The Retired Mermaid

  Good afternoon, Saturday friends! It's after 4:30 PM, and I am so tired. I've just woken up from my second nap! Still sick from this Terrible Ick. I hope some or all of you have managed to hold out thus far and stay healthy. At the very least, knowing what's going on with our country within our own borders right now, I wish you well.  It looks like today we'll be talking about this song from none other than the Supremes! I've always loved them, especially of course Diana Ross, but it's her daughter Tracee Ellis Ross I'm obsessed with the most. So we'll see if she comes up on the questionairre. If you're playing, make sure you're linked up here , and now let's all have a go: Saturday 9: Up the Ladder to the Roof (1970) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 1) Many people are uncomfortable with ladders. Some feel unsteady on the steps, others have a fear of heights. Then there's the superstition that warns against walking un...

  Good morning, you fine folks! I meant to do this last (Friday) night, but I'm still sick as a dog (pneumonia, bronchiectasis) and just didn't have the energy to do it. So here I am, opening S9 this morning, and now somehow I've found myself - from it - deeply down a rabbit hole of protest songs, both famous and not, by artists both famous and not (and this is coming from me; what do I know?!). So that's where half my head is, as I proceed with this interview. I'm guessing many of you are not doing the same; I'm hoping  the rest of you are well! This week, Crazy Sam's got us jamming to Bobby Rydell's version of "Volare," which is a fun one to sing along to! If you're joining us this week, make sure to join up here ! Let's have at it, then. ~*~*~*~*~ Saturday 9: Volare (1960) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 1) The word "volare" is Italian for "to fly." Say something else in Italian. 2) This week, ...

Fiesta Bowl! Oh, my goodness. I've been heavily into this game since 19:30 EST, because University of Miami is my alma mater, and I'm heavily invested, in many ways, in seeing that she does well.  {There is a bit of residual anger for me, as an academic (then), getting pretty much no recognition for my contributions to the U (and there were plenty), and watching the football players (and the other athletes, but mostly football) get lavished with more than I ever needed. Yet, that is a story for another day, and... I graduated college nearly 30 years ago.} There are actually 24 playable seconds left in the game, and I've been actively watching this entire game. I have atypical pneumonia, aka walking pneumonia, aka mycoplasma pneumonia, and I will tell you this: screaming and cheering for your team in this condition is not recommended in this situation. It was such an intense game that little else could have happened, though! Especially in that last half-quarter of the game! ...

  Happy New Year, Internet friends! I hope you all enjoyed your time. We had so many plans but came in squeaking just under the window because, as it turns out, I have pneumonia. We did watch the U Miami game vs the Buckeyes football game that night, though. Fiesta Bowl, here we come! (Turns out most, if not all, of this was redundant later in the post. Oopsie! Forgive me, I have sick head.) Looks like we're chatting about one of my favorite girl bosses today, Taylor A. Swift! I'm a big fan. I liked her before, but my daughter really likes her, so my adoration has grown. If you're playing along with us this week, link your post up here and have a good time visiting! Saturday 9: New Year's Day (2017) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2026. 1) In the lyrics, Taylor Swift promises she'll not only be there for the party, but for the clean up afterward. As we say move on from the holiday season, could your home benef...