Saturday 9

Saturday 9: This Is A Very Special Day (1953)

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

1) In this song, Peggy sings that she feels good enough to climb a hill. Will you be doing anything athletic today? Just my morning stretches. I may go for a walk later, depending on the heat/humidity.

2) However she was also tempted to climb back in bed. Is a nap in your plans for today? Yes. I'm off to the vet first thing Saturday morning. Even though it's just a check up for my boy cat, it's stressful for both of us and we will likely both benefit from napping.

3) She tells us that she looked in the mirror and told herself it was time to "lose the blues." Do you ever speak outloud to yourself? Not to myself. But I speak to the TV all the time. Especially during Cub games.

4) Peggy wrote this song for the 1953 remake of The Jazz Singer. She performs it in the movie, too. In the 1950s, female singer-songwriters were unusual, but not so today. Can you think of another woman who not only sings but writes her own material? Carole King is the first one to pop into my head.

5) Her co-star in the film was Danny Thomas. Today he is best remembered as a philanthropist and founder of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, but he was quite a star in his day. He appeared in nightclubs and movie musicals and, from 1954 to 1963, had his own sitcom. Do you know the show? Make Room for Daddy. I saw the daytime reruns when I was home sick or off for the summer. It was one of the few sitcoms where the family lived in an apartment, which seemed quite exotic to little me, who was used to the suburbs and ranch houses and lawns. Hans Conreid played Danny's Uncle Tonoose. He was from "the old country," ate goat cheese and bragged he was "strong, like bull." I was always happy when Uncle Tonoose showed up.

6) When Peggy Lee was trying to break into show business, she supported herself as a short order cook. She was required to turn orders around quickly. Are you fast and efficient in the kitchen? I don't believe I am fast and efficient anywhere.

7) Just when her career started to take off, Peggy had to take a break when she had her tonsils removed. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.

8) In 1953, when this record was released, Matchbox Cars were introduced and they remain popular today. Did you ever play with Matchbox Cars? No. My parents were very traditional when it came to "girl's toys" and "boy's toys," and never the twain shall meet.

9) Random question: You're walking past a filthy puddle. Floating on top you see a dead bug, a cigarette butt, and a $1 bill. Would you bend over and rescue the dollar? I don't know. Maybe. I'll be honest, though, cigarette butts creep me out.

 

 

WWW.WEDNESDAY

WWW. WEDNESDAY asks three questions to prompt you to speak bookishly. To participate, and to see how other book lovers responded, click here. 

PS I no longer participate in WWW.WEDNESDAY via that link because her blog won't accept Blogger comments. I mention this only to save you the frustration I experienced trying to link up.

1. What are you currently reading? In Pieces by Sally Field. It's not an exaggeration to say I grew up on her. My little friends and I loved watching Gidget, especially to see how Sally Field was wearing her hair. We were so young we didn't understand then that it takes a week to shoot episode and she had hairstylists tending to her. Then there was The Flying Nun. We all loved that show, too, and in those long-ago days, networks marketed tie-in paperback books about our favorite characters. I have an indelible memory of myself the summer I was 11, reading The Miracle of San Tanco, a book purchased at the drug store with my own money, in the backyard.

 

So I came into this emotionally invested. Add to that, Sally Field writes very well, and you've got me devouring this book in greedy gulps. 

 

By the way, Sally looks back on Gidget fondly but hated doing The Flying Nun. I've rewatched both as an adult and she was right. Gidget had actual plots whereas The Flying Nun was dopey, aimed to appeal to "the whole family" and by trying to be all things to all people it ended up as blah. I imagine in today's world, where children can choose from PBS and streaming content aimed created specifically for them, The Flying Nun could never have exist. 

 

It's not the worst show she did, though. The Girl With Something Extra lasted one season and I don't think I saw more than an episode or two. It was that bad. It'll be interesting to see if Sally addresses that colossal turd in her memoir. 

 

2. What did you recently finish reading?  Rescued by David Rosenfelt.  I enjoy this series so much that this book made me mad. The characters are well drawn, the dialog is alternately heart tugging and funny, the setting (Paterson, NJ) is unique, the murder trial held my interest but damn! He did it again! Rosenfelt puts our hero, Andy Carpenter, in the middle of a super violent, complex plot filled with multinational intrigue. WHY? What makes Paterson, NJ, such a hotbed of terrorist activity? 

 

I watch Dateline. I read the news. Most murders happen because an argument turned violent ... or somebody caught somebody cheating ... or somebody owed the wrong person too much money ... or a battered spouse decides they just can't take it anymore. Shadowy hitmen with code names and access to weapons of mass destruction are not the norm – unless, of course, you happen to live in Rosenfelt's Paterson, NJ. For real, every one of Andy Carpenter's cases is thick with Boris-and-Natasha bullshit. At times I rolled my eyes so far back I was looking at my own brain.

 

Just once I'd like Andy to get a case where he realizes his client is set up (I get that Andy's client has to be wrongly accused) over an insurance scam or to eliminate a business rival. I would sincerely love that. 

3. What will you read next? Lincoln's Last Trial by Dan Abrams, because sometimes I just want to spend time with Abe. 

 

  

 

 

Sunday Stealing

4th of July Questions

 
1) If you could attend a 4th of July fireworks display anywhere in the United States, where would you choose? I hate to sound poopy, but I have no interest in watching the fireworks at a major event. I did that once, years and years ago. My friend Kathy and I went to Navy Pier to see the fireworks over Lake Michigan and they were pretty and all. But we had to get there really early – hours early – to be able to sit. On the cement. We were stuck there because if we got up we'd lose our place. On the cement. The show itself lasted 15 minutes. It was cool to see the colors reflected on the Lake. But it wasn't worth it. Where I live now, I can see the fireworks display from the suburb 3 miles southwest. All I have to do is look out my living room window. I know it's a mundane answer, but I'm good with this.

2) What book are you currently reading? Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. It's 5th in this series of entertaining cozy mysteries about a quirky family of private investigators. I'm enjoying it immensely.

3) What have you been listening to? Lots o' podcasts, Cubs-Cardinals.

 4) What shows or movies have you been watching? This weekend I'm going Presidential. I've found documentaries about FDR and JFK on Hulu. Then I'll watch Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln. All these programs have two things in common: the participation of historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who is my imaginary BFF, and they reassure me we can do better than the orange-hued convicted felon who tore down the East Wing and made a shit-ton on bitcoin.

 

Saturday 9

 
Saturday 9: Cadillac Ranch (1981)

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

1) In this song, Bruce Springsteen sings about taking his father and his aunt to see The Cadillac Ranch. Have you recently taken a road trip? If yes, where did you go? Golly, it's been years since a friend and I hit the road by car. I've flown to Grand Rapids and Los Angeles in the past six months, but I don't think I've traveled any real distance by car since my friend Elaine and I drove down to New Salem in 2023.

2) The Cadillac Ranch is real. It's an outdoor art installation in Amarillo, TX. Tell us about a statue, mural, or other piece of outdoor art in your community. We have so much here to choose from! The Picasso at Daley Plaza, the Chagall Mosaic, Cloudgate (aka The Bean) in Millennium Park ... But those are all well known. This is smaller, more intimate. It's the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain on the Chicago River Walk. Tucked away at the end of the bars and restaurants, it gives us a quiet moment to reflect on those who sacrificed for us.

3) Not only is Bruce singing about a real place, he mentions three real people. The first is "James Dean in his Mercury 49." That refers to the 1949 Mercury driven by James Dean in his first starring role, Rebel Without a Cause. Though he remains a legendary star, Dean made only three movies before his death at age 24. Have you seen any of his films? I've seen two of the three. I know this is an unpopular opinion in some quarters, but I think he's staggeringly overrated.

4) The second is "Junior Johnson runnin' through the woods of Caroline." Junior Johnson was a folk hero, famous as a NASCAR driver and notorious for running moonshine through North Carolina. He was the inspiration for "Midnite Moon," an animated old Ford in the 2017 Disney movie Cars 3. What Disney movie did you enjoy when you were growing up?

5) The third man Bruce sings about is "Burt Reynolds and his black Trans Am." This is a reference to Burt's biggest hit, 1977's Smokey and the Bandit. Burt also had success as a restaurateur. He co-owned Burt and Jack's, a popular steakhouse at Port Everglades, right on the water. Tell us about a restaurant that offered both good food and a memorable view. I had a great lunch in Washington, DC at the KC Cafe. It's the cafeteria at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I had soup and sandwich, my favorite on a rainy day and it hit the spot. But oh! The views of the Potomac! I wasn't expecting to have such a lovely time on such a gray day.

6) For decades, Cadillac was the gold standard of luxury. For example, an eatery referred to as "the Cadillac of restaurants" would be best or most prestigious. Think about your neighborhood. Tell us about a restaurant, hotel or business that is "the Cadillac" of your community. There's an old-school steakhouse not far away called The Golden Steer. It's wood paneled and cramped and noisy. But the prime rib and onion soup are to die for!

7) Since he's been singing about America and cars for decades, it should come as no surprise that Bruce Springsteen has a collection of classic American cars. For the cover of his autobiography he chose a photo of himself leaning on his favorite, a 1960 Corvette convertible. Think about your favorite photo of yourself. What are you doing? It was last Christmas. I am holding my little great niece, Violet.

8) In 1981, when Bruce released this recording, Dolly Parton had a hit with "9 to 5." What's your favorite Dolly Parton song? I get a kick out of this one. "Better keep your hands off my potential new boyfriend."

 

9) Random question: When did you last DIY and fix something around your home or yard? I was tempted to call Comcast/Xfinity for a service call, but no, I set up my new TV all by myself! (Bows deeply.) I love my voice remote and all the cable channels and streaming services, but I do kinda miss the olden days where all you had to do with a new tv was turn it on.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: The Men in My Little Girl's Life (1965)

 

 Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. Chosen for Father's Day.

1) In this song, a father shares the story of his daughter's life through first the boys, then the men, she brought home. The first is Rod, a little kid who wants to play in the backyard. Who were your playmates when you were young? Did you find it more fun to have them over to your home, or to go to theirs? I preferred going to their homes because I was curious about how other families lived. Example: Mail. My oldest friend lived in the apartment building across the alley and I enjoyed it when we went all the way downstairs and outside and then used a key to unlock their unit's mailbox. My other favorite playmate's family had a really cool mailbox on their front door frame and the mail slid directly onto their living room carpet! Our mail was shoved through a slot in our screen door. Our front door was so thick that I never even heard it. Ah, the stuff that fascinated Little Me!

2) Then his daughter asked if Lee could carry her books on the walk to/from school. During your junior high years, how did you travel to school (bus, bicycle, car pool, shoe leather)? We walked to school. It was only a couple blocks away and took about 10 minutes if I wasn't distracted. My older sister was a year ahead of me and policed me. She was a drag.

 

3) Throughout this song, the father recalls that his daughter alternately called him "Daddy," "Dad," "Popsie," "Pop" and "Father." How did/do you address your father? Dad.

 

4) The song ends with the daughter asking her father to babysit. When did you last look after someone else's child? About 20 years ago. My nephew was still very young (like 5 or 6) and heard me say I didn't put my Christmas tree up because it was too much of a hassle. He offered to help and I was so touched by his eager little face that we had a sleepover and made a night of assembling my tree and trimming it.

 

5) This record was a Top 10 hit in the US and it made the Top 20 in Canada. Much of its success was attributed to Mike Douglas' TV popularity. From 1965 to 1981, he hosted a daytime talk show. Do you watch much daytime TV? I've got the news on most of the day. Shit moves fast these days and everything feels important.

 

6) Mike Douglas was a father himself. He had three daughters, including twins. Are there twins in your family? Nope.

 

Now about Father's Day ... 

 

7) Retail chains like O'Reilly Auto Parts, Auto Zone and Jiffy Lube are all promoting gift cards and car-related gifts for Father's Day. If you got a gift card from one of those stores, how would you upgrade your ride? I don't have a car. But if the gift card was from O'Reilly or Auto Zone, I'd use it to stock up on wipes. Really, you can get the most effective multi-surface wipes and glass cleaning wipes at auto stores. Jiffy Lube doesn't really have much of a retail section so I'd regift that one.

 

Trust me on this.

8) Dick's Sporting Goods also enjoys a spike in gift card sales around Father's Day. Have you more recently given or received a gift card? At Christmas, I sent my oldest friend a Domino's gift card. Because that's her favorite. (Don't ask me why. She grew up in Chicagoland and should know better.)

 

9) In days gone by, ties were the #1 Father's Day gift. But as today's workplace has become more casual, fragrance has taken over the top spot. Dove Men+Care offers gift sets with shampoo/conditioner, body wash and antiperspirant. Think about your shower routine. Are your shampoo, body wash and antiperspirant all the same brand or the same scent? Nope. Right now I've got lavender shampoo and mint conditioner. Oatmeal body wash. My deodorant is "powder fresh." All different brands.

 

 

 

  

Gratitude Challenge: Day 16

I first took this challenge in November 2014 and I think now is a good time to revisit it. Click here for a list of the Gratitude Challenge prompts.

Day 16: Something that makes me laugh Today I am grateful for the gang from Central Perk. I switched from the rather disappointing (Col 5 - Cubs 2) game to the Friends marathon on Nick at Nite and I was happy again. 

 

 

Gratitude Challenge: Day 9

I first took this challenge in November 2014 and I think now is a good time to revisit it. Click here for a list of the Gratitude Challenge prompts.

Day 9: Technology I am grateful that I got my TV situation worked out. I moved my living room set to the bedroom, replacing a 20-year-old SD set and I now enjoy better sound. The new TV in the living room has a slightly bigger screen, yet it makes a difference when I'm watching baseball or movies. 

Do I watch too much TV? Absolutely. But it makes me happy. I suppose I'm grateful for that, too. I'm a simple girl and this is a simple pleasure.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 3

I first took this challenge in November 2014 and I think now is a good time to revisit it. Click here for a list of the Gratitude Challenge prompts.

Day 3: Something I see every day I am grateful that, with cable and streaming, I have the opportunity to check in with Lucy Ricardo every day. She's on as I compose this post. To borrow a phrase, I love Lucy.

 

 

I am a woman of many talents ...

Unfortunately, tech is not one of them. Nor am I what anyone would call "handy around the house."

My sad saga began when this behemoth died. I got this Sylvania TV shortly before 9/11.* It was a fine set for its day, but its day is long past. I moved it from the living room to my bedroom five years ago, when Xfinity's system requirements demanded I upgrade. 

The Sylvania was fine. But it was 25 years old. The picture quality wasn't very crisp. I could no longer turn it on/off with the button on the front because the button disappeared into the set. Really. I pressed the poor brittle dot one time too many and the set swallowed it up, so I needed two remotes to operate it: one to turn it on/off and another to change the channels. It's also huge, measuring nearly 20" in depth and taking up the entire TV stand. It weighs 50 lbs. 

Last Friday morning, it just died. Soundlessly – with no snap, crackle or pop – it just went black. It served me well, but it was over.

I had a plan: Buy a new, (slightly) bigger TV for the living room and move the living room set into the bedroom. The new set I settled on has a 32" screen, costs less than $100, and weighs just 16 lbs. This will never fail to amaze me. I grew up in a world where TVs were furniture. 

This undoubtedly uncomplicated scheme took me more than two hours to execute. The first hour was me on my own, and some of it was spent on trying to find my Phillips head screwdriver. (You couldn't just have a little stand that snaps into place, could you?) 

The second hour was spent with the very patient Amanda of Xfinity. She took me step-by-step through getting my new smart TV to talk to my cable box. That call, while fruitful, got off to a rough start with me yelling "rep-re-sent-a-tive!" over and over, trying to get past the automated system.

I suspect this all would have taken my nephew 20 minutes.

Now I have to figure out what to do with the Sylvania TV, which is sitting like a 50-lb. brick of concrete in the middle of my bedroom floor. This may inspire me to get it together and designate more refuse for the junk man to haul away. 

I suppose I could ask for help. But I want to figure these things out by myself, even though these situations do not play to my strengths. 

*It's funny that I remember the set I watched during those dark days after the attack, but I do. 

How cool it must be!

Last weekend, The Cute One – as Will Ferrell referred to Paul McCartney – was the final guest of the season on Saturday Night Live. During his monologue, Will listed some of Paul's most popular compositions and included "Coming Up," saying it was his personal favorite. During the show, Paul did the customary two songs that SNL guests do. Then, in a third number song performed over the credits, Will got to sing "Coming Up" alongside Paul and was so into it! It was a joy to watch. 

 

Then last night, Stephen Colbert got to interview one final guest on The Late Show. That honor went to Paul McCartney because, well of course it did. First of all, the show originated from The Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Beatles made history with their first appearance in 1964. Who better than Macca to turn out the lights? Paul is the likely the most recognized/respected musician in the world right now and this was an important moment in media and The First Amendment.* And his song, "Hello Goodbye" was perfect for the occasion. Stephen sang alongside him.

Watching these two performances I was acutely aware that Sir Paul is an artist who knows he's on his final lap. In a matter of weeks, he will be 84 years old. While I enjoy his newest song, "Days We Left Behind" is a poignant ballad sung by an old man with a reedy voice.

So right now I'm reminded how much he means to so many people. I've loved him so much for so long that I forget he's not just mine. Stephen Colbert wanted him for the biggest moment of his career. Will Ferrell just wanted to be around him. I recall the women, strangers, I sat with during this November 2025 concert here at the United Center. Their mother, with a walker, sat on the aisle seat. Then there were her two daughters, then me. Their mom – like Paul she was born in 1942 – has "given up" and they thought it might inspire her to see Paul, still vibrant and still performing, at 84.

There were 23,500 people at the United Center with us that night in November. It was just the last of 19 stops. Everyone who goes to see him now has their own personal reason for being there, and it felt important to each of us.

It must be enormously cool to have meant this much to this many people for so long. I hope he feels it.

*Though in a funny bit, Paul is seen as pinch-hitting for the only guest who could possibly top him, Pope Leo.

Saturday 9

 
Saturday 9: Good (1995)

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

1) This song begins with a guy realizing he's home alone. Do you enjoy being all by yourself? Yes. It rejuvenates me.

2) He watches the sun throwing shadows on the floor. Which room in your home lets in the most sun? The living room with its big, west-facing windows.

3) He sings that he may write a letter to his ex. If you were inspired to send someone a handwritten message, do you have stationery or notecards on hand? What about first-class postage stamps? Yes. I like writing letters and sending cards. BTW, one of the things I like best about Downton Abbey is how everyone is always getting important news via handwritten letter.

4) This week's band, Better Than Ezra, got their start in Baton Rouge. All the members attended LSU and played their first gig at Murphy's, a bar near campus. When you were in your early 20's, where did you and your friends go to socialize? Monk's Pub on Lake and Wells under the el tracks. I'm glad it's still there and just as divey as ever, giving a new generation a place to misspend their hours after work.

   

5) While the band refuses to disclose the origin of their name, many assume the "Ezra" they refer to is poet Ezra Pound. Do you often read poetry? Nope.

6) In 1995, when this song was popular, Michael Jordan "unretired" and returned to the Chicago Bulls. Tell us about a decision you wish you could undo. Nothing big. I just wish I'd taken better care of my teeth years ago. I'd be a healthier, wealthier woman today.

7) Also in 1995, Phoebe Buffay first performed "Smelly Cat." Do you recall what show she sang on? Friends.

8) Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your team doing so far this young baseball season? For the first two weeks of the season, I was resigned to mediocrity. Then BAM! Pitchers came off the injured list and the bats woke up. And will you just look at this! We're in first place and have won 10 in a row! I love the Cubs win or lose, but I gotta admit, winning is better.

 

9) Random question: What's in your garage, besides your car (lawn tools, holiday decorations, old paint cans, etc.)? I don't have a garage, which is probably a good thing because I'm sure I would fill it with crap. I seem destined to clutter.

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Leather and Lace (1981)

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

1) As you answer these questions, are you wearing leather, lace, or both? There's a little lace on my undergarments.

2) This song is a duet between members of two superstar groups – Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and Don Henley of The Eagles. Which band do you listen to more often, Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles? The Eagles.
 

3) In this duet, "lace" tells us she is stronger than we know and "leather" admits that sometimes he's vulnerable. Do either side of this lyrical equation apply to you? Do you think you're either tougher than people realize, or more sensitive than they know? More sensitive.

 
4) Both Stevie and Don are born Westerners. Stevie spent her early childhood in Arizona and Don was born in Texas and stayed there through college. Today Stevie has two homes – one in Pacific Palisades and another in Phoenix – while Don has a beautiful home in Dallas. Do you feel rooted where you are? Or can you see yourself moving to another city or state in the future? I'm rooted.

 

5) Stevie and Don were romantically involved in the 1970s, but after they broke up they remained friendly. Not only did they record this song in 1981, they went on tour together in 2005. Have you recently heard from an ex? Yes. I get a Christmas card every year and he chimes in on my Facebook page every now and again. He's a grandfather now and, I'm happy to report, he's shaved his mustache. When I knew him, he wore a mustache because he was self conscious about an acne scar. I love that he doesn't care about that anymore. 

6) Stevie admits a lifelong passion for Animal Crackers, those little cookies shaped like tigers, bears and elephants. Is your go-to snack sweet, like Stevie's, or is it salty? I'm pretty equal opportunity. Right now I'm very into cheese crackers, but I've got some butter cookies in the kitchen, too.

7) Don likes Velveeta on his burgers. Describe your ideal cheeseburger. Medium well, with lettuce, mayo, ketchup and American cheese. I'd prefer no seeds on the bun.

8) In 1981, when this song was popular, both Maserati and Mercedes Benz introduced luxury convertibles. Have you ever owned a convertible? Would a convertible be practical for your lifestyle? I'm not a car person, but still, I can't imagine myself with a convertible. Really, isn't there only one person whose lifestyle calls for a convertible?

 

9) Random question: What are you most looking forward to this week? On Friday I'm getting a hair cut, and on Saturday my Connie Cat is freed from The Cone. 

She had surgery last Thursday

 

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Linger (1993)

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

1) In this song, Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries sings that her lover has her wrapped around his finger. Do you feel that anyone has you wrapped around their finger? These two. My girlcat (the one in the foreground) especially can get me to bend to her will.

2) This was one of the first songs Delores and Noel Hogan wrote together. They performed it often live and perfected it before going into the studio to record it approximately two years later. Because they had polished the performance and arrangement, it's not a surprise that it was the biggest hit off their debut album. Tell us about a time when your preparation paid off. Every morning when I have to be somewhere at a specific time. If I don't prepare the night before – choosing my outfit, making sure I have what I need in my purse, etc. – I promise you I will be late.

3) The Cranberries believed the moody black-and-white video (linked above) playing on MTV contributed to the song's popularity. MTV and VH1 were highly influential when they showed music videos and interviews 24/7 during the 1980s and 1990s. Do you recall watching music videos on MTV and/or VH1? Oh yes! Video premieres were actually events. I remember that in 1991, my friend John changed my birthday party from a get together at a bar to a viewing party at his house so we could all see Michael Jackson's "Black or White" for the first time together on MTV.

 

4) The Cranberries were founded by brothers Noel and Mike Hogan in their hometown in Limerick, Ireland. The River Shannon runs through Limerick. Do you live near a river? I love the Chicago River. If you ever visit my favorite town, I recommend you spend more time on the River Walk than at Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. I understand that Lake Michigan can be breathtakingly beautiful (they're called Great Lakes for a reason!), but the River Walk is right there, smack dab in the middle of the Loop. It's a bit less touristy, and you get a better sense of who really lives in Chicago. At lunchtime and for happy hour, the River Walk is a great place for office workers to congregate.

 

 5) Fergal Lawler soon joined the brothers and became the Cranberries drummer. Today he says he enjoys listening to his early work with the group because, "Songs are like a snapshot in time." Do you often flip through photo albums and look at snapshots? No. I'm afraid it would make me too sad. My favorite uncle, my mom, my friends Henry and John are all gone and I miss them very much.

6) Dolores O'Riordan showed up for her Cranberries audition dressed casually in a black tracksuit with her own Casio electronic keyboard tucked under her arm. The Hogans were impressed not only by her vocals but her no-nonsense, "let's get to work" attitude. Share a memory from one of your job interviews. I was interviewing for a job I knew I wasn't really qualified for. I remember I wore a beige/white checked jacket and a beige skirt. I was afraid I was going to be late so I ran up the escalator. This gentleman who was riding the escalator down craned his head around to check out my legs and butt and smiled. I know what I'm about to say isn't PC, but that gave my confidence a boost and I think I did better in the interview because I felt attractive. BTW, this was 32 years ago. I still remember his smile. Wherever that now 70something man is, thank you. (This was about the same time as the birthday party I referenced in #3. Funny how my mind goes back to that time.)

7) In 1993, when "Linger" was released, The Nanny premiered on CBS. It's remembered today for its catchy theme song, which tells the story of "the nanny named Fran." Can you recall the lyrics to theme of one of your favorite shows? ♪  I'll be there for you when the rain starts to pour, I'll be there for you like I've been there before, I'll be there for you cause you're there for me, too. ♪

8) In 1993, gas was $1.11/gallon. Could your vehicle use a fill-up right now? No car.

9) Random question: How many pairs of shoes do you own? Too many. I have three pairs of athletic shoes, two pairs of Crocs (don't judge me) and entirely too many pairs of Birkenstock sandals. I only have one pair of dressy shoes. I should do something about that. Note to self: NO MORE SANDALS! Get a nice pair of flats instead. 

Where's my person?

Think back to 2005. There was a moment on the show Grey's Anatomy where Christina refers to Meredith Grey as "her person" and adds, "If I murdered someone, she is the one I'd call to help drag the corpse across the living room floor." 

They were besties.

Back in 2005, I was swimming in besties. I had my best friend, who was my work husband, with whom I never ran out of things to discuss. I had my oldest friend, my Kindergarten classmate, who shared so much of my history and could always, always make me laugh. There was John, my opposite number in so many ways, who broadened my horizons and made every Friday night an adventure. There was Henry, who only saw the good in me and loved me so.

My best friend moved. My oldest friend is battling emotional/physical issues that make her unavailable. John and Henry both died in 2024. Each of these losses has left a hole in my heart.

I have gone from lots of besties to no besties.

I am lucky in that I am only alone when I want to be. I just got a text from Nancy saying she and her husband miss me and they want to meet for lunch. Joanna sent me a chatty email because at movie group we didn't have enough one-on-one time together to share everything she had to say to me. Elaine saw that Norman Rockwell's Chicago Cubs in the Dugout is now here at The Art Institute and wants to see it with me. Mindy invited me along to see Bruce Springsteen at the United Center in April.*

But none of them are my besties. I can't imagine calling any of them to help me drag that pesky corpse across the living room floor.

So in 2026 my life is not the life I had in 2005. It's not the life I want and miss. But it's the life I have. I have people who care about me, I'm reasonably healthy, financially comfortable, and my adorable cats are right here looking for cuddles. I have to stop feeling sorry for myself, find joy where I can and face forward. 

 

*Can't go because of the TCM Film Festival. Yes, my life is pretty neat. I know that.

 

 

Thursday Thirteen #448

13 Celebrity Judges. I am fascinated by reality court shows. It's a durable syndicated TV genre, beginning with Judge Wapner and The People's Court back in the 1980s. They feature civil cases – like unpaid bills and landlord/tenant disputes – as opposed to criminal cases. The litigants agree to abide by the ruling of the TV judge, but they often don't have to pay very much. The show pays both sides an appearance fee, and usually the producers take the judgement out of the loser's stipend. That way the loser is not out that much, and got to stay in a nice hotel and enjoy room service, courtesy of the show's producers.

 

Here are 13 of the judges who dispense(d) justice on daytime TV.

 

1. Judge Joseph Wapner. Made famous by Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man ("One minute to Wapner!"). He was TV's first chief arbiter, appearing on The People's Court from 1981 to 1993, when it was cancelled.

2. Judge Ed Koch. When The People's Court was revived in late 1993, the former Mayor of New York put on the robes.

3. Judge Marilyn Milian. After she retired from the Florida State Circuit Court, she climbed onto the bench of The People's Court, where she stayed for more than 20 years. Today she hosts Justice for the People. (She's my favorite.)

4. Judge Jerry Sheindlin. In between Koch and Milian, Judge Jerry heard cases on The People's Court. He's best known as the husband of Judge Judy. When their shows aired opposite one another, he usually lost, which is why his time on the TV bench was rather short. 

5. Judge Judy Sheindlin. She's the queen of the genre, in the Guinness Book of Records for presiding over more TV cases than any other judge. Between her own shows (first Judge Judy, now Judy Justice), more than a dozen books, real estate, and her production company, she is worth more than $70 million.

6. Judge Greg Mathis. Second only to Judge Judy in terms of shows/cases presided over, he took an interesting route to TV fame. As a teenager he was a purse snatcher and served time on a concealed weapons charge. He promised his mother he would get his GED while behind bars. Upon his release, he went to college, then law school. In 1999, after five years on the bench in Michigan, he moved to TV, where he's been ever since.

7. and .8 Dana Tippin Cutler and Kevin Cutler. This married couple, both judges, presides over cases together on Couples Court (rebooted as Cutlers Court). Their cases are less legal than "relationship based" – Is he cheating on you? Does she owe you money? Want someone to pay for your paternity test?

9. Alex Ferrer. He went from cop to prosecutor to criminal court judge and then for 9 seasons presided over his own show. I watched him on Friday afternoons, back in those long-ago days before covid when we got out of the office early. I had a crush on him. He had great teeth.

10. Star Jones. The star of Divorce Court. Though not a judge in real life, she is a licensed attorney best known for appearing on The View during the Barbara Walters years. Since divorces can only be granted by a state court, Star is limited to property settlements.

11. Larry Elder. Not a judge but an attorney, he began his TV career on Moral Court, "where it pays to be right." Family members, neighbors, business partners, etc., would air their grievances and Elder would decide who was right. His rulings were based not on the law but his personal ethics. The winner would get between $500 and $2,000. From here he went on to conservative talk radio and California politics. Considering that he didn't exactly bathe himself in glory during covid – peddling conspiracy theories and anti-vax talk – I find it ruefully amusing that he used his personal ethics to decide cases.

12. Jeanine Pirro. Yes, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia. Like the President who appointed her, she had a reality show. Judge Jeanine ran for two seasons and won a Daytime Emmy in 2011.

13. Steve Harvey. He's not a judge at all but a comedian and host. Yet in 2022, litigants let him decide their cases for a season.

This only scratches the surface. There are many more reality court shows streaming and in syndication.

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Up the Ladder to the Roof (1970)

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

1) Many people are uncomfortable with ladders. Some feel unsteady on the steps, others have a fear of heights. Then there's the superstition that warns against walking under ladders. Are you afraid of ladders? I love my ladder at home. It's shiny and sturdy and makes it possible for me to change those overhead light bulbs and my smoke detector batteries. Not crazy about the step ladders at work, though. Nothing to hold onto on the way down. 

 

2) In this song, the Supremes advise us to go up the ladder to the roof to be closer to Heaven. While poetic, that's not really why most homeowners climb onto the roof. They're more likely replacing shingles or cleaning the gutters. Have you ever been on the roof of your building? I've been up there twice, both times to discuss the condition of the roof with contractors and fellow condo board members. Both times I nodded sagely and pretended I understood what was being said.

 

3) The record was the Supremes first and biggest hit without Diana Ross. When Jean Terrell replaced Diana as lead singer, the two ladies appeared together at a press event to launch this new iteration of the Supremes. Have you ever met your replacement at a job, or perhaps the person you replaced? Yes. Advertising in Chicago can be a surprisingly small world.

 

4) Mary Wilson was a member of the group when it was formed in 1959 and stayed through 1977, when the Supremes officially disbanded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American stays at a job 3.9 years. Looking over your job history, how long did you typically stick with an employer? I worked full-time for 48 years. Answering this question accurately would require entirely too much math. My best guess is around 5 years.

 

5) The third Supreme performing on this record was Cindy Birdsong. After the group broke up for good, Cindy finished nursing school and practiced at UCLA Medical Center. When did you last interact with a nurse or nurse practitioner? This week! My nurse practitioner sent me the good news about my annual mammogram and refilled a prescription for me. I love how available she is.

 
6) In 1970, when this song was popular, TV shows about doctors like Marcus Welby, MD and Medical Center ranked high in the Nielsen ratings. Medical shows are still popular today, with Grey's Anatomy entering its 22nd season and The Pitt earning critical accolades. Do you have a favorite TV doctor? Dr. Michael Rossi of Peyton Place. He was the best person in the sin-soaked town. He truly cared about every horny teenager, frustrated housewife, wife-beater, nymphomaniac and alcoholic who entered his office. Yet for some reason he couldn't get laid. His first lady friend was frigid, his second dumped him for a man from her past, his third got hauled away to prison for perjury, his fourth tragically ended up at the bottom of a cliff ... and all before he could "kick it through the goal posts," if you will. 

 

Won't someone please sleep with this man?

7) Also in 1970, when this song was popular, audiences were lining up to see the movie Love Story. Without looking it up, complete the film's most famous line:  "Love means _______________." I don't have to look it up. I had this poster on my bedroom wall. I don't know why, but in the summer between 7th and 8th grade, my friends and I just loved movies that made us cry.

 

 

PS Ryan O'Neal, aka Oliver Barrett III in Love Story, got his big break on Peyton Place. It's like a Peyton Place reunion around here.

 

8) Slumberchums™ were all the rage among pre-teens in 1970. These sleeping bags had attached pillow "heads" that made it look like you slipping into sleep inside a plush bear. When did you most recently sleep in a sleeping bag? Approx. 25 years ago. My niece's Brownie troop needed another "mother" for an overnight camping trip and I was pressed into service. My niece is now a mother herself.

 

9) Random question: Did you take a multivitamin this morning? If yes, did you swallow it or chew it? Swallowed it. I have two temp crowns and under the circumstances, chewables would do more harm than good.