Saturday 9- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

 

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

Saturday 9: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (1973)

Unfamiliar with this song? Hear it here.

1) Bette Midler sings that the bugle boy wakes up Company B every morning by playing reveille. What awakened you this morning (phone, alarm clock, sunrise, etc.)? Or did you wake up on your own?  I am answering these questions during the week, so I heard Karl stirring and getting ready, which woke me up.  I got up and dressed only to have school cancelled from snow. I was glad, but I like to sleep in during snow days.  Oh well.

2) This single was produced by Bette's arranger/piano player, who went on to have a successful singing career of his own. Do you have a favorite Barry Manilow song?  I like many of his songs, I am not sure that I have a favorite...Copacabana was always a very visual song for me.  I could see it happening as he sang it.  I Write the Songs came to mind first.  I also like Mandy.

3) Bette was named after Bette Davis. Her sisters, Susan and Judy, were named for Susan Hayward and Judy Garland. So now we know who Mother Midler's favorite actresses were. Who are yours?  I am not a huge fan of movies that I have a favorite actress, my son is though.  In fact I think Susan Hayward is one of them.  He also likes Doris Day.

4) Bette has been married since 1984 to artist Martin von Haselberg. She was 39 years old, already a star, and had never married before. Yet within six weeks of meeting him, she was so sure Martin was "the one" that they tied the knot. Have you found that love takes time, or, like Bette, have you fallen in love quickly?  I have experienced both.

5) When their daughter Sophie was growing up, it was Martin who taught her to cook. What was the last thing you prepared in your kitchen? Did you use the microwave, stovetop, convection oven, blender, coffee maker ...?  I prepared fish.  I used my oven.

 

6) Bette says that listening and compromise have been the key to their happy marriage but adds, "Compromise is hardest of all." On what have you compromised recently?  I am not sure, it must not have bothered me though to not remember it.

7) Bette and Martin have a farmhouse in upstate New York. She enjoys feeding the chickens (whom she has jokingly named The Kardashians) and puttering in her garden. Do you have a green thumb?  I did so much better when I was able to stay home and I could remember when I had watered last.  I had gorgeous house plants and outdoor flowers as well.  When I went back to work, I have not been able to keep them alive.  If you have a suggestion of a plant I could get that is easy...let me know. :)  I feel like the ones I had were easy, but they died anyway.  I had them for years and they were fine until I went back to work.  Maybe they missed me.

8) In 1973, the year this song was popular, actor Neil Patrick-Harris was born. He's best known as Barney on How I Met Your Mother, which ran from 2005-2014. Were you a fan?  I was and I dated a guy in college that looks just like him.  He had just been in Doogie Howser during that time.

9) Random question -- How often do you put crackers in your soup: Always, often, seldom or never?  Always!  I like the crunch.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Rejoice!!

 

Rejoice!!
Hello and welcome to Tuesday 4 dedicated to the memory of Toni Taddeo, the founder.

Lets rejoice today!

1. What makes you rejoice the most?  When God works something out...

answers to prayer.

2. What song makes you feel joyful or happy?  Look What The Lord Has Done

3. Do sounds of nature give you a joyous feeling?  Yes!  I love to listen to the birds and 

nature sounds.  They are so peaceful.  I had never thought about them being joyous,

but they are.

4. How about holidays? Do you really rejoice or just kind of show up?  I mostly rejoice.

It can be difficult to be around some family members, but as far as just me and how

I feel about the holidays, I do rejoice.

Sunday Stealing- Misc. Questions

 

  

 

1.Which is more romantic: an expensive, glittering bouquet OR flowers that were hand

 picked as they grew beside the parkway?  I don't think I have ever been given a handpicked 

bouquet from a significant other, just regular bouquet's from a florist.  The kids give me

handpicked flowers, but if Karl were to pick flowers for me, I would think that was really

sweet and romantic because they would be specifically chosen by him.

2.Do you know yourself well enough to understand why you feel the way you do?  Yes.

3.Which do you do more often: let movies, songs and books put your feelings into words for

 you or put your feelings into words by yourself?  I put my own feelings into words.

4.Do you believe celebrities when they are endorsing a product?  Not at all

5.What kind of movies do you wish were made more often?  I enjoy movies made from books I have 

read and I also enjoy movies based on true stories.

6.Does fashion matter to you?  yes and no.  I love fashion, but I do not necessarily look good in

the fashion I like, so I do my best.  I need to lose weight.  I try to look nice though.

7.Should politicians be held to the same legal standards as everyone else?  definitely, probably

higher standards.

8. If you became president, whom would you invite to sing at your inauguration?  no idea.

9. Do you try to write/say what you are feeling in a true and simple way?  I think I do.

 

10.What is your worst daily habit?  biting my cuticles

11. If you had your choice which one TV show would you have canceled?  I personally really

hate reality shows, but I know everyone likes different types of shows, so I would not want 

anything canceled, I just don't watch it.

12.Do you like the taste of sweet or salt?  both

13.Are you very precise about what words you use to describe your feelings and thoughts?  probably

not as precise as some may be.

14.What do you feel the most guilty about?  Not getting to see my mom more.

15.Do you meditate?  I like to be quiet and think about things.  That is easier said than

 done with my husband around. He talks all of the time.

Saturday 9 - Why Did I Choose You?

Why Did I Choose You?

Saturday 9: Why Did I Choose You? (1965)

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

1) In this song, Barbra Streisand reassures her lover that, if she had it all to do again, she would still choose him. Tell us about a decision you've made that you never, ever regretted.  Deciding to go back to school to get my teaching certificate.  My original degree is Sociology/Psychology.  I was going to do social work originally and was offered a position working for the department of mental health, but at the same time I was offered a teaching position and they would pay  me teacher salary as long as I was in school. I decided that teaching would give me a closer schedule to Josh.  I would have been driving a lot for social work.

 

2) The music was composed by Michael Leonard, who studied classical music at Julliard and the Handel Conservatory of Music in Munich. Do you often listen to classical music?  no, but only because there are no stations here that play classical.  There used to be and I listened then.

3) The lyrics were written by Herbert Martin. He taught music in the NYC public school system and during the summer worked in summer stock. That's how he met and began collaborating with Michael Leonard. Tell us how you met someone important in your life.  I met my husband at church.  We were singing in the church choir and we had mutual friends.  We all would go out to eat after church and after a bit Karl asked me out.

 

4) Ms. Streisand was a very good student, graduating fourth in her class at Erasmus Hall High School when she was only 16. One of Barbra's classmates was Neil Diamond. Do you have a favorite Neil Diamond song?  I love Neil Diamond,  but I am going to say Sweet Caroline because I have a former student that would sing that song and had all of the class singing it.  It has great memories attached to it.

5) While she didn't go on to college, she continued her education by attending two different acting schools simultaneously. Did you enjoy being a student?  Yes and I would still love being a student, but it is so expensive.

 

6) Barbra and her first husband, Elliott Gould, shared a New York apartment over a 5th Avenue restaurant called Oscar's Salt of the Sea. Elliott originated the role of Trapper John in the movie M*A*S*H. On TV, the role of Trapper was played by Wayne Rogers. Can you think of another role that's been played by more than one actor?  Magnum P.I.

7) Oscar's Salt of the Sea has ties to Sesame Street. Jim Henson loved their food and was amused by how inhospitable the owner, Oscar, could be. That's how Oscar the Grouch got his name. Which is your favorite Muppet? Elmo.

8) Back to Barbra ... She is a successful recording artist (nominated for 45 Grammy awards, winning 8) and an Oscar-winning actress, but she's suffered career disappointments, too. In 2010, she read the book Hidden Figures and tried to buy the rights so she could direct the film version. She lost out to fellow Brooklynite, director Theodore Melfi. In 2016, his movie of Hidden Figures was released. Did you see the movie or read the book?  I saw the movie.  It is excellent.

9) Random question: Your best friend takes up painting and proudly presents her first framed work to you. You think it's atrocious. Would you hang it in your home anyway?  I probably would and I would probably love it because it was from and by my friend.  I doubt I would think anything from a friend was atrocious.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Work!

 

Work!

Hello and welcome to Tuesday 4 where we honor the memory of our friend Toni Taddeo
by continuing her 4 questions each week meme! It is wonderful that so many are joining

in and I do hope more will come as well. Toni would love that.
                                                   

Let's talk about work!

1. What kind of work does not bother you at all?  Laundry, taking care of Josh.

2. What kinds of work do bother you and why?  dusting because it takes so long, vacuum

because it hurts my back.

3. Is there a job you've had you loathed or perhaps one you loved? Why was that? 

When I was just out of college I worked with a schizophrenic lady that would sneak

up on me and hit me.  I hated that job.  I love teaching.  I love kids, they say the 

kindest things and they make you laugh.

4. Do you have a job or kind of work you wish you were doing? What would make

 it attractive to you?  I am happy teaching children.

Thank you so much for joining in, I do appreciate your efforts to make this a success.

Sunday Stealing- A to Z

 

 

 A - Annoyance:  People that are disrespectful

B - Bestest Friend[s]:  Lori and Kris  This is a picture of myself with Kris. 

 I have a cute one of Lori and I also, but I will just post one.  I am on the left.

C - Car:  I drive a white 2001 Toyota Camry and it runs great.   I would love to have a new one.

D - Day or night:  Both, I get things done during the day and I enjoy alone time at night...reading.

E- Easiest person to talk to?:  Lori and Kris...perfect!  I can share my picture of myself and Lori! 

Here we are....this was a crazy hair day.  Lori is also my friend that lost her husband to covid.

 He was 56.  I am on the right.

F - Favorite Month:  June...summer break has just started...once July hits it seems like time flies.

G - Gummy Bears or Worms:  Bears

H - Hair Color:  brown

I - Ice Cream:  vanilla...I am so boring.

J - Jewelry:  I wear my wedding ring, bracelets and necklaces sometimes.  Somewhere

along the way I quit wearing earrings.

K - Kindergarten:  I wouldn't mind teaching Kindergarten.

L - Longest Car Ride:  When you are going somewhere on vacation.  I always feel like we will

never get there.

M - Most missed person:  My dad, he passed away 3 years ago.

N - Number of Siblings:  I am an only child

O - One regret:   no regrets

P- Part of your appearance you like least?:  I need to lose weight 

Q- Quote:  

R - Reality TV Show:  The Voice

S - Shoe:  tennis shoe...I wear a size 7.

T - Time you woke up:  4:45AM, I am filling this out on a Friday.  I get up at this time

during the week.

U - Unpredictable?:  That can be fun.

V - Vegetable you hate:  tomatoes

W- Worst Habits:  I chew at my cuticles when I am nervous.

X - X-Rays:  I have had dental and and x-ray of my back for my chiropractor

Y - Year you were born: 1970

Z - Zoom:  It is ok, it comes in handy for sure!

Saturday 9- Thank U, Next

 

Saturday 9: Thank U, Next (2018)

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

1) In this song, Ariana Grande thanks her former boyfriends for what they taught her about love, life, patience and pain. Do you believe you have learned more from your successes, or your mistakes?  mistakes

 

2) One of the young men mentioned in the song is Pete Davidson, a cast member of Saturday Night Live. SNL has been on for more than 45 years now. Who is your all-time favorite cast member?  Eddie Murphy

 

3) Thinking of funny people ... As you can see from the video, Ariana performed "Thank U, Next" on Ellen Degeneres' talk show. Ellen makes people laugh every afternoon. Who in your life can you always count on to make you laugh or smile?  My husband, the kids I work with at the school, people I work with at school.  I laugh a lot.  I am very lucky.

 

4) It looks like Ariana Grande's personal romantic saga will have a happy ending because at Christmastime, she announced her engagement. Do you know anyone who is getting married in 2021?  no

5) Ariana loves Harry Potter and named her dogs Snape, Lily and Sirius Black after characters in the J.K. Rowling books. Are you a Harry Potter fan?  no

6) She loves board games, especially Monopoly. Sam isn't crazy about Monopoly because it takes so long. How about you? Are you a Monopoly fan?  I love Monopoly

 
7) In 2018, the year this song was released, Toys R Us closed all its stores and went out of business. Who received the last toy you purchased? What was it?  I can't remember.  Probably my great nieces though.

8) Also in 2018, Aretha Franklin died. What's your favorite Aretha song?  Respect

9) Random question: Are you more likely to shed a tear at a wedding or during a movie?  definitely a movie and because of the music playing in the background.  I do not think I have ever cried at a wedding.  My son is not married.  I would think maybe his wedding would make me cry.

Sunday Stealing- January

   

1. What are your plans for January?  Same as always, I will be working during the week and as 

of right now I just have a hair appointment next week and I see the chiropractor end of this 

month. We took Christmas decorations down yesterday, except the tree.  It will probably come

down today though.  I have started cleaning up my house.  This is a long weekend.  I get to stay

home Monday, so I will probably spend some time reading.

 
2. What do you want to see happen in 2021?  I want covid to go away and everyone be safe

and healthy.
 
3.  What would you give a 5 star rating?  I gave the book Anxious People a 5 star rating yesterday.

 It is such a fantastic book.  I recommend it.  It is fiction and by the author of A Man Called Ove.

 
4. Do you have writing goals for 2021?  Just to keep spending time here at my blog.
 
5. How do you feel about memoirs?  I love them...are we talking books?  Educated is a good one

if you are looking.
 
6. If you could join any musical group who would you choose?  I am not sure, but I would want to be

a backup singer.  

 
7. What are your favorite genres across all media?  thrillers, fiction/drama and comedy.  I like to 

watch romance, but not read it.  Historical fiction and children's books.  I enjoy most music.

 
8. What candle scents are your favorite?  bakery scents/cookies, hot apple pie, peach bellini,

Autumn, apple/pumpkin, sweet cinnamon pumpkin.  My candles rotate at the seasons.

I have Winter candle now, that is what it is called Winter....Bath and Body is where I get

my candles.

 
9. How well can you mimic other accents or voices?  not very well.
 
10. What books are on your TBR list in 2021?  The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (fiction),

 The Cousins  by Karen McManus (thriller), Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (thriller),

 The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg (fiction), and The Therapist by B.A. Paris.

  I have even more, but these are ones I am excited about.

 
11. When do you decide it’s time to upgrade/buy something new?  When things get worn out

or broken.
 
12. Why is your favorite color your favorite color?  My favorite color is red, but I like all of the

colors, it is my favorite because it is such a strong color and also one of our school colors.

 
13. Who understands you the best?  My friend Lori and Tina that I work with at school.
 
14. Do you write letters?  Not too much, but sometimes.  I had a pen pal for a while,  but it was

super hard for me to keep up with it.

 
15. How do you keep going when times are hard?  I rest and pray.  I just try to keep my eyes on

God. I think about this Bible verse.

Saturday 9- All Shook Up

 

Saturday 9: All Shook Up (1957)

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

Chosen because January 8 is the anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth.

1) In this song, Elvis shares quite a list of maladies: he's itching, his hands are shaky, his knees are weak, he has chills ... How are you feeling this morning? My body is always achy... well, my back and hips are anyway. It stinks getting older.

2) He also mentions being "tongue tied." The dictionary defines it as, "unable to speak freely, as from shyness." Do you often find yourself tongue tied? I do... I am very shy and my words do not come out quite right sometimes. I am a better writer as far as getting my feelings across.
 

3) Even after he was wealthy, Elvis never lived away from his parents. At one point Graceland Mansion was home to four generations of the family: his grandmother, his father and stepmother, Elvis, his wife and daughter. Have you ever lived in a multi-generational household? No

4) Thinking of family, Elvis Presley was a distant cousin of President Jimmy Carter. Both of their family trees can be traced back to the 18th century and Thomas Preslar (before the surname was changed to Presley in the early 1800s). Have you traced your ancestry? If not, is it something you'd like to do? I did trace my family and Karl's family for Josh when Josh was really little. 

 

5) As an adult, Elvis never wore denim (except for a movie role). That's because when he was in school, his classmates teased him for "dressing poor" in jeans and coveralls. Is denim a big part of your wardrobe today?  definitely

 

6) Before becoming famous, Elvis drove a truck in and around Memphis. Have you ever had a job that kept you behind the wheel most of the day?  no, I hate driving for a long time.

7) In 1957, the year this song was a hit, the Allstate Mechanical Freight Set was popular, too. Kids would wind up the engine and watch it pull two cars and a caboose around the track. To enhance the realism, sparks would shoot from the engine's smoke stack as it rumbled by. Did you ever play with a toy train? If not, tell us about a childhood plaything you remember fondly.  Josh had a toy train that I played with while playing with Josh.  My favorite toy when I was a kid was the Barbie doll and my Barbie house that my Grandpa made.

8) The best-selling book of 1957 was Peyton Place, a scandalous tale of life in a small New England town. Do you suppose there are enough steamy stories behind closed doors in your town to fill a novel?  I would imagine so.  You just do not really know people.

9) Random question: Can you do 10 push ups?  I am not going to try and just say no.

Tuesday 4- Wondering...

 

Wondering...

Welcome back to Tuesday 4 where we remember the wonderful memes of our

friend Toni Taddeo by continuing them on in her memory. I am glad you've

stopped by to join in.

To begin 2021 I thought I would re-post the final Tuesday 4 from Toni, posted

on Monday Dec. 9, 2019! Enjoy playing along friends.

A Repeat ~ Just Wondering

1. When was the last time you tried something new?:

Well, with covid I have had to try a lot of new things.  Masks, audio books 

because the libraries closed and also teaching a class I have never taught.  I am

a preschool teacher and I was asked to teach digital literacy...which is basically

how to be safe online.  I even created a digital classroom for online use should it

be needed.  The preschool numbers were down this year and the elementary was

in need of a computer teacher for this year.  So I said I would do it.

2. Who in your family do you compare yourself to?:  My dad, he was a teacher.

3. What lesson in life did you learn the hard way?:  Every decision you make will change

the path of your life.  I had to learn to make wise decisions.

4. What can you do today that you weren't able to do before?:  Develop and teach a computer class curriculum.

I was going to link my original post of this meme for comparison, but I guess I did not participate that week, so this is my first time answering this one.