January 22, 2021

Saturday 9: Why Did I Choose You?

Saturday 9: Why Did I Choose You? (1965)

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


1) In this song, Barbra Streisand reassures her lover that, if she had it all to do again, she would still choose him. Tell us about a decision you've made that you never, ever regretted.  Leaving my last job is the most recent. I loved the work, but had grown to dread going because of my boss and all the running back and forth across the nursing home all day was really taking a toll on my leg. I was in a good bit of pain. Leaving cleared up both problems.
 
2) The music was composed by Michael Leonard, who studied classical music at Julliard and the Handel Conservatory of Music in Munich. Do you often listen to classical music?  Once in a very great while I will get the urge to listen to some. 

3) The lyrics were written by Herbert Martin. He taught music in the NYC public school system and during the summer worked in summer stock. That's how he met and began collaborating with Michael Leonard. Tell us how you met someone important in your life.  My husband was working at the same plant my dad was a foreman at. I came home from college for Christmas break during my sophomore year and Dad announced that I was spending my time working at the plant. I rode to work with Dad so got there earlier than anyone else. I was sitting at the table in the break room when my husband walked in. All we said was "hi," but I thought he was cute and to hear him tell it he knew he'd just met the girl he was going to marry.
 
4) Ms. Streisand was a very good student, graduating fourth in her class at Erasmus Hall High School when she was only 16. One of Barbra's classmates was Neil Diamond. Do you have a favorite Neil Diamond song?  Sweet Caroline

5) While she didn't go on to college, she continued her education by attending two different acting schools simultaneously. Did you enjoy being a student?  When I was in college...not so much. I liked the social life much better. Since then I've come to enjoy serious study.
 
6) Barbra and her first husband, Elliott Gould, shared a New York apartment over a 5th Avenue restaurant called Oscar's Salt of the Sea. Elliott originated the role of Trapper John in the movie M*A*S*H. On TV, the role of Trapper was played by Wayne Rogers. Can you think of another role that's been played by more than one actor?  Hawkeye Pierce

7) Oscar's Salt of the Sea has ties to Sesame Street. Jim Henson loved their food and was amused by how inhospitable the owner, Oscar, could be. That's how Oscar the Grouch got his name. Which is your favorite Muppet?  Big Bird

8) Back to Barbra ... She is a successful recording artist (nominated for 45 Grammy awards, winning 8) and an Oscar-winning actress, but she's suffered career disappointments, too. In 2010, she read the book Hidden Figures and tried to buy the rights so she could direct the film version. She lost out to fellow Brooklynite, director Theodore Melfi. In 2016, his movie of Hidden Figures was released. Did you see the movie or read the book?  I haven't read the book, but did finally see the movie last year. It was excellent and a very inspiring story. I had no idea about those women!

9) Random question: Your best friend takes up painting and proudly presents her first framed work to you. You think it's atrocious. Would you hang it in your home anyway?  Sure! But I'd probably find someplace a little out of the way...like maybe the guest bedroom.

Many thanks to Sam @ the Saturday 9 for the questions and the music!

18 comments:

  1. #1 -- I had a job I hated. I remember sitting on the train, going to work, looking at my reflection and thinking I would rather ride the rails all day, back and forth, than get off the train and go into that office. Jobs like that can be soul numbing.

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    1. Amen, to that! Life is too short to waste it being stuck in a job that is killing you.

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  2. Ha Ha if I ever paint a picture I will send it to you, and then you must invite me to come stay in your guest bedroom so I can see that you put it there!! LOL. Great answers and fun stories. Have a blessed and wonderful weekend. I hope your daughter is feeling some better by now?

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    1. I have a feeling any picture you paint would be lovely and not relegated to the spare bedroom. Unless of course it looked good in there as compared to anywhere else. Our spare bedroom is kind of a hodgepodge...it still has the lovely gold, rag-rolled walls and the tropical bark-cloth curtains from years ago when our daughter wanted a "jungle" room and I tried to make it a bit more sophisticated hoping it would grow with her. She hated it and moved across the hall into her brother's old room and painted it purple. lol Now the "jungle" room is the kids' room. It has all their toys and a twin bed with a trundle.

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  3. We have 2 paintings from a former employee of my husbands, and one of them hangs proudly in the living room and the other in the 3rd bedroom/office. AH, ding ding, maybe a blog post. LOLOL.

    Have a great day friend. smiles

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    1. It would be interesting if we all shared any art we have that someone else painted and gave to us. That would be a good one-day blog hop.

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  4. It seems like Sweet Caroline is a favorite of many Saturday 9ers

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  5. There is a tv show we used to watch called Timeless and they did a show on the Hidden Figures women. I had not heard of them until that show. The movie came out the next year. I have not read the book either. Loved your answers! Have a nice weekend.

    https://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/

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    1. I've never heard of that show. Was it a network show? It sounds like something I'd like if it's on Hulu or Netflix.

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  6. I have a picture a friend painted for me. I hung it in my office for a while, but it was so dark I eventually moved it into the closet.

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    1. I have one that someone painted for me as a child. It's not ugly, just not that good. It's not hanging any more, but I can't get rid of it as the dear lady who painted it passed away a few years ago and I'm rather sentimental about things.

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  7. Being a New Englander, I feel as though Sweet Caroline is like our anthem for sports.

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    1. Ha! Yeah, I think so. On the New England cruise we took last in 2019 we sang it every night in the piano bar.

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  8. What a fun story about meeting your hubby! Some things are just meant to be! I enjoyed your post, Stacy, and wish you a good weekend! xo

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  9. That's such a sweet story, how you and Tim met one another! 'Sweet Caroline' is on my short list of favorite songs ... I used to sing it to my little dog each morning ("Cara-mine") on the way to doggy day care.

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    1. Aw, I love that you sang to your pup. I make up songs and sing to mine all the time. I don't know if she likes it, but she doesn't tell me about my awful singing, anyway!

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  10. Not many of us knew about the amazing women who were part of the race to the moon. I'm glad the history is finally getting around to recognizing women and their contribution to all of the sciences.
    Your story of meeting your hubby is very sweet. It happens but not all that often. Kismet!

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