Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Valentine (1993)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This song was specially chosen for the Saturday 9 closest to Valentine's Day.

1) This is a love song written by Willie Nelson for his young son. Have you sent any Valentines this year to someone you love who isn't a romantic partner? Yes. I mailed a card to my friend Henry. It has macaroons on the front, and wishes him a "sweet day." The improvement in his condition over the past two months has been stellar, and worth celebrating at every opportunity.

2) Today that little boy, Lukas, is a singer/songwriter who wrote eight of the songs for the 2018 A Star Is Born soundtrack. Have you seen the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga big screen romance? I saw it back in the fall. I thought Bradley Cooper was just great. However, good as she was, Lady Gaga just isn't Judy Garland.

3) On Valentine's Day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the first telephone. Who did you most recently speak to on the phone? A coworker with a really boring question about a project.

4) Penicillin was also introduced on Valentine's Day (in 1929). When you get a shot, do you look away when the needle touches your skin? For shots, yes. But when I donate blood, I keep an eye on the tube. It never ceases to amaze me that we can give a baggy full of blood and not even miss it.

5) According to legend, a gift of red roses signifies love and romance. When did you last purchase flowers or plants? Did you buy them for yourself, or someone else? I haven't bought flowers in more than six months. I have no room for them in our new office space, and at home, I'm afraid my cats will confuse a floral arrangement with a salad bar.


6) This week's artist, Willie Nelson, can trace his family tree

back to the Revolutionary War. Captain John Nelson served with the Minutemen back in 1776. If you could go back in time to witness any great moment in American history, which would you choose? I'd like to go back to Springfield, IL, in 1861. That's when President-elect Abraham Lincoln left Illinois for Washington DC and he gave this really touching, completely impromptu speech at the train station. He spoke so eloquently, especially impressive for a man with little education, and he was off to do great things. 

I've been here!

7) Before he became a musical success, Willie was a door-to-door salesman, peddling first Bibles, then vacuum cleaners. INC magazine tells us that the traits of successful salespeople include resilience and good listening skills. Do you think you'd make a good sales person? No.

8) In 1993, when this song came out, Saved by the Bell aired its series finale. Crazy Sam likes to tease her brother because he once admitted to her that he has seen all 86 episodes of this teen sitcom. Is there a show that you believe you've seen every episode? Friends.

Photo chosen because it illustrates Questions 8 and 9

9) Random question -- We're having milkshakes! What's your favorite flavor? Strawberry.

Call me Goldilocks

Thursday night, I attacked the stack of clothes next to my nightstand. I am parting with the Paul McCartney tour t-shirt I bought back in 2015, but have never worn because it's way too small. Someone else might come upon it and be thrilled. Better they have it than me. (My version of Marie Kondo.)

And I'm getting rid of a mess of mesh laundry bags. Some were way too small for my use. One was gigantic. But I never got rid of them because they were virtually new and usable and it seemed like a sin to add them to the landfill.

I still feel that way. But I feel that way about just about everything. And that's why my home is overstuffed and overcrowded. I'm too picky to use this shit but unwilling to toss it away.

I have to get over that.