The Mystery of the Midnight Crash in the Kitchen

 

When I went to check it out, I found two catnip toys and a canister of spilled treats. Not included in the photo, but nearby, was Roy Hobbs. He was sprawled out and blissed out, and he regretted nothing.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Brandy (1972)

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

 

1) This song opens in a bar where lonely sailors reminisce about their homes. How long have you lived at your current residence? Does it feel like home? I've been in this condo for more than 20 years, so yes, it feels like home. It needs a lot of work -- windows that need repair, carpet that needs cleaning, caulk around the tub must be replaced, etc. -- so sometimes I fantasize about just leaving and starting over. But I think all homeowners feel that way sometimes.

2) Brandy is a waitress at the bar. Have you ever worked at a job where you received tips? Nope.

 

3) Brandy wears a locket on a braided chain. Are you wearing any jewelry as you answer these 9 questions? Tiny faux pearl earrings

4) According to the lyrics, the sailors seem to prefer whisky or wine. What's your go-to adult beverage? It changes. Lately I've been ordering margaritas. Tuesday night, Madison Tap had a $3 special. I had strawberry, my friend Elaine had mango.

 

 5) This song was such a big hit that, after its release, Brandy became a popular name for newborn girls. Do you know anyone named Brandy? Nope. Though my favorite uncle named his golden retriever Brandy.

6) Barry Manilow scored a hit in 1974 with "Mandy." That song was initially called "Brandy," but it was changed to avoid confusion with this record. Do you have a favorite Barry Manilow song? It's complicated. I hate Barry Manilow so much that usually he sets my teeth on edge. But dammit, this song breaks my heart because I feel like I lived it. Even the part about climbing the stairs.

 

 
7) In 1972, when this song was popular, residents of South Dakota endured a catastrophic flood when Rapid Creek overflowed. Give us a little geography lesson: what body of water is nearest you? Salt Creek. You've never heard of it. It's a narrow creek that runs through Cook County to the Illinois River. Not very deep at all. But it's because of Salt Creek that our forest preserves and bike trails are so lush and green.

8) Also in 1972, the first women were permitted to run in the Boston marathon. Have you ever visited Boston? Yes. I love Boston! So historic, so walkable. I'd love to go back.

9) Random summertime question: Would you prefer to swim in a pool, a lake/river, or the ocean? Pool. I'm not crazy about beaches and sand.

 

Time to Get in Touch with Your Joy

Every year I take the August Happiness Challenge. Here's a brief explanation of the Challenge: "Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world."

You're invited to join me. Visit me with a link to your daily August happy, and I'll come read it. I've found that experiencing other peoples' everyday pleasures is a great mood lifter.

It helps if your August Happiness Challenge posts are marked with an icon. Just something that means "happy" to you. Here's a pair of my past happys.

THE HAPPY BEGINS AUGUST 1!

Thursday Thirteen #266

Thirteen facts about passwords and security. Passwords are a part of our day-to-day lives, so let's look at how to (and how not to) create them.

1. Make them longer. The longer the password, the harder it is to remember. On the other hand, the longer the password, the harder it is for hackers. It's best to put them in the double digits.

2. Don't put your password on a sticky note on your computer. If someone steals your computer, they have your password. Duh. Yet I have a pink post-it with my work password right here.

3. Use at least a little imagination. Two of the most common passwords are 123456 and Password.

4. The keyboard should not be your guide. Qwerty and Poiuyt are also common passwords.

5. Don't be typical. Hackers report that women tend to use proper names as passwords, men tend to use hobbies.

6. Use your favorite quotes or lyrics. They are easy for you to remember, and likely hard for a stranger to guess. Example: Are you a fan of 1972's The Godfather? Try this as your password -- Imhaohcr72. "I made him an offer he couldn't refuse" is the quote, 1972 is the year the movie came out. Love Elvis? Yanbahd56 ("You ain't nothing but a hound dog," from 1956).

7. Your routine could provide your passwords. Think about things you do every day that could yield passwords. 8:10Train or Dinner@6:30 would be easy for you to remember but hard for a hacker to guess.

8. Substitute symbols for letters. You want to immortalize your childhood pup, Fido. He was a good  boy and Fidogoodboy1 is easy to remember. But making a simple change -- substituting a 0 for the o and going from Fidogoodboy1 to Fid0goodboy1 -- will slow hackers down.

9. Don't use the same password everywhere. Yeah, I do it more than I should, too.

10. Mix it up a little. Redfiretruck1 may be obvious and easy to figure out. 1Firetruckred could be tougher.

11. Combine words that may be meaningless to someone else but make sense to you. Your first boyfriend was Dan. You have no idea where he is today, but you remember he drank Coors and his house number was 950. Voila! Who but you would know the significance of Dancoors950?

12. Change your passwords regularly. Four times a year is good. Yes, that does sound like a lot of work.

13. Always log out of your online bank accounts. Don't just close the window. Log out!

Hope this helps you keep your information safe.

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

She's a very good egg

I had dinner with Elaine last night. This represents the third time I've gone out with friends this month. To borrow a phrase from my friend Nancy, I'm finally starting to "people" again.

We had $3 margaritas at Madison Tavern. We split the spinach artichoke app and then she had a chopped salad and I had fish and chips.* I insisted on paying the bill because ...

Look what Elaine brought me and Roy Hobbs! It's a virtually new carrier that she got for her cat but it hasn't worked out. Her cat takes many, many trips to the vet and I guess he bounces around too much in there. That will not be a problem for Roy Hobbs, as he's more than 15 lbs. (far bigger than the average house cat). 

It's a hit with Roy Hobbs!

As soon as I got home, I kicked off my sandals, dropped my briefcase, plopped the new carrier down and opened it. As you can see, Roy Hobbs walked right in to check it out. This made me so happy! I had to kinda shove the big guy into the other carrier and he got a cut near his ear from the zipper. No zipper on this carrier. It's perfect for him.

But it's practically new and cost Elaine nearly $30. She drove me all the way home from Madison Tavern, even though I could have easily taken the train, because it's located in the station, but she thought the carrier and my briefcase were too much for me to handle. I laughed, because she has no idea how many bags I can drape off my person when I'm commuting, but she insisted. 

"I don't want our dinner to be rushed," she said. 

Of course she wanted to talk more about Larry. I'll never understand why people discuss their romances with me. I have the worst track record with men! But she wanted to continue to dissect her ill-fated date with Larry from our movie group, and so I listened. "I guess I'm too much for him," she concluded, and I think she's right. Elaine's a former dancer, still in great shape. She does yoga and pilates and is trying to organize us into a badminton tourney of sorts. Her last relationship -- which ended over a year ago -- was with a man 14 years her junior. Larry has a bad back and just can't keep up with Elaine in terms of energy. Plus he's still recovering his divorce,  after 30+ years of marriage his wife dumped him. 

Larry has now missed two movies. I guess he's still too embarrassed by their romantic misfire. Which is too bad because he seemed to enjoy watching and discussing the classic films ... and because he's missing out on Elaine. Even if romance isn't in the cards, they could be friends. She's a giving, generous person. She laughs easily. She's up for anything.

I feel kinda sorry for Larry.

*I'm still not ready for beef or pork, post-GI upset.

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.  

1. What are you currently reading? Dead Center by David Rosenfelt. I love these Andy Carpenter mysteries! Andy is a defense attorney in Patterson, NJ. The love of his life, former cop Laurie Collins, has moved back home to the midwest to follow her dream of being a police chief. She invited Andy to go with her, he sadly refused, and now he's heart broken. He may be depressed, but this book is anything but depressing. Andy trying to date again after many, many years is very funny.

Since this is a murder mystery, someone's got to get dead. The unlucky souls lived in Findlay, WI. A suspect was arrested by Chief Laurie Collins. But here's the hitch: in her heart, she doesn't believe he did it. She turns to her ex, Andy, for help, and we're off!

Andy is smart, but not brilliant (this is no Poirot or Nero Wolfe). He's not capable of derring do (his interest in athletics is limited to drinking beer and eating wings with the game on). He's not even exceptionally brave. But he's a funny man with a solid moral compass who loves his dog, Tara. And his girlfriend, Laurie. I'm not very deep into this but I know two things: 1) Andy will make smile and 2) he and Laurie will get back together somehow.

2. What did you just finish reading? Girls on Film by Alicia Malone. A host on the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) cable channel, Alicia Malone takes us on a tour of her life, her career, and the classic movies that influenced her. And I loved every moment!

Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor to Ingrid Bergman to Drew Barrymore ... these women and their onscreen personae helped teach Alicia what the world expected of women, and of her. (And of me!) She points out that almost all classic movies and most contemporary cinema is made by men. Most film criticism is written by men. So even though many of the famous female stars were influential and had agency, they didn't completely control the narrative. 

This is heady, eye-opening stuff. But in Alicia's hands, it's also entertaining and easy to understand. Her passion for the subject is real, and the personal stories of how these movies effected her personal and career choices bring the material to life. If you're interested in pop culture and its impact, this book is for you.

3. What will you read next? Non-fiction.

Sunday Stealing

WOULD YOU RATHER?

1. Would you rather eat pizza every day or never eat pizza again?

 Every day! Though I'm not sure my gastrointestinal tract would appreciate it.

2. Would you rather stay forever at your current age or be 10 years younger? 10 years younger. If I knew then what I know now ...



3. Would you rather have too many friends or too few?

 Too many. (Though I don't think that's possible.)

4. Would you rather have no taste buds or be blind?

 Blind. I'm thinking back to when I had covid in 2020. No taste/no smell is really depressing. More so than I would have imagined.

5. Would you rather never hear music again or lose the ability to read? Oh, I hate this question! I suppose I'd rather lose the ability to read, because I could still listen to audiobooks and podcasts.

6. Would you rather speak “whale” or read babies’ minds? Read babies' minds.

7. Would you rather be the richest person or the smartest?

 Richest.

8. Would you rather create history or delete it?

 Create history! No deleting here, despite what Fox News and Twitter want you to believe. (January 6 was an insurrection, not a handful of unruly hooligans. Wake up!)

9. Would you rather create a great piece of art and not get credit or get credit for a piece of art you didn’t create?

 Create and not get credit. I'm in marketing. Every time I pick a product up off the shelf I am aware that a team created that package -- from the words to the logo to type fonts. Every package is a collaboration and a miracle. And no one thinks about it, no one gets credit.

10. Would you rather age from the neck up, or from the neck down? Neck up. Not that I'm happy about the wrinkles, but I'd love to have my younger back and gut back.

11. Would you rather see the world but live in poverty or stay in one place and live rich?
 I'm afraid I don't get this question. Are you asking if I'd rather be rich if it meant the entire world would be plunged into poverty? Of course not! (Of course, maybe I don't get the question.)

12. Would you rather become famous or powerful?

 Powerful. I'd hate being famous. Too much harsh scrutiny. I'd like to think that I could be a powerful, yet still decent person.

13. Would you rather be a creative person or a technical person?

 I have no interest in the technical side of things.

14. Would you rather get a paper cut whenever you touch paper or bit your tongue whenever you eat something?

 Paper cut.

15. Would you rather wake up in the morning looking like a giraffe or a kangaroo?
 Kangaroo! I think jumping would be fun.

You know you want to.

Happy Birthday, America

Read the full story here

The 22-year-old who painted this on the back of his mom's house was able to legally purchase a Smith & Wesson M&P15 semi-automatic weapon. Even after he attempted suicide. Even after he threatened his own family and police confiscated a 24" samurai blade and 16 knives. 

He used his semi-automatic rifle to gun down citizens at the Highland Park 4th of July parade.

The shock and numbness are wearing off. They are being replaced by anger. The heartache remains.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Time for Livin' (1968)

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

1) This song is about taking "time for life." Do you have a busy, highly-scheduled Saturday planned? Or will you have an opportunity to just relax and enjoy? That'll be me, relaxing and enjoying!

 

2) Lead singer Larry Ramos begins by telling us he likes to kick off his shoes and go barefoot. How about you? Do you like to feel "the good earth under your feet?" No, I don't like to feel earth under my feet. I'll go barefoot indoors but never outside. Unless I'm poolside or on a sandy beach. But then that's not the "good earth" I'm feeling under my feet is it? (I'm giving this question way too much thought, aren't I?)

 

3) He sings that once he took off his watch, he found he had all the time in the world. Tell us about your watch. Very easy to read. White face, black numbers, black band. I love it. I hope to get a similar one with a different band on sale on Amazon Prime Days (July 12-13).

4) With lyrics that include words like "grooving" and "hang-ups," this song is very much a product of its time. Share some of the slang you used during your adolescent years. "Far out!" was quite popular when I was in high school. John Denver exclaimed it often during his TV interviews and we adopted it.

5) He sings that his attitude has been rearranged. What is something you have changed your mind about? Spinach. As a kid, I hated it. Now I enjoy it.

 
6) This week's group, The Association, was founded in Hawaii. Hawaii produces more pineapple than other state in the union. When did you most recently have pineapple? I don't eat it often but I buy it frequently. The local food pantry has canned pineapple on their wish list. It's featured in their "nutritious recipes for summer" handout.

 

7) In 1968, when this song was popular, Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis. Think about the last wedding you attended. Were you closer to the bride or to the groom, or were you equally close to both? The bride was my niece.

 

8) In 1968, when this song was popular, Laugh In was America's #1 TV show and it made a star of Goldie Hawn. Do you have a favorite Goldie Hawn movie? I'm not much of a Goldie Hawn fan. The one I've seen most is Foul Play. It's the first time I recall ever seeing Dudley Moore. I thought he was a riot.

 

Stanley, San Francisco's suave bachelor

9) Random question: Who is the most recent person you made smile, and what did you do? Friday morning, I complimented my art director on an email she wrote our boss. She usually lets me handle the words, so this was kind of a big deal for her.

 

 

 

 

Thursday Thirteen #265

Thirteen facts about appetite. I'm Fatty McFatterson. I enjoy eating. Yet sometimes I'm just not hungry. Why?

1. Hot weather. Food provides energy. Our bodies burn energy to create heat and keep us warm. In warm weather, we need less of that energy, and therefore less food. (Heat is a major appetite suppressant for me.)

2. Anxiety. Stress hormones can slow your appetite.

3. Stomach virus. Nausea decreases appetite as the gastrointestinal system recovers.

4. Respiratory illness. The flu can have an impact on your senses of smell and taste, and this can depress appetite.

5. Chronic pain. When your body is expending energy to battle an ongoing condition like arthritis, you may lose your appetite.

7. Antibiotics can cause bloat and nausea, which can kill appetite. (This is going on with me right now. The antibiotics I took after I had my tooth pulled have played terrible games with my gut.)

8. Sedatives. When sedatives slow your brain activity, they can lessen your appetite, too.

9. Diuretics. Like headaches, loss of appetite is a common side effect.

10. Change in time/schedule. Some people find that travel from one time zone to another throws off their appetite.

11. Age. Hunger levels can decrease with time.

12. Poor dental health. If it hurts to eat, you're not going to get hungry as often.

13. Boredom. Maybe your taste buds just need a jumpstart.

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

 

 

The more things change ...

This past week I've been exchanging many, many emails with Elaine from my movie group. She's a lovely woman. A little older than me -- 67 perhaps? Very bright and energetic. She used to be a professional dancer and still does yoga and pilates. She has a big heart, always offering to help me out and really doting on her dog and cat. Retired but looking for a contractor job because she's bored. 

Not Elaine and Larry

But none of that is what this flurry of emails covered. They are about Larry.

Larry is also in our movie group.  He surprised Elaine by messaging her and asking about her dog. One tentative thing led to another and they decided to meet away from the group -- in person, not on Zoom! -- at The Art Institute of Chicago. A suburbanite, Larry drove and parked at a lot near the Art Institute.

They walked around the Art Institute for a while. Then they went to the Pittsfield Building for lunch. (It's one of my favorites.) Dutch treat. Then Larry wanted to go to the Nutella Cafe. He'd never been and was dying to try it. They had dessert, and Larry paid. Then they decided to stop by Elaine's apartment to meet her dog, so they walked all the way back to the Art Institute for his car. In all, they walked a mile together, not to mention the steps they took around the Art Institute itself.

They got to Elaine's condo and found a pair of boxes from Wayfair. She'd ordered a makeup table and stool. Larry handled the doors as Elaine carried the boxes up the stairs. She guesses the bigger box was about 50 lbs. He came into her unit and played with her dog for a moment.

By now it was time Larry to head back to the burbs. He leaned in for a kiss and she offered her cheek.

The next morning she wrote him a chatty email, thanking him for the day and attaching a photo of a painting they had discussed while at The Art Institute. She mentioned that her condo building has a nice backyard and she was going to set up a badminton set. She already invited some of us* from movie group and told him he was welcome.

He answered more than a day later:  

Yes, it was a pleasant day, nice to talk, and good to get out and see the city. However, one thing I learned from the experience is that I am terribly out of shape and can’t walk nearly as much as I did. The next day (yesterday), I bent down and had a bad muscle spasm across my back. So I’ll be lying low for a while. I likely won’t make it to the film discussion tomorrow as I don’t think I can sit that long. Enjoy the badminton. - Larry

"What the heck?" Elaine asked me. "What's up with that?"

I agreed it certainly doesn't sound like he wants to see her again.

"Why?" she asked. They talked for hours about their personal lives. He told her about his divorce after 34 years of marriage and his distant relationship with his adult children. She told him about her breakup with her last boyfriend, 14 years her junior.

I pointed out that maybe he's intimidated. She works out, plays badminton, hauls furniture up the stairs, and dates younger men. He hurts his back bending over.

So what should she do? What does he want? 

Email after email. Elaine is upset because "he started this." He asked her to take their relationship offline and into real life. She agreed, and he shot her down. At least that's how she feels.

I don't know what's up with Larry. I don't especially care (except that he's one of my movie group favorites and I bet he'll drop out because he's embarrassed). I'm just fascinated by how the conversations I had with my girlfriends at 14 sound like the ones I had at 24, 34, 44, 54, and now at 64.

"What should I do? What does he want?"

At what age, I wonder, do single women begin to wonder what we want?

*Yeah, she invited me. No, I'm not playing.

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.  

1. What are you currently reading? Girls on Film by Alicia Malone. This is part a study of women in classic film and part a memoir of Alicia Malone's young life, growing up watching them. 

To say I am enjoying this book is an understatement. For like Alicia, I've always loved the movies and her experiences are so much like mine. As I post this, she's examining her adolescent fixation on Marilyn Monroe, one I shared at about the same time in my life. In an earlier chapter, she wrote about her love of horses and movies about girls on horseback (National Velvet, which made Elizabeth Taylor a star). Me, too! 

What she's putting in context is that while these movies starred women, they were all made by men. What stereotypes were created? What myths are perpetuated today? If you're interested in pop culture and its impact, this book is for you.

I'm so glad I'm loving this book because I just finished a disappointment.

2. What did you just finish reading? Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. I know, I know! Everyone who has read this loves it ... except me. The synopsis is original and clever: a suburban housewife who cranks out murder mysteries is discussing the plot of her latest with her agent. At Panera, the most benign chain restaurant on the planet. She's overheard by the woman at the next table, who misunderstands the conversation and assumes this single mom is a hitman (or woman). Hijinks ensue.

There's little in this book that I believe could ever happen in real life, but that's OK. Sometimes complete escapism can be fun.

I didn't like the book for two reasons: 1) Every single husband in this sleepy suburban hamlet is completely awful. Every last one of them should have a mustache to twirl, like a silent movie villain and 2) Vero, the nanny. Finlay meets her for the first time in the bank parking lot, where this recently fired teller is puncturing the tire of her boss' car. Finlay offers Vero the nanny job on the spot, which no mother on earth would ever do. Bad temper, lack of impulse control, shaky grasp of right vs. wrong, no references? Why, I'd love you to watch my two small children! (This is not the only time Vero's values are determined more by exigence than morality.)

Humor is a personal thing. I found One for Money unreadable because Janet Evanovich's style annoyed me. She's so popular that there are now nearly 30 Stephanie Plum books. So what do I know? I'm sure Ms. Cosimano will similarly continue pleasing countless readers ... just not me.

3. What will you read next? Dead Center by David Rosenfelt. I love these Andy Carpenter mysteries.

Good friends on the 4th

I had no plans for today. I had a vague idea of things I would accomplish, but then I saw the news out of Highland Park and could barely get myself to shower. I am shocked by it. Frozen. But it's nearly 5:00 and I refuse to give some angry little boy with a big gun the power to ruin my holiday. Instead I will try to concentrate on the good ... and redouble my efforts to get out the vote this fall so more little boys can't get their hands on big guns.

So how will I look back on the Independence Day Holiday, 2022? (I mean, other than the tragedy to the north.) No parade, no fireworks.* I will remember my friends.

First, my nice long lunch with John. I am happy to report he's happy. We are very connected through this 40 year friendship. We were 20-something party animals, dancing the night away. Now we are 60-something AARP members, he with a cane and me with a crazy sensitive gut. 

Then Saturday morning, Elaine invited me to join her and her friends for brunch. I declined. With my face bruised and gut so unreliable, I just didn't feel like meeting new people. But I was grateful she included me.

Sunday I met Nancy and her husband for seafood. Yes, I know. The rest of America has been enjoying beef and pork on the grill -- and barbecue is one of my favorite things! -- but that's just not in the cards for me right now. Nancy was so sweet. She kept emphasizing that she and Paul want to spend time with me, "even if it's over toast and applesauce." We had a lovely time. Nancy's husband Paul watches even more TV than I do! So we spent a lot of time comparing notes on old or obscure things to watch. And we laughed and laughed.

It's hard for me to feel good about America on her birthday. Roe, the January 6 hearings, and now this in Highland Park have exhausted me. But I'm an adult and a citizen. It's my responsibility to do something about this sad and sorry state of affairs. Not post memes. That does nothing. This is an election year. I have to raise money and get out the vote.

*Though tonight's neighborhood fireworks display has been cancelled because the aforementioned angry little boy with the big gun is still, as of this writing, at large.

Today in Highland Park

Highland Park is not Chicago. It is a 40-minute drive and a lifestyle away. From the 2020 census:

• Median income: $150,250

• Average home value: $585,000 (Think Home Alone and Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

• 75% of the adult residents have a bachelor's degree or better

• It's 85% white, 8% Hispanic, 3% Asian-American 

One thing I keep hearing on the news, over and over, from Highland Park residents is, "This can't happen here." Well, today it did. At least 6 are dead and more than 30 have been hospitalized after a young man opened fire at their 4th of July Parade.

Highland Park Hospital does not have a Trauma 1 Center. Many of the victims have been stabilized in the hometown hospital and then moved to nearby hospitals with appropriate facilities.

Highland Park is in Lake County. Chicago is in Cook County. In Chicago and Cook County, high-capacity rifles are illegal. Lake County's laws are more lax.

While the rifle has been found, as I write this, more than 5 hours after the carnage, the shooter is still on the loose. I bet he will turn out to be a resident. Highland Park is not a town where it would be easy for an outsider to hide himself from the local police and now the FBI.

Do not tell me the answer to the gun problem is "good guys with guns." This was their 4th of July parade. There was a high police presence, and this happened anyway.

My heart is broken. Nowhere is safe. While Highland Park is not where I'd ever want to live -- I believe in diversity -- I know people who live there, and people who aspire to live there. It's the North Shore! For many it's the American Dream to live in safe, upscale Highland Park.

And today, during a 4th of July parade, a bit of that American Dream died.

Sunday Stealing

SUNDAY STEALING: SUMMERY QUESTIONS

1. Favorite thing to do during the summer? Watch baseball.

2. Favorite cold food/dessert/drink that gets you through the summer heat? Ice water. I should drink more of it.

3. Gone to a drive-in movie. Only as a little girl.

4. What are you planning to do this summer? I didn't make any specific summer plans. I'm so lazy, I'm proud I put my winter clothes away.

5. Did the pandemic ruin any summer plans? If so, what? Not this year.

6. Rode on any water mobile (jetski, ferry, boat, etc) Never a jetski. A ferry once. Several boat rides, but not in years.

7. Gone to a summer camp Every summer from first through eighth grade, I went to Girl Scout day camp. I remember feeling very important when as a first grader, I handed my 50¢ to my leader and then got on the bus. In later years, our parents paid in advance, which makes more sense because why trust a 6-year-old with money? But I very clearly remember clutching those quarters in my sweaty little hand.

8. Been to any Asian country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite?) I have no interest whatsoever in traveling to Asia. I'd rather see more of this country first.

9. Been to any African country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?)  I have no interest whatsoever in traveling to Africa. I'd rather see more of this country first.

 10. Been to any North American country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?) I've been to Canada a few times. But I have no burning desire to return, or to visit Mexico or Greenland or any of our other North American neighbors. I'd rather see more of this country first.

11. Been to any South American country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?) Oh, you know what I'm going to say.

 12. Been to any Australian country (if not, where would you go and why? if yes, where was your favorite and why?) "The tide is high but I'm holdin' on ..." That Debbie Harry song popped into my head as I tried to to come up with an entertaining way to answer this.

13. Gone to a festival/fair. Before the pandemic, in 2019. There were food trucks in the center of town and I partook.

14. Gone to an amusement park. I love these! I'd go back in a heartbeat but my friends look at me like I'm crazy.

15. Binge watched 5 different TV show series (what were they) I binge watch Law & Order whenever it's on. Friends, too. This weekend, the Decades channel is showing The Twilight Zone. I hope to catch several episodes tonight.

 

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.