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