Saturday 9

SATURDAY 9: BACK IN THE USA (1978)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

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? 4.  I can't believe I haven't been to Detroit. I have spent a lot of time in Michigan, as my Cousin Rose lived outside Kalamazoo and my niece is now near Holland.

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

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? "Midnight Confession" by The Grass Roots. It was on the radio when I was putting my makeup on.

4) Linda performed 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? I follow two baseball teams now, and it really is like a tale of two cities. For the New York Yankees, these are the best of times. For the Chicago Cubs, well, you know the rest. (Though Friday afternoon, the lowly Cubs did beat the Red Sox and I'm proud of them!)

 

The important thing is that this guy is doing well.

 

5) On the sleeve for this record, Linda was photographed on roller skates. Emergency rooms report a spike in wrist injuries, with people falling off skates and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching softballs. Have you recently been to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care?  Not in more than a year. (Knock wood.)

 

6) It's July, so summer is in full swing. Bug bites are a big summer annoyance. Are you itching and scratching this morning? No. (Knock wood.)

Since this is our last Saturday 9 before Independence Day,  

let's ask some questions related to the holiday. 

 

6) The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence. What's the most recent printed media you have read (newspaper, magazine, newsletter, etc.)? I get the Chicago Sun Times Wednesday through Friday. Mostly in the print edition I check the baseball stats and some of the columnists. The subscription gives me 365 access to the website.

7) In high school, Sam was crazy about American history and got good grades. Science was her worst subject. In high school, where did you shine? In what subject were your grades not so hot? I got very good grades in American history and English. I got very bad grades in math and science. In fact, of my parents' three daughters, I'm the only one who ever got an "F." It was in chemistry. My mother was less upset about the grade than she was about my attitude. I wasn't sorry or ashamed or anything else she expected me to feel. I knew I'd never use chemistry and truly didn't believe it was relevant. She was furious when I posted my one A, one B, two Cs and F on the refrigerator, right next to my older sister's honor roll report card. (Yeah, I was a brat. But as I loved to remind my parents, I didn't smoke or do drugs and was still a virgin, so I felt they should count their blessings.)

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? Nope. The parade is at 10:00 am and I won't be up and about at that time. I hope I'm able to see the fireworks from my window. That would be neat.

9) Americans love to celebrate our independence. In fact, there are more than 30 towns all across the US called Independence. There are two in MN alone (one outside Duluth, the other west of Minneapolis). Please google it and let us know: does your state have an Independence? Independence is in downstate IL. The population is approx. 1,120.

 

 

Five Hours!

Just off Michigan Ave

That's how long John and I monopolized the table by the door. It was a long time, I know, but it was comfortable and fun. And important. I needed this feeling of connection.

We have been celebrating his birthday every year over this weekend for more than 40 years. But not last year. He was unwell. I was angry at him for being so cavalier with his own health and well being. I was very afraid of losing him. I love John. He's like my family.

A year later, he's much healthier. Happier. A little discontented. Retirement is turning out to be quieter and less consequential than he thought. The days run peacefully one into the other and he wonders where they have gone. It reminds him in a way of covid lockdown. He had all these projects he was going to tackle and he never got to them. Same now.

He has a "job," of sorts. The bar where he's long been a regular lets him eat and drink for free in exchange for being there Friday at opening to sign for deliveries from the liquor vendors. He needs a real job, one that pays cash, but he doesn't want to do anything physical. At 67, he can't do anything physical. He gets winded easily and requires a cane. 

But he's happy. He feels connected to his bar "family" and is going to spend a little time this weekend visiting a fellow barfly who is in the hospital. The prognosis is not good -- the man had a stroke concurrent with his course of chemo. He may never come home. John is visiting him, even though this isn't how he envisioned celebrating the holiday. He spent a lot of time in this very hospital and it's disturbing to be there. But he's going to do it. I am proud of him.

I told him all about Henry and Reg. He heard this sad tale only through the lens of how it's affecting me. I appreciated that. He told me I'm a good friend to Henry and it's all I can be.

He liked his gifts. I got him a gift card to Walgreens, his pharmacy of choice, because I know that, even with Medicare his prescriptions cost him, and a DVD of Hacks, the Jean Smart/HBO series because as I watched it, I kept thinking to myself, "John would love this."

BTW, I don't know why I'm giving Emerald Loop a plug. We did not receive the best service. OK, we received rather crummy service. The server never brought my water. He forgot which beer John ordered. We had to ask for napkins and utensils! I'm not sure it was his fault. He was handling tables both inside and outside. But still, I liked my turkey and pear wrap. He got mac and cheese with brusells sprouts. Yeah, not my choice either. But he seemed happy and he's the birthday boy!