Saturday 9

Saturday 9: All the Way

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. (You'll thank me. It's beautiful.)

1) In this song, Frank sings, "who knows where the road will lead us?" Which leads Sam to ask, does your vehicle have GPS? No vehicle. But, since I have no sense of direction whatsoever, I'd like to have one implanted in my wrist.

2) Sinatra introduced "All the Way" in the movie, The Joker Is Wild. During that film he also sang "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)." A few years later, in the movie Robin and The Seven Hoods, he declared Chicago as his "kind of town." Besides Chicago, can you think of another city Frank immortalized in song? That would be the city doesn't sleep, New York, New York.
 
3) When Frank was 19, he saw a pretty girl sitting on her front porch, giving herself a manicure. He went and got his ukelele and serenaded her. That girl became his first wife, Nancy. Tell us how one of your romances began. This coworker and I were working late and I thought we were alone at the office. Because he was behind his desk, he couldn't see me from the waist down so I got comfortable. I twisted around and threw my skirted leg over the arm of the chair. Not ladylike, to be sure, but since he couldn't see me I figured, "no harm, no foul." Well, we weren't alone, and Dan most unexpectedly walked by. I'll never forget the look that most fleetingly passed his face when he saw me like that. Our eyes met and we both said, "Sorry," at the same moment as I composed myself. Heretofore he'd been a very cold fish (my nickname for him was "cyborg"). Seeing me like that warmed him up! He turned out to be a very lovely man -- more than a little emotionally shut off, to be sure, but a good person. I enjoyed our subsequent romance very much.

4) Both Frank and Nancy grew up in New Jersey. When you think of NJ, what else comes to mind? That it's a death trap, a suicide rap ... at least that's what BROOOOOCE tells me.




5) Sinatra made Las Vegas as famous for entertainment as for gambling. He was so identified with the Strip, that when he played Caesar's Palace the marquee simply said, "He's Here." Have you ever been to Vegas? Yes. Love it because it's such a silly escape from reality. Celebrating my birthday there again this year. This time we're staying at Excalibur.
 

My favorite Italian restaurant

6) Thin for most of his life, Frank was blessed with a metabolism that allowed him to whatever he wanted without gaining weight. He especially enjoyed clams posillipo. What's your favorite Italian dish? Manicotti. Especially at LaCantina. "Baked ricotta cheese filled crepes served with tomato or cream sauce." I always choose the tomato sauce. Unfortunately, unlike Frank, I do gain weight when I eat Italian food.
 
7) Perhaps because of his hardscrabble childhood, Sinatra was a soft touch for charities devoted to kids. One of his favorites was Variety, which sends disadvantaged children on day trips to museums, zoos and sporting events. Here's your chance to tell us about a cause that's near and dear to your heart. Toys for Tots. Every child deserves something from Santa. People forget that they collect all year around, and that early contributions help them plan. To learn more about their wonderful work, click here.

8) Sinatra was a neat freak who couldn't stand dust or clutter and showered at least twice a day. He got this from his mother Dolly, who was compulsive about housecleaning and hygiene. Can you think of a time when you caught yourself doing something and thought, "I'm just like Mom/Dad!" My home is maintained for the convenience and comfort of my cats. I got that from my mom. She taught us that our pets should be loved and respected as members of the family.

9) In 1998, Sinatra was buried with the things he always had in tow: a bottle of Jack Daniels, a pack of Camels, a Zippo lighter and 10 dimes. Why the dimes? According to his daughter, "He never wanted to be caught not able to make a call." Of course, 17 years later cell phones have replaced pay phones. Anyway, tell us what you always carry. I never leave the house without my watch and rings. Oddly, I remove them -- looping the rings on the watch band -- as soon as I get home. But I've always got them on when I go out the door, so I'd want them with me through eternity.