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. 

Saturday 9: Four-Leaf Clover

Saturday 9: I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover (2001)

Selected in honor of St. Patrick's Day. 

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

1) This is one of the songs included in Willie Nelson's Rainbow Connection album. He named it after his daughter Amy's favorite song when she was a little girl. She'd been asking him to record "The Rainbow Connection" for 20 years and finally, in 2001, he came through for her. Think of something you had to wait for. Was it worth the wait?

A. I knew two months after we met that I would marry my then-boyfriend, but it took him another seven months to come around and propose. He was definitely worth the wait!

2) Willie can trace his family tree back to the Revolutionary War. Are you interested in genealogy?

A. I can trace my family tree back to the Revolutionary War, too. I have always had an interest in genealogy but it's something I hope to pick up again at some point.

3) Today Willie is legendary performer, but as a child, he was very uncomfortable in front of crowds. He recalled that during his school days, reciting in front of his class made him so uncomfortable he suffered nose bleeds. When did you most recently have a bloody nose?

A. I don't generally get a bloody nose. I can't recall when I last had one.

4) During the 1990s, Willie had problems with the IRS. His management team set up illegal tax shelters, and he ended up owing millions in back taxes and penalties. This year's IRS filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15. Will you be early, on time, or will you need an extension?

A. I have my taxes for 2025 taken care of.

5) In "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover," Willie sings about appreciating something he has previously overlooked. Is there anything positive in your life you feel you may take for granted? 

A. I'm sure there are lots of things. Think about it: I have a roof over my head, food, a little extra spending money if I want to buy a book or something. I have electricity and water. I have a man who loves me. What else could a woman want, really?

6) Four leaf clovers and shamrocks are considered good luck. Do you have a lucky charm?

A. I do not have a lucky charm.

7) "The wearing o' the green" is one way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Will you wear something green in honor of the day?

A. I generally don't, but I will be going out that day so I will see if I can find something for the occasion. I don't want to get pinched.

8) According to Irish folklore, if you catch a leprechaun, he must either give you his pot o' gold or grant you three wishes. Would you choose the gold or the wishes?

A. I think I'd take the three wishes. With one, you could wish for gold if that's what you want. Although as fairy tales and legends generally point out, it is important to be careful what you wish for and how you word the wish.

   

9) Traditional Irish stew is made with mutton or lamb, though here in the US beef is also very popular. What's your favorite soup/stew?

A. I'm afraid I'm a very boring soup eater. I just like chicken soup.

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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: Linger

Saturday 9: Linger (1993)

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

1) In this song, Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries sings that her lover has her wrapped around his finger. Do you feel that anyone has you wrapped around their finger?

A. Not particularly, no. I know people who have tried but I am an independent sort. Yes, I have been married for 42 years, but it's a mutual sort of marriage.

2) This was one of the first songs Delores and Noel Hogan wrote together. They performed it often live and perfected it before going into the studio to record it approximately two years later. Because they had polished the performance and arrangement, it's not a surprise that it was the biggest hit off their debut album. Tell us about a time when your preparation paid off.

A. I worked hard to create a non-credit class for the community college about journaling. It seemed to go over well. 

3) The Cranberries believed the moody black-and-white video (linked above) playing on MTV contributed to the song's popularity. MTV and VH1 were highly influential when they showed music videos and interviews 24/7 during the 1980s and 1990s. Do you recall watching music videos on MTV and/or VH1?

A. I was partial to VH1, they played songs that were more to my liking, but yes, I remember when they actually played music videos. That was before youtube and the Internet.

4) The Cranberries were founded by brothers Noel and Mike Hogan in their hometown in Limerick, Ireland. The River Shannon runs through Limerick. Do you live near a river? 

A. I live near a pond and a creek. The closest rivers are the James River and the Roanoke River.

5) Fergal Lawler soon joined the brothers and became the Cranberries drummer. Today he says he enjoys listening to his early work with the group because, "Songs are like a snapshot in time." Do you often flip through photo albums and look at snapshots?

A. I do not flip through photo albums, but I do like to read the archives of newspapers.

6) Dolores O'Riordan showed up for her Cranberries audition dressed casually in a black tracksuit with her own Casio electronic keyboard tucked under her arm. The Hogans were impressed not only by her vocals but her no-nonsense, "let's get to work" attitude. Share a memory from one of your job interviews.

A. I was on my way to a job interview when I wrecked the car. I called and asked if I could come another day, because, well, car smashed. I also had a bad contusion on my knee. Of course, the office was up a flight of stairs that I could barely climb because my knee was so swollen, so I hobbled in there and knew immediately I wouldn't get the job, there was all of this, "Aww, look, she's limping to make it look good," kind of talk going on around me. I don't know why I bothered.

7) In 1993, when "Linger" was released, The Nanny premiered on CBS. It's remembered today for its catchy theme song, which tells the story of "the nanny named Fran." Can you recall the lyrics to theme of one of your favorite shows?

A. Here's the story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls. All of them had hair of gold, like their mother, the youngest one in curls. Here's a story, of a man named Brady, who bringing up three boys of his own. They were four men living all together, but they were all alone. Until one day when the lady met this fellow, and they knew that it was much more than a hunch. That this group, must somehow form a family, and that's the way we all became the Brady Bunch.

8) In 1993, gas was $1.11/gallon. Could your vehicle use a fill-up right now?

A. No, I am one of those people who top off the tank when it gets below a quarter full.

9) Random question: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A. I have no idea.

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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: Farewell Amanda

Saturday 9: Farewell, Amanda (1949)

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

 

1) The record begins with a long instrumental interlude, and when the lyrics kick in at about the 1:00 mark, they bid Amanda "farewell, adios, addio, adieu." Of course, you recognize "farewell" as English. Without looking it up, can you identify the other languages? 

A. Spanish, Italian, and French.

 

2) Can you say "goodbye" in a language not represented in question #1?

A. Nyet.

3) The lyrics reference a night full of stars. When did you last take a moment to check out the night sky?

A. It hasn't been that long ago. I like looking at the night sky. 

 

4) This song was written for Adam's Rib, a comedy starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The movie is about husband-and-wife lawyers who square off against one another in court. Have you ever served on a jury?

A. I have been called to serve, but once the lawyers found out I was a journalist, I was immediately sent on my way. Apparently, they don't want writers on juries.

 

5) "Farewell, Amanda" was composed by Noel Coward. Though best known as a playwright, he also wrote more than a thousand songs and was a director and an actor. His epitaph reads, "A talent to amuse." How would you like to be remembered?

A. I don't think I will be remembered at all, but perhaps something along the line of "She did her best."

 

6) There's even a book of Noel Coward paintings. It was published after his death, in part because Coward considered himself only an amateur painter. When did you last pick up a paintbrush?

A. I can't remember when I picked up a paintbrush to paint a picture, but we last painted the interior of the house about 10 years ago.

 

7) In 1949, when audiences first heard "Farewell, Amanda," Americans began playing Clue. What's the last board game you played?

A. Scrabble.

 

8) The best-selling novel of 1949 was Point of No Return by John P. Marquand. Tell us about the last book you finished.

A. The last book I finished was The Medici Manuscript, by C. J. Arthur. I think it is characterized as a romantasy. It is set in post-WWI England and is about an assistant librarian who may or may not be a "magician," as this book calls people with specific special powers. It's very literary, focusing on mysteries that involve books, so far. This is the second in a series. 

 

9) Random question: Growing up, did you share a bedroom?

A. Not that I recall, no.

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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: Valentine

Saturday 9: Won't You Be My Valentine? (1961)

 

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

 

1) Dore Alpert sings that while he considered asking others to be his Valentine, he's sure that this is the girl he wants to love "forever more." What do you think is the secret of a long-lasting romantic relationship?

A. Be friends first. If you are friends, then you can weather the storms.

2) Dore is better known as Herb Alpert. He used the name "Dore" early in his career because he thought it was more befitting a teen idol than "Herb." Who made you swoon when you were a teenager?

A. When I was a teenager, I liked (I'm pretty sure I don't swoon) Keith Patridge on the Partridge Family, aka David Cassidy, and Davy Jones of the Monkees. I also liked Erik Estrada from CHIPS.

 

3) Herb found he was a better trumpeter than singer. Between 1962 and 1969, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, had 12 consecutive gold albums. They were so popular that in 1966, they sold more records than Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Of those artists (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones), which is your favorite?

A. The Rolling Stones and The Beatles are basically a tie.

4) He found his greatest success as an executive. Herb and partner Jerry Moss founded A&M Records and signed an array of talented artists including Cheech and Chong, The Carpenters, and Cat Stevens. Herb was happy to step away from performing and run the record label. Are you comfortable in front of an audience or crowd? Or would you prefer to be behind the scenes?

A. I prefer to be behind the scenes.

5) Karen admitted that when The Carpenters were first signed by A&M, she had a crush on Herb and liked his aftershave lotion. Do you usually wear a fragrance?

A. I am fragrance free all the time, as is my husband. I'm allergic to the smell of everything. Even new shoes. Everything has to sit out in the garage to off gas before we bring it in the house.

This is our Valentine's Day Saturday 9 and so this morning we shall focus on the holiday. 

6) The holiday is also known as The Feast of St. Valentine. Do you have a special meal planned for February 14?

A. I think we might have hot dogs.

7) Thames River Cruises offers special dinner cruises for Valentine's Day that give lovers a view of London. Some cruises offer live jazz, others classical music. Which would you prefer: jazz or classical?

A. Classical music.

 

8) Women buy and send more Valentines than men do. Who received the last greeting card you sent?

A. I sent out sympathy cards a while back.

9) Men buy and send more roses at Valentine's Day than women do. What's your favorite flower?

A. Irises.

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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: So Young

Saturday 9: You Make Me Feel So Young (1956)

 

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

1) This morning, do you feel younger or older than your years?

A. I think I just feel my age.

 

2) In this song, Frank Sinatra tells us that every time he sees his lover's grin, he's happy. What's something you can reliably count on to lift your spirits?

A. Disco music. I know it gets a bad rap, but it is hard to sit still when disco is playing.

 

3) The lyrics mention hide-and-seek. What games did you play when you were young? 

A. The usual. Hide-and-seek, jacks, Monopoly, tag, dodge ball, etc.

4) Frank Sinatra was a fan of Campbell's chicken and rice soup, believing it helped his throat feel better after an evening of performing. Is Campbell's soup in your kitchen right now?

A. Yes, of course it is.

 

5) Frank's favorite dessert was a slice of lemon ricotta torte. He believed every meal should include "a final flourish." Do you more often indulge in or skip dessert?

A. I do both and I don't keep track, so I have no idea whether I indulge more often or skip dessert more often.

 

6) At Sinatra's home in Palm Springs, CA, you'd find a less sophisticated dessert. He always kept Entenmann's Crumb Cake on hand for his young granddaughters. Share a memory of your grandparents. 

A. My grandmother on my mother's side kept a "rag bag" in the bottom of the hall closet. We'd pull old sheets, towels, etc., out of there and play with them. Those old pieces of cloth became capes while we were superheroes, tents, blankets, - whatever we needed. My grandfather was a gruffly kind man who worked really hard, but he would pay us all a quarter each to mow the yard. Then we'd troop up to the Orange Market for a soda, a candy bar, and a comic book - all for 25 cents. 

 

7) In 1956, when this song was popular, Frank was tooling around Southern California in a blue Continental Mark II. That model was known for its interior of hand-stitched imported Scottish leather. 70 years later, Scottish leather is still used in luxury cars because it's both soft and durable and the production methods minimize environmental impact. If you could splurge on something right now, what would it be? A luxury car, jewelry, travel, clothes, something else? (No responsible answers allowed!)

A. I would travel, but I'd want to take an entourage with me. Someone to pack, make the reservations, ensure I get on the plane or train, do my hair, pick out my clothes, whatever. I mean, if I'm going to splurge, I may as well do it up like Madonna, right?

 

8) Also in 1956, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Forbidden Planet were popular at the box office. Do you have a favorite sci-fi movie?

A. I will go with a Star Wars movie, although I'm also torn between a Star Trek one.

 

9) Random question: What were you doing three hours ago?

A. I was eating a bowl of Cheerios.

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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: 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.