Tuesday 4 Meme- Home Sweet Home

1. Do you like the way your home is decorated or would you tweak things a bit if budget allowed?  I have worked on my house over the years to get it the way I want it, so I do like everything except the kitchen.  It has a ton of wallpaper and I would love for that to be gone.  

2.. Do you have any plans/dreams to change anything about your home ?  My walls could use a fresh coat of paint and my floors new carpet.

3. What style of furniture do you have or want  to have in your home and why?  I like the look of traditional furniture and I think it would work best with my decor, but it must be comfortable.  I am really fussy about furniture.

4. Tell us about your ideal dream house or dream kitchen if you prefer.  When we were looking at houses several years ago, I seemed to be drawn to French country plans.

Saturday 9- Everybody's Somebody's Fool

 

 Saturday 9: Everybody's Somebody's Fool (1960)

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

None of this week's questions mention the corona virus. However, if you want to share how you're feeling about Covid-19 at this extraordinary time, please feel free to do so.

1) Next Wednesday is April Fool's Day. Do you have any pranks planned? Do you expect to fall victim to any April Fool's Day mischief?  I do not like April Fool's Day.  I have no pranks planned.

2) When she was a kid, Crazy Sam would fool her mom by putting bubble wrap under the bath map so there would be a POP! when her mother stepped on it. When you encounter bubble wrap, do you always indulge in a pop or two?  I don't typically pop any of them.

3) While we're using this song to celebrate April Fool's Day, it was written about another subject entirely: heartbreak. The lyrics tell us that at some point, we each get our hearts broken by someone who doesn't love us as much as we love them. Do you think that's true?  I do not know if that is true for everyone, but it was true for me.

4) In 1962, this week's featured Connie Francis published a book aimed at teens called For Every Young Heart. It addressed topics like going steady and schoolwork vs. social life. Do you ever read advice columns or self-help books?  no

5) Connie Francis can play the accordion. Sam has never met anyone adept at this complicated instrument -- not even in her high school band. What about you? Do you play the accordion, or do you know anyone who can?  I do not.

6) In 1960, when this record was popular, Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird was published. Have you read it?  Oh yes, I read it when I was in high school.  I loved it.

7) Also in 1960, one of Life magazine's best-selling issues had Sophia Loren on the cover. At that time, she was an international film star and considered one of the world's most beautiful women. Who do you consider one of 2020's most beautiful women?  I 

am not sure, but Alicia Keys comes to mind. I love how is looks so natural.  She also seems very kind.

8) A 1960 issue of Vogue acknowledged how expensive it had become to maintain a fashionable wardrobe and asked, "If you were to buy only one thing, what would it be?" If it's good enough for Vogue, it's good enough for Saturday 9: If you could purchase only one new article of clothing for spring 2020, what would you buy?  I am all about comfort, so I do not really care about fashion much.  I would buy new tennis shoes.

9) Random question: When someone makes you really angry, are you more likely to respond with stony silence or a big noise?  stony silence

Sunday Stealing- Coronavirus Questions

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Pandora has posted a bunch of Coronavirus questions on her blog and shared them with all of us.  Thanks, Pandora!!

1. Has the COVID-19 affected your work environment?  Yes, I teach at a school and as of right now, we are shut down until April 6th.

2. How are you feeling about the Coronavirus?  I am taking it seriously and staying home.  It seems so many are getting it and it is bad.

3. Has anybody you know been tested / have you?  I saw today that a facebook friend that lives in New York was tested and tested positive, but that is the only person.  I have not been tested.

4. Do you have any friends stuck in any exotic locations?  no

5. Have you changed any of your personal habits due to the pandemic?  not really, I always wash my hands really good.  I guess I am not hugging on anyone right now.

6. What is the craziest thing you've seen or heard about the outbreak?  I think for me, just the overall effect and how everything changes from day to day so quickly.  We were still planning to go back to school after Spring Break on Tuesday and later that day all of the schools closed until April 6th.

7. Do you think our politicians are doing enough to curb the crisis?  It is moving so fast, I think they are trying to do as much as they can.

8. Have you stockpiled anything because of the crisis? no

9. What do you think you will miss the most if you are subject to a lock in?  I will miss the kids at school and my co-workers.  I think we are going to have a meeting on Monday though, I am going to participate through Zoom though and not in person.  It is optional.

10. What is the weirdest rumour you've heard about the virus?  I saw something about gargling with vinegar to kill the virus.  

11. Do you have a favourite meme about the virus?

12. Has the virus made you grateful for anything?  I have seen some bad things through this with the food and toilet paper hoarding, but I am also hearing some really good stories about people helping other people with food and shopping for them, etc.

13. Have any of your plans been upset by the outbreak?  no

14. Are you planning do to anything different because of the COVID-19 outbreak?  I am staying in my house as much as possible.

15. What do you hope to see in six months time?  I hope things are back to normal by then.

 16. Has the Coronavirus upset your mental health in any way?  no, I am careful not to watch too much news.

*Thank-you Pandora for these questions!  I do think it is important for us to talk about this stuff.

Saturday 9- Complete Symphonies (2019)

               http://samanthasaturday9.blogspot.com/

This week we're classing up the joint with a well-received box-set by the Danish Chamber Orchestra. You can listen to the orchestra here.

1) Beethoven is one of classical music's best known composers. Do you often listen to classical music?  I used to listen to a station on the radio that had classical music, but that station is gone.  I do not get to listen to it often, but I love it.

2) Though a musical genius, Beethoven never learned to multiply or divide. When faced with a simple arithmetic problem, do you do it in your head? Or do you rely on the calculator in your phone or on your computer?  usually in my head.

3) Beethoven bathed often, which was considered "quirky" for a man of his time. (Understandable, since you had the heat the water, haul it to the tub, and then empty the tub bucket by bucket when you were done.) Do you bathe in the morning or in the evening? morning

4) Adam Fischer conducts the Danish Chamber Orchestra for this 5-disc set. He began his musical career young, when he sang in the children's choir of Budapest's National Opera House. Have you ever sung in a choir or chorus?  yes, all through school, then college and church choir also.  I am not in anything anymore though.
 
5) Mr. Fischer was awarded the Gold Medal of Arts from the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Tell us about a prize or award you have received. (Yes, that ribbon you earned for penmanship in second grade counts.)  nothing is really coming to mind.  I did win a first place ribbon in jump rope during field day in 5th grade or so.  Oh gosh, I have lots of awards for singing too. I forgot those. BTW, I am not a good singer.  I have a good voice for harmonizing...I am an alto.


6) The Danish Chamber Orchestra is beloved in Demark. When, in 2014, the Danish Broadcasting Company announced it would no longer fund the Orchestra, citizens began a crowdfunding campaign and raised more than $1,000,000 to keep the music playing. Have you ever contributed to a crowdfunding platform, like GoFundMe, Kickstarter or FundRazr?  I have a couple of times.

7) The Orchestra's "home" is the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen. Where were you when you last heard music played live?  Maybe when we were at the theater seeing Les Misérables.


8) In 2019, when this boxed set was released, China became the first nation to land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. Are you fascinated by stories about space?  I think I am most of the time.

9) Random question: Tell us about your week. These are extraordinary times, and it might feel good to share.  Well, this was my Spring Break from school.  We literally went from early in the week that we were planning to return to school next Monday to we are closed until April 6th.  It has been very busy on the school front with everyone getting ready to pack serve meals to the kids (drive-thru grab and go) and prepare for possible longer shutdowns and online learning.  The county library sent out a message that they would be closing, so Josh and I went and stocked up on books.  I rescheduled a doctor's appointment (routine). This is all so weird.  Everything is happening so fast.  I am in Missouri, so the numbers aren't super high here yet, but I also feel like there are not enough tests to accurately show who is sick.  I have been cleaning my house.  Karl is still working (commercial construction) for now. 

Tuesday 4- Odds & Ends

1.   Ever been to a Drive In Theater? Would you like to see Drive In Theaters make a come back?   I have been a few times and I love them.  I believe there is still one open in the summer about 2 hours from where I live.

2.  Should towns provide community entertainment like 
bands in the park, fireworks on the 4rth, community picnics or is the cost just too much?  My church used to do a big fireworks display for the city, before that the city did one and now the 4th of July events are at the smaller cities.  There is a lot of planning and cost that goes into those.  I enjoyed them myself.  I have to stay home now though with my dogs because they are so scared of fireworks.  When I lived in Kansas City they had theater in the Park and it was free.  You could see a musical.  It was wonderful!


3.  What would you change about your town if you had the power?  This town is ok, I guess I would clean it up.  There are a lot of abandoned homes and businesses here.

 
4. My  little high school offered 3 courses of education:  Business, University track and General education where you could also major in shop , carpentry, home economics and metal working, etc.

Would you like to see schools bring back business courses, shop classes and home economics?  The school I work at and went to school at has a Vocational Technical School where schools all around can come and take courses just like that.  There is culinary, carpentry, health fields, working with kids....in fact we have several of the techincal school kids help us with our classroom.  They are wonderful.  It is a great program.

Sunday Stealing- Sleepy Rambles

 

1. What is the wallpaper on your computer screen? Why did you choose it?  It changes from beaches and mountains.  I love to look at those types of scenes, so that is why I chose it.

2. Who is the person you text the most in your life? What relation are you?  It would be either Lori, Rita or Kris.  They are all co-workers and we text a lot with each other.

3.Is there carpet or hardwood floor in your bedroom?   carpet

4. Do you believe in superstitious things such as breaking a mirror?  no, I am only superstitious with sports.  I will wear a certain shirt for games or whatever I have deemed lucky.

5. Do you like those ‘end of the world,’ ‘Armageddon’ movies?  no

6. Chocolate or strawberry birthday cake? Choose one.  chocolate

7. Do you eat more vegetables or fruits? What’s your favorite fruit/veggie?  I eat both the same.  I really like strawberries and pineapple.  I also love broccoli with cheese and green beans, but I love uncooked veggies with dip too.

8. Does the dentist calm you or does it tend to stress you out?  neither.  I have been seeing my dentist for a long time, so he doesn't stress me out, but I don't think it is calming either.

9. If you had to choose, which is the worst movie you’ve ever seen?  I usually only watch movies I know will be good.  I am rarely disappointed, but I have walked out on two movies at theaters.  I was just not impressed with Captain Ron with Kurt Russell.  I also do not care for slapstick.  Huge eye roll here from me.

10. Have you ever found yourself talking to an inanimate object?  yes, I was talking to a picture of someone's dog on their phone recently.

11. Do you like movies that are originally based on children’s books?  yes

12. Is your hair more thick or thin? Is it more curly or straight?  it is curly and somewhat thin.

13. Something on the human body that grosses you out the most:  toes?  I mean sometimes...sometimes people have really pretty feet.  I don't.

14. What is your favorite color of apple? Red, green or yellow?  yellow

15. Do you hardly ever remember where you put things at?  no...I am a everything has a place person.  If it is not in it's place, then I have trouble finding it.

16. Do you ever lay in the grass and look up at the sky, just because?  not anymore...I am seriously scared of snakes.

17. Are you a controversial person? Do your views oppose others?  My views do oppose others of course.  Everyone has their own views.  I do not share my views on here very often or in real life, but I have strong views.  I am not controversial though, I am not going to try to make you think you are wrong or crazy or whatever for liking or believing something I do not like or believe in.

18. Have you ever thrown a surprise party for someone? Who for?  I don't think so.

19. What would you say your average word per minute time is on the keyboard?  I don't know.

20. Do you like fiction or non-fiction books more? What’s your favorite?  fiction.  I have lots of favorites.

21. Do you know how to play pool? Are you any good at it?  I have played, but I am not good at it at all and I do not really enjoy it.

22. The most painful medical procedure you’ve ever had?  I guess when I had my gall bladder out.  It just seems like I was in pain with it longer than even childbirth.  I think it was because I was older.  It took longer to recover.

23. Are you someone who tends to take a whole lot of naps?  no....I do not have time to nap.  I talk about it a lot at work though...how I need a nap.

24. Have you ever been pulled over by the cops for speeding?  yes, when I was in college.

25. Is anyone in your family a firefighter? Who is it anyway?  No

25. Is anyone in your family a firefighter? Who is it anyway?

Sauturday9- I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen

 

                                    http://samanthasaturday9.blogspot.com/



I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (1975)

Chosen because St. Patrick's Day is Tuesday.

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

1) This week's song is widely considered a traditional Irish ballad. Are you of Irish descent?  Not that I am aware of.
 
2) It's a song from a groom to his homesick bride. Who did you most recently serenade? (Yes, "Happy Birthday" counts.)  We just had a birthday in our classroom on Wednesday, so one of the students is who I sang to!  She turned 5.

3) Kathleen considers "home" her mother's cottage. How about you? Is "home" where you live now, or is it where you grew up?  Where I live now.  


4) St. Patrick is credited with driving snakes out of Ireland, and to this day the Irish report there are no snakes on their land. Ophiophobia is the fear of snakes. Do you suffer from ophiophobia?  Yes, because they slither around so fast.  I know that some snakes are good, but my word...they scare me so bad....so do mice.  Same reason, they dart around...unpredictable.

5) Irish Americans held the first St. Patrick's Day parade on our shores in New York City in 1766. Does your town host a St. Patrick's Day parade?  no, I live in a little town

6) Leprechauns are a symbol of St. Patrick's Day. These small Irish fairies are said to live in the forest, guarding their gold. Do you more often wear silver or gold?  I don't wear much jewelry.  My wedding band is gold, so I will say gold.  My watch is silver though.  I am mixed.

7) The signature color of St. Patrick's Day is green. Will you wear green next Tuesday?  I will probably try to.

 
8) This week's featured artist, Elvis, was the idol of millions. But not the Songfellows. In the early 1950s, a young Elvis auditioned for this gospel group and they refused him. Just as well, as the King of Rock 'n Roll did rather well for himself as a solo. Like Elvis, did you ever interview for a job that you didn't get?  Of course, but things always work out in the end.

9) Random question: Do you believe women are more emotional than men?  I don't know in general, but I am more emotional than most men I know.

Tuesday 4 Meme- The Sky Above Us!

https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/

1. Some people have a pet planet or a planet they think is cool. What about you?  I kind of like Saturn because of the rings. They are all super cool though.

2. Whether you believe in astrology or not, you do have a "sign". What is yours and do you fit the description in any way?  Virgo-  I had to look it up (the description) because I do not really follow astrology at all, but some things fit me and some did not.  I think you could read any zodiac sign description and feel the same way.

3. Do you stay up late to watch meteorite showers or crane your head to see the clouds in the daytime?  I watch the sky a lot.  I am fortunate to live  where I have a good view of the stars and the moon.  In the day, I am always looking up at the sky.

4. Do you think money is wasted on the space program that might be better used on earth?  I do not think so, I am so interested in space though.

*  I have Parent/Teacher conferences Tuesday night, so I will probably visit Wednesday night, but I WILL visit.

Saturday9- Bye, Bye Blackbird

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Saturday 9: Bye, Bye Blackbird (1957)

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

1) In this song, Julie London complains about all the "hard luck stories" people are handing her. Did you more recently listen to someone else's problems, or share your own?  Yesterday a friend at work shared with me about a problem and I listened to her.  I was happy to be available to listen.  I do not share my problems very often.  I share more on here...especially about Josh.

2) She promises to arrive "late tonight." What time do you think is too late to drop in on someone?  9 PM, that is when I go to bed.  I don't like it when people call after that time either because I always think something is really wrong.

3) Julie's nickname was "The Liberty Girl" because she was Liberty Records' first successful artist. The second was singer-songwriter David Seville, who had a couple novelty hits as "The Chipmunks." There were three singing chipmunks. Without looking it up, can you name them?  Alvin, Simon, Theodore.  My mom had this 45 and I listened to it all of the time as a kid.  There was also an Alvin and the Chipmunks cartoon I watched.

4) Julie's love of music was shared by her mother.When Julie was a little girl, mother and daughter would listen to Billie Holiday records together. What recordings did you enjoy when you were very young?  The one above, Elvis, Cotton Fields, Okie from Muskogee...I had a pile of them.  I pretended I was a DJ as I played them on the record player.  My mom and dad were both from Muskogee, OK....just a fun fact.  I am sure that was a really fun song  for the people there.  I spent many summers and holidays in Muskogee with my Grandparents.  Josh loves Muskogee too.  It isn't even close to the town it used to be, but I am sure they still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse. ;)

5) She began modeling when she 17. Julie was working as an elevator operator when a talent agent saw her and decided she would photograph well. With the advent of push-button elevators, elevator operator is a job that doesn't exist anymore. Can you think of another job that was once common but now is rare (or non-existent)?  The first thing I thought of is the gas station attendant that pumps your gas and washed your windows.  I went to a place a few years back that had one of them, but it scared me to death.  Once I knew he was safe, I was fine, but I hadn't ran into one of them since I was a kid and they were pumping my mom's gas.

6) Julie recorded more than 30 albums and was named "most popular female vocalist" by Billboard magazine in 1956. If you could see any entertainer -- male or female -- in concert, who would you choose?  My concert days are over.  I went a lot as a teen, but I am just not into that scene anymore.  I think Garth Brooks or Bruno Mars would do a great concert, but given the opportunity I would probably not go.

7) She appeared in Westerns on both TV and in the movies. Have you ever dreamed of being a cowboy/cowgirl? no

8) For six seasons, Julie played Dixie McCall R.N. on the show Emergency! The series was about Los Angeles paramedics and firefighters. Do you often hear sirens in your neighborhood?  no, but when we do my dogs howl, so I know something is up.  I live in the country, so we do not hear sirens often.

9) Random question: You're pulled over for speeding. Do you think you'd have an easier time talking your way out of it if the officer was a man ... or a woman?  I doubt I would try to talk myself out of it.  I would be more shocked that I even got pulled over.  I don't think it would matter if it were a man or woman.