songbird's crazy world

  There'll Be Some Changes Made 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 to  answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions! Saturday 9: There'll Be Some Changes Made (1962) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it  here . 1) In this song, Ann-Margret sings that she's going to change her way of living. If you could simply snap your fingers and change something in your life, what would it be? There are some family members who aren’t getting along with each other and it’s putting me in the middle.  Can we fix that please? 2) She tells us she's going to change her name. Have ...

 The internet is often a scary place, but it’s also the source of a wealth of information. I am having dental surgery later today.  I’m getting an implant and today’s procedure is preparation for it …  At my last appointment the dentist explained the surgery and the intended outcome, but she didn’t describe the post operative recovery process.  That will be the job of the oral surgeon who actually does the procedure. But I was curious, and used my Google skills … The next two weeks are going to be “fun” …

 This week’s theme: Around the globe early July, World UFO Day is observed. Prompts this week you might consider is anything space related – stars, aliens, spaceships, galaxy, …. Get out of this world wild while having loads of fun discovering music to share! I think I can manage that one … Starting with Sir Elton John Which leads us to David Bowie Want to go to the moon? How about some aliens? And I must include

 So we had a nice time yesterday. Thanks to the heat wave and concerns about air quality we decided to host our friends in the living room.  Plenty of food, good conversation, Macy’s fireworks on TV (they started the fireworks 20 minutes early because they were anticipating thunderstorms).   Great display, I loved the effects off the Brooklyn Bridge. Lots of (illegal) fireworks around the neighborhood— one neighbor shooting fireworks at 1 AM was a bit much … May be the next cookout can actually be in the backyard… And the current occupant of the White House had a horrible 4th, didn’t he?  Tried to make  the 250th all about him so he owns the epic failure … I loved how there was a hailstorm at Mt. Rushmore and the Presidents looked like they were crying while he was speaking.  And in DC?  The artists all pulled out of the concerts, the fair was a failure, and the weather …the parade had to be canceled, the speech was delayed until after 11 PM, and who w...

  God Bless America SATURDAY 9: God Bless America  Unfamiliar with Connie Francis' version of this song? Hear it  here . 1)  Irving Berlin's lyrics celebrate our mountains, prairies, and oceans. Which of these geographical features is nearest your home? I live on Long Island, just a 15  minute ride to the Atlantic Ocean and a 20 minute ride to Long Island Sound.   2) Berlin donated his royalties from "God Bless America" to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. Were you ever a Scout?   Yes, I was  a  Brownie  and a Girl Scout from 3rd grade through 6th grade. 3) While this week's song has been recorded many times, we're concentrating on Connie Francis' 1959 version. It was never intended to be a hit, released as the B-side to her popular "Among My Souvenirs." But it took off when it was played at school rallies and patriotic events. Do you know all the lyrics to "God Bless America?" Could you sing along with Connie? Of course. 4) Af...

 It’s hot and I’m wearing fur.

 Full Strawberry Moon #skywatchfriday

 Yep … at 6:09 PM tonight my Fitbit said the temperature was 100° We can expect to deal with this weather through Saturday. We’ve got room air conditioners and fans, so the house is comfortable.   But outside…feeling hot, hot, hot. I don’t think I’ll be taking a walk anytime soon.

 I have not seen backyard bunny, but front yard bunny has been making himself at home. My feathered friends are complaining.  I forgot to reorder birdseed and the feeders are empty. There was a Fourth of July party at work today.  Bagels, cupcakes and cookies.  Couldn’t eat any of it because of the celiac.  But there was a lovely fruit salad.  Sigh. I like fruit but … So when we go to the cast party next week I will have to stop at the gluten free bakery for some treats I can enjoy. Yes, the show is over.  They had a successful run.  They’ll announce next year’s show at the party. In the meantime we are gearing up for our bbq Saturday.  In a heat wave, of bourse.  But better than the rain we had for Memorial Day.  And they say things slow down in the summer…

 Rest in peace, David Clayton-Thomas

 So it's summer and the produce in the supermarket … I made a huge batch of ratatouille, froze half of it for  later. The neighborhood fireworks have already started …  by Saturday it’s going to be amazing …or annoying …depending on your perspective. Brought my car to the repair shop yesterday for my annual state inspection.  Usually I wait for the car, but yesterday they were so busy … I wound up walking home (two miles) and several hours later Drew drove me back to the shop to pick up the car.  (Drew leases the Pacifica and gets the car serviced at the dealership.  I own my Prius and have it serviced at a repair shop that’s literally across the street from the dealer.) That two mile walk was a bit challenging, but only because the weather was hot and humid and I didn’t bring any water; we did two miles at the beach Friday night without difficulty.  Just a few years ago I couldn’t walk a city block without stopping to rest … the AI in my Google Health...

 Another lovely walk at the beach.

  Cadillac Ranch 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 to  answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions! Saturday 9: Cadillac Ranch (1981) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it  here . 1)  In this song, Bruce Springsteen sings about taking his father and his aunt to see The Cadillac Ranch. Have you recently taken a road trip? If yes, where did you go? Road trip fall 2025, we went from Long Island to Virginia.  We visited Colonial Williamsburg. 2) The Cadillac Ranch is real. It's an outdoor art installation in Amarillo, TX. Tell us about a statue, mural, or other piece of outdo...

 Trauma! Someone had to go to the v-e-t last week.  Routine check up, but so traumatic … A traumatic day for Miss Duchess Cat.  She’s getting older — she’s 13 years old today.  (Yes, it’s her birthday today!)  Routine visit, just making sure she’s doing ok. She literally fought tooth and nail to avoid the pet carrier.  Complained the whole time she was in there … until the doctor wanted to examine her.  Then she refused to come out.  Complained the whole ride home, too.  But was soothed with a few cat treats … Shadow was waiting for us in the kitchen window, of course. Back home, and back to dominance games.

 From Jones Beach … #skywatchfriday

Welcome to the 21st century, where you don’t have to take a sick day when you’re under the weather because you can work from home.  Nothing too horrible, but I just couldn’t see myself getting dressed or driving to the office.  Felt better after breakfast and was able to get real work done today. But this summer weather is making me feel lazy. At least the weekend is coming.  Busy weekend, Drew has the final two Gilbert and Sullivan shows — Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. It’s supposed to rain Saturday.  So no opportunity to go to the pool.  Sigh. Maybe next weekend.  We’ve got the bbq on the 4th and friends coming over on the 3rd, but there’s always the 5th. The yard looks terrific, I can’t wait to show it off. Maybe the bunny will come back?

Toy Story 5  is yet another warm and fuzzy ode to childhood.  We loved it.  Saw previews for the live action Moana  and something interesting called Hexed. Both are on our list.  Yes, we will see animated films.   My favorite in the series is  Toy Story 3. That’s the one where Andy goes off to college.  It resonated, Jen was in college and Becca was about to graduate from high school when the movie was released.  They were 5 and 3 when the original movie was released. Who could have imagined, back in 1995, that an entire section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios (one of the parks in WDW in Orlando) would be dedicated to that franchise. I thought the Buzz Lightyear ride in Magic Kingdom was great, but … yeah, I love the newer rides, too.  Maybe it’s time to plan another Disney trip? Glad to see House of the Dragon  is back. Love that show. Really loving Matt Smith.  His character here is so different from The Doctor. Still working o...

 And the theme? Wimbeldon kicks off soon. Let a tennis star, the game, England, or  traditions  guide you in your music discovery picks! Hmmmm… British Invasion music, anyone? We start with the Beatles, of course. Or maybe you prefer the Stones The Kinks The Who The Animals The Yardbirds  The Hollies The Zombies  And finally, one of my favorites  Yes, that’s Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits. And some fan video