1) In honor of St. Patrick's Day (this coming Tuesday), we're featuring one of Ireland's most successful exports, U2. What else is Ireland famous for?
A. Potato famines, leprechauns, druids, and lack of snakes.
2) The Dublin studio where U2 recorded this song (and all of Achtung, Baby) is now a music store called Claddagh Records. U2 pilgrims from all over the world travel to the spot (Celia Street, Dublin 2). If we were to visit your neighborhood, are there any landmarks you could direct us to?
A. Santillane in Fincastle is an old antebellum home where Judith Hancock, who married William Clark, lived. The Judith River in Montana, discovered (by white men) and named during the Corps of Discovery Expedition, bears her legacy. Fincastle itself is worthy of a tour. The town was established in 1772 and has quite a few 1800-era structures remaining.
3) Lead singer Bono is rarely seen without his trademark sunglasses because he suffers from glaucoma. How is your vision? 20/20?
A. I wish. I've been told one of my eyes has reached its peak as far as correction with lenses goes. I wear progressive lenses now and my declining vision has affected my reading for about the last seven years. I don't read as much as I once did simply because I have to strain more to see and my eyes dry out and tire.
4) Bono and wife Alison were married in 1982 and are still together today. Who is the longest-married couple you know?
A. There are some 50+ year marriages on my Facebook page, but at the moment I would give that honor to Faye and Porter Caldwell (not knowing how long anyone else has been married.) They were married in 1958, which is longer than I have been alive. They are interesting folks who set their own path and who are well known in the community. In the past, they did arts and crafts and Porter's copper work is on display and for sale in Colonial Williamsburg.
5) When Bono inducted Frank Sinatra into the Grammy Hall of Fame, he applauded the older man's "swagger." Do you think you have swagger?
A. Nope. I have a droop.
6) Bono has been honored by world leaders, including President Obama and Nelson Mandela and the Pope, for his philanthropy. Here's your turn to brag: tell us something you have received praise for recently.
A. My physical therapist said "That's good, Anita" when I didn't fall over when she pushed me really hard while I was standing on some bouncy foam. I also recently had a photo of the moon on TV, and the pictures received a lot of thumbs up on Facebook. And my editor said, "well done" regarding the picture, too.
7) Clearly Bono is the most famous member of U2. Who else is in the band?
A. I have absolutely no idea. I have never been a big U2 fan.
8) On St. Patrick's Day, will you wear green?A. If I remember, but it is not important to me that I do, even though I am Irish in heritage.
9) Will you enjoy a glass of green beer or maybe a Shamrock Shake from McDonald's?
A. Nope. I do plan to eat Chinese with a friend that day, though. Maybe I'll eat some salad. That would be green.
Good praise all around!
ReplyDeletemmmmmm Chinese food. I miss good Chinese food. The midwest isn't a hotbed of good Chinese places. :( Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya on the droop thing :)
ReplyDeleteYour eyes, that's absolutely not a bit fair! Congrats on the photo being so well loved. Wishing you lots more photography!
ReplyDeleteI *knew* you'd have a great answer to #2. You know your stuff! And Chinese food on St. Patrick's Day? You march to your own drummer, don't you?
ReplyDeleteI like their music, but couldn't tell you who else is in U2. Also love McD's shamrock shakes, but they've gotten too expensive--I had mint oreo cookie ice cream instead.
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