Saturday 9: Goodbye, Cruel World

Saturday 9: Goodbye, Cruel World (1961)

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

 

1) This week's song has a circus theme. Have you ever been to a circus? If yes, did you enjoy it?  I have been to the circus several times and each time was a different circus company. I did enjoy all of them, but while most of them were in arena settings, the best and most memorable ones were under the big top. My favorite thing was at only the first circus I ever went to...the sideshow. 

 

2) James Darren sings that he's running away to join the circus. When you were a kid, did you ever run away from home?  I don't think so. I don't remember doing it, anyway.

 

3) While he understands intellectually that this girl is no good for him, he tells us his heart is stubborn. Do you have a stubborn streak?  Sometimes. I try to be open and flexible about things, but sometimes things are too important to give in on.

4) Though he had three top 20 singles, including this one, James Darren found more consistent success as an actor. Between 1959 and 1963, he played surfer Jeff Matthews, aka "Moondoggie," in three Gidget movies. Have you seen any Gidget movies? What about the TV show, starring Sally Field?  I don't think I've ever seen the show, but I went through a phase when I loved surfer movies so I've seen and loved all the Gidget movies.

5) "Moondoggie" got his unique nickname because he enjoyed surfing in the moonlight. Looking back on Summer 2023, did you visit the beach (by moonlight or otherwise)?  I had one lovely afternoon with my husband and grandchildren at the beach at Lake Erie in August before I got sick and ruined the weekend. We drove up at the end of August just for the day so the kids could have their day at the beach. That was it. I haven't been to the ocean since our cruise in 2019 and there were no beaches involved.

 

6) While he was playing Gidget's teen dream, he was a married man. He wed Danish beauty queen Evy Norlund in 1960. They met when she came to Los Angeles to pursue a career and they were both working at Columbia Studios. More than 60 years later, they're still together. Tell us about the longest-married couple you know.  There is a couple at church who celebrated 65 years recently. Other than that, it just might be me and my husband with 39 years under our belts next month. Life-long marriages seem to be an unusual thing these days. Well, that and many people I know married a bit later than we did or they are in the early years of a second marriage.

7) James Darren also played Officer James Corrigan on ABC's police drama, TJ Hooker. Have you ever considered a career in law enforcement?  No

 

8) In 1961, when this song was on the radio, matching his & hers mohair sweaters were on trend. Do you have a favorite sweater?  I do. It's a long, black chenille cardigan with pockets. It's kind of a grandma sweater, but I love it. It's so soft and comfy. I throw it on over just about everything. It works as a sweater in winter and as a jacket when it's cool but not cold.

9) Random question -- They say we're all young at heart. In what ways are you childlike?  I'm still curious and filled with wonder at many things in life and I'm always up for an adventure.

Thanks to Sam for the music and questions! You can join the fun here. 

**Be patient with me, folks. I'm heading out on a train ride to a pumpkin patch with our daughter's family today. It's looking like it's going to be cold and rainy. Boo! That means cold, wet and muddy. Yuck. Anyway, I'll be around to visit after we get back.

Currently

Outside my window it's a cool, cloudy evening. The temperature is 49 degrees and will drop a few degrees more before morning. We're in the midst of a mild warm up that will see our temps reach back into the mid-70's by Friday before rain moves in and cools us off again.

I've been reading Undercover Kitty by Sofie Ryan. I finished it last evening and began reading The Last Original Wife by Dorthea Benton Frank.

I've been watching very little television this week and what I have been watching has mostly been coverage of the war in Israel.

I'm feeling hopeful since my daughter called a little while ago. It seems that certain recent events in her life and things going on in the world (the war in Israel) have her thinking and she is wanting to start going to church again.

I'm grateful everyone is finally healthy again. Hand, foot, and mouth disease and all the respiratory ailments are behind us and the kids are back in school.

I'm sorry two people quit at work last week, but it means I am able to work in the Adult Training Facility every day for now. I am celebrating that.

I'm looking forward to Saturday. Tim and I are going with our daughter and her family on a train ride to a pumpkin patch. It's something we've wanted to do for quite some time. I do hope the weather forecast changes before then, though. Currently, the forecast is for temps in the 60's, but with an 88% chance of rain. Boo.

I'm giggling at...

Falling Into Sunday Stealing

I haven't been around today to participate in Sunday Stealing, but the questions looked fun so I'm stealing them to do on my own.

1. Are there any fall-specific hobbies or crafts you enjoy pursuing?  I'm not really much of a crafter in real life, but at work I've somehow fallen into the role of the craft person. I have no idea how when several of my coworkers have tons of talent. Anyway, in that role I am always on the look out for simple fall crafts to do with the consumers. Recent favorites have included a beaded pumpkin and a refrigerator magnet that is made from different sizes of popsicle sticks and cardstock. It looks like a truck with a big pumpkin in the bed.

2. Do you have any favorite fall-inspired recipes you like to cook or bake?  I can't think of anything specific, but I do tend to switch over to making a lot of soups and casseroles. Anything baked tends to be pumpkin flavored. I love the heartier, savory foods that go with cooler weather.

3. Are you a fan of Halloween? If so, what's been your favorite costume?  I don't know that I'm a "fan" but I've always enjoyed making it a fun time for my kids and now my grandchildren. I don't usually dress up except in my role at work. I've been a school bus driver, an activities aide at a nursing home, and now I'm a direct care worker at the county blind association...jobs that mix well with celebrating the holidays. At my current job there is a HUGE Halloween party with a talent show, trick or treating, food, and dancing. I have a very good costume this year and can't wait to wear it. I'm dressing as Winifred Sanderson, the main witch from the movie Hocus Pocus. Two of my coworkers are dressing as her sisters. 

4.  Do you have any childhood memories related to the autumn season? Oh yes, so many! Jumping in leaves, bonfires, hunting season, trick-or-treating, football games, pumpkin farms, watching the Wizard of Oz on Thanksgiving weekend, Macy's parade.... As the saying goes, October is my favorite color!

5.  What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy during the autumn months?  Going to festivals, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. Taking walks in the leaves. Huddling around a bonfire. Going to a football game.

6. Do you look forward to 'sweata weatha'? What is your favorite go-to outfit for Fall? When I was younger I was definitely a sweater girl. When I got married I probably brought about 40 sweaters with me...and parted with them soon after because we moved to Florida. I don't wear as many sweaters these days, but I do look forward to wearing cold weather clothing. There's so much cute stuff! My go-to look is jeans, a long sleeve pull-over or turtleneck with something layered over it, and a pair of boots.

7. Are you a fan of pumpkin or apple flavored treats or beverages? I do like both, but I definitely like pumpkin more. I just bought pumpkin-spice Frosted Flakes today!

8. Which fall scents do you find most appealing? Pretty much all of them except for burning leaves. Those kick my allergies into overdrive. I also like one scent most people probably don't associate with fall. Concord grapes. We try to spend a weekend in Erie every October and visit all the wineries along the PA/NY border. The area is one of the largest producers of Concord grapes and if you hit the right time the smell of all those ripe grapes is AMAZING!

9. Do you like to visit apple orchards or pumpkin patches or corn mazes? I like all of them.

10. Have you ever participated in or attended a fall festival or harvest fair?  Yes, the next little town over from us has a huge 3-day festival every October. I've been going since I was a kid. There are hundreds of crafters, all types of musicians, sidewalk sales, so much food, and live re-enactments at the fort the festival is named for.

11. What's your favorite thing about autumn? I can't choose one thing. I love allllll of it!

12. Are you more of a cider or hot chocolate person when it comes to fall beverages? Both are good, but...well...chocolate.

13. What's your ideal way to spend a crisp autumn evening? Going to a football game or festival...something with lots of people who are just as excited about fall as I am.

14. Do you like to dress up for Halloween? What's your favorite costume or what costume do you plan for this year? Do you like to make your own costume?  Oops, I answered this one in an earlier question.

15. Are you a football fan? What's your favorite team? I do like football. I watch the Steelers and when it comes to college football I root for Oklahoma. Go Sooners!

Saturday 9: Gloria;

There are two things that come to mind when I hear today's song: my childhood bestie, who was indeed, Gloria; and Laura Branigan singing the song while seated on a giant rocking horse in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Both are happy memories so thanks for the music, the memories and the questions for today, Sam!

Saturday 9: Gloria (1982)

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

 

1) In this song, Laura Branigan is advising her friend to take it a bit slower in her pursuit of a particular man. Did you more recently give or receive advice?  My daughter seeks my advice nearly every day so I'm pretty sure it was "give." Don't ask me if she takes any of my advice.

 

2) Gloria seems determined to rush ahead, regardless of the consequences. Do you consider yourself a big risk taker?  Not so much these days, but when I was younger....yes, very much so.

 

3) Laura herself seemed to be impulsive in love. She met a lawyer at a party in 1978 and they married months later. It worked out, though. They were married for almost 20 years, until his death. Thinking of your circle of friends, has someone more recently been married, divorced, or widowed?  Divorced

4) "Gloria" was originally recorded in 1979 by Italian singer Umberto Tozzi. His version was a Top Ten hit in Switzerland, Belgium and Germany. Have you ever visited any of those countries?  No. I've never been to Europe.

5) In 2018, decades after its initial release, this recording of "Gloria" enjoyed a surge in popularity. The St. Louis Blues used it as their victory song whenever they won a hockey game at home. What's the most recent sporting event you attended?  It was either a Steelers or Pirates game, but it's been long enough ago I can't remember which was the last one.

6) After Laura Branigan died of a cerebral aneurysm at the age of 52, her high school established a scholarship in her honor. When did you most recently return to your old high school, and what was the reason?  It would have been at least 13 years ago and something to do with my kids. They went to the same school my husband and I did and now the grandchildren go there, too.

 
7) In 1982, when this song was popular, the Sears catalog sold an at-home blood pressure monitor that ran on four C-batteries and sold for $190 (that's $600 in today's dollars). Amazon's current best-selling monitor is cheaper ($40) and smaller, running on AAA batteries. Is high blood pressure a concern of yours?  Not really. I had one high stress period when my bp was pretty high and I was put on meds for it. It's been great ever since and I take a very low dose that my doctor keeps talking about doing away with. Now, it is a concern for me if we're talking about my husband or daughter's blood pressure. Both have a history of high bp.

 

8) Also in 1982, The Compleat Beatles, a two-hour documentary about The Fab Four was released to good reviews. Do you enjoy documentaries?  Yes, if I'm interested in the subject.

9) Random question: Which of these chores to you enjoy the least: doing the dishes or the laundry?  Laundry. Hands down.

A Thankful October Thursday

This has been a rather stressful week, but as it draws to a close I find that there is much to be thankful for.

** Our daughter's family are all finally over hand, foot, and mouth disease (and Tim and I didn't come down with it). 

** While our daughter's sewer line backed up and flooded their basement and bathroom on Saturday it was an easy fix that Tim was able to do himself in a few minutes.

** Our son-in-law's parents bought the kids a new dryer when theirs died on Sunday...and Lowe's was able to deliver it on Monday!

** Our daughter's G.I. doctor finally squeezed her in on Tuesday. She prescribed some new meds, but can't really give a diagnosis until they do a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. At least she finally got to see the doctor and she says the meds seem to be helping some, so maybe she won't be suffering until they can do the scopes. 

** I'm feeling much better (except for still having several coughing fits a day...it's that darn over-reactive throat of mine). Getting to stay home and rest all weekend sure helped.

** The pool is finally covered for winter!

** My job is definitely secure. Aside from previous assurances from the woman who hires and schedules, today really sealed the deal. The new woman they hired, who was the reason for my concerns, quit and walked out today. Then my boss, who was out of the building when she did, came back and got all the blame from higher ups...and he quit and walked out! The rest of us are feeling a bit shell-shocked and where we go from here is up in the air, but it is a pretty sure thing that I will be in ATF for all of it.

** We had a beautiful week of temps in the 80s and lots of sunshine.

** Fall weather is moving in tonight! (About time!)

** For my Bible study group and the great conversations we had tonight.

** For my family and friends.

** And of course for all of you!

Currently

Outside my window it's dark and 60 degrees. It was a beautiful sunny day with temps in the low 80's earlier and there's more of the same on tap for Tuesday and Wednesday.

I've been reading more while I've been sick. I've finished Hocus Croakus and A Holly Jolly Murder. I've started another cozy mystery...it features a black cat named Elvis and his owner who runs a second-hand store. The name of it escapes me and as I've left it in the car, you'll have to wait until later to find out what it is.

I've been watching reruns of Happy Days on Netflix. The earliest seasons have been a big surprise to me. I thought I remembered the show well, but I have forgotten much of its beginnings. It has also made me mourn the passing of the era of sitcoms. They were so much fun to watch, but also taught us some valuable lessons. All the reality shows can't hold a candle to them.

I'm feeling somewhat better this evening. The bug(s) I mentioned were hitting the area hard last week finally caught up to me on Thursday evening. I worked Friday and today, but spent most of the weekend camped in the recliner or on the couch. I watched some TV and did a lot of reading. It was difficult, though, as when I am sick I seem to have little to no attention span or focus.

I'm grateful things seem to be getting a little better at our daughter's house. At one point this weekend she reported being sure God hated her. Why? 

Well, all of the family now has hand, foot, and mouth disease, though all are at different stages and Colton's blisters have healed enough that he went back to school today after being off all last week. It hasn't bothered the kids much, but the adults have had high fevers and report the blisters are painful.

Then Saturday their sewer line clogged and backed up, flooding their basement and bathroom. Sick or not, that had to be dealt with. Sunday their dryer died. 

I'd like to talk to her about that whole "God hates me" thinking, but she was not in any frame of mind at the time. Praying for another open door when we both feel better.

I'm a little sad because today is our son's birthday. He's 38. I haven't been able to wish him a happy birthday since he turned 34.

I am celebrating that it's October, my favorite month of the year (tied with November).

I'm looking forward to Saturday and my work's big, bingo fundraiser. I'm taking my mom and daughter (if she's better) as well of one of my favorite clients, an older gentleman with an encyclopedic knowledge of music and old television shows. Pray he is able to go. He is really looking forward to going, but today complained his knee was hurting and when we looked at it we became concerned it might be cellulitis. Someone is supposed to get him an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow.

I'm giggling at...

Saturday 9: On a Clear Day

Saturday 9: On a Clear Day (1970)

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

 

1) Is today a clear day where you are?  Today (Friday) was a beautiful day and tomorrow is predicted to be, as well, with a near record high for the date.

 

2) Streisand sings that today she's "astounded." What has recently shocked or greatly surprised you?  I can't really think of anything.

3) Streisand's voice astounded people from an early age. She began performing in New York clubs when she was only 18, too young to order a drink in the establishments where she sang. Do you remember the first adult beverage you ordered at a restaurant or bar?  I don't remember what it was, but it was at dinner with Tim when we were dating. He was 23 and I was just 19. The waitress never asked for my ID. In fact, I've never been carded.

4) Barbra has discussed the importance of her Jewish faith in her life and has enlisted the guidance of Reform, Conservative and and Orthodox rabbis as she explored her religion's complexities. Do you enjoy discussing religion?  Very much so...as long as it is a discussion and not an argument.

5) Taylor Swift just passed Barbra Streisand as the woman with the most #1 albums (12). What's the last album you purchased?  It's been several years...probably a Toby Keith CD or something I found at a thrift store or yard sale.

 

6) The lyrics to "On a Clear Day" were written by Alan Jay Lerner. He attended Choate, a private boarding school in CT, at the same time as John F. Kennedy. While JFK was in the White House, Lerner had two major Broadway hits -- Camelot and My Fair Lady -- running concurrently. Obviously those two Choate alumni did very well. Have you been to any of your class reunions? Have you been surprised, pleasantly or less so, by how any of your classmates turned out?  I went to my 30-year reunion and maybe 30 out of a class of 360+ bothered to show up. I declined to go to my 41-year reunion earlier this month. More than 30 showed up, but still far less than 100. Reunions seem to be going the way of the dinosaurs. Oh, and no, I haven't been surprised (except for how many of us have passed away). The snooty kids are still snooty adults.

7) The music was written by Burton Lane. In the 1930s, Lane worked for MGM Studios in Hollywood. After he heard Judy Garland perform at the Paramount Theater in Los Angeles, he brought her to the attention of his studio bosses and the rest, as they say, is history. Lane and Garland later worked together when Judy was an established star. He wrote the song, "How About You?" for her to sing in Babes on Broadway and received an Oscar nomination. Judy's best known movie has to be The Wizard of Oz. How many times have you seen it?  I'd guess close to 100 times.

8) In 1970, Glenn Frey formed the Eagles. What's your favorite Eagles song?  Take It Easy

9) Random question: Which would upset you more, being trapped in an elevator or stranded atop a mountain in a ski lift?  I don't think I'd be terribly thrilled with either, but maybe the ski lift would be worse? It would be colder, anyway.

Thanks, as always, to Sam for the music and questions.

Play along here.