On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe

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Saturday 9: On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe (1946)

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

Personal note: This is the record that mother had.. By the Andrews Sisters.  She, her sisters, and I used to sing it together. 

 1) In this song, Judy Garland sings about the train whistle and wheels. What sounds make you happy? 

I love those sounds right along with Judy.  When I young, there was no airplane travel to speak of, Trains were the way to go.  I've been back and forth across the US four times by train.  I love trains.  Also, I love the sound of running water, and the sound of the wind.  

I love the sounds of small children playing and talking to each other in their little high pitched voices.  I love the sound of people singing, in choirs and all of it.  I love the sound of my daughter's voices, and my husband's, too.  The sounds birds make.  Songs and calls.  Guitars, flutes and Pianos. 

 2) She tells us that, since she loves dreaming of train travel, she must have "a little gypsy in her heart." How about you? Do you often dream of visiting faraway places? Yes.  I'd have liked to travel the entirety of Europe and Asia, but the Vietnam war sort of spoiled that.  I thought I'd stay in Hostels and get a Vespa.  

3) Judy sings about a future when she's "old and gray and settled down." At what age do you consider a person is old?  Probably when they themselves think they are.  I consider myself old now, but I didn't at 70.  I was "Old and Busted" when I fell and broke my shoulder during the pandemic.  Until then, I was still pretty spry.   

4) This song is from the movie, The Harvey Girls. Filming was a time of stress for Judy. She was appearing before the cameras by day (she sprained her ankle in a scene where slips down a hill), recording the soundtrack by night, and dealing with lawyers regarding her divorce from composer David Rose. Yet watching the movie, none of the tension shows. Do you work well under pressure? I was raising Irish twins, a set of identical twins and had a job as an aide.  I think back to those times, and though the daily set up looked like a train schedule, as my Turkish friend once described her own life, it all got done.   

5) Judy relaxed on the set by knitting and would make blankets and caps for the children of crew members. Do you knit?  

I do.  I love to knit and I knit almost every day.  Mother didn't knit or crochet.  So, I started trying to knit at 9 as a neighbor had already taught me to crochet.  

I didn't have much success until my paternal aunt and grandma came to California when I was 13, and taught me the proper cast on.  I was left handed but I knit right handed, like they do.  A world of difference, that.... 

The girls who knit argyles in Jr. High tried to teach me but my right hand was rebellious. lol Now, if anything stands still long enough, I will knit it something..... I want to be more active as a Guerilla Knitter......

6) Judy admitted she had a problem with tardiness. Do you strive to be prompt?  

Yes I do. 

7) In 1946, when this song was on the radio, cigarette cases were very popular. Since these metal cases were standard issue in the Army during WWII, many soldiers got into the habit of using them and continued to after the war ended. Women often carried fabric or leather cigarette cases that closed with a clasp like a coin purse. In the 1940s, elegant cigarette cases were a fashionable gift but today, they are largely forgotten. Did you ever carry one? Do you know anyone who did?  My uncle carried one from his army days.  My mother never had one, and my Dad didn't smoke.  I only smoked for two years, and no, I didn't carry one.  That was in the 60's and I don't think anyone ever carried them much anymore. 

8) Also in 1946, bikinis appeared for the first time on runways in Paris. How often did you don swimwear during 2022?  *Gets back up from falling down laughing.*  That would be a never. 

9) Random question: Thinking of your past romantic involvements, were you truly in love with one of them, some of them, or all of them? I really am one of those rare kids who came of age in the 1960's who never had a boyfriend until they met and married their first love.  I did have a crush on a boy from the time we were in 3rd grade until I met him again, briefly in the 10th.  He had moved away after the sixth grade, and seeing him again was the cure.  lol