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. 

Saturday 9: Angie Baby

Saturday 9: Angie Baby (1974)

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here.
 
1) This week's song is a spooky one about a young man who breaks into the bedroom of a troubled girl named Angie. Their encounter doesn't go well, and he's never seen again. Though there's been gossip, no one knows for sure what happened to him. Does your town have any scary legends that have been passed down through the decades?

A. The ragman seems to have endured somewhat. Back before paper was made from pulp, old men would travel in carts from town to town, picking up rages to make paper. Parents told their children if they didn't behave, they'd give them to the Ragman. One little girl allegedly opened the door to find the Ragman after she'd been particularly bad and died of fright.
 
2) Songwriter Alan O'Day said he drew upon aspects of his own childhood to come up with "Angie Baby." He was an only child who often stayed home sick from school, with only Top 40 radio for company. What do you recall when you think about sick days as a kid?

A. I would stay with my grandmother, and we watched The Price Is Right and she gave me Campbell's chicken soup.  
 
3) Helen Reddy said she enjoyed hearing what her fans thought happened in "Angie Baby." Can you think of another song that is open to interpretation?

A. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, although I don't know if that song is really open to interpretation. Maybe Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds?
 
4) When Helen and her husband/manager Jeff Wald heard "Angie Baby" the first time, they immediately agreed she should record it. She went into the studio that afternoon and in less than 10 days, disc jockeys were playing it and "Angie Baby" became an international hit. When were you glad you acted on impulse?

A. A very long time ago, I asked someone I barely knew if she'd ride with me to pick up my car at the out-of-town repair shop. I was driving a loaner. She agreed. And then we became very close friends. We'd known one another before, of course, but it seemed like that trip, those 2 hours together, was the real start of our friendship.
 
Questions inspired by Halloween . . .  

5) Though best known as a recording artist, Helen Reddy also acted on occasion and appeared as a singing nun in Airport 1975. A nun's habit is a popular Halloween costume. Will you/did you dress up this year?

A. No dressing up here.

6) In 2024, more Americans than ever dressed their dogs up for Halloween. Have you ever taken your pup with you trick-or-treating?

A. No.

7) According to the Guinness Book of Records, the award for highest number of jack-o-lanterns in one place went to Keene, NH, where in 2013 there were 30,581. Did you carve a pumpkin for Halloween this year?

A. No.
 
8) In years gone by, the Irish celebrated Halloween not with pumpkins but by carving turnips, potatoes and beets. Are any of those foods in your kitchen right now?

A. I have potatoes.
 
9) Some Elvis fans insist his ghost hovers in the trees over Graceland. Have you ever seen a ghost?

A. I have seen many ghosts. When I was growing up, we used to stay with Uncle Carmen and Aunt Helen in West Virginia. Their house was haunted, and you couldn't sleep through the night for the rocking chair rocking, the pipes banging, the clock that didn't run suddenly bonging, and the banjo playing.

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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: Do You Know the Way

Saturday 9: Do You Know the Way to San Jose (1968)

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

 

1) In this song, someone moves to Los Angeles looking for "fame and fortune" but ends up with a job "pumping gas." Today, the majority of service stations are self-serve, so very few people pump gas for a living. Can you think of another job that used to be common but doesn't exist anymore?

A. Telephone operator. File clerk. Secretary.

 

2) The San Jose travel bureau advertises "300 days of sunshine" every year. How is the weather where you are today?

A. Today it is sunny but very windy.

 

3) Lyricist Hal David became fond of San Jose when he was stationed there while in the Navy. Tell us about a place you visited that you have affection for.

A. My husband and I, and our respective families, usually vacationed at Myrtle Beach, SC. Once upon a time it had a great park with a rollercoaster, Ferris wheel, and other rides. There was a pavilion with arcade games galore. Some of that is still there, but much of it is gone, and Myrtle Beach is now the place to go golf and shop.

  

4) Composer Burt Bacharach grew up and worked primarily in New York until his marriage to actress Angie Dickinson. She had to live in Los Angeles for her career, so he relocated and remained a Californian for the rest of his life. Where do you feel most at home? (It doesn't have to be a city. It could be your favorite chair.)

A. I feel most at home in my own home, the one I live in with my husband.

5) Dionne Warwick thinks this week's song is "dumb." She won her first Grammy for "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" and, decades later, still sings it in concert, but she has not changed her opinion of the song. What is something everyone else seems to like but you just don't get?

A. Fox News.

 

6) Now in her 80s, with more than 60 years in show business, Dionne still enjoys performing. She told a reporter that she loves looking out into the audience and seeing an arm go around a shoulder, or a couple begin holding hands, when they hear her sing "their song." What song reminds you of a special romance?

A. Longer, by Dan Fogelberg

 

7) In 1968, when this song was popular, The Doris Day Show premiered. The show was, initially, a surprise to its star. Her manager/husband died suddenly without telling her he had committed her to a weekly sitcom. She was not pleased but honored the contract. Think of the last time you were surprised. Was it a happy or sad surprise?

A. It was a sad surprise.

 

8) According to the Social Security Administration, the most popular baby names of 1968 were Lisa and Michael. Are there any Lisas or Michaels in your life?

A. I know a few Lisas and Michaels.

 

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

A. Halloween.

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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: Into the Groove

Saturday 9: Into the Groove (1985) 

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

 

1) Madonna begins this song by telling us, "I'm waiting." What's something you're waiting for today?

A. I am waiting on fathers to love their daughters, and brothers to remember their sisters, and husbands to bring flowers to their wives, and wives to kiss their husbands, and I am waiting on children to be lifted and kissed when the boo-boo hits, and I am waiting on people to look around and see that the whole world is waiting for our democracy to crumble like so much blue cheese and I am waiting on footprints in the gravel to disappear in the rain and I am waiting on comets to appear brighter in the sky and I am waiting on the moon to go dark and maybe never lighten again because the satellites are tearing up the night, and I am waiting on promises and lies to unfold in front of me and I am waiting on winter to turn to spring and for the deer to fawn and I am waiting on colors to turn vivid and bright and I am waiting on heartache and truths, and I keep waiting.

 

2) She sings that dancing gives her a feeling so good she hopes it will never end. What reliably lifts your spirits?

A. A kiss from my husband, a good song, a call from a friend, a hand on my shoulder.

 

3) As a schoolgirl in Michigan, Madonna was a good student but could be disruptive. Classmates recall her doing cartwheels in the halls between classes. Can you do a cartwheel?

A. I have never been able to do a cartwheel.

 

4) It's not surprising that a girl from the Detroit area would love cars. Madonna's car collection is valued at more than $2 million. The one she seems to drive most often is a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Insurance industry data tells us Americans typically keep their cars for 8 years. How long have you had your current vehicle?

A. My current car is 11 years old.

 

5) She has referred to Nancy Sinatra as one of her idols, saying "These Boots Were Made for Walking" and its accompanying video impressed her when she was a little girl. What pop song brings back memories from your childhood?

A. Seasons in the Sun, by Terry Jacks (1974). I remember my friend Ann and I singing it together on the school playground. We went on to be in a band together in high school.

 

6) Madonna suffers from brontophobia, or the fear of thunder and lightning. Are you afraid of storms?

A. I love a good storm. I love the smell of rain in summer, and the lightning brightening the sky. Magic!

 

7) In 1985, when this song was popular, the Titanic wreckage was discovered. There have been at least a dozen movies about that ill-fated ship. Have you seen any of them?

A. I have seen the James Cameron movie, Titanic.

 

8) Also in 1985, Bruce Willis became a star with a hit show about a detective agency. Can you name it? (Extra non-existent points if you can recall the agency's name.)

A. Moonlighting. That's all I got.

 

9) Random question: Describe your perfect ice cream sundae.

A. My perfect ice cream sundae would be vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, with a cherry on top. No nuts. I haven't had one since I was 12 years old, which was when we discovered milk is on my list of foods I should not eat. Having a hot fudge sundae is on my bucket list.

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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: Mambo No. 5

Saturday 9: Mambo No. 5 (1999)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) Lou Bega namechecks a lot of women in this song. Is there an Angela, Pamela, Sandra, Rita, Monica, Erica, Tina, Mary, or Jessica in your life?

A. My stepmother's name is Rita, and I have a friend named Tina.
 
2) Can you think of a song that includes your first name?

A. No. I searched and there are five songs that include my first name, but I don't know any of them.
 
3) Lou sings that flirting is like a sport. Do you enjoy flirting?

A. I'm 62 years old and have been married for 42 years. I don't flirt.
 
4) While Lou Bega's recording became a big hit worldwide, it enjoyed great popularity, where it was used during televised cricket matches. Do you know anything about the game of cricket?

A. I think it's something like croquet, maybe, except with horses. But I am not sure and am too sorry to look it up.
 
5) When Lou was riding high with "Mambo No. 5," Cher invited him to open for her on her 1999-2000 tour. Cher has more than 50 hit records, two television series, a Broadway show and an Oscar under her belt. Can you think of another performer who has succeeded in so many areas of entertainment?

A. Reba McIntire.
 
6) Lou turned 50 in April of this year. Are you soon celebrating a big birthday (one that ends in a 0 or 5)?

A. No.
 
7) In 1999, when "Mambo No. 5" was on the radio, the movie American Pie premiered and was so popular it inspired three sequels. Have you seen any of the American Pie films? 

A. I have seen bits and pieces of them, but I have never seen one in its entirety.
 
8) Also in 1999, Walmart opened its first store in the UK. Do you often shop at Walmart?

A. I don't know that I would call it "often," but I do shop there sometimes. I don't have a Costco or Trader Joes or anything like that close by, so Walmart is where I go for bulk items like detergent and paper towels.
 
9) Random question – Have you recently fallen asleep somewhere other than your bed? If yes, where did you doze off?

A. I have fallen asleep in the chair in the living room.

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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's So True

Saturday 9: That's So True (2024)

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

 

1) In this song, Gracie Abrams can't stop thinking about her ex. Who is on your mind this morning?

A. Well, not my ex. I don't have an ex. I have been wondering how Bev, the former hostess of Sunday Stealing, is making out. I know she's had a rough time of it.

 

2) She wonders if she should warn his new girl about him. Think of the last time someone offered you advice. Did you take it?

A. Yes.

3) She concludes her old boyfriend wasn't worthy of her love and attention and now sees him as "just another dude." What is something you regret spending time on? (It doesn't have to be a romance.)

A. I regret nothing. I came, I tried, I failed, I moved on.

 

4) On July 31, Gracie Abrams performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago. More than 100,000 attended the first day of the outdoor festival. It was sunny and 79º. Describe your perfect day (weatherwise).

A. It would be about 70 degrees, with a very light breeze, occasional clouds passing over brilliant blue skies. The trees are full of birds chirping away, and the leaves are green.

 

5) Gracie's father is J.J. Abrams, perhaps best known for directing the 2009 Star Trek movie and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Would you rather watch Star Trek or Star Wars?

A. I like them both so I'm not sure I can pick.

6) She is very much a 21st century artist in that she doesn't rely on radio to introduce her music to her fans, often sharing demos on TikTok. Do you watch, or create content for, TikTok?

A. No. I don't do TikTok.

7) In 2024, when "That's So True" was released, Madonna set a record. Her free concert in Brazil drew the largest audience (1.6 million) ever. What's your favorite Madonna song?

A. Um. Like a Prayer, I guess. I am not a big Madonna fan.

8) Also in 2024, former President Jimmy Carter died. In addition to his work in politics and philanthropy, Mr. Carter wrote more than 30 books. Who wrote the last book you finished?

A. Emily Henry, read by Julia Whelan. Some books I listen to simply because Julia Whelan is such a great reader.

9) Random question: What sound stresses you out?

A. Metallic sounds or really low bass sounds, like the jake brakes on a semitruck.

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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: The Entertainer

The Entertainer (The Theme from The Sting) 1973

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

Chosen in memory of Robert Redford: Aug. 18, 1936 - Sept. 16, 2025

1) The Sting marked the second teaming of Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The two enjoyed almost 40 years of friendship. One passion they shared was sports cars. Newman raced Porsches professionally and Redford was deft behind the wheel of a classic Karmann Ghia convertible. Think about one of your longest friendships. What did you two first bond over?

A. My oldest friendship came about because we worked together, but we stayed in touch after I left. We both liked to read and have intellectual discussions.

2) During their first movie together – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Redford was late so often that Newman joked they should change the title to, "Waiting for Lefty." Do you have a friend who is perpetually tardy? Or are you that friend?

A. I am almost always on time. 
 
3) Back in 1936, when Redford was born, baseball's Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown. Coincidentally, two members of his high school class of 1954 are represented in the Hall: Redford, with memorabilia from his baseball film, The Natural, and his teammate on the Van Nuys Wolves, Don Drysdale. "Big D" was inducted for his stellar Dodger pitching career. Have you recently spoken to, or corresponded with, one of your high school classmates? 

A. A while back, I received a strange note from one of my old classmates with an attachment in a FB message. At first, I thought someone had taken over her account, but she told me she was cleaning out old things and had run across a booklet of stories and poems from an old high school English class. She sent me a photo of something I'd written.

4) Redford admitted he had a few run ins with law enforcement during his teen years. He specifically recalled being picked up for breaking into the neighbors' back yard and swimming in their pool. Were you a mischievous kid?

A. I don't think I was all that bad, but I know my parents thought otherwise.

5) Redford went on to CU Boulder. He confessed to being a distracted student and only lasted a year and a half. While not good in class, he was popular with his coworkers at his after school job, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms at a restaurant called The Sink. The restaurant is still thriving, and Redford returned whenever he was in Boulder. He wore a Sink t-shirt during a national press conference in 2018 and when asked what The Sink was, he was happy to plug his former employer. Do you often wear graphic tees, decorated with a favorite band, restaurant logo, team mascot, vacation destination, etc.?

A. I have a t-shirt with Lord of the Rings on it that I wear sometimes. But since I am mostly home, I wear my husband's old firefighter t-shirts, so they have the city firefighter logo on them.

6) When he was a struggling New York actor, he and his wife lost their first child to crib death. Redford told AARP magazine that he blamed himself and said it's a wound that never healed. Tell us about a time you felt guilty but shouldn't have.

A. Recently a friend invited me out. I thought I was just going to meet her, but she invited another friend, too. While out, we ran into someone we all know, and I discovered as she was leaving that her feelings were hurt because she was excluded. I felt guilty about that even though I had nothing to do with it. It was a spur of the moment thing, and I had no reason to feel guilty about it.

7) Legendary costume designer Edith Head said she liked putting Redford in hats because they balanced his strong, square jaw. Do you take your figure flaws into consideration when you choose your clothes?

A. I take my figure flaws into consideration in order to see if the clothes fit.

8) Forever fit, Redford credited his physique on exercise and genes, not diet. He said, "Healthy food is good for the conscience, but Oreos taste a helluva lot better." What's the last cookie, candy or treat you indulged in?

A. I had a Pepperidge Farm chocolate chip cookie.
 
9) Random question: Do you prefer to bathe or shower first thing in the morning, after work, or before bed?

A. I prefer the morning.

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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: Come See About Me

Saturday 9: Come See About Me (1964)

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

1) In this song, Diana Ross sings that she's given up her friends for her boyfriend. Have you ever had a lover your friends disapproved of? Has a friend ever dated someone you didn't care for?

A. I don't know that I've ever had a boyfriend my friends disapproved of. I have seen people I cared about date people that I didn't think were good for them.

 

2) Without her man at her side she feels uncertain. Let's be more positive: what's something you're sure of? 

A. The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun!

3) When this song was popular, the Supremes were known for their elegant hair and wardrobe. When was the last time you got dressed up?

A. Tuesday. My husband took me to lunch, and we went to the movies.

 

4) The Supremes went on to have a dozen #1 hits. This must have been hard for Betty McGlown, the fourth Supreme, who left the group before they recorded their first song. Can you think of an opportunity you missed?

A. I can think of plenty of opportunities I missed if I'd been willing to give over my sense of self to walk around with my head up someone else's butt, but I am not that person.

5) After she left the Supremes, lead singer Diana Ross went on to have a successful solo career. But it hasn't always been easy. She stumbled in her high heels and broke her ankle as she left the stage after a November 2012 concert. Have you taken a tumble recently?

A. I have not fallen in a while. ::knock wood::

6) Ever the trooper, she honored her commitment to perform at a White House-sponsored Christmas concert just weeks later, even though her leg was still in a cast. Tell us about a time when you "played hurt."

A. I had my right arm in a cast for six weeks in the 7th grade. I am right-handed, of course. My teachers let me take my tests verbally with them.

7) In 1964, when this song was popular, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was born. What was in your most recent Amazon shipment?

A. Shoes for my husband.

8) Also in 1964, women still routinely wore white gloves to complete a outfit. Short gloves that ended at the wrist were popular for everyday wear. What fashion trend do you wish would come back?

A. Well, not that one. I actually liked shoulder pads; I thought I looked better with them than without them.

 

9) Random question: If you were in the witness protection program, what new name and occupation would you choose for yourself?

A. My new name would be Sabrina Wetherwood and I would work in publishing as a book editor.

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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: A Little in Love

Saturday 9: A Little in Love (1980)

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

 

1) Do you believe you can be a little in love? Or is romance an all-or-nothing proposition for you?

A. I think you can be a little in love. Maybe that's more like "in like" instead of "in love," but that's semantics.

 

2) Cliff Richard sings that he knows it's been a long time since you had fun. Is that true? When have you recently had a really good time? What were you doing?

A. I have fun every day. I laugh with my husband and my friends on the phone.

 

3) Cliff was born in India when it was still part of the UK. When he was 8, his family relocated to Tilbury, an English port town. Have you ever lived near the sea?

A. I have never lived near the sea.

 

4) In 1958, Cliff became a star in England. He was so influential that young John Lennon said he dreamed someday the Beatles would be as big as Cliff Richard. Yet for some reason, he was never as popular here in the US. Before today, had you ever heard of Cliff Richard?

A. Yes, I have heard of Cliff Richard. But I'm not sure why.

 

5) 1980 was Cliff's most successful year stateside. Both "A Little in Love" and his duet with Olivia Newton-John, "Suddenly," made the Top 10. Do you have a favorite Olivia Newton-John song?

A. Oh, Suddenly. That's why I know Cliff Richards. I am partial to Hopelessly Devoted to You from Grease.

 

6) Cliff was once "a little in love" himself. He had a high-profile romance with British pro tennis player Sue Barker. They contemplated marriage, but in his memoir, Cliff admitted he wasn't ready to commit the rest of his life to her. Cliff never married but Sue went on to wed landscape gardener Lance Tankard. Have you ever employed a gardener? Or do you handle all the yard work yourself?

A. I have never employed a gardener. My husband does most of the yard work these days. 

 

7) In 1980, when we were enjoying "A Little in Love" on the radio, Macaulay Culkin was born. He became famous for the Home Alone franchise. Have you seen any Home Alone movies?

A. I saw the first and second one. Was there more than two?

 

8) 1980 also gave us the Post-It Note. Today they are available in a variety of sizes and colors, but the original 4"x4" canary yellow Post-Its are still the best seller. Would we find Post-Its in your home or office right now?

A. Yes. Or some similar off-brand, at any rate.

 

9) Random question – You're having a crummy day. Nothing is going right. You run into a casual friend in the grocery store aisle. As you chat, do you think your mood would be obvious? Or could you successfully put on a happy face?

A. I usually manage the happy face mostly because I'm standing there trying to remember who the person is. I am terrible with names when people are not in their usual spots.

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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.