Saturday 9: Accidentally in Love

Saturday 9: Accidentally in Love (2004)

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

1) In the video for this song, a young man dances alone in the kitchen while making breakfast for his lady love. When no one's looking, do you often bust a move?

A. Well, I might do a little hop. I don't know that I even know how to "bust a move." I was never much of a dancer.

2) "Accidentally in Love" was featured in the animated movie Shrek 2.  In this video, a plushie from the movie is shown on their bed. Do you have any plush toys in your bedroom?

A. I do not have any plush toys in the bedroom. I think the only plush toys I have are Christmas ones that are stowed in the closet.

3) The lyrics liken falling in love to strawberry ice cream that he just can't resist. What sweet treat would hit the spot right now? 

A. How about a hot fudge sundae, no nuts, please.

4) He sings about lightning. Astraphobia is the fear of thunderstorms. Have you ever suffered from astraphobia?

A. I like thunderstorms. I like to watch them, I like to try to photograph lightning (I have yet to succeed), I like the noise of thunder. I remember sitting on the back stoop with my maternal grandfather and watching a storm roll across, the lightning searing the sky, him sitting there smelling of cigarettes and aftershave, the air full of the scent of earthy rain that hadn't reached us. 

5) This song is about falling in love when he wasn't looking for it. Has this ever happened to you? Or have you usually found romance while actively seeking a partner (dating sites, blind dates, etc.)? 

A. I fell in love watching a high school football game and married the guy. I wasn't looking for it at the time. I was only 19. 

6) This week's artists, The Counting Crows, got their start in San Francisco. A famous quote, often attributed to Mark Twain, says, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." How has the summer weather been where you are?

A. We are in a drought. It has been too warm and too dry. The end of this week of June has been very hot and muggy, with a few thunderstorms to help break up the day.

7) In 2004, when this song was popular, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook. Have you checked Facebook today?

A. I have checked Facebook today. I read the news today, oh boy. We are bombing in Iran, data centers in the plan. A celebration on the grass, a reflecting pool, a deep morass. I read the news today, oh boy.

8) Also in 2004, we lost President Ronald Reagan. Before entering politics, he had a decades-long career in Hollywood and appeared in 53 films. Have you ever seen a Ronald Reagan movie?

A. I probably have seen a movie with the former president in it, but I don't recall it specifically. Hollywood has a lot to answer for.

9) Random question: Describe your favorite pajamas.

A. I don't have a pair of favorite pajamas. I have nightgowns that I sleep in. I prefer the cotton ones to other material.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 964th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Saturday 9: For You

Saturday 9: For You (1963)

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

1) In this song, Rick Nelson tells us he'd give his girl the stars from sky or a string of pearls. Have you more recently given or received a gift? What was it?

A. I recently received a gift. It was two fantasy books.

2) By the time this record was released, Rick was already a show business veteran. He had been a regular on his family's sitcom, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, since it began airing on radio when he was just 8. Most of us weren't child performers but many of us had chores around the house. When you were young, did your parents give you an allowance?

A. My parents did not give me an allowance. They just sometimes gave me money. I had to do the chores regardless.

3) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet moved to TV, where fans saw Rick grow into a teen who drove a 1932 Roadster. The car really belonged to Tony La Masa, who collected classic cars and rented them out to TV and movie producers. Have you ever earned or raised money with your hobby?

A. I used to play guitar in a cover band when I was in high school. That was how I earned money throughout those years instead of driving into the city to sling hash or whatever. 

4) Paul McCartney has called Rick Nelson an "underrated singer who could really carry a song" and said Rick was one of his influences. Who do you believe you have influenced, professionally or personally?

A. I don't know. When I was working with the newspaper, I could write articles that would influence people to give donations to needy causes. 

5)  This week's song was already an oldie by the time Rick performed it. "For You" was recorded the first time by Casa Loma Orchestra in 1933. In those days, most records were 78 rpm discs, thick and usually only able to hold 3 to 5 minutes of sound per side. Most record companies stopped producing them in the 1950s. Have you ever seen a "78?" 

A. I have indeed seen a "78" record. I have played them, too, on an old Victrola.

 

6) The lyrics to "For You" were written by Al Dubin. After Al left college, he supported himself as a singing waiter. That's really two jobs in one. Which would you do better at: singer or server?

A. In my younger days I could have been a singer, perhaps. My voice is too thin now.

 

7) The music was written by Joe Burke, whose last hit song was "Rambling Rose," recorded in 1948 by Perry Como. Have you ever heard of Perry Como?

A. I have indeed heard of Perry Como.

8) In 1963, when Ricky's recording was on the charts, the Zip Code was introduced. How many different Zips have you lived in?

A. I have lived in three zip codes and possibly was alive when there were no zip codes.

 

9) Random question: When you were in high school, were you taller or shorter than your classmates? Or were you the average height?

A. I have always been short but growing up I felt like I was keeping up with everyone else until high school.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 963rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Saturday 9: Mystical Magical

Saturday 9: Mystical Magical (2025)

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

1) This week's song is about a new love affair, and Benson Boone bounces between frustration and optimism when he thinks about it. Does anything inspire your mixed emotions these days?

A. The local government brings out mixed emotions at present. We have a data center coming in directly behind us, in what was initially an industrial park. I have many mixed emotions about that. We recently learned that the electrical lines that cross our farm will have to be upgraded in preparation for the power the data center will need. That means the power company will be disturbing the cattle, tearing up pastureland, etc. The data center is not the "latest and greatest" in technology; it is a water hog, and that's a concern.

2) The lyrics mention "moonbeam ice cream," which is something Benson just made up. Last summer, when this week's song became popular, ice cream shops were inspired to create flavors with that name. What's your favorite ice cream flavor, and will you take that in a cup or cone?

A. My favorite ice cream is not a flavor, it's a specialty, and it's a hot fudge sundae (no nuts). I haven't had one since I was about 12 years old because that's when we discovered I'm allergic to milk. Eating one is on my bucket list. Maybe it'll be the last thing I do.

 

3) He sings that "once you know" about a love like this, "you know." Tell us about something you had to experience to fully understand.

A. Surgeries are things one must experience in order to fully understand. The doctor can stand there all day long and tell you you'll be up and around in three days and back to work in five, but until you've actually had the operation, all that is is a lot of talk. Nobody reacts the same to having their body cut open. And it hurts a lot more than they let on, too.

 

4) He composed this song at the piano. Do you play piano?

A. I can piddle at the piano, same as I can most other instruments. I can make chords and play a bit, but I would not say that I actually "play" the piano, at least, not in the same way I play the guitar.

5) He first sang in public at a high school talent show, which he only entered on a dare. Can you recall any dares from your junior high or high school days? 

A. I was dared to skip band class several times and did, often enough that the band director finally reported me to the principal and I had "in school suspension" which basically meant I spent an hour in a play-room with other kids who also were misbehaving. I remember doing my homework there. My teachers were appalled because I was a straight-A student and straight-A students didn't get "in school suspension." 

6) Benson was a good high school athlete and competed in diving at the state level. Can you execute a dive off the diving board?

A. I could manage a belly flop, I suppose, but certainly nothing graceful. I used to be able to, when I was young and lithe, but those days are long gone.

7) When he was 18, Boone auditioned for American Idol. What were you up to when you were 18?

A. When I was 18, I was working a job in the city, dating a few guys here and there, and taking college courses at the community college.

  

8) Benson has a dog named Max. He's not alone in this. "Max" is one of the most popular pet names in the US today. Have you ever known anyone (furry or otherwise) named Max?

A. I do not recall ever knowing a Max. The only Max I am familiar with is Mad Max from the movies. Oh, wait, I did know a Max. My old doctor's name was Max. Max Bertholf. He was such a nice man and a very good doctor. He quit practicing about 2004 or so. I did an article on his retirement for the newspaper. I never called him Max, though. I called him Dr. B.

 

9) Random question: If we knocked on your door on one of your lazy, stay-at-home days, what would we likely find you wearing?

A. You would find me wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. I would also have on a watch, earrings, and my glasses.

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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. 

Saturday 9: Soldier

Saturday 9: Soldier (2016)

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

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.

A. I had family members who served. I know of the children of friends who are active in the military.

2) This song is about the courage it takes for soldiers to march into battle. Gen. Patton said, "The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers." He was emphasizing that each individual's dedication is essential to the unit's success. Do you work well as part of a team? Or are you better on your own?

A. I do better on my own.

 

3) As of 2025, California is the state with the most military bases. Have you ever visited or lived on a base? 

A. We visited a military base near Virginia Beach several years ago. Mostly, we wanted to see an historic lighthouse that is located on the base. I found it kind of scary because they searched the car and checked ID.

 

4) At the turn of the of the 20th century, wristwatches were considered non-essential jewelry items, with pocket watches preferred for everyday timekeeping. During WWI, soldiers in the trenches needed to both synchronize actions across the battlefield and keep their hands on their weapons, so the wristwatch went from "fashion item" to "standard issue." Do you often wear a watch, or do you depend on your phone for the time?

A. I always wear a watch. I have for as long as I can remember. My first watch was an Alice in Wonderland watch.

 

5) Jeeps were originated by the US Army during WWII. Back then they were specifically for soldiers deployed to the European Theater, today there are more than 18 million Jeep-branded vehicles on the road all over the world. Have you ever driven a Jeep?

A. I have driven a Jeep. When I was about 12, my father brought home an old Jeep for me to drive up and down our very long driveway so I could catch the bus.

 

6) While Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses are a timeless symbol of cool, they were designed during WWII for a specific purpose: to give American flyers relief from glare at high altitudes. Tell us about your sunglasses.

A. I use the pull-over sunglasses that fit over my own glasses. They do not look cool and probably look stupid, but I don't care.

 

7) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

A. Watermelon.

8) This marks the weekend when Americans traditionally step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the cold winter months. For example, when is the last time you worked in the garden or tended the lawn?

A. I pulled weeds recently.

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?

A. The air conditioner is on.

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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. 

Saturday 9: Fun Fun Fun

Saturday 9: Fun, Fun, Fun (1964)

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

1) This song is about a girl who borrows her father's Ford Thunderbird. When is the last time you drove someone else's car?

A. I haven't driven anyone else's car in so long I couldn't tell you.

2) The teen in question is well known for ability to drive "like an ace." If we were to ask your high school classmates what they remember most about you, what do you think they'd say?

A. That I was quiet and nerdy. 

3) She told her father she needed the car to go to the library but used it instead to meet friends. Can you recall a time your parents caught you in a fib?

A. That would have been about 45 years ago, at least. I'm sure they did, but I don't recall the circumstances. 

4) For this girl and her friends, fun centered on cars and fast food. What did you and your friends do for fun during your teen years?

A. My friends and I occasionally cruised Williamson Road but not often. That's a stretch in the city where the kids just drove up and down, up and down. The boys honked and hooted at the girls.

5) Legend has it songwriters Brian Wilson and Mike Love got the idea for this song from a Salt Lake City disc jockey. He told them he'd lent his T-bird to his daughter so she could go to class at the community college but discovered her deception when the car was ticketed in front of a fast-food restaurant. Can you think of another song inspired by true events?

A. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, by Gordon Lightfoot.

 

6) As in the song, the disc jockey punished his daughter by taking her driving privileges away. Were your parents strict when you were growing up?

A. My parents were strict, yes.

7) This song was recorded on January 1, 1964. The Beach Boys had to work on the holiday because they were under pressure to meet a February release date. How did you spend New Year's Day 2026?

A. I went to bed.

 

8) 1964 was a great year for Capitol Records. They had chart-topping hits by the Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand and, most spectacularly, The Beatles. The Capitol Records Building in Los Angeles is considered iconic and it's a stop on tourist bus tours. Have you ever been to Southern California? If yes, what did you do?

A. I was in California when I was 12. We visited with my father's family. I think we went to Fisherman's Wharf, but I really don't remember.

 

9) Random question: What's the last compliment you received?

A. Some folks made positive comments on my blog about some flower photos.

 

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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. 

Saturday 9: Like My Mother Does

Saturday 9: Like My Mother Does (2011)

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

1) In this song, Lauren Alaina tells us she knows she's beautiful and strong because she sees herself as her mother does. Who in your life consistently sees the best in you?

A. My friends.

 

2) She sings that her mother is her "rock." In this context, what do you think that means?

A. It means she turns to her mother when she is feeling low or in need of advice.

 

3) When Lauren performed this song in concert, she brought her mother Kristy up on stage and held her hand as she sang. Kristy said she was touched, but also embarrassed because her daughter was the entertainer, not her. Do you get shy when all eyes turn to you?

A. Yes, I am shy. I have a difficult time in front of people.

 

4) Lauren began reading in pre-school and always read well above grade level. As a child, were you a big reader? Are you a big reader today?

A. I have always been a "big reader." I used to average about 100 books a year, but since I got progressive lenses, I only average about 50. Reading is harder on my eyes than it used to be.

   

5) According to the National Restaurant Association, we like to eat out on Mother's Day, and brunch is especially popular. If you could have whatever you want for brunch, what would you order?

A. Scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits and gravy, and if I were very hungry maybe a blueberry pancake with the blueberries cooked in the pancake and maple syrup.

6) Mother's Day is the third biggest card-sending holiday in the US, just after Christmas and Valentine's Day. Who received the last card you purchased?

A. My mother-in-law will receive the last card I purchased.

 

7) While flowers are the most popular Mother's Day gift, jewelry comes in second. Are you wearing any jewelry as you answer these questions? If yes, did you receive it as a gift or buy it yourself? 

A. I am wearing my Timex watch and some pearl earrings. I bought both of them myself.

 

8) According to the National Retail Federation, more and more of us are celebrating our mothers by taking her to a paint and sip event, a pottery class, or candle or soap making. Which of those four options do you think you'd enjoy the most?

A. I would enjoy the paint and sip event.

9) While there's a spike in phone traffic on Mother's Day, these days it seems the trend is texting. On holidays, do you receive more calls or texts?

A. I receive a mix of both.

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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. 

Saturday 9: I'll Get By

Saturday 9: I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You) – 1944

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

1) "I'll Get By" was very popular song in the 1940s, and we're taking a look at the recording by Dick Haymes and Harry James because it got the most airplay. Can you think of another song that has been recorded by more than one artist?

A. Just My Imagination, which recorded by The Temptations and The Rolling Stones.

2) In this week's song, vocalist Dick Haymes sings that he won't complain about the rain. Do you have any complaints about the weather this morning?

A. We are having a bright, bright, sunshiny day. However, we are in a drought and really need rain. 

3) Dick was briefly married to movie queen Rita Hayworth. Known as The Love Goddess and The Strawberry Blonde, Rita was famous for her magnificent mane. She dyed her dark brown hair red to get attention and it worked. Have you ever experimented with a different color? If yes, were you happy with the results?

A. I used to put highlights in my hair, but that was 30 years ago. I soon developed an allergy to the highlight stuff, and my hair is just now it's natural mix of brown and white.

4) Dick was the lead vocalist of the Harry James orchestra. Like Dick, Harry had a movie star wife. Betty Grable was famous for her legs. Her bathing suit poster inspired hosiery manufacturers to single out her perfectly proportioned thighs, calves and ankles. Betty herself joked, "I'm a star for two reasons, and I'm standing on them."  What do you think is your best (physical) trait?

A. Everyone tells me I have nice skin. Even the dermatologist I saw recently said I have nice skin. So I guess I'll go with my skin.

5) Betty's weren't the only legs that fascinated Harry. He was known for his stable of thoroughbred racehorses. Have you ever been to the races?

A. I have never been to a horse race. I have been to NASCAR races, though. That was a lot of horsepower, just not the natural kind.

6) Teenaged Harry played trumpet with The Beaumont High School Royal Purple Band. Did you belong to groups or clubs while you were in high school?

A. I was a member of the high school band, the forensics team (for a short while), and a member of the National Honor Society.

7) In addition to "I'll Get By," Judy Garland's "Trolley Song" topped the charts in 1944. When did you most recently take public transportation?

A. I don't know when I last took public transportation. I think we took a tour bus around Asheville when we were there in the early 2000s, but I'm not sure if a tour bus counts as public transportation.

8) Also in 1944, Diana Ross was born. First with the Supremes, then as a solo artist, she has sold more than 100 million records, making her one of America's most successful female singers. Who is your all-time favorite "girl singer?"

A. I will have to go with Melissa Etheridge, since I recently saw her in concert and she gave me a hug. I like other female singers, such as Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Chrissy Hynde, etc., but none of them have given me a hug.

9) Random question – Last week we asked about the garage. Let's turn our attention to the glove compartment (aka glove box). What have you got in there?

A. I have my registration, the manuals for the vehicle, and a couple of surgical masks left over from the pandemic.

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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. 

Saturday 9: Good

Saturday 9: Good (1995)

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

1) This song begins with a guy realizing he's home alone. Do you enjoy being all by yourself?

A. I do like being by myself. I also like being unplugged and away from my phone. 

2) He watches the sun throwing shadows on the floor. Which room in your home lets in the most sun?

A. In the morning, the kitchen receives the most sun. In the afternoons, the bedroom receives the most sun.

3) He sings that he may write a letter to his ex. If you were inspired to send someone a handwritten message, do you have stationery or notecards on hand? What about first-class postage stamps?

A. I have notecards and stamps on hand. But I generally type letters because my handwriting is atrocious.

4) This week's band, Better Than Ezra, got their start in Baton Rouge. All the members attended LSU and played their first gig at Murphy's, a bar near campus. When you were in your early 20's, where did you and your friends go to socialize?

A. I was married in my early 20s. We went to friends' houses and occasionally to dance halls, but I think we had stopped that by the time I was 22. When you're focusing on work, going to college, and trying to save up to build a house so you can try to have children, the fun just falls away.

5) While the band refuses to disclose the origin of their name, many assume the "Ezra" they refer to is poet Ezra Pound. Do you often read poetry?

A. I read poetry about once a month. I read the poems in The Atlantic and others that cross my path.

6) In 1995, when this song was popular, Michael Jordan "unretired" and returned to the Chicago Bulls. Tell us about a decision you wish you could undo.

A. In 2000, I was offered the position of editor of The Fincastle Herald, but my mother was dying of pancreatic cancer, so I turned the job down because I didn't think I would have the time to devote to it. I would probably still be editor of the paper if I had taken the job. Maybe.

7) Also in 1995, Phoebe Buffay first performed "Smelly Cat." Do you recall what show she sang on?

A. I have absolutely no idea.

8) Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your team doing so far this young baseball season?

A. I don't have a baseball team that I follow.

9) Random question: What's in your garage, besides your car (lawn tools, holiday decorations, old paint cans, etc.)?

A. We have a nice variety of things. A chest freezer, a dehumidifier, shelves full of bug spray, paint, plant food, oil, cleaning fluid, tools, gloves, clothes for feeding cattle, old newspaper clippings, extra trash bags, bottled water, distilled water, a small heater, a Dyson vacuum, etc.

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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. 

Saturday 9: Drive My Car

Saturday 9: Drive My Car (1965)

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

 

1) Who would you allow, without hesitation, to drive your car?

A. My husband, family members, friends. Anyone I know, really. 

 

2) When you're riding in the backseat, do you use your seatbelt?

A. I don't ride in the backseat. I get carsick. 

 

3) In this song, a young girl tells her boyfriend she wants to be a movie star. What were your aspirations when you were in your late teens/early 20's? Did you realize them?

A. I wanted to be a writer, and that's what I did. I also wanted to be a musician, and in my teens, I played in a band, so I guess I did that too.

 

4) The song was reportedly inspired in part by the relationship between popular British singer Cilla Black and her future husband. Cilla wanted him on the record label's payroll, so he became her road manager and driver. Have you ever worked for, or with, someone with whom you were romantically involved?

A. No.

 

5) Although this Beatles song is credited to Lennon-McCartney, it was written mostly by Paul. He recalls showing up at John Lennon's house with the tune ready to go, and lyrics they both agreed were "crap." John gave Paul the car theme, and he took it from there. When has someone recently helped you out of a jam?

A. I can't think of anything recent.

 

6) Paul also handles the lead vocals. When you hear a Beatles record, can you tell which band member is singing lead?

A. Not always, but I can tell it's the Beatles.

7) When it was first released, this record got a lot of attention for the intricate guitar work by Paul and George Harrison. It's got a lot of percussion on it, too, including cowbell and tambourine. Have you ever played either cowbell or tambourine? (Do you think it sounds like fun?)

A. I have played both at one point or another. They're rather boring instruments, frankly.

8) Lava lamps were already popular in England but they weren't introduced to the United States until 1965. Today Walmart carries more than 20 different lava lamps. Have you ever owned one?

A. I think I had one when I was a teenager, but to be honest I'm not sure. I might have just admired them in the window of Spencer's. (Anybody remember Spencer's?)

 

9) Random question: Do you have a recurring dream?

A. I used to have a recurring dream about a bathtub full of blood, but thankfully I no longer have that.

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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. 

Saturday 9: Leather and Lace

Saturday 9: Leather and Lace (1981)

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

1) As you answer these questions, are you wearing leather, lace, or both?

A. I have on Minnetonka moccasins that I use for house shoes that I suppose are of some kind of leather. It says it's a leather upper with faux fur in the shoe.

2) This song is a duet between members of two superstar groups – Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and Don Henley of The Eagles. Which band do you listen to more often, Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles?

A. I think Alexa tends to play more Fleetwood Mac, but I have both on my playlist.

 

3) In this duet, "lace" tells us she is stronger than we know and "leather" admits that sometimes he's vulnerable. Do either side of this lyrical equation apply to you? Do you think you're either tougher than people realize, or more sensitive than they know?

A. I think I am both tougher and more sensitive than people give me credit for. Many people think they know me, but they really don't.

 

4) Both Stevie and Don are born Westerners. Stevie spent her early childhood in Arizona and Don was born in Texas and stayed there through college. Today Stevie has two homes – one in Pacific Palisades and another in Phoenix – while Don has a beautiful home in Dallas. Do you feel rooted where you are? Or can you see yourself moving to another city or state in the future?

A. I have lived in the same house since 1987. I don't see myself going anywhere any time soon.

 

5) Stevie and Don were romantically involved in the 1970s, but after they broke up they remained friendly. Not only did they record this song in 1981, but they also went on tour together in 2005. Have you recently heard from an ex?

A. I have not heard from an ex in about 45 years.

6) Stevie admits a lifelong passion for Animal Crackers, those little cookies shaped like tigers, bears and elephants. Is your go-to snack sweet, like Stevie's, or is it salty?

A. I am afraid I have a bad sweet tooth, with a particular affinity for chocolate.

7) Don likes Velveeta on his burgers. Describe your ideal cheeseburger.

A. My ideal cheeseburger is a nice bun without seeds on it, a decent sized but not overly large hamburger patty, thick American cheese (like it used to be before the pandemic, not those anemic things they sell now as cheese), a piece of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a little mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup.

8) In 1981, when this song was popular, both Maserati and Mercedes Benz introduced luxury convertibles. Have you ever owned a convertible? Would a convertible be practical for your lifestyle?

A. I have never owned a convertible. I don't even use the moon roof on my Camry, so I don't think I would like a convertible. I'm not one for having pollen blown in my face while I drive.

 

9) Random question: What are you most looking forward to this week?

A. I am looking forward to seeing a dermatologist this week. Because I am in my 60s now and that is what you look forward to! Although I am also hoping maybe the bobcat will come around again. It was very cool to see that.

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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. 

Saturday 9: Easter Parade

Saturday 9: Easter Parade

Revised and revived from the archives

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

1) This song is best known from the 1948 movie of the same name, but it was originally written for a 1933 Broadway play called As Thousands Cheer. In the play, a young man reads about the parade in a New York newspaper and decides to go and show his lady love off to parade goers. What's the most recent parade you attended?

A. I haven't been to a parade in at least 15 years. I used to have to go them all the time to take photos for the newspaper, so I am paraded out.

2) On Broadway, the song was performed by Clifton Webb. He'd had a busy stage career, appearing in musicals as well as plays by Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward, but when he was in his mid-50s, he was considered too old to be a leading man. Broadway offers stopped coming. He was unexpectedly cast by Otto Preminger for the film noir Laura and a new career was born. He worked steadily in Hollywood for 20 years and earned three Oscar nominations. Tell us about a time you were grateful your life took an unanticipated turn.

A. I can't think of anything.

3) Today he's fondly remembered by the students at UCLA who have benefited from The Clifton Webb Scholarship of the Arts. If you could give an endowment to a school or charity, what would you like it to be used for?

A. I would give one to my alma mater to be used for women who want to go to college after they're beyond the traditional age one goes to such institutions. 

 

4) The biggest chocolate Easter egg was made in Italy, measured 34 feet tall and weighed a staggering 15,000 lbs. Do you think it's possible to have too much chocolate?

A. I'm sure that it's possible to have too much of anything, including chocolate.

  

5) After chocolate, the top-selling Easter candy is Peeps Marshmallow Chicks. They're so popular that they were once the subject of a Jeopardy clue. Do you often watch Jeopardy?

A. I haven't watched Jeopardy! since Alex Trebek died. I tried to but I could not get into the new hosts and it just wasn't the same.

6) Jellybeans are also popular this time of year. In a 2024 poll, jellybean fans responded that black licorice is their favorite flavor. It's Crazy Sam's least favorite. How about you? What jellybean flavor is at the top of your list, and which is at the bottom?

A. I don't care for jellybeans at all, but the black licorice would be the one I would leave.

7) We've been talking a lot about sweets this morning. The only holiday that generates more candy sales is Halloween. When do you eat more candy: Easter or Halloween?

A. I have no idea.

 

8) According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are doing more of their holiday shopping this year at discount "dollar stores" than at department stores like Target and Walmart. Do you often make trips to the "dollar store?" If yes, what do you usually pick up there?

A. I only go to a dollar store occasionally, and that's usually for something like birthday wrapping paper.

 

9) Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What makes you feel refreshed or rejuvenated?

A. I feel refreshed when I splash cold water on my face.

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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. 

Saturday 9: Indian Lake

Saturday 9: Indian Lake (1968)

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

1) In this song, a family gets on a bus and heads off on vacation. Think about the last trip you took. Did you travel by car, bus, train, boat, or plane?

A. The last trip I took was by car.

2) Once they get to Indian Lake, they swim, have a picnic and go canoeing. Are you looking forward to any of these activities this summer?

A. I am not looking forward to any of those activities this summer. 

3) "Indian Lake" became familiar to TV audiences because it was used in commercials for the Dodge Charger. In the 1960s, most households didn't have remote controls to enable viewers to mute or skip commercials. Today, we do. When a commercial comes on, do you watch or do you turn down the sound or, if possible, fast forward past it?

A. I thought commercials were the signal to get up and go to the ladies room. And some shows won't let you fast forward through commercials anymore when you're streaming.

4) The Cowsills were a family singing group who had four Top 10 hits between 1967 and 1969. The brothers were self-taught musicians who enjoyed playing at church and school events. When their father, Bud Cowsill, became their manager, he insisted his wife Barbara and their youngest, Susan, join the band. He wanted the Cowsills to become "a latter-day Von Trapp family." Without looking it up, do you know who the Von Trapps were?

A. The Von Trapps were the Austrian family immortalized in the movie The Sound of Music.

5) The Cowsills were the inspiration for the sitcom The Partridge Family. It ran for four seasons and the fictional Partridges had three Top 10 hits, were nominated for a Grammy and made David Cassidy a star. Are you familiar with The Partridge Family?

A. I am quite familiar with The Partridge Family. I thought David Cassidy was quite handsome, and I wished I were as subtly beautiful as Susan Dey.

6) The Cowsills starred in an advertising campaign for the American Dairy Association. On TV and in magazine ads they proclaimed that "Milk is the lift that lasts." Decades later, oldest brother Bill recalled that he seldom drank milk. How about you? Do you often drink milk?

A. I am allergic to milk, so I do not drink it.

7) While Bud Cowsill engineered the family band's success, he also contributed to their demise. The Cowsills were scheduled to appear 10 times on the influential Ed Sullivan Show but were fired after the second because Bud was too confrontational backstage. He also had a reputation for being abrasive with record company executives and concert promoters, and this affected the band's ability to find work. Do you have a hard time biting your tongue or controlling your temper?

A. I can have a temper sometimes. I try not to but am not always successful.

8) In 1968, when this song was popular, Leonard Bernstein released his award-winning recording of Mahler: Symphony No. 8. Do you enjoy classical music?

A. I like to listen to classical music sometimes.

9) Random question – Here we are in March. If you made any New Year's resolutions, have you kept them?

A. I did not make any New Year's resolutions.

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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. 

Saturday 9: London Town

Saturday 9: London Town (1978)

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

1) Have you ever visited London?

A. Only in my dreams. Oh, wait, the plane I was on when I went to Spain landed in Heathrow, and we had to switch planes to get to Spain. So, I guess I have been there. Sort of.

2) In this song, Paul sings of encountering a London street musician playing the flute. Are there street musicians in your town?

A. I do not know of any street musicians where I live, since I live in a rural area. There may be some in the nearest city, but I've never seen them in the news.

3) It's raining as he wanders around London. How is the weather where you are today?

A. Today is warm and partly cloudy.

4) "London Town" is one of a handful of songs credited to Paul McCartney and Denny Laine, his bandmate in Wings from 1971 to 1981. They became fast friends in the mid-60s when Denny was with The Moody Blues, the band who opened for The Beatles on their final UK concert tour. Paul has acknowledged Denny's outstanding vocals and guitar playing, as well as his humor and generosity. Share the good qualities of one of your close friends.

A. One of my close friends is a terrific artist and she enjoys sharing her talent with others.

5) Wings broke up in 1981 when Paul decided he was weary of touring. His kids were in school, his Beatle bandmate John Lennon had been murdered, and he simply felt more comfortable staying put and working in the studio, rather than performing live. Denny believed this would mean his role, and his financial compensation, would diminish so he quit Wings. Tell us about why you left one of your jobs.

A. I left one of my jobs because of stress. Actually, except for my career as a freelance writer and one where I didn't get a raise that I thought I should have gotten, stress is the reason I left all of my jobs.

6) Linda McCartney also wrote and performed with Wings. In addition to music, she is known for her photography and cookbooks. Of these three – music, photography and cooking – which do you enjoy most?

A. I enjoy music and photography. I am not a cook.

7) Paul's first car was a 1964 Aston Martin DB5. He selected it himself before The Beatles went off on their first world tour and it was waiting for him when he got home to London. He drove it when he shouldn't have, as he didn't get his license until spring of 1965. When did you get your driver's license?

A. I got my driver's license when I was 16. 

8) Speaking of driver's licenses ... Last year someone bought one of Paul's expired driver's licenses at auction for $20,000. When you get a new license, passport, or state issued ID, what do you do with the old one?

A. Given the way things are today, they would be a trail of documentation that I have existed and been a citizen for 62 years. I probably should have kept them. 

9) Random question – Which do you have more of: dirty dishes in the sink or dirty clothes in the hamper?

A. Clothes in the hamper.

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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.