Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Ja-Da (1918)

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

 

1) The lyrics tell us the melody is soothing. What calms you when you're upset or anxious? These two.

 

 

2) There was a lot going on in 1918 – like WWI and the Spanish flu pandemic – that left people upset and anxious. In those days, radio wasn't yet a staple in American homes so people received their news through newspapers. Today with podcasts and 24 hour cable news and social media and other news outlets available, do you ever feel like taking a break from current events? Yes. I'm tempted to dial back because current events can leave me feeling hopeless. But I'm haunted by something my friend John said: In Berlin before the War, they didn't know they were living in Berlin before the War. That reminds me that it's my duty as an adult and a citizen to know what's going on and to do what I can when I can.

3) In addition to newspapers, magazines were a big deal in 1918. Women turned to publications like Ladies Home Journal and McCall's for trends and tips about fashion and housekeeping. Do you have any printed magazines in your home now? Vanity Fair and the AARP magazine.

 

4) Today schoolchildren often learn "Ja-Da" because it's easy to sing and play. Was music part of your grade school curriculum? Yes. Some days we had music, other days we had art. 

 

5) Composer Bob Carleton published more than 500 songs in his career. He had no songwriting partner, handling the words and lyrics himself. What's your favorite song? Was it written by a single composer or a songwriting team? Well, it's credited to Lennon-McCartney, but I'm pretty sure it was all Paul.

 

 

 

 

6) Bob got his start in his hometown of St. Louis, playing piano in his parents' saloon. When you think of St. Louis, what comes to mind? The Cardinals! As a Cub fan, that's the only possible answer.

 

7) In 1918, Americans were buying more cars and Studebakers were a familiar sight on the streets and highways. Today that name is mostly forgotten. Can you think of a brand that used to popular but has disappeared? I remember when Sears stores were preeminent, but now they're all but gone.

 

8) During WWI, Americans were familiar with "Meatless Days." Back then we were encouraged to cut back on the consumption of meat as a patriotic gesture to help the American and Allied troops. Today "Meatless Monday" highlights health and the environment. Think about your diet. Do you try to eat more grains, fruits and vegetables? I try. I'm not altogether successful, but I try.

 

9) Random question: Where did you get the shirt you are wearing right now? I'm wearing a gold nightshirt. It was a gift to me from my dear friend Henry.

 

 

 

What a difference a day makes!

"I love your earrings." That's one of the first things Caroline said to me at work yesterday. I admit it frightened me. After all, as recently as Saturday Caroline was loud and proud in her contempt for me. I remembered the famous warning about killer dobermans: They always lick before they bite. 

However, she seemed so desperately sincere – and since her skin was marked by angry red zits that weren't there Friday – I tried to tamp down my skepticism. We were alone together for about an hour, with only a few customers straggling in, and she was chatty. Perhaps even manically. Clearly our store manager, Helena, had spoken to her seriously about how to treat people. (And explained that my possible HR complaint would not look good for the store ... or Caroline personally.)

Helena herself came in early – I think in part of check on us. When she was in her office, I stuck my head in and mouthed, "thank you." Helena told me that Caroline "really wants to be nice." I guess my face betrayed my doubt, because she quickly added, "I believe her." I said – truthfully – that I was relieved to see the change and that while I had dreaded working the shift, the time was zipping by. 

I found out that Caroline is a bit of a daddy's girl and that while her family is not religious, they celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah (for her mother's family). She showed me pictures of the Christmas decorations she made for her this, her first, apartment because she admits she's broke. 

I also learned that she's from Barrington, one of Chicago's wealthiest suburbs. That tidbit softened my heart more than the rest. I wondered, but obviously didn't ask, how her parents feel about their college-educated daughter making retail her career. Here's a truism about Chicagoland – tell me your neighborhood and I can shorthand your life.* People from Barrington live in McMansions, buy new cars every other year, and would prefer their kids go Ivy League but would settle for Purdue or Northwestern. If you're not white or perhaps Asian in Barrington, you're likely working in one of those big new houses, not living in it. So a daughter who splits her 40-hour workweek between a cosmetic store and a card shop was likely not on their bingo card. Maybe that's part of the reason for her hard-charging bravado.

When I ended my shift, Caroline actually thanked me and said she looked forward to working with me next week. Huh? What? Do I believe that Helena managed to change Caroline's heart? Not really. But if she's not constantly criticizing and judging me, complaining about me behind my back and sowing seeds of dissent among my coworkers, I'll take it. 

I'm reminded something a minister told us years ago – "Don't waste your dread." I was so worried about yesterday's shift that I literally wasted hours of my life being anxious and unhappy. After all, nothing bad happened yesterday. Not a thing! I know my wariness comes in handy sometimes, but in this case I depressed myself with my distrust of my fellow (wo)man. 

Will I learn from this? We'll see.

 

 

 *In the interest of fairness ... people in Barrington would dismiss my community as woke, sanctimonious, over-taxed and over-regulated. We cry the liberal tears that MAGA loves to drink. And you know what? I'm good with that.

 

Photo by Siora on Unsplash