Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: Diamond Girl (1973)

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

1) This week's song is by Seals and Crofts, a pair of Texas boys who met when they both joined a local band called The Crew Cats. Have you ever visited The Lone Star State? If yes, where did you go? I visited Dallas on business. It was the mid-80s, when I was writing for a haircare company. BIG hair was popular in those days, and Dallas was the epicenter of big hair so that's where the beauty show was.

The ladies of Dallas with their high-maintenance hair

2) Lead singer Jim Seals compliments his girl by comparing her to a precious stone. What's the nicest compliment you have ever received? Who was it from? A decade ago I met a young woman who had just immigrated from India. We didn't work together often, but we sat near one another. One day I did a very small thing for her -- she was sad that her little plant had died and while she was lunch, I surprised her by replacing the dead plant with a couple of carnations from the bouquet on my desk. Really, it took a moment and cost me nothing. Anyway, it meant so much to her! She bought me a Christmas gift a few weeks later, even though she doesn't celebrate Christmas, because I "spread holiday cheer all year around." After I was let go in 2022, she sent me another Christmas gift (to my home), an electric blanket so I could have "a warm and cozy Christmas." A few months ago she reached out via Facebook to tell me she's glad I look so happy in retirement, and to share photos of her kids. It means a great deal to me that she thinks I'm nice and kind.

3) Diamonds are birthstone for people born in April. What's your birthstone? Do you wear it often? Topaz and no.

4) In ancient times, Hindus believed diamonds brought good luck. Do you have a good luck charm? I used to but I lost it.

5) On the other hand, some believe that one of the world's most famous gems, The Hope Diamond, is cursed. 14 of its owners have died from unnatural causes. Those who possessed the diamond committed suicide, were murdered, tortured to death in prison, and even torn apart by dogs! If you received a beautiful piece of jewelry that was rumored to be cursed, would you be concerned? Or do you think curses are silly? I think curses are silly.

6) Rare diamonds share an element with the common pencil. Both contain graphite. Sam is crazy about pencils, pens and felt-tip markers. Do you enjoy shopping for office supplies? Yes! I love binder clips and paper clips.

7) In 1973, the year this record was popular, Shelley Hack was a hard-working and well-paid model. She regularly appeared on the pages of catalogs, on magazine covers and then launched Revlon's popular Charlie cologne in print and on TV. What commercial have you seen recently? Did you watch it on TV, online or on your phone? Golden Corral ("You can't handle the shrimp!"). It was on TV when I was watching the news.

8) Also in 1973, Motown great Stevie Wonder was in a car accident that left him with a scar on his nose. Tell us about how you got one of your scars. 10 years ago I had a "beauty mark" removed from my face. My dermatologist wanted the mole biopsied, but because of the prominent location on my face, he sent me to a plastic surgeon. She was a wizard. The scar just looks like a tiny horizontal laugh line.

9) Random question: What's your perfect day -- weatherwise? 75º, clear skies, just a breeze.