Saturday 9: Colors of the Wind (1995)

 

Colors of the Wind

Saturday 9: Colors of the Wind (1995)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 30 years ago, "Colors of the Wind" is from the Disney hit, Pocahontas. Have you seen it?  Yes, I enjoyed it very much.

2) This song celebrates the glories of nature. Have you spent much time outdoors this summer? If yes, what have you enjoyed doing? Not really.  The mosquitoes eat me alive.  I will be getting out more at school for recess starting next week though.

3) Lyricist Stephen Schwartz said he was inspired by the works of Chief Seattle, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Who is your favorite author?  I really enjoy Abby Jiminez for romance.  I enjoy Riley Sager for thrillers.  Kristin Hannah for historical fiction.  I like a lot of authors, but those are a few.

4) This week's artist, Vanessa Williams, came to national attention as Miss America 1984. In the talent competition she sang "Happy Days Are Here Again." Over the years, contestants have sung, recited original poetry, danced, twirled batons, performed gymnastics and demonstrated martial arts. Which of your talents would wow the judges?  I really do not have any talents that would wow people.

5) Her family tree includes William A. Fields, who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives in the late 19th century. Are you interested in genealogy?  Yes, I think it is so interesting.  

6) Vanessa supports the non-profit Dress for Success, which helps unemployed and underemployed women prepare with career coaching, networking and professional attire. Have you ever gone into a job interview found yourself unprepared? Or, if you prefer, tell us about an interview you confidently aced.  Oh yes, I have done both.  I left my first teaching job and went to a different school to interview and got really nervous.  That was a good experience because the next time I did well.  If you interview to be a teacher, it is a process.  You fill out an application online and they will have you do a video interview that you submit online.  Then it goes to the interview team and they choose who they want to bring in to interview.  Then the candidates teach a lesson in a classroom and then we take them to do an in-person interview. I am on the interview team, there are about 5 of us that ask questions to the candidate.  When I interviewed, I got to teach a sweet pre-K class and I knew the interview team because I had worked at the district as a para.  It is kind of a lot to go through.  It all worked out though. 

Let's look at the summer of 1995.

7) 1995's best-selling new car was the Ford Taurus. That summer, dealers were promoting a 6.9% APR loan or $1,500 cash back with purchase. This summer, drivers with good credit might get a better deal because the average APR for new car loans is a little lower. Do you keep your eye on fluctuating interest rates?  No, but I think my husband does.

8) English yachtswoman Lisa Clayton made history by sailing solo around the world. It took her 10 months. Would you be comfortable spending months and months alone?  I could do it.  I think I would even enjoy it for a few days, then I would get lonely.

9) Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your baseball team doing this season? Ugh.  I am a St. Louis Cardinals fan and they are so bad I haven't really followed them this summer.  I sure hope they can get it together.

Here is a picture from Open House Thursday night.  There are three pre-K teachers, so here we are.  I am the one in the middle.