Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Baby Love (1964)

1) When this song was popular, the Supremes were known for their elaborate hairstyles, make up and full-length gowns. When was the last time you got dressed up?

It must have been for a wedding. Oh my, that's been a while.

2) "The girls," as they were known to the engineers and executives at Motown Records, were Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. They began singing together when they were high school classmates. Are you still in touch with any friends from your high school days?

Yes, two friends in particular by long distance and many others, thanks to Facebook and class reunions.

3) Mary Wilson was born in Mississippi and her family moved a great deal before settling in Detroit, where she fatefully met Florence and Diana. Were you uprooted often when you were a child?

My family moved as I was entering third grade, which was very exciting to me. Not so much when we moved just as I had entered seventh grade. I was pretty upset about it. 

Or did you spend your school years in the same neighborhood?

My family stayed there until after I was married.

4) The Supremes began as a quartet called the Primettes. In addition to Mary, Flo and Diana, there was Betty McGlown. In 1960, Betty left the group to get married and was replaced by Barbara Martin. In 1962, Barbara left the group to have a baby. They quit trying to replace the fourth voice, soldiered on as a trio, and made pop history. Have you ever found yourself in a position similar to Betty's or Barbara's, where you had to make a difficult decision and choose between your personal life and your career? No. 

5) Thinking of babies and "baby love," is anyone in your life expecting a baby in 2018?

No, darn it! But our nephew and his wife had a new addition to the family just last month. So that counts for 2018.

Londyn joined this happy little family less than a month ago.

But I cannot leave out this precious one who arrived in October, 2017.

 
6) With twelve #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, The Supremes remain America's most commercially successfully recording group, and this song (along with "Stop! In the Name of Love") is one of the most popular karaoke songs. If we handed you the mic this morning and absolutely insisted you perform, what song would you choose (any song, any genre)?

One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus

7) Original group member Florence Ballard left the group in 1967. She died of cardiac arrest in 1976 at the age of 32. Since February is National Heart Month, it seems appropriate to ask: Is anyone in your life battling heart disease?

My husband has the past few years, but thanks to God and our good cardiologist and heart surgeons, he is doing well. So thankful. 

8) Florence Ballard's brother, Hank, wrote Chubby Checker's famous dance song, "The Twist." When did you last dance?

Officially, at the wedding where I dressed up! Lol! Unofficially, at home.

9) Random question: Close your eyes and visualize the most beautiful place you've ever been. Now describe it to us.

Gee, this is a tough question. We have seen many beautiful places. The lush green forests of Hawaii, with cascading waterfalls, the beauty and the majesty of the mountains. Whether it be the Swiss alps, French alps, Rocky Mountains, Grand Tetons and Glacier National Park, trees thick with snow glistening on their branches or dark green in summer or fiery fall colors, with clear pristine lakes are some of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. The quiet stillness in those places is beautiful to me. I don't have enough words. 

America, the Beautiful

for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain.

for purple mountain's majesty above the fruited plain! 

I think America is the most beautiful place.

Although 20 years ago today, we were enjoying our second visit to the Land of Israel!! And I think it is also one of the most beautiful places in the world. So much beauty around the world.

At the top of Mt. Arbel

(Please forgive me ... I may have overused the word beautiful!!! Haha!!)