Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
All the Way (1957)
... because The Gal Herself is into Sinatra
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Frank sings, "who knows where the road will lead us?" Which leads Sam to ask, does your vehicle have GPS?

Yes it does. And I use it quite often.

2) Sinatra introduced "All the Way" in the movie, The Joker Is Wild. During that film he also sang "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)." A few years later, in the movie Robin and The Seven Hoods, he declared Chicago as his "kind of town." Besides Chicago, can you think of another city Frank immortalized in song?

New York, of course.

3) When Frank was 19, he saw a pretty girl sitting on her front porch, giving herself a manicure. He went and got his ukelele and serenaded her. That girl became his first wife, Nancy. Tell us how one of your romances began.

My husband used to come over to my dorm room to flirt with my roommate who wouldn't give him the time of day. So we ended up chatting since she ignored him.

4) Both Frank and Nancy grew up in New Jersey. When you think of NJ, what else comes to mind?

Nothing good. Mostly Jersey Shore-type stuff, which is very unfair. I have a couple of super friends from Jersey who are good folks, but they're the ones who told me about "South Jersey Italians." Whatever. I've no interest in visiting, except perhaps to see the ocean.

5) Sinatra made Las Vegas as famous for entertainment as for gambling. He was so identified with the Strip, that when he played Caesar's Palace the marquee simply said, "He's Here." Have you ever been to Vegas?

I love Vegas! It is truly the weirdest place on the planet. We don't do the shows much though. Just wander around looking at people and being amazed.

6) Thin for most of his life, Frank was blessed with a metabolism that allowed him to whatever he wanted without gaining weight. He especially enjoyed clams posillipo. What's your favorite Italian dish?

The last time I was in Italy, I had something made with pasta, cheese and peas. I don't remember what it was called, but it was similar to this and absolutely AMAZING. The atmosphere the restaurant was perfect, and yes I was a little overserved on vodka and wine. Still, best surprise Italian food I've had. Among lots of other not-as-surprising food.

7) Perhaps because of his hardscrabble childhood, Sinatra was a soft touch for charities devoted to kids. One of his favorites was Variety, which sends disadvantaged children on day trips to museums, zoos and sporting events. Here's your chance to tell us about a cause that's near and dear to your heart.

Every year, my church packs boxes for Operation Christian Child.We started about 15 years ago with something like 98 boxes packed. Last Christmas with help from the whole community, we put together 2,036 boxes. Last week was our mid-year packing party. We'll get together in mid-November--right around my birthday--and finish up so they can be shipped off in time to get to the kids by Christmas. Having Alex Nsengimana as "our" emissary has provided a face for who receives those boxes. Go read his story or watch a video of him speaking here. You'll never look at a cheap plastic comb the same way.

8) Sinatra was a neat freak who couldn't stand dust or clutter and showered at least twice a day. He got this from his mother Dolly, who was compulsive about housecleaning and hygiene. Can you think of a time when you caught yourself doing something and thought, "I'm just like Mom/Dad!"

Only every day as a parent! Now I'm starting to see my mom in me at work, too. I'll tell you, the first time you hear a Stupid Parent Comment that you swore you'd never say to your kids....coming out of your mouth...is the first day you understand life.

9) In 1998, Sinatra was buried with the things he always had in tow: a bottle of Jack Daniels, a pack of Camels, a Zippo lighter and 10 dimes. Why the dimes? According to his daughter, "He never wanted to be caught not able to make a call." Of course, 17 years later cell phones have replaced pay phones. Anyway, tell us what you always carry.

Chapstick. I've carried a tube of lip balm in my right front pants pocked for the past 35 years. Every day. When I don't have pockets, Beast carries it. I used to have at least one in my purse when I carried one, but I don't do that anymore. Sometimes, I shove one in the coin pocket of my wallet.