Saturday 9: Angel

Saturday 9: Angel (1998)

. . . because Bev recommended it

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

1) Sarah McLachlan wrote this song about someone she barely knew. She read the obit of Jonathan Melvoin, keyboard player for the Smashing Pumpkins, who died of a heroin overdose. What's the most recent news story that touched you deeply?

A. Mostly the news just makes me angry these days. It's a very deep anger. Does that count?

2) Ms. McLachlan performed this in tribute to Linda McCartney at the 1999 Concert for Linda. She was expressing her hope that, in death, Linda found relief and peace after a long and painful battle with cancer. What do you think happens to us when we die?

A. The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, the worms play pinnacle on your snout. I hope I feed a nice tree somewhere.

3) Daytime dramas General Hospital and As the World Turns used this song on-air after a major character died. Do you follow any "soap operas?"

A. Not any more. I used to be a big Dark Shadows and Guiding Light fan when I was (much) younger. Now I watch Game of Thrones, Supergirl, and Survivor.

4) In 2007, Sarah donated her recording of this song to the ASPCA. Do you have a pet? If yes, how did you get it (shelter, pet store, etc.)?

A. I do not have a pet now. In 1984, I picked up my dog who lived for 17 years (outside, yes, I was a bad dog mama) at the flea market when she was about seven weeks old. The cows are not pets, but we buy them in herds from other farmers or at the auction house.

5) She admits she can't watch those ASPCA commercials, where her recording of "Angel" plays over sad photos of animals. Is there a TV commercial that really gets to you (in either a good or a bad way)?

A. Those Christmas commercials where the kid sneaks in from college and starts the Folgers brewing and his parents wake up to find him home used to make me sniffle.

6) In 1994, Sarah was stalked by an obsessed fan. Tell us about a time you were really frightened. In retrospect, was your fear commensurate with the threat?

A. My husband scares me every time he is behind the wheel because he drives with his ear toward the road instead of his eyes. He has never wrecked a car (but I have) so I suppose my fear is unwarranted, but damn I wish he'd pay attention and stop looking out the side windows.

7) Sarah was adopted by Jack and Dorice McLachlan. Though she has a friendly relationship with her birth mother, she always considered Dorice her mother and sees herself behaving with her son the way Dorice did with her. Is there anyone in your family that you feel you resemble, either physically or by behavior?

A. I am a lot like my aunt, my mother's sister. Neither of us like to cook, we're both not into fashion, etc., and we both like to color.

8) McLachlan is one of the founders of Lilith Fair, a summer concert series designed to showcase talented female performers. Do/did your summer plans include an outdoor concert?

A. No. I generally don't go to those because people smoke.

9) Random question: Which of these men would you most like to be seated with at dinner -- Clint Eastwood, Prince William or Jimmy Fallon?

A. I have no interest in any of them, and I most certainly would never sit with Clint Eastwood, so if I must pick one, I shall go with royalty and say Prince William. Perhaps I would remember to hold out my pinky whilst I drink my tea, but I am afraid my curtsey leaves much to be desired.

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

Thursday Thirteen #510

In Petersburg, Virginia, is a private museum open to the public. Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum showcases one man's collection of old farm tractors, big diesel trucks, antique fire equipment, sports cars, and other oily things with gears.

Here are thirteen of the old tractors:

This is made from the parts of an old Indian motorcycle.

No clue. I didn't take notes. My husband could tell you, but he isn't here.



Most of these things were bigger than I was. I couldn't have climbed in the seat if I had to.

This is an old road grader.

I think this is what many people think of when they think "old tractor."

Moline tractors are more popular out west, I think.

This was my favorite.

_________

 

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 510th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

My Katydid

When I was young, we used to listen for the sounds of the katydid at night. The insect made a noise that sounded exactly like it's name, as well as noise that sounded like "katy didn't."

The insect below is fork-tailed bush katydid (according to my National Audubon book, anyway). I am not an entomologist, but that's my best guess based on the book photos.

These are my photos of my katydid, another creature living in my flower garden.

Katydid



Katy didn't

Those are long antennae, aren't they? Almost four times as long as the bug's body. They'd give me a headache!

My Garden Lizard

 

This is the lizard that I keep seeing in my rose garden. He runs very fast, almost mostly on his hind legs. But he was sunning the other day on my seashell and I was able to grab a photo. Apparently he is an Eastern fence lizard.

After I scared him, he slipped under the heat pump and I was surprised to see the bright blue on the underbelly. Apparently that is indicative of its sex (male), based on my quick research.

I don't mind him too much, although he has startled me a time or two. Lizards aren't poisonous so he can't hurt me, but reptiles tend to creep me out regardless.

Sunday Stealing: Around the House

Sunday Stealing: Around the House

Bedroom: what’s your sleep schedule?
A. 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

 

Kitchen: favorite comfort food?

A. Chocolate.

 

Washroom: showers or baths? bubbles? bath bombs?

A. Showers. What the heck is a bath bomb?

 

Closet: sum up your style in a few words.

A. Messy.

 

Parlor: favorite party or board game?

A. Monopoly.

 

Living room: what do you like to do with your family?

A. We watch a lot of TV. Well, generally he watches TV while I crochet or read or knit or something, Game of Thrones nights excepted.

 

Dining room: favorite special occasion food?

A. Chocolate Lush

 

Garden: favorite tree? flower?

A. Tree: maple. Flower: rose.

 

Attic: what’s one thing you have a sentimental attachment to and you will never throw away?

A. Santa Mouse, except he's not in the attic, he's stored in a secret place. In the attic, I suppose Grandma's quilting racks would be something we will never be rid of.

 

Library: favorite book genre?

A. Fantasy.

 

Office: if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

A. Book Publisher (like owner of Random House or something big like that).

 

Guest room: have you been to a sleepover? if so, when was your first? do you like them?

A. I have been to sleepovers when I was young. We stayed at my grandmother's a lot, which I suppose one might call a sleepover. I liked those. I don't mind people over to my place, only I don't have a guest room. They'd have to sleep on the couch or the floor (or I would). I am not much on staying at other people's houses because of my many allergies.

 

Foyer: do you like small gatherings, large parties, or one-on-one meetings?

A. One-on-one meetings.

 

Pantry: favorite meal to make?

A. I really don't like to cook. I make good fudge at Christmas.

 

Laundry: favorite and least favorite chore?

A. I like doing laundry. My husband's very nasty clothes, covered with cow doodie and dirt, are not fun to wash, but in warm weather I take them outside and hose them down before I put them in the washing machine.

 

Garage: favorite mode of transportation? favorite car?

A. Car. I have a Camry, which I like, but I wouldn't mind having an Avalon.

 

Panic room: what was the most nerve-wracking experience you’ve had?

A. I'm generally a nervous person so it doesn't take much. However, the day my husband caught his arm in the hay baler was probably the worst panic I've ever had.

 

Powder room: do you wear makeup? if so, what one item can’t you live without? what’s your favorite look?

A. I do wear makeup. I still wear Covergirl. I use foundation, mascara, blush, and a powder coat, and eye color (taupe). I do not use lipstick because I've never found a brand that didn't make my lips swell up. Here's a picture of me taken last Sunday. I was thinking of replacing the photo currently on my blog with this one. What do you think?

 

Up-to-date picture (2017)

 

What I'm using now.
It is 5 years old.

 

 

Saturday 9: Don't Stop

Saturday 9: Don't Stop (1977)

. . . because Country Dew (that's me!) recommended Fleetwood Mac

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

1) Since we're not supposed to stop thinking about tomorrow, let's talk about it: What are your plans for Sunday?

A. It'll be just another Pleasant Valley Sunday here in status symbol land.

2) Fleetwood Mac was formed 50 years ago in London. Fifty years is considered a "golden anniversary." Do you wear more silver or gold?

A. I have always worn silver. My wedding ring is white gold. My watch is a mix of silver and gold. Lately, I have been wearing more gold than silver. It's a phase.

3) This song is from Rumours, which has sold 40 million copies. Is it in your collection?

A. Yes, it is, on an LP for which I have no player. I have The Dance, which was their reunion album, on a CD and on the computer. In some ways, it is a better album.

4) It was written by keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie. She was born Christine Perfect, a name that earned her a fair share of teasing when she was a school girl. Do you recall being teased in school? What about?

A. I was always teased about being smart. I was the kid who ended up with papers that had grades of 110 on them so the rest of the class could get a curve on their work. Some of the kids called me computer head. I used to cry about it but I could never pretend I was not as smart as I was.

5) Before Fleetwood Mac, McVie was in a band called Chicken Shack. If you were to order out for a chicken dinner, which restaurant would you turn to?

A. I would go to our local supermarket and buy a roasted chicken. The only restaurant we have locally that sells chicken is Bojangles and I really don't like their food.

6) Before McVie could pay all her bills with her music, she supported herself as a window dresser for a London department store. Do you enjoy walking along, just window shopping? Or do you consider "looking with no intention to buy" a waste of time?

A. I go in, buy what I want, and get out. Sometimes if I am out of ideas for someone for a gift I will browse. The only place I really like to look is in a book store.

7) When she found herself making big money, one of the first things Christine bought was a pair of matching Mercedes for herself and then-husband, John McVie. If you were handed a check for $1 million, what's the first thing you would do with the money?

A. Pay off bills, bank the rest until I could decide what I might want to do with it.

8) The other girl in Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, founded the Soldier's Angel Foundation. She believes in the healing power of music, and so she's proud to provide wounded soldiers with iPods already loaded with music. When you listen to music from your phone, MP3 player or iPod, do you use ear buds or headphones?

A. I don't use either. I listen to my music out of the stereo speakers with the sound filling the room.

9) Random question: Let's pretend your high school reunion is coming up. Which classmate are you more curious about: the one who was your first date, or the one who was too cool to give you the time of day?

A. My first date, I suppose. There were a lot of people who thought they were too cool to give me the time of day, and frankly I don't give a rat's ass about any of them now.

_____________

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

Fawn

Haven't seen very many fawns out and about this year. This one turned up in the yard the other evening.

Thursday Thirteen

Space . . . the final frontier!

Here are a few facts about the July 20, 1969 moon landing.



1. NASA built twelve lunar modules for the Apollo moon-landing program.

2. The command module from Apollo 11 brought astronauts safely back to Earth.

3. The Apollo 11 command module Columbia carried astronauts Neal Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins to the moon and back in July 1969.

4. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington is home to several Apollo lunar modules built for the moon-landing program. It is visited by millions of people each year. The lunar roving vehicle qualification test unit is on display at the National Air and Space Museum.

5. Neil Armstrong's famous moon walk is commemorated at the National Air and Space Museum.

6. On July 16, 1969, at 9:32 am EDT, Apollo 11 lifted off from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Neil Armstrong (commander), Buzz Aldrin (lunar module pilot) and Michael Collins (command module pilot) were the crew. The Apollo 11 spacecraft consisted of the command module, Columbia, and the lunar module, Eagle.

7. On July 20, 1969, at 1:47 pm EDT, Armstrong and Aldrin, in the lunar module Eagle, separated from the command module. Collins remained onboard the Columbia orbiting the moon. At 4:17 p.m. EDT, The Eagle landed. A minute later, Armstrong made a report to NASA, saying, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." He reported that the lunar module had set down on the moon's surface at the Sea of Tranquility. The module had only enough fuel to run for 40 more seconds.

8. On July 20, 1969, at 10:56 pm EDT, Armstrong stepped out of The Eagle. That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," he said as he became the first human to set foot on the moon. At approximately 11:15 pm EDT, Buzz Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon. The men read from a plaque signed by the three crew members and the president, "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."

9. At 11:48 pm EDT on July 20, 1969, President Nixon spoke to Armstrong and Aldrin via radio from the Oval Office, "(it) certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made," the president said. They spoke for two minutes and the call was televised on both ends. Afterward, Armstrong and Aldrin spent over two hours collecting moon rock samples and data, and spent the night on board the Eagle.

10. The crew traveled 240,000 miles from the Earth to the moon in 76 hours.

11. ABC, CBS, and NBC spent, collectively, between $11 million and $12 million on Apollo 11 coverage and covered the mission from Sunday morning until Monday evening. The moon landing was watched by an estimated 600 million people around the world.

12. July 21, 1969 - At 1:54 pm EDT - The Eagle departs from the moon to rendezvous with Columbia. At 5:35 pm EDT, The Eagle docked with Columbia. After transferring moon rocks, data, and equipment, the Eagle was jettisoned, and the crew began the flight back to Earth. On July 22, 1969, Columbia reached a trajectory toward Earth.

13. July 24, 1969 - At 12:50 pm EDT Columbia splashes down, eight days, three hours and 18 minutes after liftoff. The astronauts return to Earth in the Pacific Ocean about 900 miles from Hawaii, then go into quarantine aboard the USS Hornet. On August 10, 1969, the astronauts were released from quarantine.

__________

 

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while and this is my 509th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.

The Bumbling Earth Journey

The Bumbling Earth Journey

requires courage, stamina, footprints
and unknown companions
walking in circles on an island
in the black void of the cosmos
a trip of crises in each valley,
heroism on each ridge,
despair in the flatlands
plastic in the ocean bottoms
a globe mapped by the senses
sight showing no horizon
your heart pounding out
you are alone
you are alone
you are not alone
the ancestors breathe on your neck
their visions flowing in your blood
inflaming you to a ballet of action
you continue their work
without knowing what is in the book
or if the heavens are overhead
or simply the grass beneath your feet
forward backward present
this is your time their time your children's time
each a speck of history
all standing together
alone and not alone so we seek
the alone, find the mountaintop solitude
hike through life
striding step by tiny step
smashing ants and bypassing bears
the trek growing longer the stops
shorter the needs lessened by the breadth
of the journey toward liberation
that place where you see what the smog covers
the arena where vulnerability peeks out
and says no really, you are strong
no pain will stop you for the adventure
has only one ending
death is safe and sweet
tell it to come
you will not be alone
it is not a new sun exploding in the universe
only change, a mind-darkening sleep
while the world moves on
step by step, others following in your footsteps,
your work now their ancestral beat
as you whisper in ears latched onto the drumbeats of war
like the wind you sigh peace in the face of hard things
remember I came before, I moved forward,
my journey taken for you and with you
the circle continuing in the heat and snow
ever-changing as the beauty of universal order
our journey now unfolding, evolving
the breathe of creation itself

                                   -- Anita Firebaugh