Saturday 9: Snowbird

 

I haven't done the Saturday 9 in a while, so why not now?

Saturday 9: Snowbird (1971)

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

1) In this song, Elvis wants the snowbird to fly away and take the snow back with her. Have you seen a measurable snowfall yet this season?

Not yet, but we're supposed to get a little bit this weekend. It won't be much if we do, and it's just as likely to be rain.

2) Drivers in snowy climes are encouraged to keep salt, sand or kitty litter in the trunk because those items can help a car regain traction in the snow. Do you have an emergency kit in your car right now? If so, what's in it?

I do, courtesy of Joe. I have road flares, a jack, jumper cables, and a shovel. Kitty litter is yet to come.

3) Back in 2007, North Dakota set the world record for the most snow angels made at one time (8,910). Do you enjoy playing in the snow?

Actually, I do - at least, I like walking in it. Driving in it? Not so much.

4) Chionophobia is the fear of snow. Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightening. Lilapsophobia is the fear of tornadoes and hurricanes. Do you have to cope with any of these fears?

No, I don't have any of those, thankfully. In fact, I love snow and thunderstorms, as long as I'm inside. 
 
5) Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie split her childhood between Memphis and Los Angeles, so she seldom saw snow. When she was a little girl, she was whisked her off to Denver in her father's private plane so the two of them could spend an afternoon playing in the snow. If you could take off and spend the afternoon anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I'd go to the beach, of course. The North Shore of Oahu would be lovely, but so would Ocean City!

6) At home and onstage, Elvis refused to wear jeans and only wore denim if a film role demanded it. This is because when he was young, classmates teased him for "dressing poor" in jeans and coveralls. What did you wear to class when you were in grammar school?

I wore a uniform for 12 years. From first through eighth grade, I wore a green gabardine skirt and bolero jacket, a white blouse with a Peter Pan collar, and a green beanie. In high school, we had summer and winter uniforms. The summer uniform was a light blue cotton skirt with box pleats in front and back, a blue and white striped seersucker blouse, stockings, and loafers. In winter, it was a blue wool skirt and blazer, white blouse, and saddle shoes. I was happy that I could wear navy blue knee high socks with the saddle shoes.

7) Elvis and President Jimmy Carter are distant relatives (the President is the sixth cousin of the King's great grandfather). Your turn: Tell us about one of your more interesting relatives.

My Uncle Jim was Assistant Secretary of the Navy under Lyndon Johnson. One Fourth of July, we went downtown to see the fireworks at the Washington Monument. After the show, Uncle Jim took us to see his office. The guard made us fill out visitor cards before he would let us go up. As we were doing that, he casually asked Uncle Jim, "And what do you do here?" Uncle Jim answered, "I'm the Assistant Secretary of the Navy." The guard immediately grabbed all the cards, tore them up, and started apologizing for inconveniencing him. Uncle Jim said, "No, no, you were doing your job. Thank you!"

8) In 1971, when Elvis released his recording of "Snowbird," You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was a hit on Broadway. Who is your favorite Peanuts character?

I was going to say Lucy, but she really is kind of a mean girl. I'll stick with Charlie Brown himself.

9) Random question: You receive a gift certificate from a gourmet food company that can be redeemed for one of these three things: 1 lb. of caviar, 5 lbs. of steak or a 10 lb., live lobster. Which would you choose?

Steak, without a doubt! Medium rare, please!