Saturday 9

 

Ja-Da

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: Ja-Da (1918)

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

 

1) The lyrics tell us the melody is soothing. What calms you when you're upset or anxious?

She sits in my lap and purrs … and all is right with the world …

 

2) There was a lot going on in 1918 – like WWI and the Spanish flu pandemic – that left people upset and anxious. In those days, radio wasn't yet a staple in American homes so people received their news through newspapers. Today with podcasts and 24 hour cable news and social media and other news outlets available, do you ever feel like taking a break from current events?

I’m a news junkie; people ask if I’m ok when I take a break from the news.

3) In addition to newspapers, magazines were a big deal in 1918. Women turned to publications like Ladies Home Journal and McCall's for trends and tips about fashion and housekeeping. Do you have any printed magazines in your home now? 

Yes.  Just one, Prevention.  For some reason, they send me a print copy when all I wanted was an electronic subscription.

 

4) Today schoolchildren often learn "Ja-Da" because it's easy to sing and play. Was music part of your grade school curriculum?

Of course!  We had general music, and I also sang in the chorus, took viola lessons and played in the orchestra.  

 

5) Composer Bob Carleton published more than 500 songs in his career. He had no songwriting partner, handling the words and lyrics himself. What's your favorite song? Was it written by a single composer or a songwriting team?

I don’t have a favorite, I have a lot of songs I really, really like. 

This one came to mind today.

The Stranger was released when I was in high school.  One of my teachers had been in Billy Joel’s class at Hicksville High School, and told us a few stories …

 

6) Bob got his start in his hometown of St. Louis, playing piano in his parents' saloon. When you think of St. Louis, what comes to mind?

And of course

 

7) In 1918, Americans were buying more cars and Studebakers were a familiar sight on the streets and highways. Today that name is mostly forgotten. Can you think of a brand that used to popular but has disappeared?

My first car was a hand-me-down from my father … a 1972 Olds Cutlass that I affectionately called “the rust bucket”.  Oldsmobile ceased to exist in 2004.

 

8) During WWI, Americans were familiar with "Meatless Days." Back then we were encouraged to cut back on the consumption of meat as a patriotic gesture to help the American and Allied troops. Today "Meatless Monday" highlights health and the environment. Think about your diet. Do you try to eat more grains, fruits and vegetables?

My eating habits have changed drastically in the last few years.  Two reasons for this:

(1) I started taking Wegovy.  It’s a miracle drug.  But even “miracles” need help — for the medication to be fully effective you also have to eat a healthy diet and get some exercise.   Wegovy just makes it easier to do those things, 

(2) shortly after I started weight loss medications, I was diagnosed with celiac disease.  That’s an autoimmune disorder triggered by exposure to gluten in food.  For simplicity’s sake I say I’m allergic to gluten.  A lot of the foods that used to cause me to overindulge now trigger unpleasant symptoms.  So it’s much easier to avoid them. When dieting for weight loss I could rationalize an indulgence.  But when faced with swift and uncomfortable consequences, somehow that overindulgence isn’t as appealing …

Oh, and I lost 125 pounds on Wegovy.  It’s made a huge difference in my life,

 

9) Random question: Where did you get the shirt you are wearing right now?

I’m wearing a concert t shirt I  bought at MSG when we saw Billy Joel in February 2023. 

 

I blogged about it here.

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!