I Would be

....in Love (Anyway). 
Unfamiliar with this tune?  Hear it here.

Thanks to Crazy Sam for another entertaining round of Saturday 9!   Shall we?

Frank Sinatra sings, "If I knew then what I know now."  If you were giving advice to a recent high school grad, based on that phrase, what would you say?

I'm probably the last person on earth to be giving advice!  Watching my granddaughters, for instance, I think today's young people are much more poised and self-assured (than I was).

How about, just relax!  Don't worry!  You don't have to say 'yes' to the first one who asks you to marry him.

This song is about a man looking back on his marriage, which has ended.  While he is sad, he is not sorry he loved her.  Do you believe that it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?

Oh yes.  Maybe Garth Brooks said it best, "I might have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance."

Sinatra married four times.  He met his first wife, Nancy, when he was 19.  He saw a pretty girl sitting on her front porch, giving herself a pedicure; and he rushed home for his ukulele so he could serenade her.  Have you ever sung to anyone?

Do Macie and Gracie count?

Has anyone ever sung to you?

Unfortunately, yes.
I was plucked out of the audience by a cast member from Forever Plaid and serenaded on stage.  Mortified!
(And no, this isn't me in the video!)

According to Barbara, his final wife, they met when they were neighbors in Rancho Mirage, California.  Sinatra had his own tennis court, needed a fourth for doubles with his houseguests, and invited the lady next door to play.  Tell us about your neighbors.

The couples behind us and across the street wave every now and then, but we've never had actual conversations.

I'm a little sad that Pastor Janet and Andy have indefinitely postponed their plans to build next door.  Skyrocketing building costs prompted them to buy a home one street over.

When not performing before an audience or cameras, Sinatra often wore hats and caps because his hair was thin and his toupee annoyed him.  Is there anything you wear for 'dress up' that you're happy to ditch when you go casual?

Now retired, I actually look forward to an opportunity to dress up (at least dress 'nicer').

The only thing I can think of is my rings. It seriously drives me batty if I get water under them, and I won't take them off in public.

Frank had a sweet tooth and to the end of his life, he enjoyed chocolate-covered apricots, ordered from Lepore's in his hometown of Hoboken, NJ.  If you could have any sweet treat right now, what would you request?

Our grocer carries the best white chocolate macadamia cookies!

This song was written specifically for Sinatra by Bob Gaudio, best known as a member of The Four Seasons.  That 1960's quartet is now legendary.  In addition to 25 Top Ten Hits, they are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and inspired the Broadway play and movie musical, Jersey Boys.  Do you have a favorite Four Seasons song?

Their's was my very first album!
I just about wore out 'Dawn' ..... and may have had a teeny crush on Bob Gaudio!

'I Can't Take my Eyes Off You' is probably my favorite -- on account it's featured in my all-time Top 10 movies, the emotionally-shattering Deer Hunter.

In 1970, the year this record was released, The Mary Tyler Moore Show premiered.  Were you a fan?

Not especially.  1970 wasn't a particularly pleasant time.  I probably found her perpetual cheeriness a bit much.

Random question:  Have you ever named your car or truck?

Yes.  My high-school ride was Mergatroid -- an ugly red rambler station wagon.  Lately Tom's been calling my Camry the 'old lady.'

How about you?

I'd love to hear your responses to any or all of these!

Hugs, Myra

  

They light up our lives

Guess who's celebrating their 9th birthday today?

Macie Ann -- 16 lbs. of love! 

..... squirrel and lizard chaser extraordinaire..... pillow lover ..... hot blooded ..... prone to get her feelings hurt ..... needs her 'alone time.'  Momma's girl.

Grace Evelyn -- 9 lbs. petite flower

.... attention whore ..... jumps like a billy goat ..... caring (but highly jealous) sister ....  blankie lover ..... yapper, likely to give a bowling ball a headache ..... Tom's left kidney.

Happy Birthday lady girls!

This n' that

 

It's a sign of the times ...

As seen at our vet's office

Well, the 'instant sweat' factor's still with us.  Meanwhile, I'm ....

Grateful

... for a good visit at UAB with Tom's cardio guru (aka, McDreamy) today.   I'm in love with his laidback attitude ("Don't like Ensure?; get yourself a McDonald's shake."  See you in 60 days!)

I think Tom was a little out of sorts (that) I didn't want to visit Cheesecake Factory.  "That's okay, I'll swing through Burger King when we get home." (*heavy sigh, lol*)

I remembered a spot blogger-friend Anne has mentioned and asked Google Girl to take us there.

Because it was an unheard of 87* with a sweet breeze we sat outside.

Tom enjoyed his Baron dog

and we split a yummy quattro cheese flatbread

Provolone, Mozzarella, Garlic Ricotta, Gouda and hot honey

Concerned ...

About our ladies latest Bible study.

It's only Week #2, but I'm so disinterested, unengaged.

See, while in school I loathed History.  This, from the Old Testament (Book of Ruth) is presenting a real challenge.  

I truly want to sit it out but would miss the camaraderie.

Advice, anyone?

In the kitchen?

Doesn't this look good?

On the spur of the moment, we stopped by our favorite deli last week.  I'm going to try and make it here at home this week.

Spiced fajita chicken, spinach, pimentos and portabella mushrooms -- grilled and topped with feta and walnuts on a bed of spring mix.

I ❤️ that Chappy's offers stuffed eggs as a side v. fries or chips.

Pondering ...

If I really want to find part-time employment.

Right now, it's not necessary ... but I want a new car in the worst way!

Smiling ...

Can anyone else relate?

Well, it's Wine Time, y'all.

Goodnight, sleep tight!

Hugs, Myra

  

  

Friday Fotos

 

Happy Friday, y'all!

... It's happy on Chapman because we never lost power in last night's storm, nor were there any damages or felled trees.   A couple of my Bible study friends weren't so lucky; our private FB thread has been blowing up.

Anyway!   The other day I visited the Main Street Vintage Market, in search of whimsy.  While nothing screamed "Buy Me!" these lifted my spirits. 

It's a very good thing our home's so small or this would SO be mine.

I actually woke up this morning reconsidering ...

Truth!

I've no idea why, but this grabbed my fancy,

Almost as much as this!

Old bed springs and colorful rags.  Clever!

Crazy!  Shortly after I posted Wednesday Tom asked if there was something I wanted to do; someplace I wanted to go.

 

I wasted little time suggesting lunch in Wetumpka, and Coosa Cleaver didn't disappoint!

Tom had his usual shrimp and grits, and my Cowboy Burger was a homerun.

Pepperjack cheese, grilled jalapenos and onion, bacon and bourbon glaze. 

Props to our server who asked how I wanted it cooked ... and delivered, juicy medium rare!  One doesn't find that much anywhere anymore. 

(This is an image swiped from the net; I opted for collards v. fries.)

Couldn't resist stopping in the new (to me) oil and vinegar shop next door.  Their selections were disappointing ..... 

... but I got these for stocking stuffers.

Yep, I'm already thinking about Christmas!

Well guys, I'd better get ready to take the girls for their annual vet visit.

Have a wonderful day -- and if we don't chat before, a super weekend!

Hugs, Myra 

 

Moving to the beat of the Hodgepodge

 

Welcome back!

This week Joyce asks ...

What's the last time you drove more than 100 miles from your home?  Where did you go?

It's been 4 years this week.  How pathetic is that?

I was so excited to point my car in the direction of Florida, to visit an old friend -- and finally meet dear blogger friends, Sandra and Terri.

Speaking of excited ...

Next week I get to have lunch with Terri when she visits Alabama!  

Something that drives you batty?

Too much!

Lately, it's ignorant preoccupied denizens of the grocery aisles.  For instance? 

I'm not normally in a rush, but the lady in front of me at the grocers yesterday was pushing all my buttons:

Only after the cashier finished scanning, did she open her purse ... debating which of her cards she wanted to use.  "This?  No, let's go with this."

Then. Once presented with the receipt she just stood there -- examining it before slowly putting it back in her wallet.

No, she wasn't elderly and didn't appear to be infirm.  I behaved, but was mentally screaming "Move!"

Do you feel like you're 'on track'?

Unfortunately, no.
I've been swimming in circles for months now, waiting:  Waiting to see if Tom feels up to doing anything.

Granted, his has not been an easy journey.  But I need to focus on how to occupy my days and stop walking on eggshells.  (Sorry, just keeping it real.)

Thankfully, I'm in reasonably good health.  God willing, there's opportunities.  A brass ring to be had?

Your favorite car snack?

This and bottled spring water still satisfy!

No muss, no fuss -- and best of all, no carbs which tend to make me drowsy.

Something you've done recently 'on the fly'?

That I'm waiting to discover!

Insert your own random thought here.

Be good ... be safe!

Hugs, Myra

Friday Letters

 

... and fotos, too!

Dear Office Depot,

You guys rock!

When Saturday's storm knocked out power it was an inconvenience.  A tragedy, however, to discover it killed my computer.

At the recommendation of friends, we carried the remains to your Techies who confirmed it was gone, baby. Gone.   "8 years old?"  The clerk didn't smirk, exactly, but the idea was there.

At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I felt like someone chopped off my left arm.

Thankfully, Tom decided we needed another right away.   Better yet, y'all assured us it was possible they could transfer all the documents and photos from the old hard drive.

Three days later, a little poorer -- but so very grateful.  Lesson learned!

P.S. --

When I called to ask about picking up an itemized bill of sale, you said "We normally don't do that.  But we're happy to print you a copy."

Y'all were so nice, I don't mind (much) feeling like a dinosaur.

Dear LuLu,

I'm late in saying so, but 'Thank you!"

You're so right about this stuff!

I was a skeptic but have to admit.  My chronically thin nails have never felt so strong! 

Dear Beth,

We've come a long way since having shared a dorm room at McMurry.  What you said the other day on FB, however, made me realize how much we've still in common.

Grant me the grace to retell?   In part .....

"You know I love to read.  I always have.  My mother would come into my room late at night to take away the book I was reading under the covers.

... But lately I find I am avoiding reading the beautiful but 'hard to read' books.  I can't get through those; I just can't anymore.  Maybe it's because, after 72 years, I have enough tears of my own to shed or angry memories piled up to deal with.  I want sweet, funny, soul-soothing books. Maybe with a little bite to keep them interesting."

I was blanketed in goosebumps.

Your insight makes me feel a little better about (what's left of) my mind!  I'm going to take one of your suggestions and check out Fanny Flagg.

Dear City of Millbrook,

Your 'Tunes on the Green' (summer concert series) has been so enjoyable!

Despite the heat and humidity, last Thursday night y'all hit it out of the park.

Vintage autos ..... hot dogs ..... free watermelon ..... and live entertainment.

Police officer/Fire Marshall/singer, Doyle began by suggesting everyone join he and his wife in singing our National anthem.  Well, I'll let these photos tell the story:

When Doyle and Bekky took breaks, the stereo system cranked up the tunes -- Everything from Village People (Y.M.C.A.)  ..... to Britney Spears ... to Lynyrd Skynyrd (of course!).

I know there are those (names withheld) who've publicly commented how 'backward' we are in Alabama.

What she doesn't know, is the transparency which still exists:  Love of God, Patriotism, community spirit ... even little kids who rush to open the door for us 'olden' folks.

What a shame, she doesn't know what she's missing.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Please have a sweet and safe weekend!

Hugs, Myra

 

Hodgepodge most fowl

 

Feelin' fine!

July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day ... are you a fan?

Not really, no.

Do you make your own or have a favorite place to buy from?

I've never even tried making fried chicken.
Believe it or not, Tom and my son swear the best fried chicken is what they get at the gas station.  Judging from the lines, lots of others agree.  

Do you own chickens?

lolololol, no.

If not chicken, what's your favorite fried food?

I've not enjoyed it in ages, but a big old chicken fried steak with lots of white cream gravy makes me swoon.

What's something you're too chicken to try?

We've several big Christmas boxes occuping real estate in the spare bedroom b/c I'm afraid of/don't trust the pull-down stairs leading to our attic.  

When did you last find yourself running around like a 'chicken with its head cut off'?

I'm sure I must have, but it's been a long time.  Sure, stuff happens -- but for the most part I think that's a result of poor planning.

Something you've done recently that makes you think 'I'm no spring chicken'?

Every time I try and get up off the kitchen floor!

'Winner winner chicken dinner' --  Tell us about something good that's happened in your life lately.

This isn't 'Yippee, strike up the band!' worthy, but!  After a week in the shop, my car's a/c is working once more ... for less than $200!

Insert your own random thought here.

Y'all have a great day!

😘

Hugs, Myra

Saturday 9's Back in the USA

 

Good morning!

As we've absolutely nothing on our agenda, I thought it fun to join with Sam n' company.  You know, 'She says, we say!'

This week's prompts come from Linda Ronstadt's 1978 hit, Back in the USA.  Unfamiliar with the song?  Hear it here.

😎

This song lists seven cities: New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge and St. Louis that Linda just loves.  How many have you visited?

All of them, actually.
The only two in which I've spent any time, however, are NYC and LA.

The lyrics refer to hamburgers sizzling on the grill.  What toppings do you believe make a perfect burger?

While at home, I'm happy with grilled onion and mayo.  Once in a while I'll add an 'over easy' egg.

My restaurant favorite features bleu cheese crumbles and purple onion slices.  Extra points for leaving the jar of mayo on the table!

The original recording on this song by Chuck Berry has always been one of Linda Ronstadt's favorites, one she used to enjoy singing along with in the car.  What's the most recent song you sang?

Our Food Outlet (grocery) has the best soundtrack!  I even delayed check-out yesterday morning so I could finish accompanying Phil Collins on "Against all Odds." 

Linda performed The National Anthem at Game 3 of the 1977 World Series.  The New York Yankees won both that game and the series.  How is your baseball team doing this season?

I'm not a fan at all.

On the sleeve for this record, Linda was photographed on roller skates.  Emergency rooms report a spike in wrist injuries, with people falling off skates and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching softballs.  Have you recently been to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care?

Not since November, thank goodness.
Despite what's shown on television, it's a sad, soul-less place.

It's July, so summer is in full swing.  Bug bites area big summer annoyance.  Are you itching and scratching this morning?

Not this morning -- but my arms and feet are an ugly testament to the heinous mosquito.  (Don't scratch?  Might as well tell me not to breathe.)

Since this is our last Saturday 9 before Independence Day, let's ask some questions related to the holiday.

The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.  What's the most recent printed media you have read (newspaper, magazine, newsletter, etc.)

People magazine (while waiting at UAB)

In high school, Sam was crazy about American history and got good grades.  Science was her worst subject.  In high school, where did you shine?  In what subject were your grades not so hot.

I loved English and Journalism.
Not so much science or math -- and it showed.

The first 4th of July parade each year is held at 12:01AM in Gatlinberg, TN.  Will you attend a parade or fireworks to celebrate the 4th?

I hope not!

In all honesty, I'm not crazy for fireworks.  Sad, perhaps, but all I can think about is, how much money are municipalities paying for these huge displays?

Even the 'homemade' versions are apt to traumatize household pets.  IMHO little can beat a child with a sparkler.

Grandgirl #2, 2005.

Americans love to celebrate our independence.  In fact, there are more than 30 towns all across the US called Independence.  There are two in MN alone -- one outside Duluth, the other west of Minneapolis).  Please Google it and let us know: Does your state have an Independence?

Whaddya know!
Independence, AL is but a 30-min drive.  Maybe we should load up the dogs and take a drive that way.  (Yes, we're regular barrels of fun.)

Wishing everyone a happy holiday weekend!
(85 days 'til Fall!)

Hugs, Myra