Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Cruella de Vil (1961)

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

1) In the original animated 101 Dalmations, this song is written by Roger, who gets his best ideas at the piano. Where do you feel most creative? At my desk or on my bed.

 

2) His piano is tucked away in a crowded attic. Does your home have an attic? If so, what do you keep up there? No attic, but we do have a black baby grand piano that we inherited from my mother in law.

 

3) The inspiration for this song is his wife's old school chum, the very wealthy and very mean Cruella de Vil. Have you ever found you couldn't stand one of your spouse's or lover's friends? I really disliked my ex brother -in- law for a long time. He was one of my husband's best friends. He left my sister after 20 years of marriage. She has made peace with him. I am more sad than mad now. 

  

4) Make no mistake, Cruella is a very bad lady. The American Film Institute named her #38 on their 100 Greatest Villains list. Tell us another nasty movie character who comes to mind. The evil witch from The Wizard of Oz use to scare me!

 

5) Cruella wanted to skin sweet little Dalmation puppies and make a coat. (We told you she was bad.) As winter wears on, could you use a new coat (though not one made from puppy fur!)? I have lots of coats. We don't have a lot of days that we need them. My favorite coat is one is a quilted one my mom gave me. This picture is from 2006.  I found the picture at my website.

6) This song
was written by Mel Leven, who did both words and music. Do you think you'd be more successful as a lyricist (words) or composer (music)? Probably a lyricist.

7) 1961 was a big year for Disney. In addition to this animated movie, they had a hit with The Parent Trap, about twins who are reunited at summer camp. Approx. 1 in every 250 births results in twins. Are there any twins in your family? No twins in my family. They did check me early when I was pregnant with my first son since I was taking fertility pills.

8) Also in 1961, IBM introduced the Selectric typewriter. Amazon and Walmart both still sell typewriters. Do you own one? Yes I have a We Are Memories Typewriter. Lots of crafters use them for typing on cards when journaling.

9) Random question: When is the last time you took a nap? I dozed a bit on the couch on Thursday.

  

1) This week's song is widely considered a traditional Irish ballad. Are you of Irish descent? I doubt it.

2) It's a song from a groom to his homesick bride. Who did you most recently serenade? (Yes, "Happy Birthday" counts.) Singing praise to God.

3) Kathleen considers "home" her mother's cottage. How about you? Is "home" where you live now, or is it where you grew up? Home is with my family.

4) St. Patrick is credited with driving snakes out of Ireland, and to this day the Irish report there are no snakes on their land. Ophiophobia is the fear of snakes. Do you suffer from ophiophobia? Yes!

5) Irish Americans held the first St. Patrick's Day parade on our shores in New York City in 1766. Does your town host a St. Patrick's Day parade? No it doesn’t. And this year, Covid 19 has cut out everything!

6) Leprechauns are a symbol of St. Patrick's Day. These small Irish fairies are said to live in the forest, guarding their gold. Do you more often wear silver or gold? More silver.

7) The signature color of St. Patrick's Day is green. Will you wear green next Tuesday? Yes, probably. I will have my grands here since schools are closed. I will use a 3 leaf clover to teach them about the Trinity.

8) This week's featured artist, Elvis, was the idol of millions. But not the Songfellows. In the early 1950s, a young Elvis auditioned for this gospel group and they refused him. Just as well, as the King of Rock 'n Roll did rather well for himself as a solo. Like Elvis, did you ever interview for a job that you didn't get? Yes, once.

9) Random question: Do you believe women are more emotional than men? I think they can be because of hormones. I was raised to hold my emotions in. It became a source of depression during perimenopause. I don’t hold it in anymore. I also think it depends on a persons personality and upbringing.

Saturday 9: Bye, Bye Blackbird (1957)

1) In this song, Julie London complains about all the "hard luck stories" people are handing her. Did you more recently listen to someone else's problems, or share your own? I would say both. Right now hubby and I are watching the news on the Covid10 virus. So that is a major problem. All the stores in our area are selling out of sanitation items like handwipes. Even toilet paper and water are selling out or limited.

2) She promises to arrive "late tonight." What time do you think is too late to drop in on someone?I think you should always call first. 7pm would be the latest.

3) Julie's nickname was "The Liberty Girl" because she was Liberty Records' first successful artist. The second was singer-songwriter David Seville, who had a couple novelty hits as "The Chipmunks." There were three singing chipmunks. Without looking it up, can you name them? Simon, Theodore and Alvin. My son had all 3 stuffed animals. He called Theodore, Stevedore, since his cousin was called Steven.

4) Julie's love of music was shared by her mother. When Julie was a little girl, mother and daughter would listen to Billie Holiday records together. What recordings did you enjoy when you were very young? So many of them. My dad also played an album of patriotic songs and we would march around the living room. Mom played soundtracks from movies, especially Rogers and Hammerstein. But I would say I enjoyed listening to Eydie Gormé(married to Steve Lawrence) and Carol King with my mom. My Parents would play Eydie's album while teaching us to slow dance. My mom would sing along to a song called Sabor a Mi and I realized how nice of a voice my mom had. That song was played at all of our weddings. My husband I danced to that song first and then my parents jouned us, me dancing with my dad and my hubby dancing with my mom. There is a video linked at the bottom of the song.

5) She began modeling when she 17. Julie was working as an elevator operator when a talent agent saw her and decided she would photograph well. With the advent of push-button elevators, elevator operator is a job that doesn't exist anymore. Can you think of another job that was once common but now is rare (or non-existent)?Milk man. When I worked at the Post Office in 1973, 35 people sorted letters in cases by hand. By 1986, 4 people loaded mail into computerized machines that sorted the mail. Then I left in 2010, they had robots moving things.

6) Julie recorded more than 30 albums and was named "most popular female vocalist" by Billboard magazine in 1956. If you could see any entertainer -- male or female -- in concert, who would you choose? I would like to see Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson together. I saw Carol King back in 2012 in a tribute show to her music at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. There were so many entertainers singing her songs. Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, John Legend, Amy Grant and many more. I have also seen the Christian singers, Chris Tomlin, Lauren Daigle, Matt Redman, Casting Crowns,and Amy Grant in concert. Oh and last year I went to the the Toby Mac tour that included Danny Gokey, Mandisa and Ryan Stevenson. This past summer my sibling and I went to the Orange Country Fair and we got to hear Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brother perform along with Chaka Kahn. It was a fun night for sure! I love most music.

7) She appeared in Westerns on both TV and in the movies. Have you ever dreamed of being a cowboy/cowgirl?No, In 1978, I was almost thrown from a horse at he Ponderosa Ranch, Lake Tahoe, California. That was the last time I went on one. The ranch closed in 2004.

8) For six seasons, Julie played Dixie McCall R.N. on the show Emergency! The series was about Los Angeles paramedics and firefighters. Do you often hear sirens in your neighborhood? I remember watching that show. Yes we have a fire department about 12 blocks away. Thankful that it is there!

9) Random question: You're pulled over for speeding. Do you think you'd have an easier time talking your way out of it if the officer was a man ... or a woman?I am not sure. The last time I was pulled over was by a man around 10 years ago.

Sabor A Mi

1) Are you feeling warm and cozy as you answer these questions? Yes I am in bed. It was 75 today but in the 40's at night.

2) This time of year is important to college football fans. Are you watching/have you watched any of the Bowl games this year?No

3) Crazy Sam's been cold/flu free so far this winter and credits the Echinacea she takes every morning. Her brother insists she's wasting her money. Do you take any herbal supplements? I like herbal teas. Currently drinking Chamomile, vanilla and Manuka honey by Puka Herbal teas.

4) In the video for this song, Erin Bowman is singing in front of lights and ornaments. Are you sorry to see the decorations slowly disappear? Or do you think they should all come down right away?I love Christmas decorations! It takes me a few days to put them up and a take down. I have trees in all the rooms and my grands love it. They love putting on the ornaments on the different themed trees. This year I did something different. I changed the kitchen from gingerbread to snowflakes for January.

5) She sings about socks, a scarf and a sweater. Tell us about your favorite sweater.I have so many sweaters. A black one with pockets would be my favorite.

6) Erin credits her 8th grade choir teacher for believing in her and giving her a solo. That helped give her the confidence to go into performing professionally. When you were in 8th grade, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? I I knew I was going to college, was interested in nursing. In 8th grade I went on a field trip to UC Irvine and end up going there for college, more to please my parents.

7) This song has been used in commercials for McDonald's and Turner Classic Movies. What commercial have you seen recently? Was it on TV or online? I don't really pay attention to the commercials. I tend to get up to get water or work on my crafting.

8) In 2014, when this song was first released, we lost both Joan Rivers and Robin Williams. What comedian always makes you laugh? Carol Burnett

9) Random question -- There are two performers in the trapeze act: the one who flies through the air and the one who catches the flier. Which would you rather be? Neither, I would be eating popcorn while watching!