Saturday 9

Saturday 9: My Funny Valentine (1991)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Ms. Kitt sings that her lover is her favorite work of art. Tell us about a piece of artwork you can see from where you're sitting now. (Yes, that crayon drawing created by your 5-year-old nephew counts.)

 
I love this handsigned and numbered print by Klaus Voorman. It eventually became the cover of The Beatles Anthology. I love it. 

 

Last time I posted this, in response to Sunday Stealing, two people actually responded by commenting about how they don't like the Beatles. Why would anyone do that? I had explained that it was handsigned and numbered, so I obviously invested something in it. And I love it. It's just plain ornery and rude to dismiss it because you don't like the Beatles. No one asked you if you like the Beatles. So there. Don't piss on my parade and I won't piss on yours.

2) She asks him to not change his hair. When will you next find yourself in the stylist's chair?

February 24 at 2:00 PM.

3) Ms. Kitt always wanted to be a performer and attended the New York School of Performing Arts (aka the "Fame" school). Think back to your high school self. In what ways would you be surprised by how your life turned out? I really never thought I'd live to be this old (60). When I was in high school. I lost two grandparents -- my mom's mom was in her 50s, my dad's dad had just (so unfairly!) retired at 65 and then, months later, died. So I just figured it was my genetic destiny to kick at a comparatively early age. I don't think that's going to happen. I've already outlived my dad and my mom's mom.

4) Ms. Kitt took over the role of Catwoman on TV's Batman. Name another Batman villain. Oh, the Joker was totally my favorite. Enjoy this delectable clip.

 

5) Ms. Kitt enjoyed tremendous success performing in Parisian nightclubs. Have you ever been to Paris? When I was just out of high school. I was too young to appreciate it. I'd like to go back some day.

6) The holiday is also known as The Feast of St. Valentine. Do you have a special meal planned for next Wednesday? Nope.

7) The phrase "wear your heart on your sleeve" began in medieval times. On Valentine's Day, men would celebrate the holiday by displaying their lady love's name on their sleeves. If you were going to adopt this custom, whose name would you wear?
 

And I love him.

8) Women buy and send more Valentines than men do. What's the last greeting card you received? My Christmas cards. I just send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Nevada. The kids there raise money by recycling our cards and making/selling new ones. It's a feel-good way to extend a feel-good season.

  
9) Men buy and send more roses at Valentine's Day than women do. What's your favorite flower? Carnations. They are so hearty. They come in so many colors. They are so affordable.

On this day in history ...

I think about my favorite uncle all the time. But especially today. February 9 is the anniversary of the Beatles first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.




That evening changed America and changed the world, of course. But that afternoon was what changed me.

54 years ago today was a Sunday. I was six. For some reason the clan had gathered at my Icky Grandma's house. I was getting bored and fidgety. My uncle suddenly rescued me from certain scolding by inviting me to join him on an errand. We ended up at Korvette's department store -- one of the few that were open on Sunday. I don't remember what we came for, but before we got in line to pay he was distracted by a group of young people. (He was, after all, just out of his teens himself.) They were surrounding a card table. He guided me over there and we checked it out, leaving with a record for 99¢ and a free balloon. The record was "Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You" and the balloon featured a pictured of these four young men that none of us had ever seen before. We returned to Icky Grandma's and, as the family gathering broke up, he reminded me watch The Ed Sullivan Show that night so I could see what all the fuss was about.

Today my Uncle Ted is in heaven. I want him to know that I remember, and I love him for giving me the soundtrack to my life.

Snow Day

4" to 5" of snow fell today. 4" to 5" inches more are expected to fall tonight. I love it. I got to work from home, in my underwear. I rewrote a letter to my client's specs and took a nap. Then I got dressed and did laundry.

YEA! SNOW!

I wish I was more productive, but I'm feeling wounded and depleted. There's just so much grief circulating around the office. I prefer being at home with my cats, with the window open so I can hear the kids next door, laughing wildly as they go down their backyard slide into a half-foot of snow.