Friday, March 27, 2020

Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: Everybody's Somebody's Fool (1960)

1) Next Wednesday is April Fool's Day. Do you have any pranks planned? Do you expect to fall victim to any April Fool's Day mischief? I'll still be in lock down next Wednesday. Sheltering at home doesn't give me many opportunities to prank.

2) When she was a kid, Crazy Sam would fool her mom by putting bubble wrap under the bath map so there would be a POP! when her mother stepped on it. When you encounter bubble wrap, do you always indulge in a pop or two? Always!

3) While we're using this song to celebrate April Fool's Day, it was written about another subject entirely: heartbreak. The lyrics tell us that at some point, we each get our hearts broken by someone who doesn't love us as much as we love them. Do you think that's true? Yes. I've been in love, and I've been loved, and unfortunately the men I've loved and the ones who loved me haven't been the same men.

4) In 1962, this week's featured Connie Francis published a book aimed at teens called For Every Young Heart. It addressed topics like going steady and schoolwork vs. social life. Do you ever read advice columns or self-help books? When I flip through the newspaper I always check the advice column. I don't know why. The problems never have anything to do with my life. Schadenfreude, I guess.

5) Connie Francis can play the accordion. Sam has never met anyone adept at this complicated instrument -- not even in her high school band. What about you? Do you play the accordion, or do you know anyone who can? No. Nor do I know anyone who would want to.

6) In 1960, when this record was popular, Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird was published. Have you read it? Had to in high school. It really rocked my world. Ah, Atticus Finch! What a hero!

7) Also in 1960, one of Life magazine's best-selling issues had Sophia Loren on the cover. At that time, she was an international film star and considered one of the world's most beautiful women. Who do you consider one of 2020's most beautiful women?  




Reese Witherspoon is the first one that comes to mind. Her features aren't perfect, but she is an accessible, friendly kinda beautiful.

8) A 1960 issue of Vogue acknowledged how expensive it had become to maintain a fashionable wardrobe and asked, "If you were to buy only one thing, what would it be?" If it's good enough for Vogue, it's good enough for Saturday 9: If you could purchase only one new article of clothing for spring 2020, what would you buy? I'm trying not to buy anything for spring/summer. I'm economizing. I'll need a whole new outfit for my niece's wedding this fall.

9) Random question: When someone makes you really angry, are you more likely to respond with stony silence or a big noise? Since I'm so naturally blabby, I find the stony silence is more effective. I think the contrast scares people.


 

That was thoughtful!

My friend John and I are keeping in contact during this crisis. We text (his preference) and talk on the phone (mine). He sent me a message that, at first, seemed random, but once I took a moment to think, it was meaningful.

"Glad I have those That Girl and Brideshead Revisited DVDs."

Over the decades and decades of our friendship, I gave him those DVDs. How sweet of him to remember, and to mention it.

About me: My throat is still scratchy, third day in a row. But I have no more than the occasional cough and my temperature is 98.6ยบ. So I think I'm just stressing about this (like everyone else!).