Saturday, January 31, 2026

January 31st: The Saturday 9

 Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!  Y'all can join the fun by clicking HERE!


Big Star


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: Big Star (1962)

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

1) Shelley Fabares sings that when she hears her lover's records on the radio, they bring back memories. Do you prefer familiar songs or do you seek out new music?  I prefer the oldies and don't even know what the "new music" is these days.

2) Shelley introduced "Big Star" on an episode of The Donna Reed Show, where she played daughter Mary. She remembers the show's star and her TV mom, Donna Reed, as "an extraordinary woman." Who is your favorite TV mom?  Donna Reed was a good one.  I don't really have a favorite that comes to mind.  June Cleaver always cleaned house in a dress and pearls.  She wore an apron to cook and do dishes.  Makes me laugh now!

3) Speaking of big stars, Shelley made three movies with Elvis, who said she was his favorite leading lady. What qualities do you value in a coworker? I am retired and don't have to worry with that now, but I certainly respected coworkers who enjoyed the work, the mission, and performed their jobs in an exceptional way.

4) Though best known for comedy, Shelley appeared as Cathy in a made-for-TV adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Have you ever read the Emily Bronte classic? Nope.
 
5) Shelley Fabares' aunt was Broadway, film, and TV veteran Nanette Fabray. Do you have a favorite aunt or uncle?  My favorite aunt was actually my great-aunt Dorothy.  She had a huge heart, loved her family, and was so funny all the time.  I miss her.  The funniest thing was her pulling things out of her bra.  She didn't need a purse!!  I'm serious.  Need a tissue... here you go!  I miss her.

 
6) In the 1990s she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award (Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy) for her work on Coach. She didn't win. Millions of viewers got to see her applaud graciously when Laurie (Roseanne) Metcalf's named was announced both times. If you were nominated for a major award and the ceremony was televised, would you get all dressed up and go? Or would you prefer to watch from home?  I don't seek out awards, and if I win something, I would be happy to hear about it later (unless it's the lottery!).  Definitely would not want to be on TV!
 
7) In 1962, when this song was first released, Jack Nicklaus launched his legendary golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf? Do you watch golf on TV?  I don't enjoy playing golf because I am rubbish at it.  I sold my clubs years and years ago.  I don't watch golf on TV.  Joe played decently, and he watched it on TV.
 
8) Also in 1962, Marilyn Monroe bought her first home at the age of 36. Up until then she had always been a renter. Marilyn was residing there at the time of her death that August. How long have you lived at your current address?  Eight years in this house.  Twenty-eight years in our previous home.  I've lived in Lakeland for 36 years.
 
9) Random question – According to a survey, the average American will kiss 15 different partners over their lifetime. Do you estimate your personal total is more, less, or right on track?  A whole lot less, and there won't be another!

Peace and Hugs!

Weather Update: It seems Lakeland will not be getting snow flurries, though gale-force winds are expected to start tonight, and the cold will definitely be below freezing.  It's been suggested that we leave a couple of sinks dripping with water to prevent pipes from freezing.  I am scheduled as a Greeter at church tomorrow, so I will be bundled up!  I'm more concerned about those winds, which can be up to 50 mph.  I am over this!!  I will post again on Monday and tell you all about the weather, and about the fun lunch and visiting time I had with Cheryl and Pat!

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Friday, January 30, 2026

January 30th: Friday Focus

 


I can't believe it's another Friday since this cold started, and I'm still coughing and blowing.  Didn't colds used to last a week?  It's been two.  At least I feel okay and am getting my stamina back.

I posted about my lunch with Wendy and Suzette on Wednesday.  We had such a good time!!  It was good medicine for me to get out of the house and spend time with friends.

I had a haircut on Wednesday and then went to Publix (next door to the salon) for a few things.  I still had the bags of clothing from my closet cleanout in the back of my car, so my next stop was the Children's Home donation center.  Whew!  Done and done and done.  I got home and made some vegetable beef soup in the crockpot.  It didn't take long for the house to start smelling really good.  Did I say I could smell!!  YES!

I intended to go to Bible study on Thursday morning, but got a call from Cindy that it was canceled because Pastor Dave had a meeting.  I decided to not go out to eat last night either.  It turned out that no one wanted to go out, so Judy canceled it.  I did some cleaning.  It had been two weeks since I cleaned, and the cat hair was everywhere.  I didn't do much, but the main parts of the house look like someone cares.

That's a good thing, because Cheryl (sunlit pathway) and her hubby, Pat, are coming over, and we are going to lunch at Metro Diner.  I told them we could have some dessert back here at the house.  I have angel food cake, fresh strawberries, and blueberries.  Whipped cream, of course.  One of their sons lives here in Lakeland, so I get to see them a couple of times a year when they are down visiting. Lovely people, and their son has a beautiful family!

Justin and his family were all here, at my house, last spring...

Pat and Cheryl, also here last year...


I have nothing for the weekend, other than church on Sunday.  Another cold front is blowing in on Saturday night and may even bring snow flurries to Lakeland.  That will be the first time since 1977, when 2 inches fell.  I really don't want to see snow!!  We moved to Florida in 1989 to get away from the snow!  Yikes!  It won't stick, and I won't have to shovel, so that's a good thing!  Hoping the snow stays away! 

Peace and Hugs!

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
And I say, "It's all right."
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

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Thursday, January 29, 2026

January 29th: Whimsical Fashion Fun

 

There isn't a linky, and there aren't any rules.
Check out her sweater and decide which boots she should wear!
It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!
The photo is from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.


Even 'Your Friend From Florida' could be wearing this sweater right now!  I tried to find some boots, because many of you have to put boots on before going out this week.  None of these will work in snow or on ice, but let's pretend she is wearing jeans (though it looks like a skirt) and she just needs to look fashionable in this weather!  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which ones you like best!


My thoughts:  I do like big, comfy sweaters in this chilly weather! I wouldn't wear any of the boots, but for the model and her outfit, I'd pick #2 for the complementary colors.  What are your thoughts?

  

Peace and Hugs!

In the bleak mid-winter
  Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron,
  Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
  Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
  Long ago.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2026

January 28th: The Wednesday Hodgepodge

 Thanks for the fun today, Joyce!  Y'all can be a Hodgepodger by clicking HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 638


From this Side of the Pond


1. I live in the south, so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way?  The COLD (for us!) weather makes me want to stay inside, but I do have a haircut at noon.
Results for Lakeland, FL

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower, and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  I LOVE cabbage in a sweet coleslaw, or cooked.  My mom always put cabbage in her vegetable soup, and I use it that way too.  My favorite way to cook it is to chop the head of cabbage, chop some sweet peppers, and a large onion.  Cook that all down in a big skillet with a half-stick of butter.  As it cooks down, slice some smoked sausage into quarter-inch slices and put that on top of the veggies.  Cover it and let it all start to reduce.  Season with salt and pepper.  I sometimes put in some cayenne pepper and/or some red pepper flakes for a little heat.  You can eat it as is, or spoon it over some rice or noodles. There isn't a recipe, and I just call it sausage and cabbage.  I have put cubed potatoes in it too.  Make it your own!

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own?  Even my little sisters are too old for Cabbage Patch Dolls, so no, I did not have one.  My children are boys and came into my life when they were 16 and 20.  A toy trend from my childhood that I remember having was a Tiny Tears doll.  You could feed her a bottle of water, and she would wet her diaper.  She had wiry red hair.  My toys all got handed down, if they made it long enough to be handed down!


4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately?  Watching TV and taking cold meds.  Blecht.  (On the upswing, though!)

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences.  The month began with memories of my granddaughter's wedding and a wonderful Christmas.  Mid-month, I saw my sister, my son, my daughter-in-law, and dear friends up in Interlachen, FL.  Then, I caught a nasty cold to end the month.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  It felt SO GOOD to get out yesterday, for lunch with my friends, Wendy, and Suzette.  Our friendships are still a bit new.  

I met Wendy when I worked at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Tenoroc PUA.  For newer readers, I had to get a part-time job after my Joe died of COVID in 2021.  I was there for three years.  Wendy retired from FWC and was friends with my boss, Danon.  She popped in one day to see him.  He introduced us, and we ended up talking for over an hour!  I've met her hubby, and we've socialized a few times over the last few years, with lunches out and dinner at my place.  

She invited me to a picnic with her church, which was held at one of the Tenoroc Pavilions.  Suzette is a winter member of Wendy's church (a snowbird).  She attended the picnic, and Wendy introduced us.  Suzette had just lost her husband, so we bonded immediately in our widowhood.  That's how the friendship was born.  

Wendy and I have lunch now and then, and sometimes include Danon!  When Suzette is here, we try to have lunch at least a couple of times.  We have already scheduled another in March before she heads north.  We always talk a lot, and we laugh even more! 

Suzette, me, Wendy
(Shhh... Suzette is 82!! And she is a retired nurse. She walks 6 miles a day, most days!)

Peace and Hugs!

My Christian friends, in bonds of love,
Whose hearts in sweetest union join,
Your friendship’s like a drawing band,
Yet we must take the parting hand.
Your company’s sweet, your union dear,
Your words delightful to my ear;
Yet when I see that we must part
You draw like cords around my heart.

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