Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Forever Your Girl (1989)

1) In this song, Paula Abdul tells her boyfriend he's got to remember, she's forever his girl. How's your memory? Do you remember things easily or do you leave yourself notes and reminders? Reminders help.

2) Paula reassures her lover that she can't be swayed by another man, even if he gave her diamonds or pearls. Tell us about a piece of jewelry that means something to you. I have a pair of silly little dolphin earrings that I love, though I never wear them. When my niece was a very little girl, she bought them for me at a school fair with her own money. She was so proud of her purchase! PS She turns 30 next month. Gulp!

 

3) Paula is best known as one of the original judges of American Idol. Without looking it up, can you recall the men who sat on either side of her? Randy and Simon

4) Paula has been dancing since age 8 and moves very well in heels. Tell us about your favorite shoes. My trusty Nikes. I bought them from Dick's Sporting Goods back in 2019. Nike was in the news for backing Colin Kaepernick. Dick's was under attack for changing their policy re: guns. Every time I slip them on I'm reminded that we can make ourselves heard with our wallets.

 

5) A lifelong dancer, Paula admits she's not a trained singer. For this record, she worked with producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, who won accolades for his work with singers including Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Toni Braxton and Janet Jackson. Who is your all-time favorite female singer?

 

 

6) She advises young girls to "keep the faith and don't lose your gut instinct." How about you? Are you more logical or instinctive? Let's just say my emotions have been known to overtake my common sense. Or, as my oldest friend warns me, "You're spinning, Gal."

 

7) Paula is excited that Richard Branson has chosen her song, "Straight Up" as the theme for his Virgin Galactic Spaceflight company. Would you like to orbit above the earth? Nope

8) In 1989, when this song was a hit, the Sears Holiday Wish Book was big on  bathrobes. Men and women alike were tempted with brightly colored, belted robes with hoods and patch pockets. Tell us about your bathrobe. I believe I bought it at Sears years ago. It's knee-length, gray and white. It reaches my knees. And it's belted, with a hood and patch pockets.

9) Random question: What do you consider your best quality? I maintain my sense of humor.

 

 

Chicken soup is good for the soul

Thursday evening, my friend Nancy and her hubs were back in my neighborhood. He wanted to get his flu/Covid shots at the same pharmacy as he had in the past. A new delicatessen just opened, and they reached out and wanted to know if I wanted to join them after his jab.

I'm so glad I said "yes." I've skipped other social events -- a baby shower and a wedding celebration -- because I didn't want to be stuck in public if the kidney stone pain hits. But the deli is just around the corner from my home, so I knew if I started to feel poorly I could be back in bed in no time. 

As a couple, Nancy and Paul both like me. I can talk work with Nancy and Paul and I share all the same pop culture touch stones (yesterday we were talking Monty Python) and sports. Plus being with them makes me happy because I knew Nancy at the end of her difficult first marriage. Seeing her so happy with Paul is life affirming.

And while this isn't by design by I think it's a plus: they're Jewish. I read a blogger who recently posted something like, "All my friends are Christians and they all read the Bible." I'm a Christian and am happy to see someone live their faith. But I'm not a fan of that lack of diversity. When discussing big issues -- like abortion -- it's important to understand that others can be just as devout as you and believe something else. Respect for those views is not only kind and decent, it's Constitutionally mandated. At a time when a phrase like "Christian Nationalism" is being tossed around this, this is important.

So I felt nourished by the chicken soup, rice pudding, conversation, laughter, and affection.