Friday, May 26, 2017

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever 


1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. War memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood? Just a few blocks from here, there's a big granite and bronze memorial to those we lost in WWI. It's in a park that's very popular with families. It's nice to see those solemn bronze troops surrounded by laughter and life on a sunny day.

2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our 45 Presidents? I've never MET a President. However, as a campaign worker I have attended rallies with them. I saw candidate Bill Clinton in 1992 and President Clinton in 1996 during Chicago campaign stops. And I had the distinct pleasure of being there in Soldier Field 2008 and McCormick Place in 2012 when Barack Obama declared victory. These are cherished memories. It's a joy to feel like a part of process.
Soldier Field, 11/2008. Can you see me?
3) According to the AAA, 36 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend? Only to the mall. I promised myself I'm taking at least one bag of clothes to Goodwill!
 
4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? Potato salad
5) Have you packed away your winter clothes? Or is the weather still so changeable that you still may need something warm? I'm finally packing away my winter clothes this weekend. I haven't done it because a) the weather has been changeable and b) I am a lazy slug.


6) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? There's a fan whirring away.

7) This week, we are featuring the Muppets. Jim Henson made the first Muppet out of an old coat, and he used ping pong balls for the eyes. Do you have a talent for do-it-yourself/arts and crafts projects? No.

8) Random question: Think of the last thing you bought. Did you get a good deal? This afternoon I bought a new mattress at Sears. The mattress was 60% off ... and the box spring was free ... and delivery is free ... and since I used my Sears card, I got 16 months/no interest. I'm feeling pretty freaking proud of myself. 

Of course, since it's Memorial Day, and just about all retailers have mattress sales, that may have been a pretty standard deal. So how about this? On the way home from Sears, I stopped at the grocery store and got a 7-oz bottle of yellow mustard for just 56¢.

9) Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer? "Son of a Preacher Man" by the Dusty Springfield.

8 comments:

  1. So cool that you were there when both Presidents Clinton and Obama were near. What a cool feeling to be part of that process. I tried to get a LOT more involved in the past two elections, but especially because of my illness I just could not like I wanted to. So way to go, you!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree that it's good to be a part of the process...even when your candidate loses, you still have the satisfaction of having done your part rather than being one of the arm-chair complainers.
    Right there with you on #5...both reasons.
    Good song choice!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yummy potato salad. I have a friend who was secret service to the Clintons. I liked Dusty Springfield.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love Dusty Springfield. Hope you get your wish. ;-)
    I couldn't see you in the photo.. you took it, yes? Lol. Yum! Potato salad. With you on that.
    And, yes, it truly does feel good to be part of the process. Very exciting and good!
    It's good to donate clothes to Goodwill. They provide jobs, still.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love Son of a Preacher Man. I used to sing it when I was really young and my mother would always fuss at me for it. Like I know at the age of 7 what the song was really about.

    ReplyDelete
  6. There seem to be a lot of good mattress deals going on right now. I was reading an article that said the internet is taking over mattress sales because they are making them in a way that they can be compacted easily for shipping.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Once I had my spring pedicure, the spring clothes came out to play. Luckily, I have several light cardigans that make the transition smooth. It's been weird weather here--cool and dreary.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I need to go through stuff and make another Goodwill (actually, Savers) pile. We have SO MUCH stuff... :(

    ReplyDelete

Please note: If you have a WordPress blog, I can't return the favor and comment on your post unless you change your settings. WordPress hates me these days.