Saturday 9

SATURDAY 9: BACK IN THE USA (1978)


1) This song lists seven cities -- New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge and St. Louis -- that Linda just loves. How many have you visited? Four

2) The lyrics refer to hamburgers sizzling on the grill. What toppings do you believe make a perfect burger? Cheddar cheese, lettuce, and a fried egg. Awesome!

3) The original recording of this song by Chuck Berry has always been one of Linda Ronstadt's favorites, one she used to enjoy singing along with in the car. What's the most recent song you sang? I sang "Kiss on My List" along with Hall and Oates and my shower radio. Funny, because it's a song I don't particularly like. It just burrowed its way into my consciousness.
 
4) Linda sang The National Anthem at Game 3 of the 1977 World Series. 
The New York Yankees won both that game and the series. How is your baseball team doing this season? My Cubs are currently in second-place in the National League's best division. 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee and 3 games ahead of St. Louis. We had a tough June, with a 5-game losing streak. But we've won 3 of our last 5, and I'm hoping for a powerful, victorious July! (BTW, I'm celebrating Independence Day with a trip to Wrigley Field with my nephew on 7/6.)

Since this is our last Saturday 9 before Independence Day, let's ask some questions about the holiday. 
 
5) During the Revolutionary War, General Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his troops a double ration of rum. Will you imbibe any spirits on Independence Day? Probably not. We only have Wednesday the 4th off work, no long weekend for this gal. So I don't foresee any partying or celebrating.

6) The first man to sign the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, said he wrote his name so large King George could see it, even without his glasses. Do you require glasses for reading? I need my "cheaters" for small print. 

7) Since July 4 is a federal holiday, banks are closed and there's no mail delivery. Thanks to email and ATMs, Sam finds going without those services isn't a hardship. What about you? Will you find it inconvenient that banks and the USPS are closed on July 4? Not at all.

8) The first 4th of July parade each year is held at 12:01 AM in Gatlinberg, TN. Will you attend a parade or fireworks to celebrate the 4th? Golly, I haven't been to my local parade in years! Maybe I'll make my way over to watch on Wednesday morning.

9) More and more Americans celebrate our nation's holiday by eating foods from Italy and Germany. For the July 4, 2016 holiday, more than $50 million was spent on Italian sausage and bratwurst. What's on your 4th of July menu? I don't have a July 4th menu this year. In recent years, I've celebrated the 4th together with my friend John's birthday as part of a long weekend. But John and I have already celebrated his birthday with a special trip to Springfield to see Mr. Lincoln, and with the 4th landing mid-week, I guess I'll just celebrate with whatever I bring home from Boston Market on the 3rd.