Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Listen, People (1966)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) Basically Herman is telling us that we each both break hearts and have our hearts broken during our lifetime. Do you agree? Yes. 
 
2) He implores us to take his advice. Have you more recently given or received advice? I gave advice. We have a freelancer at the office, Bob, who is curious about how to "read" my boss. I advised him not to worry so much and reassured him everything was cool.
 
3) Herman's real name is Peter Noone. He was popular with girls because of his bright, toothy smile. How's your oral health? When are you due to go to the dentist? So far, so good. I'm due for a checkup in December.
 
4) Peter/Herman got married on his 21st birthday. That's one way to make sure you don't forget your anniversary. Do you have a good memory for anniversaries and birthdays? Birthdays are too important to trust to my memory! I keep a calendar.
 
5) Between 1965 and 1971, the Hermits worked very hard. They appeared on all the major TV shows of the day, recorded albums, made a movie and then criss-crossed the United States and the United Kingdom, performing live. After those six years, Peter decided he'd had enough and left the group. Have you ever felt burned out and ready for a change? Oh, yes. I feel that's where I'm headed now. I fantasize about retirement more than I ever thought I would.
 

6) In 1966, when this song was popular, the miniskirt took the fashion world by storm. What's the most recent piece of clothing you added to your wardrobe? I bought a couple blouses from Thred Up.
 
7) In 1966, TVs were expensive pieces of furniture. A set with a 16" screen and a wood console sold for $250, which is $1,950 in today's dollars. Tell us about your TV. How big is it? Where did you buy it? It's a 19" TV that I bought 17 years ago (either from Sears or Best Buy; they're both at the same mall). This dear old set still has a picture tube! But it works well and I can see no reason to add it to the landfill. When the smaller TV in my bedroom craps out -- probably sooner than later -- I'll move this one in there and buy a new one. 
 
8) David Schwimmer, aka Ross on Friends, was born in 1966. Who was your favorite Friend? I'm fond of each of them. I do love that show. I was sorry to hear about Matthew Perry's hospital stay. He's brought a lot of people a lot of laughs and I hope he feels better himself, soon.

9) Random question -- Describe your dream car. It comes with a chauffeur. 

Size Eleven Shoes

That's what my friend John wears. Or, I guess, wore. I found this out over drinks Thursday night.

First we blabbed for a bit. He told me about time spent over the summer with his out-of-town brothers. I told him about my bathroom remodel. Then, apropos to nothing, he asked me if I'd noticed an uptick in "able-bodied young people" panhandling on street corners. "If I was one of them, I'd even take a job a McDonald's."

"Sometimes they have jobs. They're just homeless," I replied. And, for the first time, I told him about Caleb, Randi and Napoleon. He was surprised that I knew so much about them. At first, it made me feel like a freak. "How often do you talk to these people?" "How much time do you spend on street corners?" He seemed worried that I was being ripped off somehow, "taken." I reassured him that they know very little about me, personally. They don't even know my last name. And I mentioned that, in terms of moola, I never spend more than $10/week. Oh yeah, and little gifts, like their Christmas bag and ...

"Oh, Gal! You did that?" he exclaimed. I had a hard time reading him. Was he shocked that I'm nice? Did he think I was wasting my resources?

It turns out he was admiring. I don't know that I deserve admiration. I have learned a lot about the world from Caleb, Randi and Napoleon. Helping them has enriched my life in so many ways. But I am glad that my tale has touched a chord in John.

"I wear size 11 shoes. Ask him if he needs my shoes." John had foot surgery back in 2016 and his shoes fit differently now. He also has sweaters and shirts he's willing to share. He was very excited about it.

And on Friday, John followed up by email. While Caleb can't wear the shoes himself, he knows someone who can. And John is eager to get the shirts and sweaters to him.

So John wants to help. He just needed to be given a way to do it.

So that little gray kitten -- now long and lanky and fully grown -- has ended up being quite the catalyst. Viva, Napoloen!