Saturday 9: Last Train to Clarksville (1966)

 

Saturday 9: Last Train to Clarksville (1966)

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

 

1) When did you most recently take a train?  We only have trains for the tourists at amusement parks here and one that takes people just on a short ride.  I was on the amusement park one last October.  I do love trains.  We want to take a real train ride some day.

2) The lyrics promise "coffee-flavored kisses and a bit of conversation." Have you more recently had coffee, a kiss, or a chat?  chat

3) The record opens with a guitar riff inspired by The Beatles' "Day Tripper." Can you play guitar?  no

4) The lead vocals are performed by Micky Dolenz. He is the only surviving member of the Monkees. Without looking it up, can you name his bandmates?  I am not super familiar with The Monkees, but I do know Davy Jones.  Josh recently showed me one of their tv shows.  I do enjoy their music.

5) The Monkees starred in an award-winning sitcom for two seasons. In Season 2, Micky surprised fans by appearing with a curly perm. Do you curl, straighten or color your hair?  I color it.

6) Micky also did a stint at WCBS radio in New York. He spun the oldies every morning and helped his listeners get ready for work. Do you turn on the radio or TV when you first wake up?  TV, I like to catch the weather every morning.

7) Micky's daughter, Ami, followed her father into show business, appearing in several movies and a recurring role in General Hospital. If you followed your father into his profession, what would you have done for a living?  I did follow him into his profession...both teachers.  He taught typing and business machines as well as a football coach and I teach pre-K.

8) In 1966, when this song topped the charts, miniskirts took the fashion world by storm. What have you recently added to your wardrobe?  I bought some new jeans, a new shirt and some pajama bottoms.

9) Random question -- You order chicken noodle soup and a packet of saltines arrives with the bowl. Do you: 1) break the crackers into pieces and stir them into your soup or 2) squeeze them in your hand and sprinkle the crumbles into your soup or 3) leave them untouched?  This question is so interesting.  Ok, so crackers with the soup...#1.  However, if I were eating chili, I am totally a #2 person.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday 9: P. S. I Love You (1953)

 

Saturday 9: P. S. I Love You (1953)

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

 

1) In this song, a man fills his lover in on what's going on in his daily life, including that he was in bed by 9:00 PM. Do you have a regular bedtime?  I do during the week.  I like to start getting ready for bed...wash my face, etc around 8:30PM and be in bed by 9PM and watch some news/weather.  Then once the weather is over, I turn the tv off and try to go to sleep.

2) He reports that yesterday it rained, but all in all, he can't complain. Do you often find yourself discussing/complaining about the weather?  Yes, if it rains and we have to stay inside (at work- 5 year olds need recess), I complain.  I also complain when I am too hot or cold...LOL!!

3) This song was recorded many times, by artists as diverse as Rudy Vallee (1934) and Bob Dylan (2017). It's endured because the theme -- reaching out and staying in touch across the miles -- is universal. Is there anyone in your life with whom you regularly correspond? If yes, do you prefer cards/letters, emails or texts?  Just my mom and I see her in person every Friday.  She likes to call.  I prefer to talk to most people via text.  People that live far away, I mostly chat with on facebook...private message and such.

4) This 1953 version was a hit for The Hilltoppers. The band members met at Western Kentucky University and took their name from the nickname of their school's athletic teams. What was the name of your school's team?  Wolves in school (Reeds Spring), Lions in college (MSSU) and Bears (MSU) when I got my education degree.

5) The Hilltoppers always performed in W sweaters, for Western Kentucky. Do you own any sweaters, caps or jackets that celebrate your alma mater?  I have lots of clothes for my school since I teach at my school.  I do not think I have anything from college (MSSU) anymore and I have a t-shirt for MSU since it is not that far from my house and we see games sometimes.

6) By 1960, The Hilltoppers' records weren't selling anymore. But they continued to perform and in 1970 they became the house band at The Holiday Inn in Fort Walton Beach, FL. They were so popular with tourists that they played at that Holiday Inn for years. When did you last stay in a hotel, motel or airbnb? Oh gosh.  We never go anywhere.  It was probably in San Antonio when we went to visit there.  * (updated) I lied, I just remembered I stayed in a nice hotel when I went to my teacher conference in the spring.

7) In 1953, the year this recording was popular, the Eisenhowers moved into The White House. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was known for her down-to-earth style. For example, she often shared her recipe for Million Dollar Fudge, saying that since it's easy to make and foolproof, she recommended her fudge as the perfect hostess gift. When you're invited to someone's home, do you bring a hostess gift?  Yes, usually a dessert or side dish.  We mostly meet at restaurants though.

 

8) Also in 1953, radio personality Arthur Godfrey made news for having one of the nation's very first hip replacements. Have you/would you ever be part of a clinical trial, either for a new drug or medical procedure?  I am not sure.  

 
 9) Random question -- Do you fold your socks or roll them?  fold

Saturday 9: True

Saturday 9: True (1983)

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

 

1) In this song, lead singer Gary Kemp tells us he's overwhelmed by his feelings as he and a girl dance "toe to toe." What song did you most recently dance to?  It was a song at school.  We do music and movement every morning when the kids come in.  We sing a good morning song and then sing some fun songs which includes dancing.

2) Falling in love makes him want to listen to "Marvin all night long," a reference to Motown great Marvin Gaye. What's your favorite love song, and who sings it?  Love songs are not my favorite, I like fast fun songs...but I will say "I Will Always Love You"...the Dolly Parton version.

3) This song was inspired by Kemp's feelings for singer Clare Grogan. When they first met, they discovered a shared love of literature and for his birthday, she gave him a book she thought he'd enjoy. Who received the most recent birthday gift you gave, and what was it?  My son Josh.  He asked for some books.

4) Despite the popularity of the song it inspired, the Kemp-Grogan romance never really took off. Gary was involved with another woman and Clare was seeing other men and reluctant to settle down. The timing just wasn't right for them. Do you believe luck plays a big part in romance?  Maybe... I haven't really thought about it.  It does depend on who you meet and run around with.  I suppose you are lucky if you meet a good person.  Some people do not.

5) The cover art was created by Kemp's friend, David Band. David sketched it after seeing a man startled when a bird flew too close to him as he entered a pub. To Kemp, it represented how surprised he was by the sudden intensity of his feelings for Grogan. Band went on to become a world-renowned artist, with his work exhibited in galleries and museums in Australia, New Zealand, England and the United States. What museum have you most recently visited?  The St. Louis Art Museum back in the summer.  We went to the History Museum the same day.

6) In 2020, Kemp and bassist Guy Pratt launched their podcast Rockonteurs about the stories behind popular songs. Do you regularly listen to podcasts?  no, I used to listen to a true crime podcast (Bailey Sarian), she also does a dark history podcast that I really enjoyed, but I haven't listened in a long time.

7) Super Mario Bros. debuted in 1983. Without looking it up, can you name gaming's most famous siblings?  I don't play video games, but isn't one of them Luigi?  The little kids dress up as them.

 

8) Also in 1983, for the first time, London's Abbey Road recording studio was open to the public. Visitors were treated to a multi-media presentation called The Beatles at Abbey Road. During the two months it was open, more than 22,000 tickets were sold. What's the most recent ticket you purchased?  Probably a movie ticket.  We haven't been to a ball game in a little while.

 9) Random question -- At your favorite restaurant, a genie will grant you one of these two wishes: 1) you can eat whatever you want without gaining weight or 2) you can order whatever you want for free. Which do you choose?  I think since it is just one meal, I will go with getting it for free.  

I can't wait to catch up with you all.  I posted about why I have been missing about two posts down if you are interested.  I got moved into my new classroom and my mom was sick again. 

Tuesday 4 Meme- Fall Traditions & Memories

 

Fall Traditons & Memories

Welcome to another Tuesday 4 a fun meme started by Toni Taddeo.  

It is Halloween , all Hallows Eve and tomorrow is All Saint's Day. Originally these days were to remember the deaths of Christian martyrs but things have certainly changed and the dark, the scary and remnant of Samhain (So-Win) have been introduced.

 1.  What is your opinion of Halloween?  It was a fun holiday for me as a kid.  I never knew about the evil until I was an adult.  I don't really celebrate anymore, but we do a few things at school.  We make a candy corn handprint and we have a costume party.

2.  Memories are important. Some of them are seasonal good times.  What fall memories and traditions can you share with us?  The only tradition I had as a kid was trick-or treating and dressing up.  I like to decorate my house for fall now as a tradition, but I have been so busy that I did not even get to do that this year.

3. Stews, soups and chili dishes warm the tummy on chilly fall days. Have you a good recipe to share for a good fall dish?  I don't have a recipe, but we like chili and potato soup here at our house when it is cold.

4. Fall is football season. Are you a fan of any teams? Do you watch games.  I watch the Kansas City Chiefs.  I have always been a fan of them living here in Missouri.

Happy Halloween!

Getting caught up...

  I have been missing for a while, so I thought I would give an update.  I am fine.  It was about the middle of September when they told us that our building would be ready to move into by the end of September.  They had been working us a lot in preparation for that, so I was working every Monday and after school getting my things moved into my new classroom.  We have a 4 day school week, so the teachers usually work two Mondays a month.  We worked all of them, plus we still had kids to teach...so it took a while.  We had our Open House for the new building and the work was not completely done.  Anyway, our first day of school with kids in the new building was October 3rd.  There has been a lot to do since we moved in, but I am pretty much caught up with getting things the way I want them in the classroom.  I also wrote a classroom grant for Beebots...which look like Bees and you program them like a robot to move around a mat.  It is like an introduction to robotics for preschoolers.  I got that grant and I have the Beebots and I just need some time to get them ready to explore with the kids.  You can click on the Beebot word and I left a link so you can see what I am talking about.  You can program them to go forward and back and also left and right.  The kids can pick a color or building to take the Beebot to and program it to go there.

My mom also got sick right after I got the grant and I took her to the hospital again and she was confused.  She had another urinary tract infection.  She ended up staying with us for 2 weeks while she got better and her memory returned.  She went back home last week and is doing much better now.

As you can imagine, I was very tired and I had no time to blog.  I am hoping to be back in full swing now, but the holidays are coming, so we will see.

It has been very nice having my own classroom again.  If you had forgotten, they moved us to the intermediate school since last February and the two pre-K classes were together in the same room.  It was too much and too many kids.  We are all glad to be back in our own space.  The kids are doing better and the adults are much more happy.  I made a video for one of my kids I was going to share, but it was too long.  I have not taken any pictures since we got completely moved in, so I will try to do that and share some of those at a later date.

I think that about catches you up with what I have been up to.  I am happy for things to be back to normal and I look forward to getting caught up with all of you.  Have a great week!

Saturday 9- Cheeseburger in Paradise

 

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Cheeseburger in Paradise (1978)

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

From the archives; Repeated in memory of Jimmy Buffett, who died on September 1.

1) In this song, Jimmy Buffett briefly attempts a healthier diet, which included sunflower seeds, carrot juice, zucchini and bulgur wheat. Do you pay attention to your daily consumption of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, etc.?  no, I know, I know.  I need to.

2) Jimmy sings that he'd like french fries with his burger. Do you prefer to dip your fries or drizzle the ketchup over them? dip

3) Which cheese would make yours a cheeseburger in paradise: American, cheddar, Swiss, bleu, Muenster, or Monterrey Jack?  I enjoy Colby Jack, Cheddar or American

 
4) Buffett fans call themselves Parrotheads. Concert attire for a well-dressed Parrothead often includes a Hawaiian shirt and a foam fin hat. What will you be wearing tonight?  Probably just yoga pants and a t-shirt.

 

5) For someone with such an easygoing and laidback vibe, Jimmy is a very busy man. His business ventures include liquors, restaurants and hotels. He's also published eight books. All this in addition to making music! On a scale of 1 to 10 -- with 1 being lazy and 10 being highly motivated -- how would you rate yourself this morning?  I am filling this out on Thursday night.  I am guessing on Saturday I will be feeling middle around a 5 since I have to be 10 during the week.

6) Jimmy has some very famous fans. Paul McCartney asked him to play at one of his parties, and Barack Obama invited him to perform at a fundraiser. If you could invite anyone -- anyone at all! -- to play at your party, who would you ask?  I am not sure.  My son could answer this easy.  I will say Taylor Swift.  I am not a huge fan, but I know a lot of people are and I do enjoy some of her songs.  I am not a huge concert goer.  

7) Jimmy was born on Christmas Day. Does your birthday fall on a major holiday? If yes, do you mind "sharing" your special day?  no, I was not born on a holiday, but today is my birthday!  September 9th.  My mom was born on Thanksgiving Day when it falls on the November 25th.

8) In 1978, the year this song was popular, the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was first minted. The initial design was not a hit with the public because vending machines could not accept it. What's the last thing you bought from a vending machine?  It was probably a soda a few years ago.

9) Random question -- If today's your birthday, your zodiac sign is Virgo. When did you last check your horoscope?  I never check my horoscope.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Planning

 

Planning

Seeing ahead

Welcome back friends!

A wise man once said that most people fall into their lives.   They don't plan and carry out what they would like to do, they just fall into things through circumstances.      Others plan and prepare for life.  They know the kind of person they want to spend their life with, the kind of family, home  or job they wish to have and make a concerted effort to follow through.  

So what about you?

1. Did you plan to be where you are right now in life or did you just end up where you are?  I went to college wanting to go into medical technology.  Then I changed my major and wanted to be a social worker.  I quickly realized that was not for me.  I spent several years working with the mentally handicapped.  Caring for them and taking them out to do things.  When I got married the hours were not great, so I got a job at a school as a paraprofessional helping out in a sped room.  I took off for several years to be at home with my son (SAHM)....some of the best years of my life.  When Josh went into 1st grade I got a job subbing at a special education preschool and went to college again for education this time and became the teacher.  I love my job.  It has been a crazy road, but I made it.  I was an early childhood special education teacher for years and now I teach regular education pre-K.  

2. What plans did you make for your future and what plans do you have for the future now or are you just marking time?  I have never been one to make long term plans for my life, but at this point, I pray I can stay where I am at teaching pre-K where I went to school until I can retire.

3.  Do you live where you want to live or would you have done things differently when planning where to live?  Karl had already bought this house when we got married.  I never really wanted to live here, but it has been a nice quiet life in a small town.  I wish we had a little bigger house.  I would like to have had some say in where we live.

4.  What is planned for this coming Autumn?   

• the building where I teach is almost finished.  We have been told we will get to go see it on September 11th to start being able to make plans for moving.  We are being told as of today that we will be back in our classrooms by October 3rd with students.  It is an understatement to say that I am beyond excited.  I just want to be in my own classroom again.  I am so tired of sharing a classroom.  It is highly stressful for the kids and adults.  We will be working on that this month, so those are my plans.  I have not made any other plans yet.

Thank you for joining in to make Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 a success.