Next Thursday, the 8th would be Elvis' 80th birthday, so we're celebrating The King. Here is this week's song.
1. In this song, Elvis hitchhikes across Kentucky. Have you ever hitched a ride? No! My mother drilled it into my head, over and over, that it wasn't safe.
2.
Elvis received his first guitar for his 11th birthday, even though he'd
asked his parents for a bicycle. As an adult, how often do you ride a
bike? The last time I pedaled a non-stationery bike was several years ago in Key West. We rode around a lush green public garden. It was a lovely day. I don't know why we haven't been back.
3. When Elvis was a child, his family was very poor, often living in rooming houses or public housing. His classmates teased him for being "trashy," which left him shy. Were you more shy or outgoing as a kid? First of all, poor Elvis and shame on all and any fuckwads who made him feel bad. They're probably all gone now, but I hoped they lived to see their "trashy" little classmate change the world. Secondly, I was rather outgoing.
4. While in high school, Elvis mowed neighbors' lawns with a push mower and a sickle. According to The Home Depot, one of today's most popular mowers is a gas-powered Cub Cadet with a self-mulching feature. Tell us about your lawn mower. You'd have to check with our lawn service.
1. In this song, Elvis hitchhikes across Kentucky. Have you ever hitched a ride? No! My mother drilled it into my head, over and over, that it wasn't safe.
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| Photo by Florida Keys Travel Information |
3. When Elvis was a child, his family was very poor, often living in rooming houses or public housing. His classmates teased him for being "trashy," which left him shy. Were you more shy or outgoing as a kid? First of all, poor Elvis and shame on all and any fuckwads who made him feel bad. They're probably all gone now, but I hoped they lived to see their "trashy" little classmate change the world. Secondly, I was rather outgoing.
4. While in high school, Elvis mowed neighbors' lawns with a push mower and a sickle. According to The Home Depot, one of today's most popular mowers is a gas-powered Cub Cadet with a self-mulching feature. Tell us about your lawn mower. You'd have to check with our lawn service.
5. In the 1950s, Frank Sinatra dismissed Elvis as, "deplorable." Yet by the time of Elvis' death, he had revised his opinion and said, "Elvis was the embodiment of the whole American culture." Tell us about something or someone you changed your mind about. I used to dismiss one of my coworkers as a terrible snob. And she is one. But she also has a delightfully subversive sense of humor and I enjoy her company more than I ever thought I would.
6. After Elvis was discharged from the Army, his first performance was on a Sinatra TV special, sponsored by Timex. Do you wear a watch? Every day.
7. Coinciding with Elvis' 80th birthday, there will be an auction of Presley-related memorabilia at his home in Graceland. One item up for bid is a plush toy he gave to an Army buddy's wife in 1958 for the baby she was expecting. Do you know anyone who is looking forward to a baby in 2015? The coworker I mentioned in #5 is due next month.
8. None of the items being sold at the Graceland auction actually belonged to Elvis at the time of his death. Everything left to daughter Lisa Marie remains in her possession. Do you have something you cherish that was given to you by a close relative? A ceramic cable car. It wasn't given to me, but it belonged to my favorite grandfather. It was on his dresser and he used it to hold his cufflinks, tie clasps and licorice throat lozenges. Every time I look at it, I can almost smell the licorice.
9. The US Postal service sold more than 500 million of the Elvis commemorative stamp. According to the Census Bureau, that was two stamps each for every man, woman and child in the United States. When is the last time you visited the post office? Last Saturday I picked up my mail (it had been on vacation hold) and bought stamps.
Enjoyed your answers. I appreciate your verbal thrashing of those who taunted Elvis. The world needs more people who will stand up for those who are not always able to speak up for themselves. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have a ceramic baby bottle/piggy bank that has the details of my birth on it, which was a gift from my aunt. I treasure it.
ReplyDeleteI love Key West - haven't been in probably 20 years, but oh it's just a wonderful place! I've changed my mind about some people that I thought were snobs, and then some people that I thought weren't.
ReplyDeleteYou shocked me with the f-wad bomb :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful keepsake to remember your grandfather by. I have never heard of licorice throat lozenges. I only see the honey kind.
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ReplyDeleteI always wanted to go back to Key West again. The last time I was there I was knee high to a grasshopper.
ReplyDeleteI loved your answers to this week's questions - especially the one about your grandfather's item. And so true about the Elvis-hating fuckwads! haha! Great word. ;)
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