Music Monday. A Beautiful! Beautiful One! Senior Citizen Plays Piano...Then Magic Occurs

For your Monday Music!  

Saturday 9: Haunted

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed  to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Haunted (2013)

Anyone wanting to see other sat9 posts please go HERE

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it HERE.

 1) In this song, Beyonce sings that she's sure if a man is haunting her thoughts, she must be haunting his. Who is on your mind this morning?  My daughters. 

2) The lyrics mention her "wicked tongue." Have you said anything recently that you wish you could take back?  Not recently.  Actually for a long time.  I put my tongue on notice that everything that ran through my brain was not to be repeated into the air of any Earthly space.  

3) Beyonce says her lucky number is 4. Her birthday is 9/4, her mom's birthday is 1/4 and her husband's birthday is 12/4. She chose 4/4 for her wedding day. Do you have a lucky number?  Yes, I consider 13 to be my lucky number because of the meaning attached to the Thirteenth Hexagram in the Book of Changes, which I have studied since I was first introduced to it in the late 1950's. 

 4) Beyonce told an interviewer  that, while on the road, she loves to eat Popeye's fried chicken and the fast-food chain offered her free food for life. She admits she's been too embarrassed to take them up on it. If you could get free food for life from any restaurant, which restaurant would you choose?  That would be Panera, hands down.

These questions will help us get into the Halloween spirit ....

5) Candy corn is a trick-or-treat staple. Do you like it?  I like it and have done since I first was given some for  trick or treating in Ohio.   We all had to share it with Mother, because she also liked it. 

6) In 2019, the most popular pet costume was a pumpkin outfit designed for dogs. Have you ever dressed your pet in a costume?  No.  It's a cute thing to do but I've never done it.

7) According to the Guinness Book of Records, the award for highest number of jack-o-lanterns in one place went to Keene, NH, where in 2013 there were 30,581. How many carved pumpkins will be at your home on Halloween?   There won't be any carved ones but I did make ceramic ones and some plastic ones "Witch" will be out.  

 8) In years gone by, the Irish celebrated Halloween not with pumpkins but by carving turnips, potatoes and beets. Are any of those foods in your kitchen right now?  

No, not any of them.  

 9) Some Elvis fans believe they have seen his ghost hovering in the trees over Graceland. Have you ever seen a ghost?  Yes though we never actually SAW her.  I told this before but a long time ago.  

She was the spirit of  the sweet young woman who died in our first house.  She  would move things -like flipping books on the bookshelf, and things -while we were watching.  She also followed us to this house for awhile doing very sweet little things until we did a "Rest in Peace" ceremony  for her.   It was very calming to have such a nice invisible house guest.  I know.. You may think... "California Kookiness", but it was really very touching and sweet to have her around.  She left after a year or so after moving with us.  

 

Thank you Sam!  

Let's all not be Naïve about Russian Arrogance and Dark Vision for Europe.

 Annalena Baerbock, the foreign minister, a Green, has always pushed for more help for Ukraine. “We will supply Ukraine with weapons as long as it takes,” she said. “Ukraine is also defending Europe’s freedom.” The war, she said, “will shape German identity and European identity for years to come.”

No one should think otherwise. 

From THIS ARTICLE IN NEW YORK TIMES 

Wordless Wednesday….shhhhh

 

Saturday 9: Things: Bobby Darin (YAY!)

Welcome to Saturday: 9. 

What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every

Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!

Saturday 9: Things (1962)

Friends, Romans Americans  and Fellow Countrymen (women!)

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

1) In this song, Bobby Darin is sitting beside his window, looking out onto a crowded avenue. What's the view outside your nearest window?  I see the sky.  Rain last week and Sunny days now. It's pretty warm for this time of the year, but it's California.  

It's tricky - the October weather in Cali. The weather is tricky even in January!  We have had heatwaves in January.

 2) He likes to remember the romantic things he and his girl used to do, like walking in the park. When did you most recently go for a leisurely stroll? Did you have a destination in mind, or were you just enjoying the walk for its own sake?  Leisurely strolls.. Hmmm.  I don't walk outside anymore so my strolls that are leisurely are to the kitchen for another cuppa, or to the Great Room for one of my shows or a nap.

3) He notes a couple holding hands. Are you comfortable displaying affection in public? Yes, we are not all buttoned down out on the West Coast, but I'm not sure about that anymore.  I'd love to sit cuddled up on some comfortable bench at the Harbor and watch the sunset with Mr. Z.  

4) When Bobby recorded this song, he was married to screen sweetheart Sandra Dee. Today she is best known as the inspiration for the song, "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee." Can you name another song from Grease?  Yes, "Stayin Alive, the song that never dies, and  "You're the One that I Want".  I like the energy and the dancing in "Stayin' Alive".  

5) Bobby loved gadgets. He was enthusiastic about his suitcase telephone, which was one of the first mobile phones. Are you an early adapter, or do you wait for new technology to be around awhile and not so new before you try it?  Mr. Z had one of those phones back in the day because he worked remotely a lot for Ma Bell. He also likes to keep up with changes and got me a cell phone very early on. That way we could stay in touch when he was being sent all over the US for stuff.

 6) He was a chess fanatic and always kept a magnetic chess board in his briefcase, just in case he found someone who was willing to play him. Are you a good chess player?  Not really.  or rather, I don't know how to play and win. I can play and LOSE in a New York Minute!  I do love to play Parcheesi A LOT! 

This is weird, a few days ago I asked if DH would teach me to the correct way to play Chess- like that gal in Queen's Gambit.  Then  something came up in the crosswords about it, and then again this morning, there it was again.  Queen's Gambit.  So I asked him again to teach me to play. And today here is Chess in Saturday 9.  It's Kismet, I tell ya. 

 7) He very much wanted to play Tony in West Side Story, but he didn't the part because the producers didn't think he looked like a romantic leading man. What actor or actress makes your heart skip a beat?  Actress.  This one.  I've never seen anyone more beautiful nor more tragic.  She was so kind, smart, and sweet natured, and she just got hammered.

Marylin Monroe

8) In 1962, when this song was popular, Jack Nicklaus launched his successful golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf, or watching it on TV?  I HATE golf. lol 

9) Random question: Which would we find in your kitchen right now -- cookies or ice cream?  They're both in there.  I ate a cookie yesterday.  I never seem to eat the ice cream.  Hmmm.. Maybe it's time...... 

Thank you Mr. President!

Readers, Please go HERE to see the Linkie for other Saturday Niner's Posts. 

Thanks Again Sam for this fun meme every single Saturday.  🤩 

This is my very favorite giraffe family (sort of ) member. Jury’s out a bit on this but not much. 😄.

And it's home is being destroyed by illegal Gold Mining.  The Gold is going to finance another obnoxious group of relentless villains.  You can read about it in the Article below.  

 Here is the Article,  by Erikas Mwisi Kambale

Three on Thursday: Lessons Learned

1. Laughing keeps you young.  Hahahahaha!  What a joke.  😉 Keep doing it anyway, even if it turns to the dark and snide side of Life. 

2. Meditation is good for you.  This one is true.  But it has to have the significant element of  the Spiritual in it, like that of the Buddhist Monks who practice it with every breathe, or it's not going to be terribly beneficial.    The difference between, say, OZ HERE and Dorothy's OZ is not far at all!  'Tis a mere sneeze.

3. Never take small things to be insignificant.  Take Sneezing.  Look how little a Covid19 virus is!  It is infinitely smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. 👈  

Most of us will not forget that little Booger, either.  It literally ran our lives for three years.  And, it's coming around again, albeit in a weaker form.  Unfortunately, some people - many an anti-vaxxer -  learned on their Death Beds that wishing was not enough.  I find that such a heartbreaking thing to know. 

Wordless Wednesday.... Shhhhhh......

 

Music Monday: Clannad , "The Fairy Queen"

 

Saturday Nine: Dolly Parton..

Saturday 9: Potential New Boyfriend (1983)

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

1) The lyrics tell us Dolly Parton has spotted a fella who twisted her ignition key and turned her motor on. That was in 1983. Keys are less common today, since many cars are equipped with with push button ignitions and more doors now open for those who know the key pad code or have the right swipe card. What's the last thing you used a key to start or unlock?

The Jeep 

2) Her potential new boyfriend bought her a drink and she thanked him real sweet. Have you more recently said "thank you," or been thanked yourself?

A "Thank you" to the Hubster for bringing me some yogurt and blue berries, and making me tea.  

3) This is Dolly's first music video. "Potential New Boyfriend" was a top 20 country hit and made #13 Billboard's Dance chart, yet it's not well remembered today. Share a song from one of your favorite artists that the rest of us Sat 9-ers might not know.

Landslide you've all heard of, but  I like this version of Landslide better than the Stevie Nicks one.  Boyce Avenue, Acoustic Sessions.  We went to see them one year Downtown in a small venue.  It was magic I tell ya.... 

A little extra songster posting.. By a singer that I like very much, but one whom you all may have not heard before.  Brett Young.  

4) This is not Dolly's first song about a romantic rival. Her hit "Jolene" was inspired by a bank teller who regularly flirted with Dolly's real (not potential!) husband, Carl Dean. Have you recently fallen victim to the green-eyed monster of jealousy? If yes, what were you jealous of (someone's affections, possessions, success ...)?

 I don't tend to be jealous over anything.  Well, OK.  I am sometimes jealous of people's Rigs that are newer than our old one.  I get over it quickly because of Sticker Shock in any search.  haha  

5) Dolly enjoys telling interviewers she met Carl at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat in Nashville. Do you have a hamperful of dirty clothes awaiting you? Or are you all caught up with that particular household chore?

We are... I'm all caught up.  Now if someone would just come over, Wash the tile floor and dust and vacuum, I'd bake them a chocolate cake!

6) Dolly Parton's Imagination Library makes free books available to children. It was begun in 1995, and by 2020, her charity had distributed 150,000,000 books! When you were a very young reader, what was your favorite book?

I've read since I was three so  I do remember the Dick and Jane books my grandma bought me in Ohio.  Mother took a picture of me outside my Grandparent's farmhouse, with my books.  This was taken at the same time but, alas, the books were inside .. I should have been, too! Brrr!

7) Andy Warhol was fascinated by Dolly. When he asked her what her perfect meal would include, she responded it would have to start with chicken and dumpling soup. How would you have answered Andy? What's your perfect dinner menu?  

I like Chinese food best.  Wonton Soup, Vegan Fried Rice, and Sweet and Sour Tofu would be perfect for me.

8) Thinking of chicken ... In 1983, when this song was popular, McDonald's introduced McNuggets. Today, it's one of McDonald's most popular menu items. Are you a fan?  

No. We quit eating  at McDonalds's when the twins were little babies, a little less than 50 years ago!

 9) Random question: Would you rather visit a desert or a jungle?  

The desert.  I love the the desert, with all it's Starry nights!  

PS: With all the food talk up in question 7 and 8, I first read "Desert" as "Dessert", and didn't bother with the next words.  So, I almost said, "Oh yes, Dessert, Please!

Readers:  You can go HERE and see the entrees from  the others in this Saturday9 "gang".  

Three on Thursday

Three Beautiful Things that inspire me

Storm Clouds  

Sunsets

The Pacific Coast.  

Agate Beach 

Wordless Wednesday: Shhhhh

 

Homeless in America: An Article from The New Yorker Magazine.

It's Taco Tuesday!  

Oh by the way, in case you haven't noticed, I have changed the FONT on this blog to make it easier to read for everyone, including ME. Sorry if it's HUGE... bites nails.

The article, which is HERE, after a re-direct notice, is long.  However, I hope you will be able read it.  

It's from New Yorker Magazine which lets people read 10 articles a month for free.  It's a great Magazine which I can't afford, so I'm glad they will let people read some articles for free. 

Oooo!  Here's breakfast! 

Monday Music: Luciano Pavarotti sings "Nessun dorma" from Turandot (The Three Tenors i...

I think there has never, EVER, been a more Powerful or Beautiful Tenor Voice. 

I've heard them all, starting with Enrico Caruso.   

Saturday 9: Love Sneakin' Up on You (1994)

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!

Thank you so much, Sam, for a fun meme every single Saturday! Reader's Go HERE for the linkie to other Saturday Nine bloggers.

Saturday 9: Love Sneakin' Up on You (1994)

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

1) The song begins with Bonnie Raitt waiting anxiously for a call. If your phone were to ring right now, who would you expect to be on the other end?  

Ah, well, I reckon that would be a Salesman from XYZ Corporation, living in Madras, poor soul, and he'd be trying to sell me some of Stocks or Stuffffff. 

I would politely decline. 

 

2) She likens trying to avoid love to trying to stop the rain. Is rain expected where you are this weekend? 

Not so far it isn't.  Weather is very sneaky nowadays so maybe I'll not wash the car just yet.

 

3) Bonnie was accepted by Radcliffe College but once she got there, she decided higher education wasn't for her and she dropped out to become a performer. Tell us about something you're not sorry you walked away from. 

I cannot say.  I'm still in shock from hearing that someone actually walked away from Radcliffe College after being accepted there. 

4) Bonnie's father was Broadway star John Raitt. Because of his career, the family was based on the East Coast. Once Bonnie got out to the West Coast, she realized she felt more at home and settled in the San Francisco area. Today, do you live far from where you grew up? 

I grew up on a little family farm in the San Gabriel river valley, which is, of course, in San Gabriel County.  I then finished high school further inland but 60 0r so miles in San Bernardino County. Both of these places are around 150 miles from where I live now.

5) Prince invited Bonnie to his home, Paisley Park, to discuss working together. The project never happened, but she treasures the memory of her time with a musician she greatly admired. What's your favorite Prince song?  

Prince never wrote anything I didn't like. He was a musical genius, and I only wish he could have stayed around longer.  Just to watch him play was a joy.  

 

6) When she's on the road, Bonnie likes to order Thai food. What's for dinner tonight at your house? 

I don't have KP duties anymore, so I eat whatever the chef wishes to whip up for us. He's a pretty decent cook, though not really adventurous.

7) In 1994, when this song was popular, ER debuted and became a big hit for NBC. Do you enjoy doctor shows?  

Yes, I like some of them, but mostly the documentary type, rather than dramas.  I did watch "Grey's Anatomy" until it got less medical and turned into "who is sleeping with whom"....  I liked watching "House" but never saw "ER".  Maybe it's time to try to watch it?  Does "Frankenstein" Count?

8) Also in 1994, Olympic figure skating hopeful Nancy Kerrigan was the victim of an attack. Her rival was rumored to be involved. Without looking it up, do you remember the name of that rival?

Yes, her rival was Tonya Harding.  I always liked to watch her skate.  She was a power house, and an amazing talent.  It's a shame what happened, all around.

9) Random question -- Which famous Tom would you rather be seated beside at dinner: Tom Cruise, Tom Jones, or Tom Brady?

I really don't like Tom Cruise, so it would have to be Jones or Brady.  I'd pick Brady, with Tom Jones a very close second. 

Thank you, once again, Sam!  This is always fun. See you next Saturday. 

Wordless Wednesday: We are very Smöl....

 

Progress is coming, BEWARE!

 “I am happy everyone has a camera now,” he told Business of Fashion. “Photography was supposed to be the people’s medium. It bloody well wasn’t. 

There was one camera in our house and it belonged to my dad and we had to ask to borrow it on Saturday morning. But now everybody can make an image, and everybody can see it.”

From the Article HERE from Blind Magazine.  

Oh yes,  Camera's are evolving (AGAIN) to new technological heights.  

This is my experience with the "Pixlerush" to obsolescence. 

We have a first Gen digital Ricoh, bought with a lot of thought, back when Digital camera makers were still trying to make headway against the 35mm cameras. It mostly sits on the shelf with it's other dinosaur cousin, a👀🙀 Canon SLR first generation.  

Wish I had a dark room.  BUT.... the new phone cameras are fantastic!  It takes better pictures than any of my Expensive little dinos.....

SMILE!

Monday Music, and a little-off-the-wall "Poetry from Famous Dead Poets: An Article by Gregg Olear

The Music:  Glen Campbell, with other Western Singers, in a cozy concerts configuration. 

The Poetry  

"Posterity will ne’er survey
A nobler grave than this:
Here lie the bones of Castlereagh:
Stop, traveller, and piss." 

Lord Byron

C/o of an an article  by  Greg Olear.  Read it HERE  'Tis Funny!