Tuesday 4 Meme- Memorials...

 

Memorials...

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

We celebrated Memorial Day on Monday... let's talk about memorials and memories.

1. Do you find memories comforting or troubling?  Mostly comforting.

2.  Have you set up a memorial for a loved one or friend?  I helped with my dad's memorial.

3.  What songs bring back good memories for you? It just depends.  Mostly songs from the 80's and 90's when I was a kid.

4.  Have you visited Civil War or Revolutionary War sites?  There is a Civil War national battlefield here close to where I live.  We went on a field trip there when I was in school and I have been there a couple of times since then.  It is called Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.  Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and the site of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focused national attention on the war in Missouri.  Wilson’s Creek NB commemorates and interprets the battle within the context of the war in the Trans-Mississippi West.

Saturday 9: America, the Beautiful

America, The Beautiful

Saturday 9: America, the Beautiful (1987)

Unfamiliar with Barbra Streisand's recording of this tune? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. 

1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. War memorials, as well as graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers this weekend in a show appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood?  I live in a little tiny town.  There is nothing here to my knowledge, but there is a battle ground in a bigger city near me.

2) Here at Saturday 9, we regard everyone who served -- veterans and active military -- as heroes. Have you, or has anyone in your family, worn the uniform of our armed forces? We want to hear about them.  My Uncle Gary (my dad's brother) was in Vietnam and my Grandpa was in WWII.  I think I have shared about both of them here at my blog.  My Uncle Gary died in Vietnam, so I will share his picture.

3) Memorial Day is the traditional kick off of the summer season. Have you packed away your winter clothes yet?  no, the weather has been crazy.  We have been in the 50's this week with rain during the day.  It has felt cold.

4) What's your favorite picnic food?  When I was little my mom always made fried chicken.  I liked that a lot.  We usually have burgers and hot dogs now.

5) As you answer these questions, is there a fan or an air conditioner cooling your room?  The heat has been on, it is not currently running, but it will be on tonight.

6) Lyricist Katharine L. Bates said she was inspired to write "America, the Beautiful" after a trip to Pike's Peak. What's the most beautiful spot in America that you have ever visited?  I actually cried when I saw the Smoky Mountains.  They are beautiful.  Otherwise, probably the ocean.

7) Though we're talking summer this morning, Santa is going to get a shoutout. Before "America, the Beautiful" was published, Katharine L. Bates wrote a poem called, "Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh" which is remembered for introducing Santa's wife, Mrs. Claus. Share a fond memory of the 2021 holiday season.  I want to say covid was acting up pretty bad around Christmas.  I do not think my mom came up for Christmas because if it.  I guess it is just looking at Christmas lights places we would go.  We had a Thanksgiving/Christmas mix get together with Karl's family at the restaurant Josh worked at and that was fun.  That was the last time I was there before they closed recently.  Josh is still loving his new job at Silver Dollar City.  He even told them he would work full time.  I am so happy for him.

8) This week's featured artist, Barbra Streisand, sang "America, the Beautiful" during a benefit concert. She admitted to James Corden that she suffers from stage fright and before she performs, she prays, "Let go, let God." What's something that scares you, but that you do anyway?  I have to do things all of the time as a teacher that make me a bit nervous.  The latest was pre-K graduation.  I hope I am less nervous next year.  It really wasn't a big deal.  I do this stuff to myself.  I am writing this Thursday night...tomorrow is my last day of school.  I am so ready to READ!

9) Question for a weekend when many of us will sleep in: Are you a morning person?  no, when my alarm does not go off, I sleep in.  I am happy to have a break from it this summer!

The last day of school was a good one.  We had our groundbreaking ceremony.  I am in the gray shirt and sunglasses and the three kids looking at the camera are from my class.  I am going to miss those kids so much.  So excited for the next chapter for these kids with our new building.  My husband will be working on it too, so I will know about the progress.

Sunday Stealing- From 5000 questions

  

 

1. Who do you take for granted?  My mom

2. Short, knee, or ankle skirts?  ankle

3. Do you wear a hat?  not that often

4. Who's your favorite cartoon character?  Charlie Brown

5. Does break dancing impress you?  yes, it is not something I can do

6. Are you a miracle?  Everyone is a miracle.

7. Have you ever eaten tofu?  no, and I do not care if I do.

8. Does the moon have an effect on your mood?  I am sure it does.  

9. Many people will say that the Harry Potter books are pure fluff with no literary value.

Do you agree?  Not at all.  Any books that make people want to read have value.

10. What are you doing next Wednesday?  It is supposed to be a water day for pre-K, 

but they are saying it will rain and be cool, so I am not sure.  If it feels warm enough,

we can still do it as long as it is not storming.  My last week of school.

11. Why do so many people think Elvis is still alive?  vivid imagination, bored.

12. Are your hands cold?  not right now.
               
13. Have you ever given blood?  no

14. What SCI-fi books do you read?  I don't read sci-fi much.

15. Have you ever belonged to a sorority or a fraternity?  no, I went to a small college

and everyone thought the sororities and fraternities were stupid.  I would have loved

to join if I were at a bigger school where they were more popular.

For those that asked, Pre-K Graduation went very well.  I had so much fun celebrating 

the awesome kids we have and I think the kids had a good time too as well as the families.

I did not need to feel so nervous about it, but I can't help it.  It was all good though.  Then

after it was over and we cleaned up, the other Pre-K teacher and I went out and had some

Mexican food for dinner.

Saturday 9: River of No Return

 

River of No Return

Saturday 9: River of No Return (1954)

 

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

1) Marilyn Monroe performed this song in the 1954 western, River of No Return. In the movie (and at the beginning of this clip) she wears jeans. The wardrobe mistress bought the jeans off the rack at JC Penney's. Yet because of their connection to Marilyn, they are valuable memorabilia. Designer Tommy Hilfiger bought them for a reported $75,000 and today they hang in the closet of Britney Spears. Do you ever shop at thrift stores or websites for second-hand or vintage clothes?  No, not really.  I did find a secondhand store near my house that had upscale clothes for a lesser price, but I think they closed.  I need to look into that.  I loved shopping there for myself and they had a different one next door for younger people and I liked getting Josh some clothes there.  Same thing, all designer clothing.

2) In this song, she sounds melancholy as she recalls a lover who has gone. We hope this morning you're feeling more chipper than Marilyn. In one word, describe your mood.  I am feeling anxious.  I am writing this on Thursday night and I have pre-K Graduation tomorrow night.  I just want it to be a really nice night for the families.

3) In real life, Marilyn's love life was sailing along. During the filming of this movie, her famous boyfriend, Joe DiMaggio, visited her on location in Canada and they were married by the time the movie was released. Joltin' Joe was of course one of baseball's greats. How is your baseball team doing this season?  The St. Louis Cardinals are in second in their division, so that is pretty good, but they just make me nervous.  I am enjoying watching Yadi, Wainwright and Pujols a lot though.

4) It was during her romance with Joe that Marilyn learned to cook. She enjoyed preparing Thanksgiving stuffing from scratch. Do you have a favorite recipe to share?  I do not really use many recipes.  The foods I make, I have made so often, that I do not follow a recipe.

 

5) Over her lifetime, Marilyn had 43 different addresses. She was always a renter until February 1962, when she bought her final home in Brentwood. If you're a renter, do you ever wish you owned? If you're an owner, do you ever think you'd be happier as a renter?  I rented when I was young and in college, but I am much happier as an owner.  

 

6) Marilyn tended to her famous alabaster complexion with Nivea, which is still available at drugstores today. What's the last thing you purchased at a drugstore? Was it medication? Food or snacks? Health and beauty? Something else?  It was medication

 

7) Her signature scent was Chanel No. 5. What fragrance do you wear most often?  I am not a fan of perfume.  The smell of it changes as soon as it hits my skin.  I wear Victoria's Secret Pure Seduction lotion.

8) The year Marilyn's recording was released, John Travolta was born. What's your favorite John Travolta movie?  John Travolta is not a favorite actor of mine, so I will just go with Grease.  I do love him in that movie.

 
9) Random question: What happened to your first car? (Sold? Traded in? Still in your garage?)  It broke down when I was in college and we traded it for a different car for me.  My dad traded it.  I had no clue.

Sunday Stealing- Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge

 

 1. Where do you get your news these days?  I see it first on my phone apps.

2. Do you like crab meat? What makes you crabby?  I don't have it often, but I 

do like it.  Rude people make me crabby.

3. Does freedom mean more choices? Have you ever felt there were too many

 choices? Elaborate.  I suppose I do believe freedom means more choices and 

I am sure I have felt before like I have too many choices, but choices are good and

not everyone likes the same things.  We should have choices so we are not limited.

If you do not like it...do not choose it.

4. Barbara Millicent Roberts was introduced to the world on March 9, 1959...that's Barbie 

to most of us. Did you have Barbies as a kid, or did you let your own children play with Barbies?

What well known Barbara (living or not) would you most like to meet?  I loved playing

with Barbies as a kid.  My papa made me a huge Barbie doll house.  I had so much fun.

I have a friend from high school named Barb.  I would love to spend some time with her

as my Barbara.  I suppose she is not well known, but I have no interest in well-known people.

5. What are three things you value most in another person?  honesty, caring, compassionate

6. How would you define “old.”  At what age is a person old?  That number goes up as I age.  Hahaha

7. A place you’ve been that’s “old.”  Tell us something about your visit there.  Josh and I went to 

The Alamo in about 2011 or so.  We went with Karl's sisters and we had Josh's cousins also 

with us.  I love visiting places like that.  They hold so much history.

8. Something you miss about the “good old days.”  When were they?  I miss how kids and 

adults really used to play outside and not be distracted by games and cell phones. 1990's.

9. In what way are you a 'chip off the old block'? Or if you'd rather, in what way is your child

a 'chip off the old block'?  I am much the same as my dad.  I wanted to be just like him.  I 

have some of the same mannerisms as him and I also became a teacher like him.

10. Old fashioned, Old Testament, old timer, same old same old, old glory, good old boy, 

old wives tale...choose an 'old' phrase that relates to something in your life or the wider

world currently and explain.  I feel like I am aging into a time where I am using phrases I

have always used and they are starting to go out.  You get called on stuff like that when

you work with young people.  The sad thing is I do not even know what phrases are old. 

Something I say all of the time that I do not really think people say much now is awesome.

I tell kids how awesome their ideas are or how awesome they are.  I think everything being

awesome is from the 80's.  Maybe I am wrong...hahahaha.

11. July 5th is National Hawaii Day...have you ever been to Hawaii? Any desire to visit or make

 a return trip? Pineapple, mango, or guava...what's your pleasure?  I have never been to Hawaii, 

I would love to go.  I love pineapple.

12. Last time you were 'thrown in at the deep end'? Explain.  This year as a new Pre-K

teacher I was asked to pilot a reading program for pre-K for next year.  It turned out to be 

good.  We will be implementing the program in all classrooms next year.  I am not exactly

a new teacher to preschool because I taught ECSE, but this was my first year as a regular

education pre-kindergarten teacher.  I have also been asked to mentor the new Pre-K

teacher next year.

13. Sun, sea, sand, salt...your favorite when it comes to summer?  sun

14. Bury your head in the sand, the sands of time, draw a line in the sand, pound sand, shifting 

sands...pick one and tell us how the phrase currently relates to your life in some way.  Bury

my head in the sand.   I just want to pretend that our Molly dog is not dying.

15. On a scale of 1-10 (1 = make your own rules and 10=like a warden), how strict were 

your parents? If you're a parent where on the scale do you land?  My parents were pretty strict.

I will say 8-9.  Karl and I are more like 7-8.  We have never really had to be that strict with

Josh.  He doesn't go anywhere.

Saturday 9: Give a Little Love

Give a Little Love

Saturday 9: Give a Little Love (1988)

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

In memory of Naomi Judd (1946-2022)

1) In this week's song, the Judds tell us they aren't impressed by diamonds or foreign travel. If you had your choice, would you prefer a $1,500 diamond pendant or a $1,500 voucher from United Airlines?  I think today I would choose the airlines.  I am not actually sure how far that would get me....remember I have never flown, so I have no idea how much this stuff costs, but anywhere would be nice about now.  I may want the diamond a different day.  hahahahaha

2) In the video for this song, the Judds are shown having fun on the beach. Do you have any trips to the beach planned for the upcoming summer months?  no, I wish I did, but no.

3) Early in their career, this mother-daughter duo performed in clubs venues around San Francisco, where they called themselves The Hillbilly Women. Have you recently been to a bar or restaurant with live music?  no, but that sounds like fun.  It has been years since I have been in a restaurant with a live band.

4) They moved to Nashville in 1979 in search of greater success. During the three years it took them to score a record contract, Naomi supported the family as a part-time nurse and occasional model. She enjoyed the flexibility so her schedule could accommodate auditions. Do you like having a pre-planned schedule? Or would you rather keep things loose?  It depends.  I really enjoy a schedule to keep me on track, but sometimes it is nice to keep things loose.

5) Wynona sang the Elvis classic "Burning Love" in 2002 Disney movie Lilo and Stitch. What's the most recent Disney movie you've seen?  We are learning about the ocean in Pre-K, and I have Disney+, so at the end of the day during snack time I let the kids watch Finding Nemo and today we watched The Little Mermaid.  We are doing a Pirate theme next week, so Peter Pan is on the schedule.

 

6) In 2011, Wynona wrote her first novel, Restless Heart, about a country singer struggling with the price of fame. Have you ever tried your hand at writing fiction?  I wrote a short story when I was young.  I enjoyed writing it, but I think that was the only story i ever wrote.  I went through a poetry phase too, but I gave all of my poems to my boyfriend at the time, so those are gone.

7) Kid sister Ashley Judd is the only woman in her immediate family to not change her first name. Naomi was born Diana, and Wynona was originally Christina. Do you like your first name?  Yes, I do like it.  I haven't always, I just think I am ok with who I am at this point.

 
8) In 1988, the year this song was popular, Sonny Bono went from entertainer to politician when he was elected Mayor of Palm Springs. Have you met the mayor of your town?  no

9) Random question: Were you a member of the Columbia House Record Club?  no

For those of you who read/keep up with things about my son Josh.  His old job La Fiesta sold their business, so he is not working there anymore.  He is working at a theme park here called Silver Dollar City.  I have written about it before.  It is set in the 1880's.  He is working at one of the restaurants there called The Lumbercamp.  Here he is in his costume on his first day of work which was Wednesday.  He is liking it so far.  I hope this works out for him.

Sunday Stealing- Do you like...?

 

Do you like...?

 

                              

1. Do you like your handwriting?  I don't mind it.  I write a lot as a teacher, so

it has stayed pretty good.

2. Do you like roller coasters?  I used to.  Now that I am older, not as much.

3. Do you like scary movies?  If they aren't stupid...like horror...Friday

the 13th, etc.  If they are seriously scary, I kind of like them.

4. Do you like shopping?  If I had more money, I would love it.  I don't like

just looking.

5. Do you like to talk on the phone?  NO!  Not at all.

6. Do you sleep with the lights on or off?  off, I do have a night light so I can

see to get to the restroom.

7. Do you use headphones or earphones?  ear phones

8. Do you have tattoos? Do you want any?   no and no

9. Do you wear glasses?  yes

10. What is your strangest talent?  I'm not sure

11. Have you ever been in the hospital?   yes, when I had Josh and once when

I was younger with my tonsillectomy.

12. What color mostly dominates your wardrobe?  black

13. What’s your most expensive piece of clothing?  Maybe a coat or pair of 

shoes.  I do not typically buy expensive clothing with my job.  I get 

paint on me, etc.

14. Have you ever had braces?  no

15. Have you ever been on TV?  Yes, I was in our church choir many years

ago and they would put us on tv as a Christmas special.  I have also been

on the news...just as a spectator in a news event.  I had taken Josh to listen

to a local news anchor read to kids at the local library and they showed us

on the news.  Josh was a baby and I was still young and thin, so I was ok

with it.

Saturday 9: Your Mother Should Know

Your Mother Should Know

Saturday 9: Your Mother Should Know (1967)

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

1) This week's featured artists, The Beatles, invite us to get up and dance to a song that was a hit before your mother was born. Do you enjoy the oldies? How old must a song be before you consider it "old?"  I have never really thought about it.  Maybe 20 years?  I really don't know.

2) Paul McCartney knew bandmate John Lennon's mom, Julia, and credits her with introducing him to the ukulele. Do you recall any of your childhood friends' mothers with fondness?  Not really.  I know that sounds bad.  I do however have a friend who their dad would take us to the symphony.  That was so cool.  I loved it.

 
3) Paul's own mother, Mary, tried to instill in her son a sense of pride in his appearance and saw to it he always left the house in a clean, ironed shirt. Paul says that, to this day, when he smells fresh laundry, he thinks of his mum. Is there a scent or sound that reminds you of someone you love who is no longer with us?  Fresh baked goods make me think of my Granie.

4) George Harrison was the only member of the band to have any formal musical training. His mother, Louise, supported her son's musical ambitions and made sure he got guitar lessons. Did you take music classes as a child?

nothing formal.  I had some voice lessons/training when I was in high school.  My choir teacher wanted me to take some music to contest as a solo.  It made me way too nervous.  I only did it that one year.  I was in several ensembles over the years though.

5) Ringo Starr was a sickly and often hospitalized little boy. His mother, Elsie, took a job as a barmaid so she could work at night, leaving her days free during visiting hours. When were you most recently in a hospital? Were you an admitted patient, there for an outpatient procedure, or visiting someone?  I had gall bladder removal surgery around 2017.  It was an outpatient procedure.  We have good medical insurance.  I wish they would have let me stay overnight.

6) Mother Winters always gave our own Crazy Sam peppermint tea to calm her stomach. Do you have any tried-and-true home remedies to share?  I don't think so.  I have rubbed peppermint essential oil on my tummy and that does work too.

7) Sam's mother always tips 15% in restaurants. Sam has worked in food service and is more judgmental, tipping between 10% and 25%, depending on the quality of the service. What's your tipping policy?  I like to tip between 10-15%, but it truly does depend on the service.  We have given much more to those that do an outstanding job.

 
8) Sam's mother still gets the Sunday paper because of the sales fliers. She makes separate lists for each store, picking up grocery and household items where she knows they are on sale. Sam thinks her mother's strategy is a waste of time and gas and prefers one-stop shopping (even better, online one-stop shopping). Are you more like mother or daughter?  I have done both.  When I would visit my Granie when she was living, we would take Josh around to different stores to buy his school supplies and I loved doing that.  She lived in the city though where lot of stores were close to one another.  I live in the country, so getting to any store takes a while.  I tend to pick one store and buy everything there.

9) Sam is celebrating Mother's Day with her mother's favorite, Hershey Bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or chocolate with almonds?  all of them