Saturday 9: Soldier

 

Soldier

Saturday 9: Soldier (2016)

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

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.  My mom's dad (my Grandpa- Carl Oslin) was in WWII...stationed in Germany.  My Uncle (My dad's brother- Gary Burkett) was killed in Vietnam.  My nephew Brian is active military and flies Blackhawk helicopters now and also works on them.  He just went through training to learn to fly not long ago.  He has been in the military a while though as a mechanic.

2) This song is about the courage it takes for soldiers to march into battle. Gen. Patton said, "The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers." He was emphasizing that each individual's dedication is essential to the unit's success. Do you work well as part of a team? Or are you better on your own?  I used to like to work alone, but now I like to work as a team.  Teamwork makes the dreamwork.  We get so much done as a team and it is less work on me.

 

3) As of 2025, California is the state with the most military bases. Have you ever visited or lived on a base?  We have Ft. Leonard Wood not far from where I live and when I was in college, I dated a guy that his family lived near it and we went to the base one time I was visiting.  My husband has worked some at that same base building a hospital.  He does commercial constructuion.

 

4) At the turn of the of the 20th century, wristwatches were considered non-essential jewelry items, with pocket watches preferred for everyday timekeeping. During WWI, soldiers in the trenches needed to both synchronize actions across the battlefield and keep their hands on their weapons, so the wristwatch went from "fashion item" to "standard issue." Do you often wear a watch, or do you depend on your phone for the time?  I wear a watch.  My phone is big and I do not carry it around with me at work.

 

5) Jeeps were originated by the US Army during WWII. Back then they were specifically for soldiers deployed to the European Theater, today there are more than 18 million Jeep-branded vehicles on the road all over the world. Have you ever driven a Jeep?  no, but I have had rides in them.  I have a lot of friends that drive them.

 

6) While Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses are a timeless symbol of cool, they were designed during WWII for a specific purpose: to give American flyers relief from glare at high altitudes. Tell us about your sunglasses.  My sunglasses look like dark brown cheetah print and they have prescription in them so I can see.

 
7) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?  My mom used to make fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, rolls and drinks and we would go to the lake for a picnic.  I have not been on an actual picnic in a while.  We mostly grill burgers/hot dogs and steak here at the house.


8) This marks the weekend when Americans traditionally step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the cold winter months. For example, when is the last time you worked in the garden or tended the lawn?  Mother's Day weekend I planted flowers in our yard.

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? no, it is cold today.  I have the heat on.

Sunday Stealing Makes You Choose

 

Sunday Stealing Makes You Choose

                                              


Which one?

1. Pepsi or Coke?  Pepsi!

2. Cappuccino or coffee?  Neither, I don't drink coffee.

3. Chocolate or vanilla?  depends on what it is...ice cream-vanilla, shakes-chocolate, cake-chocolate

4. Hot tea or iced tea? iced sweet tea

5. Dinner for two or a party?  dinner for two

Saturday 9: Fun, Fun, Fun

 

Saturday 9: Fun, Fun, Fun (1964)

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

1) This song is about a girl who borrows her father's Ford Thunderbird. When is the last time you drove someone else's car?  Last year we had bad hail and my brand-new car had to go in the shop with hail damage.  I drove my mom's car while it was getting fixed.

2) The teen in question is well known for ability to drive "like an ace." If we were to ask your high school classmates what they remember most about you, what do you think they'd say?  I really don't know.  It would depend on who you asked.  I think my good friends from high school would remember all of the good times we had together.  We were good kids.  We never got into trouble.  I think overall most people would remember me as Coach Burkett's daughter.  My dad was a football coach and high school typing teacher.  He was a very popular teacher.  He is in the school sports hall of fame.

3) She told her father she needed the car to go to the library but used it instead to meet friends. Can you recall a time your parents caught you in a fib?  When I was home from college they got mad at me a lot because I would come home late.  I was honestly usually with my friend Debi.  Sometimes we were drinking and sometimes we were just eating ice cream and having fun.

4) For this girl and her friends, fun centered on cars and fast food. What did you and your friends do for fun during your teen years?  I live in a tourist town, so we would go to Branson and play tourist.  We would also go to Springfield to the mall and hang out.  I live close to a lake too, so we spent a lot of time boating on the lake.

5) Legend has it songwriters Brian Wilson and Mike Love got the idea for this song from a Salt Lake City disc jockey. He told them he'd lent his T-bird to his daughter so she could go to class at the community college but discovered her deception when the car was ticketed in front of a fast food restaurant. Can you think of another song inspired by true events? Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton.

 
6) As in the song, the disc jockey punished his daughter by taking her driving privileges away. Were your parents strict when you were growing up?  Oh goodness yes!  I appreciate that now though.

7) This song was recorded on January 1, 1964. The Beach Boys had to work on the holiday because they were under pressure to meet a February release date. How did you spend New Year's Day 2026?  I am pretty sure we took down the Christmas decorations, and I cleaned house getting it ready for the New Year!

 
8) 1964 was a great year for Capitol Records. They had chart-topping hits by the Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand and, most spectacularly, The Beatles. The Capitol Records Building in Los Angeles is considered iconic and it's a stop on tourist bus tours. Have you ever been to Southern California? If yes, what did you do?  no

 
9) Random question: What's the last compliment you received?  I am wearing a t-shirt today (Friday) that says "It is a good day to teach tiny humans".  After school one of my co-workers told me they really liked my shirt.

Sunday Stealing -- Thunking

 

Sunday Stealing -- Thunking

                                           



Thursday Thunks

1. Is there anyone whose home you enter without knocking? Does anyone (who doesn't live with you) have permission to enter your home without knocking?  I went into my mom and dad's house without knocking and we go into Karl's mom and dad's house without knocking.  No one ever comes in our house without knocking.  My doors are always locked though.

2. Tell us about a school trip you took.  I took my pre-K class on a field trip on Friday to a place called Rise Play Park indoor playground.  They have a giant pirate ship you can slide down a slide from it and dress like a pirate, there is a pizza restaurant room, an ice cream room, grocery store, playdough, manipulatives, vet office.  These are all little rooms with kid toys in them.  I had the most fun playing with the kids in the pizza room watching them put together pizza, sandwiches and cooking for me, the parents and other kids.

3. Name three things within arm's reach right now (but they can't relate to your phone, computer or laptop).  Water, a cookie, tv remote.

4. Weather permitting, do you dry your clothes outdoors on a clothesline?  no

5. If every flower in the world only bloomed in one color, what color would you like to see?  What an awful thought.  I guess red.  It is a bright happy color.  I am planning on red, white and blue flowers for the 250th birthday of our country.

Saturday 9: Like My Mother Does

                            

Saturday 9: Like My Mother Does (2011)

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

1) In this song, Lauren Alaina tells us she knows she's beautiful and strong because she sees herself as her mother does. Who in your life consistently sees the best in you?  My mom

 

2) She sings that her mother is her "rock." In this context, what do you think that means?   her strength

 

3) When Lauren performed this song in concert, she brought her mother Kristy up on stage and held her hand as she sang. Kristy said she was touched, but also embarrassed because her daughter was the entertainer, not her. Do you get shy when all eyes turn to you?  Oh yes.  I am good in front of my students, but not a room of my peers.

 

4) Lauren began reading in pre-school and always read well above grade level. As a child, were you a big reader? Are you a big reader today?  I was not a big reader as a kid, but I am a big reader now.  In fact, I have put a lot of books on hold for the summer.  I am ready!  2 more weeks.

   

5) According to the National Restaurant Association, we like to eat out on Mother's Day, and brunch is especially popular. If you could have whatever you want for brunch, what would you order?  I am in the mood for pancakes right now.  We usually eat eggs though.

6) Mother's Day is the third biggest card-sending holiday in the US, just after Christmas and Valentine's Day. Who received the last card you purchased?  I bought some thank you cards for teacher appreciation week, so several different parents got those this week.

 

7) While flowers are the most popular Mother's Day gift, jewelry comes in second. Are you wearing any jewelry as you answer these questions? If yes, did you receive it as a gift or buy it yourself? I have removed all of my jewelry for the day.

 

8) According to the National Retail Federation, more and more of us are celebrating our mothers by taking her to a paint and sip event, a pottery class, or candle or soap making. Which of those four options do you think you'd enjoy the most?  I love candles so much, I think I would enjoy that the most.

9) While there's a spike in phone traffic on Mother's Day, these days it seems the trend is texting. On holidays, do you receive more calls or texts?  texts

Tuesday 4 Meme- Hello May!

 

Hello May!

Welcome friends!
This weeks Tuesday 4 in memory of our friend Toni Taddeo is from Mary who blogs at Visits With Mary. and it's all about the month of May. Thanks Mary!


1. May’s First Glimpse — What is the very first thing you notice or feel when May arrives each year?

I get excited for warmer weather.  This year has been warm already though.


2. Simple May Joys — What small pleasures do you look forward to in May — flowers, breezes, routines, or traditions?  Decorating with flowers around my yard.  They make the lawn look so nice.


3. May Memories — Do you have a favorite May memory from childhood, family life, or recent years?  My anniversary is May 10th, so I look forward to that every year.  This year will be 29 years.


4. May Intentions — What gentle goals or hopes do you carry into this new month?  School will be out for summer in 3 weeks!  I am ready to sleep past 5:00AM and read some books, visit my mom more.  I really want to start walking again on my treadmill.  I want to start off slow.

Sunday Stealing Looks Back on April

 

Sunday Stealing Looks Back on April


                                        


In the Past Month Meme

During April, did you ...

1. Drink alcohol?  no, I do not drink

2. Eat sushi?  no, I have never tried it, but it doesn't sound appealing to me.

3. Go shopping with friends?  no, I wish.

4. Eat an entire box of cookies by yourself?  no

5. Dye your hair?  no, but later this month I will, once school is out.