Saturday 9: April Love

It's a cool and stormy weather kind of day here in Texas. 

April Love (1957). Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here. I loved and still do love this song and the movie and Pat Boone. We saw him in concert in the 70’s.

1) In this song, Pat Boone sings that April love is a wonder reserved for the very young. Do you think the sensation of falling in love changes as we grow older? 

Probably. I feel it’s more about a crush when we are young, a little more shallow, but very sweet.    However, I have friends who fell in love at 15 and 16 and are still married 50 years later. And my brother and sil met at 16, married at 19, are still happy in love 🥰 42 years later and still going strong.  Must be something to that young, immature love. I’m thankful I didn’t marry the ones I had a crush on. When I met my DH, that love was truly a wonder! I was so happy.

2) "April Love" reached #1 on the charts. Between this song and "Love Letters in the Sand," Pat Boone had a career year. Only one artist sold more records in 1957: Elvis Presley. When you think of Elvis, what's the first song that comes to mind? 

You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog!

3) Pat was extremely busy in high school. He wrote for the school paper, ran track, and acted in school plays. Share a memory of your extracurricular activities during high school.

I didn’t do too much during high school, I was more involved with the youth group at church, Christ's Ambassadors, aka CA's. I was honored to be elected Miss CA when I was a junior in high school. At school, I was in the pep club and attended football games to cheer our team, but that was about it, except for the Red Cross. 

4) It was his track coach who introduced Pat to the new girl in school, Shirley Foley. Three years later Pat and Shirley married, and remained man and wife for 65 years, until her death earlier this year. Who is the longest married couple you know?

Our dear old friends, Vern and Lotus made it past 65 years just before he passed away. They knew each other for one month before they married. We loved them so much and they often shared their stories with younger marrieds at church. Vern was a great friend and role model for my husband.

Beaming at an anniversary party we had for them.

Lotus on a camel in Israel with Vern to her right.

They were in their 80's when we took this trip!

 

5) Pat has lived in the same house for more than 60 years. He once received an offer to sell it for $18,000,000 but turned it down because it's the Boone family home and he simply doesn't want to leave. Do you plan on moving in the foreseeable future? 

I would like to, but there is no plan at this time. It’s overwhelming to think about and DH is happy here.

6) Pat has a warm friendship with his neighbors, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. Pat has mentioned in interviews that he has enjoyed bike rides around Beverly Hills with Sharon. Tell us about one of your neighbors. 

The family to the left of us is from India and they are very nice people. Both the mom and dad are RNs and they have a son and daughter. They are Syrian Christians and wear their cultural attire when they attend their services. We talk, but aren’t close. I used to bake cookies for their children. Their daughter is at Texas A & M, and she is very smart and beautiful. She certainly has blossomed. Their son will be graduating high school this year. 

This was taken shortly after they moved in.

They are a beautiful family.

7) Mr. Boone was very critical of Barack Obama, enthusiastically supports Donald Trump, and has appeared on Fox News to express his views. How do you feel about celebrities talking politics? 

I respect that they have opinions, but unfortunately, many of them aren’t able to do it in a decent way. I’m sick of hearing threats from them and the hate that is in the news daily. Being critical is one thing, being mean is quite another. 

8) In 1957, the year this song was popular, Dr. Ian Donald pioneered the use of ultrasound technology. Today ultrasounds are commonly used by doctors in diagnosing conditions affecting the eyes, blood vessels, kidneys, gall bladder and more. Have you ever had an ultrasound? Oh yes!

9) Random question: You're sitting alone in a restaurant, waiting for a friend. The waiter brings you a drink and the compliments of a member of the opposite sex seated at the bar. What's your reaction? Are you flattered, shocked, embarrassed, intrigued or annoyed?

Hmmmmm. I don’t think so. I would have to tell the waiter to say thank you, but no, thank you.