Saturday 9: Sentimental Journey

Saturday 9: Sentimental Journey (1945)

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

1) Doris sings that she has her bag packed. Tell us about your luggage. Is your bag easy to spot on the luggage carousel?  I have never had my luggage on a carousel, so I am not sure if it would be easy to spot.  It is a multi shade brown suitcase with matching carry-on bag.

2) The release of this song coincided with VE Day, and so it meant a great deal to troops returning home from Europe. What song has sentimental value for you? Why?  Many songs from the 80's and early 90's when I was in high school and college.  I was just listening to my The Cars CD, it makes me think of college and good times.


3) As a young girl, Doris was passionate about dance. Concentrating in the studio and performing on stage helped distract her from heartache and embarrassment over her parents' divorce. When you want to escape from what's troubling you, what do you do?  I will often get on my computer and read websites or shop.  Sometimes listen to music.


4) Her dancing days came to an end when, at age 15, she was in a car accident and damaged her leg. During her recovery, she discovered how much she enjoyed singing with the radio, and was delighted to find others enjoyed hearing her. Tell us about a time you unexpectedly found happiness or success.  I am going to go with becoming a mom.  I was scared and I was not sure if I would enjoy being a mom, but of course I fell in love with my son as soon as I heard his little heart beat.  He has been my happiness ever since.
 
5) She moved from singer to actress in the late 1940s and was a major movie star for 25 years. She was paired with the most popular leading men of her time -- everyone from Clark Gable to Frank Sinatra to Rock Hudson. If you could share a kiss with any actor or actress, who would you choose?  I really do not know. I do not really want to kiss any movie stars.

6) 1968 was a terrible year for Doris. First, she suddenly became a widow. Then she discovered that her late husband and his business partner had squandered her money and she had to file for bankruptcy. Oh, wait! There's more! She also found that, in his role as her manager, her late husband had, without her knowledge, committed her to a weekly TV series. Do you have a 1968? What year you can point to and say, "Wow, I'm glad that's over"?  Not like Doris, but in 2017 it started with me falling on January 1st.  My arms hurt for almost a complete year.  I had gallbladder surgery that year also end of January.  I had complications with that surgery requiring a stent that had to be removed in March.  My dad got really sick and passed away in June.  In July I found out my dog had degenerative myolopathy which means she is losing the use of her legs.  That was the end of the bad stuff that year.  I did start a new job that year though that is amazing and I feel better now not having my gall bladder.  My dad was suffering from Alzheimer's, so he is not suffering anymore.  I feel like it was a bad year, but good came from it too.

7) After retiring from show business, she became an advocate for animal welfare. She has said we should be more sensitive to the loneliness, sadness and guilt people feel when they lose a pet. Think of a time you were grieving. What words or gestures helped you through? Conversely, what's something no one should ever say to someone who is hurting?  When my dad died a lot of people shared memories of him with me and let me know what a difference he made in their lives...he was a high school business teacher and football coach.  I found a lot of comfort in knowing what a difference he made and the prayers that were being said for all of us.  The things that were said to us when we were grieving that were hurtful were by family, so not an in general statement.  I think people just need to think.

8) Doris' only child was her son, record producer Terry Melcher. Terry had a successful, years-long collaboration with The Beach Boys. Do you have a favorite Beach Boys song?  I LOVE The Beach Boys!!!!!  I have seen them in concert several times.  I just love everything they sing.  I was able to hear Kokomo at a concert before it was released on the radio.  Just love them.

9) Random question: What's one thing you've never done, but have always wanted to try?  I think I will say travel more.  My husband has a job that does not allow for many vacations.  We have been places, but I will say leave the U.S. for a vacation.