I might have as a teen, but I do not think I would now.  I am pretty scared of heights now.