Saturday 9 (x2)

(Link in meme-roll)

Hold On (1990)

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

 

1) This song gives encouragement to someone who is enduring heartache. Have you more recently given support, or received it?

There's been a lot of receiving of late. It's not a place I'm very comfortable living in. 

2) "Hold On" is featured prominently in the 2011 movie Bridesmaids. It's an anthem for the friends in the film and they love to sing it together. Is there a song that reminds you of good times with a good friend?

One that reminds me of college, and one specific college friend, is "Safety Dance." It's a terminally silly song, with great memories around concerts and campus radio sets, that makes me smile every damn time I hear it. 

3) The video for this song finds Wilson Phillips outdoors on a snowy mountainside and then on a sandy beach. What's the view outside your window?

Cloudy skies, green trees and the eave of the house next door is all I can see from my recliner. 

4) The mountain segments were filmed in California's San Gabriel Mountains. The girls were flown to the set by helicopter. Have you ever been in a helicopter?

I would LOVE to have a long helicopter ride around some scenic area just for the experience. The only person I know of close to me who's been in a helicopter is Beast and that was Flight for Life. This is NOT how I wish to travel!

5) The members of Wilson Phillips are authentic "California Girls." Wendy and Carnie Wilson's father is Brian Wilson, who wrote the Beach Boys hit[s]. Chynna Phillips is the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, who sang "California Dreamin'." Have you been to California? If yes, where did you visit?

I've been to Cali several times, mostly to cities--San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles--but I loved the ocean in each of those areas. 

6) Another generation of the Wilson family has entered the music business. Carnie's daughter/Brian Wilson's granddaughter, Lola Bonfiglio, participated in the current season of American Idol. Has a family member followed you in your chosen profession?

Heh. I followed my sister into Library Science. My niece followed me into it. We all (have) had good long careers in a field that is wholly worthwhile and rewarding (when it isn't wholly frustrating and infuriating).

7) In 1990, when this song was popular, satellite radio was in its infancy and streaming was unheard of. Our cars gave us a choice of AM/FM and maybe CD player/tape deck. When you're driving and a favorite song comes on, are you more likely to sing along if you're alone? Or don't you care if anyone hears you?

I rarely listen to music in the car anymore. I have a ginormous backlog of podcast episodes I'm trying to get through. I do talk back to them regularly, and sometimes pause the whole thing to argue about something, but not when/where people can see me. If I do have music on I sing along rather mindlessly, whether or not others are around. I don't care if anyone else hears or sees me. I don't mind being the crazy old lady in town. 

8) Also in 1990, actor Alan Hale Jr. died. He was "the skipper" on Gilligan's Island. Without looking it up, can you name the other six castaways? (If not the actors, then their characters.)

Gilligan, the millionaire and his wife, the movie star, the professor and Mary Ann. I don't know all the actors' names, but man I loved that show as a kid. 

9) Random question: What superhero would you like to have as your best friend?

Deadpool seems fun, if rather dangerous, to hang out with. [I don't see most superhero movies, so that's all I can come up with...]

Too Shy (1983)

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

1) This song laments vulnerability and self-consciousness in a social settings. Are you often "too shy?" Or are social gatherings easy for you?

I am terminally shy, but adept at snapping on my Public Mask in a flash and smiling and schmoozing through a (short) party or meeting. Also, I'm unable to abide silence in social settings so I talk too much.  

2) In the lyrics, a girl self-censors, telling herself, "hush hush." Have you more recently shushed someone, or were you shushed?

As a librarian.... ha ha ha. I get shushed by patrons more than I shush them. Then again, most of my public service work is in the children's room, so it's pretty loud in there. I did get shushed yesterday at work by a little girl who wanted us to whisper about the snake puppet she said had bitten her, and which then bit me. 😀 

3) Band member Nick Beggs recalls that they called themselves Kajagoogoo because it sounded like something that would make a baby laugh. It is fun to say. Can you think of another word that you just enjoy saying?

"Shenanigans."  Also, "boooolllshiiiitttt." 

4) This was the only US hit for the British band, earning Kajagoogoo the title "One Hit Wonder." Can you think of another artist or band who had one really popular song and then just kind of disappeared?

Well, I seem to be calling out "Safety Dance" a lot this week, so I'll hit them up again.

5) Though fame was fleeting here, Kajagoogoo remained popular in England. Lead singer Limahl recalls the adulation as "overwhelming," and he was shocked when he stepped on stage in Cornwall to see row after row of fans wearing their hair like he did. Have you ever handed a photo to a stylist and said, "Make my hair look like this?"

I don't think I've done precisely this, but I did have a "Lady Di" haircut as a late teen, and I'm sure I've said other things to hairdressers over the years about hairstyles I thought would work with my hair. 

6) In 1983, when this song was popular, the Lotus 1-2-3 program made it easier for PC users to make spreadsheets. Are you answering these questions on a Mac or PC? Laptop, phone or tablet?

I'm on a Lenovo laptop. I've never used a Mac except when strictly necessary, and phones/tablets have too small of a keyboard for me to properly type.

7) 1983 saw Abbey Road Studios open their doors for the first time for public tours. During the first two months, 22,000 tickets were sold to fans who wanted to see where the Beatles made their magic. What's the last ticket you purchased?

I can honestly say that I haven't purchased tickets for ANYthing in years. Maybe parking in a hospital lot, but honestly even then I think it was just a pass-through not an actual ticket.  

8) Also in 1983, McDonald's introduced Chicken McNuggets. When was chicken most recently on the menu at your home? How was it prepared?

At home? I have a container of rotisserie chicken shreds I nosh on for dinner once in awhile. I had chicken strips from some fastfood place this week for lunch, maybe even McDonalds. I eat a lot of chicken. Or peanut butter. Those are my main protein sources. 

9) Random question: Have you ever forgotten where you left your car in a parking lot?

I forgot which lot I parked in AT WORK on Wednesday this week! This isn't an uncommon occurrence. I'm the flakiest person on staff, hands-down. 

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)

Georgia on My Mind (1978)

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

1) This lyrics refer to "an old sweet song." What old sweet song is a favorite of yours?

I've had Ollabelle's "All is Well" running around for weeks now. 

2) Composer Hoagy Carmichael said he was inspired by saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer to write a song about Georgia. In those days, bands traveled by bus and Frankie enjoyed rolling through Georgia. Hoagy recalled that Frankie even volunteered the first two words, "Georgia, Georgia ..." If we were to organize a Saturday 9 bus trip, where would you recommend we go for lovely scenery?

We can head north about 20 minutes to a lovely lake with enormous mansions on the shore and a dedicated walking path that circles the complete lakeshore. 

3) This version of "Georgia on My Mind" was controversial before it was even recorded. Willie Nelson's label, Columbia, didn't see the point of their outlaw country star singing an old standard that was associated with Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald. Willie had the last laugh. This record was a hit and Willie won a Grammy. Tell us about a time when you were a success despite opposition.

This is the regular 'surprise' as the parent of an adult child. The kid has turned out ok despite all their opposition and ridiculous childhood/teen behavior. I'm not taking full credit by any means, but SOMEthing sunk in. 

4) While it's at odds with his "outlaw" image, Willie was a popular and active high school student. He played three sports and was a member of Future Farmers of America. What school activities did you participate in during your teen years?

I'm really struggling to picture Willie Nelson in a letter jacket... Anyway, I was in band and pretty hard-core about it because band at my school WAS hard-core. I also did Spanish Club, and some other random (really very random) things. 

5) Willie once worked as a tree trimmer, so clearly he didn't suffer from acrophobia. How about you? Do you have a fear of heights?

I am absolutely not afraid of heights. I have a healthy respect for them though because I am quite sensibly afraid of falling off things (mountains, ladders, steps...) 

6) He wrote the lyrics to one of his biggest hits, "On the Road Again," during a flight, using the airplane barf bag as scrap paper. That was back in 1980. In 2025, do you handwrite onto note paper, or do you make all your "notes to self" digitally?

I still do mostly hand-written notes, though I have a good collection of things on my phone too including my schedule for planning Thanksgiving Day which I haven't done in years.

7) In 1978, when Willie was singing "Georgia on My Mind," audiences were flocking to see the movie Grease. What's your favorite song from Grease?

I can't think of a song from that movie that I don't know backwards, forwards and upside down. I'm kinda partial to "There are Worse Things I Could Do."

8) Also in 1978, Karina Smirnoff was born. After spending her early years in the Ukraine, she came to America and found success on Dancing with the Stars. Are you a DWTS fan?

Nope. I vaguely know who she is, and I think I've watched the show maybe twice because I was visiting people who are (were) hooked. Meh. 

9) Random question: Do you ever carry a backpack?

I use Beast's computer backpack when I travel. So. Many. Little. Pockets. And it's big enough to fit about 4 summer outfits + jammies and all the rest of my BS. Mind you, I've taken exactly two trips that didn't include sleeping in Sparky's zipcode in the past 8 years.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Art History

1. Do you look forward to the spring?

I live in the upper Midwest; the promise of spring is what keeps us all alive from Christmas Day on every winter. "Oh, I saw a bird today!" "Hey, we got two days of sun in a row!" "Are those tree limbs faintly green?"

2. Which area of the sciences do you enjoy the most?

I love physiology. Not so much biology, but the function of systems together. How things are built to work as a unit.

3. If you could own a classical statue in the form of any figure from myth, religion, or even modern fiction, who would you choose?

Athena. I would love to have a copy of the Athena that stood in the Acropolis when it was in its heyday. Of course, we don't know for sure what that statue looked like--I'd want a miniature of it, not full-size, for the record--despite the fake in Nashville. Why Athena? The goddess of wisdom and war.

4. Do you have a good relationship with your mother?

Probably the best I've ever had with her. I mean, we never argue anymore ... (sad face) ... she died 8 years ago.

5. What is your favorite mythological story?

Hmmm. Trying to do this without looking at anything to prompt me. I kind of love the story of Apollo driving the sun across the sky every day. And the story of Prometheus bringing fire to humans, and the punishment he suffered for it. Pretty brutal.

6. If you put on a big feast, what would you serve?

Chicken, burgers, brats, lots of salads, cake, pie. Basically summer cookout fare. However, my usual feast "style" is Thanksgiving-based, so turkey, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, bread, pie pie pie.

7. How do you have fun? (What is your favorite 'Earthly Delight'?)

Reading? Traveling for sure. Laughing for sure.

8. Do you often look for hidden messages and meanings?

Most of the time. Usually not in the moment, but later. However, I'm also very prone to reminding myself that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

9. Have you ever received an award or special position?

Yup.

10. If a revolution was about to happen in your country, would you be part of it?

Oh, this is the part that's timely! hee Well, let's put it this way: I visited the Soviet Union at the end of its life as a country. When the U.S. starts to feel like that, I'll be fighting. My dad fought in WW2, I have read extensively about the Holocaust, and when I see that happening here I'll be fighting. I'll let you decide if either of those (or both) scenarios have any application today.

11. Have you ever planned an act of revenge?

Oh, I've done a LOT of planning!! The question is whether I've ever carried any plans out, though, isn't it?
A former boss told me once that the best way to get through a fraught situation is to quietly plan the demise of the person causing trouble. This has stood me in good stead through many meetings since.

12. What is the most dramatic thing you have ever done?

I don't generally DO dramatic. Maybe throwing the bag of trash back at the people who flung it one night decades ago at the lakefront on July 4. All the boys in our group were like, "Sit DOWN, what are you DOING!?!" I've done some really shocking, scary things over the years, but I wouldn't call them dramatic per se.

13. Do you care about your weight?

I care, but it's clear that I don't care enough to deal with it responsibly.

14. Is your life moving too slowly or too fast?

It's really moving at a pretty reasonable speed right now. Parts could go faster. Parts could slow down some.

15. Do you prefer to stay in the shade?

Yes. I'm a pale-skinned, easily-burned person. And, metaphorically, yes.

16. If you could have any mural on your ceiling, what would it look like?

I wouldn't. These have always made me wonder about the people living in the house. Do you WANT people to be staring up while you're talking to them? Or do you expect people to be so bored that they need something to look at while they're visiting?

17. Do you enjoy the countryside?

heh ... Yeah, I do.

18. Are you a romantic?

Nope.

19. What is your favorite historic subject?

Early Church history, c. A.D. 30 to 200. I also like WW2 stuff, as mentioned above. And the Middle Ages. I just like history, can you tell?

20. Do you prefer landscape paintings?

Nope. I've always needed to have some people in the frame to interest me. I have memories of ENDLESS slide shows of landscapes/scenery as a child. "Didn't you take any pictures of PEOPLE, Dad???"

21. Are you interested in social issues?

Uh, yeah. You could probably say that. Those (few) of you on my Facebook feed are probably rolling your eyes and going, "Nonstop, man, nonstop."

Saturday 9 18

(Link in meme-roll)
Cheerleader (2014)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Homecoming and football make this an important time of year for cheerleaders. Were you a cheerleader, or did you date one?

Nope and nope. ...and moving on...

2) Beyond cheerleaders and the big game, homecoming is a time for parades. Have you ever ridden on a float?

Actually, I don't think I have. I was usually in the band. The one time I was in a parade and not marching was when Sparky was in Little League and marched in the local Memorial Day parade.

3) OMI sings that his girl is always there when he needs her. Who do you know you can always count on?

"Always"? No one is "always" reliable or available. Beast is pretty good. I have several friends I can go to with my drama or needs. The only "always" for me is God.

4) This video features a sandy beach, a rocky shore and palm trees. What do you see outside your window right now?

Blue sky, the house next door, part of a tree. The sun is blazing through the front window but I can make out the shadow of our blue spruce in front of the porch and some birds flying around.

5) In the lyrics we hear that his cheerleader girlfriend is "like a genie in a bottle." Who would rather hang around with? Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie or Samantha from Bewitched?

Well, Samantha wasn't a genie, but I'd really rather hang with her. Jeannie was a little flaky, though I did rather like the decor in her bottle.

6) OMI is from Jamaica. Have you ever visited that island country?

Nope. Aside from the music, I've never really wanted to.

7) Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica in 1494. Columbus Day will soon be upon us (October 12). Is it a big deal in your community?

Nope. And I wish it weren't called that. The only reason it's even recognized around here is for the long fall break from school that usually surrounds it.

8) Queen Elizabeth is Jamaica's head of state. Her Majesty is now 89 years old and a great grandmother. Who is the oldest person in your life?

Hmm. I don't know ages for sure, but there are some folks at church in their late 80s and early 90s. And some of our library patrons. One guy who is 82 and looks about 70 and was in a pretty major motorcycle accident recently...and walked away.

9) Her Majesty was named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary after three of her relatives, who also were queens. Were you named after anyone?

My middle name may be. I don't know. My sisters named me, supposedly after a friend of one of theirs. Or anyway they liked that name. Whatever.

____________________________________________

Beyond the Sea (1959)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song mentions golden sands. When do you think you'll next visit the beach?

At this point, it'll be next summer. I don't see much of a reason to go beachside during the winter. Though there is a resort town on a lake not too far from here that we might visit over the winter and our usual haunt is right across from the beach.

2) Shortly after "Beyond the Sea" hit the charts, Bobby Darin met and married movie sweetheart Sandra Dee. Her squeaky-clean image is spoofed in the song, "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee," from Grease. Can you name another song from Grease?

"Hopelessly Devoted to You" is the only one that's coming into focus this morning.

3) Years earlier, Bobby had an ill-fated romance with singer Connie Francis. According to Ms. Francis, Darin wanted to marry her, but her father forbade it. Have you ever had a relationship that your parents disapproved of?

Sure. They weren't enamored with me getting married right out of college, I'm fairly certain, but being the youngest in my family paid off in that they knew better than to forbid anything. It only makes it more attractive.

4) Bobby was a Renaissance man: Grammy-winning singer, Oscar-nominated actor, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and an excellent chess player. Are you good at chess?

No. I've played, but I'm not good at it at all.

5) A car buff, he drove a 1960 custom car that was so unique and spectacular it's now in a Detroit museum. The bright red paint was mixed with ground diamonds to ensure that it sparkled in the sun. Each of the four bucket seats had its own ac/heat control and radio speaker. The steering wheel was slightly squared for easier handling. What features would your dream car have?

Heated seats. 4WD. Big tires. Big engine. Convertible top/sides.

6) Beyond the Sea is also the name of the 2004 screen biography in which Kevin Spacey played Bobby Darin. Who would you choose to play you in the story of your life?

Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock. They both have the right laugh.

7) When he was just 8 years old, Bobby Darin was stricken with rheumatic fever, and the disease left him with a dangerously weakened heart. Did you spend much time in the hospital when you were a kid?

I spent time visiting my sister Ellen in the hospital when I was very young--she was quite ill and nearly died. As a teenager, I was a candystriper. Otherwise, not so much time in the hospital, definitely not as a patient for which I'm grateful.

8) In 1959, when "Beyond the Sea" was popular, Alaska became our 49th state. What comes to mind when you think of Alaska?

Cold. Dark. Snow. Crazy people. Glaciers. And, naturally, crab fishing.

9) In 1959, Conair introduced the first hair dryer developed for home use. Is there a hair dryer in your bathroom right now?

There is!

Blogthings Smackdown

You Are Independent

You are sweet because you follow your heart. You believe in doing whatever will make you the happiest. You don't always agree with the majority, and you have no problem with that. You just go a different way. People are impressed [annoyed?] with your freewheeling individualism, but you feel like you have no other choice. You were born this way. Your path may be less traveled, but it's vibrant, interesting, and underrated. You are happy [usually] with the direction you have gone in.

The Yummy Manicure Test

I am not sweet!! But...oh well, the rest is accurate. And yum, candy-corn-looking nails! lol

You Are Mathematics

You are a bright person, and quite honestly, you probably excel at most subjects. However, there is a special place in your heart for math. Numbers and logic make sense to you - much more than they do to other people. You see math as objective and beautiful. You love to run the numbers on everything, and being mathematical better informs your decisions. You are also a good builder, due to your attention to mathematical detail. You can rock out everything from a complicated pastry to a woodworking project to a computer program.

What Middle School Subject Are You?

Hah! I do have wonderful memories of Ms. S. in 7th and 8th grade math, but I'm not overly into math in general. I do like picky details, though.

You Are Calm

You are a serene, wise, and together person. You are a great person to know, as you are naturally very nurturing. You offer others the compassion and support that they need. You have enough room in your life to help those around you. You are a very capable person, and you can be counted on to do a good job. You keep your cool in the face of disaster. You are a peaceful person who is content to mind her own business. But you are always willing to step in when you're needed.

The Luxury Lipstick Test

I am not serene, wise or together, The rest is fairly accurate, I suppose.

You Are Progressive

It's likely that you consider yourself more liberal than most people … and certainly more liberal tha[n] most Americans. You are well versed in social justice and environmental issues. And you think it’s about time that we did something about them.

Are You Progressive, Conservative, or Libertarian?

I'm not way out with the left-wing extremists, but I'm pretty liberal, yeah.

You Are 36% 90s!

You have some deep love for the 90s, and you’ve been known to dabble in some 90s nostalgia from time to time. While you're happy to have modern technology (and internet speeds), you wouldn't mind traveling back to the 90s for a day or two!

How 90s Are You?

What can I say? Sparky was a little, cute guy, and the music wasn't awful all the time -- just a lot of the time. ;-) But can I stay in this house instead of going back to the horrible house we were in before??

You Are "Wouldn't It Be Nice"

You are an old fashioned person, and your dream life is simple. You just want the white picket fence ending. You are a bit traditional for these times, and you're fine with that. You love the idea of marriage and being with one person forever. You are the romantic type, but you don't expect your partner to be perfect. You love someone completely, flaws and all. You see a relationship as building a life together. You're ready for the ups and downs that come with that.

What Beach Boys Song Are You?

Definitely not the romantic type, but everything else here is spot-on. And I do like this song, too.

You Are Idealistic

You are driven to make the world a better place, but not just for yourself. You want to help people, animals, and the whole planet. You are a good listener and empathizer. You try to walk a mile in someone else's shoes whenever possible. You are considerate and compassionate. You are more than fair to those around you, and you believe that every little act of kindness does wonders. You go to great lengths to avoid conflict. You don't think that arguments solve anything, and you would always rather find common ground.

The Bay Test

This was a weird concept (a bay??) but I like the results. Except that last part: I'm definitely not afraid of a good argument!!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Fun Fifteen

1. You have been awarded the time off from work and an all-expenses paid week anywhere in the United States. The catch is that it must be somewhere you have not been before. Where do you choose to visit?

"Anywhere I haven't been," eh? OK, then: Hawaii it is.

2. Name your guilty pleasures.

Sugar. Candy, cookies, ice cream, cake, you name it; if it's made of sugar, I'm pretty much there.

3. The best kind of milkshake is:

Butterscotch, but I prefer a malt over a shake.

4. What do you value most in other people?

Humor.

5. Be honest. Do you sneak some raw cookie dough when you’re baking cookies?

You might want to check out #2 for a refresher. I don't usually bake cookies--and not just because I don't usually have cookie dough around.

6. Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that something you thought was a bad thing was actually a blessing in disguise?

Yes, so many times. The roughest times are also the times I've done a lot of learning and growing. Freshman year in college, 1000 miles from home and as homesick as it's possible to be having never been away from family more than a couple of nights, was a particularly steep learning curve.

7. What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?

Diametric opposites for a tie: the Rocky Mountains and the Aegean.

8. Are you more of a thinker or a feeler?

I'm pretty good at disconnecting emotions in a crisis, but I'm more of a feeler usually.

9. Name three things you are thankful for right now.

Air conditioning, inspiring sermons at church, and afternoon naps during NASCAR races. Re the latter, there really isn't a better background noise than the engines of racecars on TV for sleeping.

10. Have you ever participated in a three-legged race?

Oh my! Yes, I think? Has to be forty years ago though. Y'know, they really should put that in the Olympics--what a ticket-seller that would be!

11. When you are at an event that plays the National Anthem, do you place your hand over your heart?

Of course I do: I'm a Midwesterner! I sing, too.

12. Have you ever been on the wrong side of the law?

Uhm, I speed in my car every day. Much worse than that, though, not so much.

13. When was the last time you unintentionally surprised someone else?

I scared the living shit out of someone at work the other day: she leapt up and forward in her chair when I said her name. By the time, she'd pulled herself together and I'd stopped apologizing, I'd forgotten what I needed to ask her.

14. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else?

I can't remember. I think we did a party for someone this year sometime, but I can't remember details, not even the 'surprisee.'

15. What was the last really funny movie you watched?

I can't remember. We did catch most of "The War of the Worlds" (Tom Cruise, et al.) last weekend, but I can't think of a comedy we've watched.

Alternate Saturday 6

(Link in blogroll)
Landscapes

1. What’s the highest mountain you have ever climbed or walked up?

Uh...I grew up hiking around the mountains in Colorado, but I never did an intentional "mountain climb" per se. Was certainly up over timberline several times, but never started at sea level (inside joke). So, climbing to the top of Big Squaw Mountain in Maine would probably be the highest climb from base to top and back.

2. What is the biggest desert that you have been to?

I was in the Gobi Desert in January 1985. It was weird: basically looked like Wyoming, with camels. And colder than you would believe a desert could be!

3. What’s the biggest lake that you have ever visited?

Baikal. Same trip as the Gobi.

4. Where is the smallest island you have ever visited?

Ydra, and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

5. What’s the densest forest that you have ever been into?

Maine definitely wins this one for me. The woods in the norther part of the state are simply unbelievable. As far as the eye can see, even from the top of a mountain or an airplane: nothing but trees.

6. Out of all the cities that you have visited what is your favourite and why?

I adore London. I don't know why, but that place just makes me happy. I also love Denver (of course), Inverness, and Florence.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in blogroll)

1) If you could have any view in the world visible from your bed, what would it be?

Easy-peasy: the San Juan mountains in southwestern Colorado.

2) What's the first movie you remember ever seeing in a theater?

Tora! Tora! Tora! I was about 6. WHAT were my parents thinking??

3) What's the most difficult confession you've ever had to make?

To myself? There are several contenders.
Out loud, to others? Probably that I am too selfish to want to go through childbirth again. It's not a biggie now, but at the time it was pretty trying. It's either that, or the first time I admitted that I needed to see a counselor; it goes against my grain to think I can't fix everything.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
Public Domain Photo

So, a guy playing trombone in a park. Hmmm, don't think I've ever personally seen this, not just one guy by himself. I bet it would be lovely though; I do love the sound of a well-played trombone. Now I want to go sit in the park--it's a beautiful day for it but I doubt there'll be any musicians. Not around here: random music in the park really only happens in urban settngs I think.