Saturday 9: Big Star

Saturday 9: Big Star (1962)

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

1) Shelley Fabares sings that when she hears her lover's records on the radio, they bring back memories. Do you prefer familiar songs or do you seek out new music?

A. I tend to listen to familiar songs, especially when I am writing or doing accounting work. I don't mind new music when I'm cleaning or have time to pay attention. But when all I want is background noise, then the older music works best because I don't have to think about it.

2) Shelley introduced "Big Star" on an episode of The Donna Reed Show, where she played daughter Mary. She remembers the show's star and her TV mom, Donna Reed, as "an extraordinary woman." Who is your favorite TV mom? 

A. My favorite TV mom would be Shirley Partridge from the Partridge Family.

3) Speaking of big stars, Shelley made three movies with Elvis, who said she was his favorite leading lady. What qualities do you value in a coworker? 

A. I like someone who is helpful, thoughtful, kind, patient, and intelligent.

4) Though best known for comedy, Shelley appeared as Cathy in a made-for-TV adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Have you ever read the Emily Bronte classic?

A. I read Wuthering Heights the first time when I was 9 years old. I have read it again since but probably should pick it up again now that I'm older. I come away with something different every time I read a classic.

 

5) Shelley Fabares' aunt was Broadway, film and TV veteran Nanette Fabray. Do you have a favorite aunt or uncle?

A. I like all of my aunts and uncles. It wouldn't be polite to say I have a favorite.

 

6) In the 1990s she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award (Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy) for her work on Coach. She didn't win. Millions of viewers got to see her applaud graciously when Laurie (Roseanne) Metcalf's named was announced both times. If you were nominated for a major award and the ceremony was televised, would you get all dressed up and go? Or would you prefer to watch from home?

A. I think I would feel like I had to be there, if I had worked that hard. 

 

7) In 1962, when this song was first released, Jack Nicklaus launched his legendary golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf? Do you watch golf on TV?

A. I do not watch golf on TV.

 

8) Also in 1962, Marilyn Monroe bought her first home at the age of 36. Up until then she had always been a renter. Marilyn was residing there at the time of her death that August. How long have you lived at your current address? 

A. My address has changed three times over the last 39 years, but I have not moved from the current spot.

 

9) Random question – According to a survey, the average American will kiss 15 different partners over their lifetime. Do you estimate your personal total is more, less, or right on track?

A. I don't know. Are we talking second grade stolen kisses on the ballfield or what? (I had a friend who told me once she dated 115 different men before she found the man she married. I was stunned. "I didn't sleep with them all," she declared.)

*I will be at my father's funeral today. I will be around to visit when I can. Thanks for understanding.*

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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: Up the Ladder

A note to my Saturday 9 friends: my father unexpectedly passed away Thursday. I had written this meme before that happened.

Saturday 9: Up the Ladder to the Roof (1970)

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

 

1) Many people are uncomfortable with ladders. Some feel unsteady on the steps, others have a fear of heights. Then there's the superstition that warns against walking under ladders. Are you afraid of ladders?

A. I am not afraid of ladders. I do get a little nervous with heights and now that I am older, I don't particularly have any desire to climb ladders. But I would if I had to.

 

2) In this song, the Supremes advise us to go up the ladder to the roof to be closer to Heaven. While poetic, that's not really why most homeowners climb onto the roof. They're more likely replacing shingles or cleaning the gutters. Have you ever been on the roof of your building?

A. I have been on the roof of my house, but it was a long time ago, perhaps even when we were building it.

 

3) The record was the Supremes first and biggest hit without Diana Ross. When Jean Terrell replaced Diana as lead singer, the two ladies appeared together at a press event to launch this new iteration of the Supremes. Have you ever met your replacement at a job, or perhaps the person you replaced?

A. I have met different writers who were taking over the work I was doing at various newspapers as I moved from one to the other.

 

4) Mary Wilson was a member of the group when it was formed in 1959 and stayed through 1977, when the Supremes officially disbanded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American stays at a job 3.9 years. Looking over your job history, how long did you typically stick with an employer?

A. I worked as a freelance writer, self-employed, from 1984 until 2024. During that time, I wrote for a variety of publications, but most often for The Fincastle Herald or the New Castle Record. There were other jobs I worked at for a few years, but I don't think I stayed anywhere for longer than three years. Even though I wrote for those newspapers for decades, I was not on staff.

 

5) The third Supreme performing on this record was Cindy Birdsong. After the group broke up for good, Cindy finished nursing school and practiced at UCLA Medical Center. When did you last interact with a nurse or nurse practitioner?

A. I had a telehealth conference with my doctor earlier this month, and the nurse set up the call. In person, I last interacted with a nurse back in December. 

 

6) In 1970, when this song was popular, TV shows about doctors like Marcus Welby, MD and Medical Center ranked high in the Nielsen ratings. Medical shows are still popular today, with Grey's Anatomy entering its 22nd season and The Pitt earning critical accolades. Do you have a favorite TV doctor?

A. My favorite TV doctor would be Leonard McCoy, aka "Bones" on the original Star Trek.

 

7) Also in 1970, when this song was popular, audiences were lining up to see the movie Love Story. Without looking it up, complete the film's most famous line:  "Love means _______________."

A. "Never having to say you're sorry." I don't agree with the sentiment.  

 

8) Slumberchums™ were all the rage among pre-teens in 1970. These sleeping bags had attached pillow "heads" that made it look like you slipping into sleep inside a plush bear. When did you most recently sleep in a sleeping bag?

A. I took a sleeping bag with me to band camp when I was a sophomore in high school. We were to bring our own sheets, and my mother thought a sleeping bag would be less trouble. She was correct.

 

9) Random question: Did you take a multivitamin this morning? If yes, did you swallow it or chew it?

A. I take my multivitamins at dinner. I swallow them whole and do not chew them.

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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: Man I Need

Saturday 9: Man I Need

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

1) In this song, Olivia Dean is looking for a man who wants to really communicate and doesn't make her "read between the lines." Tell us about a time when you felt you had to work hard to figure out what someone was trying to tell you.

A. When I worked as a news reporter, I spent a lot of time trying to ensure I understood what people were telling me. I can't point to a specific time, really, but every article required research, a little prompting, many questions, and I had to be as sure as I could be that understood the nuances of the topic, whatever it was.

 

2) She's eager to meet his best friend and join their friend group. Have you made any new friends recently?

A. Not lately, no.

 

3) "Man I Need" was a hit in the fall of 2025. It was so popular that, in addition to CDs, a special vinyl release was scheduled in time for Christmas (2025) gift giving. How do you listen to music most often? Do you play CDs, download, stream, or play vinyl records?

A. I have my favorite CDs on my computer to listen to. Generally, I listen to music through Alexa. I have a favorites playlist, or I just ask her to play something and she does. I do not subscribe to their music service nor will I, but what I get for free as a prime member works well enough.

 

4) Olivia Dean recalls that her first public performance was singing at a school talent show. If we had a Sat 9 talent show, what would you do to entertain us?

A. I would either play the guitar or recite a poem I wrote.

 

5) She says she loved listening to her parents' music collection. How about you? Did you and your parents share musical tastes? How about you and your kids?

A. Once I discovered I could change the dial from country and western to Top 40, that was it as far as listening to the same music as my parents. My mother liked Top 40 but my father was mostly into country. I know a lot of the older country songs because of that, but I don't many new songs in that genre, unless it was a crossover hit. I don't have any children.

 

6) Olivia likes to be dressed up when she gets onstage, favoring gowns and heels. She says of her audiences, "If you guys paid good money that you worked hard for, let me give you a show." How do you feel when you're invited to an event that calls for you to dress up? Are you enthusiastic about choosing your outfit, or would you rather keep it casual?

A. I prefer casual. 

 

7) She enjoys classic film and lists Singin' in the Rain as her favorite. What's the last movie you watched? Do you recommend it to other Sat 9ers?

A. The last movie I saw at the theater was Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. I would recommend it, especially if you liked the TV show Downton Abbey.

 

8) In 2025, when this song was popular, the average price tag for a new vehicle was $47,690 and $25,100 for a used one. Are you planning to make a big purchase in 2026? 

A. I certainly hope not.

9) Random question: Are you better with love or money?

A. Probably money. Love is hard.

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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: Volare

Saturday 9: Volare (1960)

 

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

1) The word "volare" is Italian for "to fly." Say something else in Italian.

A. Non parlo italiano . . . però Mamma mia!

2) This week, Bobby Rydell invites us to take off with him up in the clouds and promises we'll find a rainbow. Countless lyricists have included rainbows in their songs. Can you name another song that mentions rainbows?

A. Rainbow Connection, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

 

3) His happy heart is singing. What is making you happy this morning?

A. What is this "happy" of which you speak . . . Ah! I know! That feeling of giddiness that overtakes me when the husband hugs me and plants a kiss upon me!

 

4) Bobby Rydell, like Frankie Avalon and Fabian, was a 1950s teen idol who hailed from Philadelphia. Home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philly is Pennsylvania's most populous city. Have you ever been there?

A. I have never been to Philadelphia. I have been to Pennsylvania, though.

 

5) Bobby was such a perfect example of a clean-cut American boy that when Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey sat down to write the play Grease, they named their fictional high school Rydell High after him. Do you have a favorite song from Grease?

A. Hopelessly Devoted to You.

 

6) In addition to singing, Bobby also acted. His most famous film role was opposite Ann-Margret in Bye, Bye, Birdie (1963). Have you seen it?

A. I do not think I have seen that movie.

7) In 1960, when this record was popular, so were hand-loomed, 100% virgin wool sweaters from Italy. You could order one from the Sears catalog for $12.60 (approx. $135 in today's dollars). That sweater was labeled "dry clean only." Do you have any garments waiting to be picked up from the cleaners?

A. I do not buy garments that need to go to the cleaners. If it isn't wash and wear, it is not in my closet.

 

8) Also in 1960, Princess Margaret married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. They met when he was commissioned to take her official portrait. Who took the most recent photo of you?

A. I think a friend of mine last took a picture of me.

 

9) Random question: Is your oldest friend also your best friend?

A. My oldest friend is one of my closest friends. But by some standards, my oldest friend would be my best friend, depending on which friend I am discussing. And yes, I am intentionally being obtuse.

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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: New Year's Day

Saturday 9: New Year's Day (2017)

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

Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2026.
 

1) In the lyrics, Taylor Swift promises she'll not only be there for the party, but for the clean up afterward. As we say move on from the holiday season, could your home benefit from a thorough cleaning?

A. I'm pretty sure most homes could benefit from a "thorough" cleaning. Mine is as clean as I can keep it. It's a little cluttered in two rooms because it's a small space, but that's clutter, not dirt. A thorough cleaning, by my definition, would involve completely emptying a room, cleaning it, and then cleaning everything as it is put back. I daresay most people don't do that, and while I did it a few times when I was younger, there is no way I could do it now.

2) This song describes a party where guests took Polaroid pictures. Have you ever owned a Polaroid camera? Do you have one now?

A. I remember my family of origin having a Polaroid, but I have never had one myself.

3) Taylor sings that we should "hold on to memories." What special memory from 2025 will you hang onto?

A. This is the year I actually retired, if you can call continuing to keep the books for the farm and my husband's septic installation business "retired." Mostly, I retired from freelancing and trying to make money with my writing. I guess that's a good memory to hold onto.
 
4) Taylor Swift grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. Have you taken your tree, or other holiday decorations, down yet? If you didn't decorate at all, let us know that, too.

A. My holiday decorations went back into the closet on New Year's Eve.

5) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, but no wedding date has been shared. Do you anticipate attending any weddings in 2026?

A. I do not anticipate attending any weddings in 2026.

6) Travis' team, the Kansas City Chiefs, is currently 6-10. Not exactly the record their fans hoped for. According to a 2024 Pew research study, 53% of Americans said football is their favorite sport. Have you watched much football this season? 

A. I watched bits and pieces of college games, but not enough to mention, really. We always root for University of Virginia, mostly because everyone else around here roots for Virginia Tech.
 
7) In 2017, when "New Year's Day" was released, Wonder Woman was a hit at the box office. While Wonder Woman's superhero abilities vary depending on which TV show, movie or comic book you refer to, some of her powers remain consistent: a) immense strength, b) superhuman speed, c) the ability to almost instantly recover/heal from injury. Which would you like to possess – a, b, or c?

A. C, for sure. Being able to recover from a stubbed, broken toe and barely feel it? That would be terrific.

8) Have you made any New Year's resolutions for 2026?

A. I don't make New Year's resolutions anymore. I set a few goals, but they are private.
 
9) What was the first thing to make you laugh in 2026?

A. Alexa made me laugh with her reaction to my request to help me build a shrinking ray gun so I could go around and make people the size of atoms. At first, she thought I said, "shrieking ray gun" and she was confused as to why I would want that. And no, she can't build a shrinking ray gun. Or a weather control machine, or a time machine. She also can't build a transporter. Yes, I have asked. I ask her silly things all the time.

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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: Bye Bye

Saturday 9: Bye Bye Bye (2000)

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

This song was chosen because it's time to say goodbye to 2025.

Thanks for participating in Saturday 9 this year.

1) In this song, a man predicts his lover will start an argument. Is there anyone in your life who can be quarrelsome?

A. I have removed most of the quarrelsome people I know from my life.

2) He says he's had it, he's checking out and signing off. Can you think of a time you were glad you walked away from something?

A. I walked away from working for lawyers and into freelance writing, and I was ever so glad I did that. Lawyers are difficult to work for.

3) This week's song was performed by the band NSYNC. The group was formed in Orlando, FL, which is world famous as home to Walt Disney World. Today there are 12 Disney theme parks located around the globe. Have you ever visited one of these Magic Kingdoms?

A. I have been to the park in Orlando, FL once, in 1993.

4) They made a celebrity appearance on The Simpsons. What's your all-time favorite cartoon show?

A. Bugs Bunny, of course. I think it's also called Looney Tunes.

5) In 2000, the year "Bye Bye Bye" was popular, Brad Pitt was named People's Sexiest Man Alive. Are you crushing on anyone right now?

A. I am not crushing on anyone other than my husband at the moment.

Let's look back on 2025 . . . 

6) What's the farthest from home you traveled in 2025?

A. I think I made it to the Walmart on the far side of the city a couple of times.

7) What was the biggest purchase that you made in 2025?

A. I am not at liberty to say. 

8) What was your favorite book of 2025?

A. I am having a hard time choosing just one. These are few I read that I really liked: The Grey Wolf, by Louise Penny, A Sorceress Comes to Call, by T. Kingfisher, Strange Practice, by Vivian Shaw, The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits, by Jennifer Weiner, The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty.

9) What are you looking forward to most in 2026?

A. Getting rid of 2025, I think. But oh, I have concert tickets to see Melissa Etheridge, finally. Yay!

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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: Happy Holidays

SATURDAY 9: HAPPY HOLIDAYS

From the archives

1. As you can see, when Sam Winters (the blog meme author) was a little girl, she loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. If you could ask Santa for anything at all, right now, what would it be?

A. The things I want are not the things Santa can bring. He can't bring world peace, or end hunger and disease, or stop greed. But he can bring me a box of milk chocolate covered cherries.

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there?

A. I hope I am on the nice list. To my knowledge, I haven't done anything naughty. I have donated to the local food bank and other charities. I've tried to stop swearing, even.

3. Are you traveling this Christmas? If so, are you going by car, plane or train?

A. I am not traveling.

4. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If yes, which one traveled the farthest?

A. I sent a gift to my friend in England, but that went via Amazon in England, so I don't know if that counts.

5. Did you buy yourself a gift this year?

A. I did not buy myself a gift this year.

6. Which do you prefer: candy canes or gingerbread?

A. Gingerbread.

7. Can you see any holiday decorations from where you're sitting now?

A. No. They are in the other room.

8. What's your favorite winter beverage?

A. I used to enjoy hot apple cider, back before I had ulcers.

9. Share a memory from last Christmas.

A. Last Christmas I was sick with an ear infection but still managed to carry off the holiday. It was more about the things I found to give than the things I received, although my stepmother did give me my mother's old button box, which I treasure.

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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: First Christmas

Saturday 9: First Christmas (2024)

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

I'd never heard this song before. It's quite lovely.

1) The song mentions snowmen and snow on a windowpane. Has it snowed near you yet?

A. Oh yes. We've had two snows already, one piling on the other. It's still on the ground.

2) Diane Keaton sings that hearing "I'll Be Home for Christmas" makes her miss someone she loved who won't be coming home at all. Is there a Christmas song that reminds you of a loved one?

A. Not really, no.

 

3) After the song was first released for Christmas 2024, Diane said she appreciated how many people posted on her Instagram, sharing their "First Christmas journeys," explaining how they navigated the first holiday season without a special someone. What have you recently posted on social media (other than this blog post)?

A. My blog is mostly where I post. On Facebook, I posted a press release from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Because I once was a journalist and a historian, and that's what I do.

 

4) Diane appeared in the Broadway musical Hair and sang in movies like Annie Hall and The First Wives Club. Still, she didn't consider herself "much of a singer." How about you? What's something you do, even though you're not completely comfortable doing it?

A. Does going out in public count? I'm not comfortable with that anymore. But I do it. I also don't consider myself "much of a singer" yet I have YouTube videos up of myself singing along with my guitar.

 

5) This was Diane's first and, sadly, her only record. She was nervous doing it, but it helped that the lyrics was written by her friend, Carole Bayer Sager, and that both Carole and her writing partner, Jonas Myrin, were with Diane in the studio. Tell us about a friend who came through for you.

A. Oh, my friend Brenda came through for me many times, especially when my mother passed away. Her mother died the same year, and we sort of helped each other through those difficult days. Brenda was a very quiet and very secretive person who held her cards so close to her vest they nearly disappeared from view. Alas, she passed away in 2021. I miss her.

6) After her 75th birthday, Diane said she was excited that new ventures were coming her way, and she found herself saying "yes" more often. In addition to recording this week's song, she accepted an unexpected offer from Look Optic to design eyewear. Have you recently tried something you've never done before? Or what's something you'd like to try?

A. I have tried to knit and crochet and am a poor student when it comes to those crafts. I'd like to try to draw and color with colored pencil or perhaps acrylic; I could never do oils because of the odor, but I would like to be able to draw. I took a couple of art courses in college and did OK, but fortunately I had a teacher who graded on effort, not on results, because I never did produce anything worthwhile.

 

Now for some questions about the holiday season ...

7) Do you display the holiday cards you receive?

A. I do. I tape them to a wall. Now there are just a few, but back in the day, like 30 years ago, I would receive so many cards that not only did I tape them to the wall, I ran them on a string and down the front of closet doors. I used to send out about 200 cards. Now my list is down to 40, and they are mostly my husband's distant cousins.

8) This is a big time of year for necklaces, hats, and headbands decorated with jingle bells. Will you be wearing any bells this season?

A. I do not wear bells.

 

9) The website Morning Save included these three items on their list of this season's popular gifts. Would you rather receive: a. cup holder/phone mount for your car; b. sherpa lined clog slippers; c. set of three stainless paring knives with rosemary green plastic handles?

A. I would rather have the knives. I have a hard time keeping sharp knives around the house.

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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: Ja-Da

Saturday 9: Ja-Da (1918)

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

 

1) The lyrics tell us the melody is soothing. What calms you when you're upset or anxious?

A. Valium.

 

2) There was a lot going on in 1918 – like WWI and the Spanish flu pandemic – that left people upset and anxious. In those days, radio wasn't yet a staple in American homes, so people received their news through newspapers. Today with podcasts and 24-hour cable news and social media and other news outlets available, do you ever feel like taking a break from current events?

A. I have not read a full edition of the local daily newspaper for several months now. We switched to digital and I don't like it. I read stories from there that relate to my county, but I do not read it cover to cover like I used to. Current events are more like throwing up in a trash can these days than actually learning something helpful, so I think a break occasionally is good for your health. You can't vomit news all of the time.

3) In addition to newspapers, magazines were a big deal in 1918. Women turned to publications like Ladies Home Journal and McCall's for trends and tips about fashion and housekeeping. Do you have any printed magazines in your home now?

A. I have The Atlantic, Reader's Digest, Farm Journal, Drovers Magazine, and Consumer Reports.

 

4) Today schoolchildren often learn "Ja-Da" because it's easy to sing and play. Was music part of your grade school curriculum?

A. We had a lovely music teacher named Mrs. Tingler who came once a week to give us music lessons. She taught us several songs that I still remember, like Senor Don Gato the Cat and Goodbye Ol' Paint. She also brought along different types of instruments, like tambourines, triangles, harmonicas, etc., for kids to try out. Once she received permission to take Ann and I to other schools so I could play flute while Ann sang. Ann and I ended up the Top 40 cover band that I was in during high school. She was the singer and I played guitar. Not all the long ago, I came across Mrs. Tingler on Facebook, and she seemed to remember me. And not long after that, I saw her obituary in the newspaper. God bless the Mrs. Tinglers of the world.

 

5) Composer Bob Carleton published more than 500 songs in his career. He had no songwriting partner, handling the words and lyrics himself. What's your favorite song? Was it written by a single composer or a songwriting team?

A. I don't know that I have a favorite song, but I will say that I am a big fan of Fleetwood Mac and I generally lean towards the songs that Stevie Nicks wrote, especially the strange ones like Rhiannon and Sara. 

 

6) Bob got his start in his hometown of St. Louis, playing piano in his parents' saloon. When you think of St. Louis, what comes to mind?

A. Missouri. The big golden arch thing.

 

7) In 1918, Americans were buying more cars and Studebakers were a familiar sight on the streets and highways. Today that name is mostly forgotten. Can you think of a brand that used to popular but has disappeared?

A. Pearl Drops Toothpaste. Clearasil. Rainbow Bread (that might've been a local thing). Valley Dale meats. 

 

8) During WWI, Americans were familiar with "Meatless Days." Back then we were encouraged to cut back on the consumption of meat as a patriotic gesture to help the American and Allied troops. Today "Meatless Monday" highlights health and the environment. Think about your diet. Do you try to eat more grains, fruits and vegetables?

A. At the moment, I am supposed to be eating more protein. Apparently, I do not eat enough of that, especially in the mornings.

 

9) Random question: Where did you get the shirt you are wearing right now?

A. I have on a pink Fire-EMS shirt that was a special edition T-shirt put out for women's breast cancer. It says "Fired up for a cure" on the back. My husband purchased several of them when that went around the firehouse, and I wear them a lot.

 

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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: Thank You Girl

Saturday 9: Thank You Girl (1964)

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

1) Who were you talking to the last time you said, "thank you?"

A. My husband.

2) Paul McCartney recalls that "Thank You Girl" was inspired by all the female fans who had written them fan letters, pledging undying love. Have you ever written a fan letter? If yes, did you receive a response?

A. I think I wrote one when I was a teenager, but I don't remember to whom, and I wrote a book author once telling her how much I enjoyed her work. I did not receive a reply from either one. Oh, but I did get an email back from author Lisa See when I wrote to her. I have written other authors too, who have written me back, but those are people I personally know. I do not know Lisa See.

3) Recording engineer Geoff Emerick remembered that John Lennon was easily winded while recording this song. John had a bad cold and went back to bed when they were done for the day. We're in cold/flu season right now. How are you feeling?

A. I am good at the moment. Thank you for asking.

4) "Thank You Girl" is this week's song because November 27 was Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this year?

A. I am thankful for my husband, our home, our friends. And I am especially thankful for my blog readers.

5) While the big meal is referred to as Thanksgiving dinner, most Americans enjoy it earlier than they usually serve dinner. 3:00 PM is the most popular time for the holiday feast. When did you have dinner on Thursday?

A. We ate lunch around noon, and then had a sandwich for supper about 6 p.m. We don't normally use the term dinner around here. We have lunch and supper.

6) Cranberry sauce has been a Thanksgiving staple since the late 1800s. Was it on your menu this year?

A. Alas, we had no cranberry sauce. We also had no turkey. We had ribeye steaks, which seemed appropriate for beef cattle farmers. They were very good, and I didn't have to kill myself cooking a big meal.

7) The Thanksgiving Turducken is said to have originated in New Orleans. Chef Paul Prudhomme is often cited as the first to stuff a deboned chicken into a deboned duck into a deboned turkey. Prudhomme's recipe has more than 85 individual steps and takes a full day to prepare. Did you face any challenges while cooking your Thursday dinner?

A. It went smooth as the fine hair on a fox kit.

8) Leftovers are popular after Thanksgiving, especially turkey sandwiches. Some cooks recommend serving cold, sliced turkey on wheat bread, but white bread, pitas and flatbread are also popular. When you head into the kitchen to make a sandwich, what's your go-to bread?

A. I usually have a ham and cheese sandwich on my Heiner's Old-Fashioned White Bread.

9) The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and sales. Black Friday got its name in Philadelphia back in the 1950s to describe the traffic clogging both highways and side streets as consumers raced out in search of bargains. When is the last time you were stuck in traffic?

A. I don't recall being stuck in traffic for any long period in quite some time.

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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: Lady in Red

Saturday 9: The Lady in Red (1986)

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

 

1) Is red a color you often wear?

A. Red is not my color. I do better with blues and greens. 

 

2) In this song, Chris De Burgh is thrilled to be dancing with the woman he loves. Do you recall what was playing the last time you stepped onto the dance floor?

A. I haven't been on a dance floor in years. I have no idea what was playing the last time I danced in public.

 

3) Chris says he wrote this song about the first time he saw his future wife, who wore a red dress when she came to see his band perform. Tell us about a memorable concert going experience.

A. My husband and I saw Elton John perform live, just him, and no band. It was a fantastic concert. The man played his fingers off on that grand piano and he rocked the stage like he had 100 people backing him. It was stunning.

 

4) Chris' father worked as a diplomat for the United Kingdom. Former US ambassador Robert D. Blackwill believes a diplomat should possess strong writing/speaking skills, meticulous attention to detail, historical knowledge, and stamina. Do you have any of those attributes?

A. I have all of those attributes except for strong speaking skills. I get anxious when I am in front of people.

 

5) Chris' family owns Bargy Castle, a 15th century fortress in County Wexford, Ireland. Bargy Castle has been converted into a hotel. What's the last hotel you stayed in?

A. We last stayed in a Hampton Inn. We used to stay in Hampton's all the time, but we have learned that they now let dogs into their facilities. Since I am highly allergic, we do not stay at facilities that allow pets (aside from real honest-to-God service dogs, of course).

 

6) Chris is a wine connoisseur who sold a collection of vintage reds for over $500,000. If you suddenly came into $500,000, what would you do with it?

A. After I finished fainting, I would donate some of it to various causes I care about, and put the rest away for a rainy day.

 

7) In 1986, when this song was popular, singer/actress Lady Gaga was born in Manhattan. Have you been to New York City?

A. I have been to New York City as a tourist only once, when I was about 15. My father and mother visited friends and took me with them. We went into China Town where I had the best Chinese food ever. But we were not there long, and I didn't do much sight-seeing. I have been through La Guardia Airport on my way to Europe but that doesn't really count.

 

8) Also in 1986, NHL Hall of Famer Jacques Plante died. Are you a hockey fan?

A. I am not a hockey fan.

 

9) Random question – You just slid behind the wheel and are about to embark on a long road trip. Which of these famous Williams would you choose as your navigator: Willie Nelson, Bill Murray, or William, Prince of Wales?

A. I think a trip with Bill Murray would be a hoot and a half. We could talk about art, movies, and groundhogs all in one long ride.

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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: Rings

Saturday 9: Rings

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

 

1) This song is about a young man who is happy to hear his phone ring. How about you? How do you feel when your phone rings? (Excited, annoyed, surprised, etc.)

A. It depends on who is calling. If it says "SPAM" then I'm not happy. If it's a friend, then I am quite happy.

 

2) He's got James Taylor on the stereo. Are you a James Taylor fan?

A. James Taylor is ok. I like some of his songs.

 

3) He tells his girl he's been hanging with his buddies, Tony and Mario, but they're no substitute for her. What friend did you recently spend time with? What did you do?

A. We went shopping.

 

4) Tony and Mario were real people. They ran a restaurant frequented by the songwriters. Did you dine out this past week?

A. We ate in this week.

 

5) "Rings" is the only hit for the band Cymarron, who hailed from Memphis, a town known for classic southern comfort foods like biscuits and gravy, cornbread and mashed potatoes. What's on the menu at your home this weekend?

A. Meatloaf.

 

6) The boys in Cymarron took their name from their favorite TV show, the Western Cimarron Strip. What TV show are you currently enjoying? Maybe your fellow Sat9ers would like it, too.

A. We like Brilliant Minds, which comes on at 10 p.m. on Monday nights. We tape it to watch it at a time more favorable to us.

 

7) In 1971, when this song was popular, the US Mint introduced the Eisenhower Silver Dollar. Is there any change in your wallet or pocket right now?

A. I have a bit of change, but not a lot. I haven't seen a Silver Dollar in ages.

 

8) Also in 1971, Mattel introduced Malibu Barbie, the doll with a tan. Have you ever used a tanning bed?

A. I climbed in one time, immediately had claustrophobia, and got out of there.

 

9) Random question – If we were to ask your friends, which of these qualities would they say they like best about you: your warmth, your sense of humor, or your intelligence?

A. Can I say my wry, intelligent sense of humor?

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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: That Funny Feeling

Saturday 9: That Funny Feeling (1965)

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

 

1) In this song, Bobby Darin admits he cares more for the girl than he should. What's something you have recently overdone (eaten too many potato chips, stayed up too late, etc.)?

A. I think I spend too much time playing video games. I like all kinds of video games and try to tell myself it's good for my brain, but I am not so sure.

 

2) Bobby wrote this as the theme song for a movie he starred in with his wife, Sandra Dee. That Funny Feeling (the movie) turned a profit at the box office and "That Funny Feeling" (the record) made the Billboard Top 40. Can you think of another movie and song that were both popular?

A. Grease is the word that you heard, it's got groove it's got feelin'. Grease is the time and the place and the motion, Grease is the way that you're feelin'. (Not sure I have those words exactly right.)

 

3) While Bobby had a successful movie career and earned an Oscar nomination, he didn't get the part he wanted most: Tony in West Side Story. While he could sing and dance very well, producers didn't think Bobby looked like a romantic leading man. What actor or actress makes your heart skip a beat?

A. I think it is the role more so than the actor that makes my "heart skip a beat." For example, I really like Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn and Orlando Bloom as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings, but I didn't particularly find either of them attractive in other roles. 

 

4) Elvis enjoyed watching Bobby perform, but understood that if he sat in the audience, he would be a distraction. So, Elvis always watched Bobby from the wings. Think about the last thing you saw in a theater (concert, movie, play). Were you distracted by another audience member? Was anyone crinkling paper, checking their phone, whispering, etc.?

A. When we went to see the latest Downton Abby movie at the theater, I don't recall anyone being overly loud or doing anything troubling.

 

5) When the editor of a teen magazine asked if he could cook, Bobby not only said yes, he offered up his manicotti recipe. What's your favorite pasta dish? (To eat, not necessarily to whip up in your kitchen.)

A. I love spaghetti but I haven't been able to eat it for years, except at a local cafeteria which fixes baked spaghetti without tomato sauce. I'd love to have a good spaghetti with tomato sauce.

 

6) In addition to cooking, Bobby's friends recall he loved talking about classic cars and baseball. Which of those three would you be most comfortable discussing?

A. I would not be comfortable discussing any of those topics. I dislike cooking, I know only a little about classic cars, and next to nothing about baseball.

 

7) In 1965, when Americans were listening to "That Funny Feeling," aspirin was the top over-the-counter pain reliever. You could get a bottle of 200 tablets for just $1. Is there aspirin in your medicine chest right now?

A. Yes, I keep aspirin around in case someone has a heart attack. I have to replace the bottles every couple of years, and they are always unopened.

 

8) Also in 1965, I Dream of Jeannie premiered. The sitcom about a beautiful genie living in the suburbs was developed to compete with Bewitched, about a beautiful witch living in the suburbs. Which show do like better?

A. I like Bewitched better. Samantha was always such a cool character, and her family members were hilarious.

 

9) Random question: After a friend leaves your home, you spot a small, bound book on the floor next to your sofa. You flip through it and see that her journal fell out of her purse. It's mostly shopping lists and appointments but also includes personal observations, Once you realize what it is, do you close it and keep it closed until you can return it to her? Or do you continue reading?

A. To be honest, it would depend on the friend. If it were a really close friend, I would keep it closed. But if the person were not that close to me, I'd consider reading it. But I don't know that I would.

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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.