Saturday 9: Think

Welcome to Saturday: 9. This is a fun meme with 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. Copy the questions on your post, answer, and link up with Sam at Saturday 9.

Think (1968)

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

In fond remembrance of The Queen of Soul (1942-2018).

Aretha Franklin was one of my favorites of the Motown Singers, and Marvin Gaye with her. What fantastic music from them!

1) As befits one of America's premiere artists, Aretha Franklin sang at three Presidential inaugurations. The first was Jimmy Carter's in 1977, when she sang "God Bless America." What's your favorite patriotic song? 

I think I like God Bless America and America the Beautiful equally. Our National Anthem still gives me chills, though. I'm sorry there is such a flak about it.

2) The daughter of a Baptist minister, Aretha grew up with church music. She told Rolling Stone one of her favorite songs was the hymn, "Victory Is Mine." What's your favorite religious song? 

Way too many, but Victory in Jesus is always one at the top of the list. In Christ Alone.

3) She welled up a bit when President George H. W. Bush presented her with the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. When is the last time you shed a tear?

While going through some old pictures which stirred up both sweet and sad memories.

4) In 1980, the Queen of Soul sang for the Queen of England in a Command Performance at The Royal Albert Hall. Have you ever been to London? 

Yes. We visited at the end of May, 2002 and enjoyed it very much. It was windy, cold and rainy, but on the days we visited the Cotswolds and Windsor Castle, the sun came out and it was quite nice.

5) Since Aretha had many honorary degrees, it would have been appropriate to refer to her as Dr. Franklin. Who is the last person you referred to by his or her title (Officer, Father, Sgt., Dr., etc.)?

My husband's doctor.

6) In this week's song, Aretha tells her lover that it doesn't take a high IQ to understand what's going on in their relationship. Do you know your IQ? I think I do!

7) A sculpture of Aretha is on display at Madame Tussaud's in New York. Do you think wax museums are cool, or creepy?

They can be kind of fun, although some parts are a little creepy. And surprise, surprise, here I am with Aretha herself!

well, sort of!

DH did not get the memo for what to wear to this meeting.

Brother Phil standing behind General Eisenhower.

And Susan, my sis-in-law with the Kennedys.

8) Aretha and Motown legend Smokey Robinson were literally lifelong friends, since they were playground buddies in Detroit. Smokey is one of the only people who can claim to have seen The Queen of Soul with a bucket in a sandbox. If we went to the playground today, would you head for the swings, the slide or the jungle gym? Or, like Aretha, would you play in the sand?

I will go for the swings.

9) Random question: Do you like pumpkin seeds?

I do. And they are good for you.