Saturday, February 21, 2015

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Freeway of Love (1985)

1) In this song, Aretha's ideal car is a pink Caddy. What's your dream vehicle? Any car that comes with one of these.



2) Have you ever owned a convertible? Nope. The only car I ever owned was a big old boat, an old Chevy Impala. No convertible roof, no sun roof ... you even had to crank the windows.

3) Aretha longs to "drop the pedal and go." Are you a careful, conservative driver? Or do you enjoy going fast? I don't drive.

4) Aretha's grandmother Rachel helped raise her. Tell us about one of your grandparents. My dad's mother was a fascinating little lady. Born nearly 100 years ago, she grew up in a world that didn't offer women many employment options. She was a happy stay-at-home wife and mother, even during the tough years of the Depression. But her outlet was community involvement. She was on just about every church committee, was on the PTA Board, and became President of one of the biggest Girl Scout Councils in the country. She was a successful and very effective leader, and her style was inclusive, gentle but very focused. She touched many lives in tangible ways, raising a lot of money and doing a tremendous amount of good.

5) Aretha played a waitress in the 1980 movie, The Blues Brothers. Have you ever worked in food service? Nope

6) Aretha was a chain smoker for decades and had a terrible time giving up cigarettes. What habit do you wish you could break? I take in way too much caffeine.

7) A sculpture of Aretha is at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in New York City. What's the last museum you visited? In December I returned to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. If you ever get a chance to see it, GO, GO, GO!

8) Since Aretha has many honorary degrees, it would be appropriate to refer to her as Dr. Franklin. Who is the last person you addressed by his or her title (Officer, Father, Pastor, Dr., etc.)? While my minister carries the title of Reverend, I call him by his first name. So the last one I referred to by title is the vet. One of my cats requires a prescription diet, so I visit his office about every six weeks.

9) The daughter of a minister, Aretha enjoys singing "church music" and her 1972 CD Amazing Grace is one of the best sellers in gospel music history. Do you have any gospel music on your phone, iPod or MP3 player? I've got Elvis singing "Up Above My Head," as only Elvis can.