Saturday 9: Back to December

Saturday 9: Back to December (2010)

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

1) Taylor Swift sings that when her mind wanders, it usually returns to a specific day in December. How about you? Do you often daydream? Or do you focus on what's happening in the moment?

A. I daydream all the time, I'm afraid. Of course, I also focus on what's happening when I should or need to, but I am alone a lot, and the stories in my head simply make the time go faster.

2) She's looking back on December. We're going with a different take: As we enter November, what are you looking forward to this month?

A. Well, there's Thanksgiving, but it has never been one of my favorite holidays. There is also Christmas shopping, which I've already started, and possibly the chance to see some people I've not seen in a while. We'll see. Oh, I have a doctor's appointment in the middle of the month. Yippee!

3) The lyrics recount a casual conversation between two former sweethearts. They talk about their families, their careers and the weather. Are you good at making small talk?

A. I do not consider myself good at making small talk. That doesn't mean I can't do it, it just means it's not something I particularly care to do. I would rather ask someone what they think about a cloud or when was the last time they looked at the night sky, instead of talking about the weather or some celebrity personality.

4) This song was rumored to be about her breakup with Taylor Lautner, the actor best known for playing a werewolf in the popular Twilight series. In acknowledgement of the Halloween season: Did you ever trick or treat as a werewolf, vampire, witch, ghost or other scary creature?

A. I have been a witch on Halloween. Some might say I am that every day.

5) Taylor is currently involved with Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, and naturally this is his busy time of year. How's your football team (NFL or NCAA) doing this season?

A. I do not have a football team, but my husband roots for the University of Virginia and based on his commentary, they are not doing all that well.

6) Taylor loves chicken tenders and says she'd eat them every day, if calories weren't a consideration. If you were to enjoy tenders right now, what dipping sauce would you prefer --sweet/sour, barbecue or honey mustard?

A. I would go with either the sweet/sour or the honey mustard. BBQ is hard on my stomach.

7) Thinking of food ... Taylor Swift recently donated $5 million to Feeding America with the funds earmarked for those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Does it make you feel good to do good? If yes, what is something you've done recently to help others? (It may give other Sat-9ers ideas for something they can do.)

A. I like to do good, of course. What have I done lately? I've donated to political causes by writing postcards to get out the vote, sent money to my alma mater, gave money to the victims of Hurricane Helene in southwestern Virginia, bought a food box for the poor at the grocery store, let someone who only had a few items go ahead of me in line at the store, paid for the meal of the person behind me at a fast food drive-thru, checked on a friend. I have another friend I text every night as a wellness check. Sometimes doing good is simply holding the door, smiling at someone who looks sad, saying "thank you," or offering to help even if the offer is rejected.

8) Back in 2010, when this week's song was a hit, the iPod Nano was also popular. Did you have an iPod?

A. I still have an iPod. I don't use it much but that might change soon. I am seriously considering disconnecting Alexa and going back to the iPod for my music. It's either that or buying a new radio.

9) Random question: Did you more recently run the dishwasher or the clothes washer?

A. I most recently ran the dishwasher, but they both get a workout throughout the week. And guess what, I repaired my own dishwasher earlier this week. The upper rack had a part break, so I ordered it online, it arrived, I watched a video, I took the thing apart, put it back together, and reinstalled the rack. All by myself, so my husband who has been busy with a septic tank installation wouldn't have to do it when he came in late in the evening. And also because I absolutely hate to handwash the dishes.

_______________

I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.