Saturday's 9 "America, the Beautiful"

Sam’s Saturday's 9 "America, the Beautiful"

On Saturdays I take a break from the heavy stuff and have some fun…
I am heading home today two days early, on Monday I did something to my back and I been hurting since then.



Unfamiliar with Frank Sinatra's 1945 version of this song? Hear it here.

1) In 2016, a group recommended that this week's song replace "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem. They maintain it's just as beautiful but easier to sing. How do you feel about this?
Nope. The Star Spangled Banner has history behind it, but the third verse some people call it racist and could be dropped since most people usually sing only the first two verses.

2) Katharine L. Bates said her lyrics were inspired by a trip to Pike's Peak. What's the most beautiful American spot you've ever visited?
Wow! How to pick just one?
I been to so many great places like Maine’s Acadia National Park, the Green and White Mountains, the Pharaoh Lake wilderness area in the Adirondack State Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt Rainer National Park, the Pacific coast, and so many more great places.

3) The music was written by organist Samuel Augustus Ward. Both Bates and Ward were very formal when signing their names professionally -- she including her middle initial and he with his full middle name. How about you? When you sign checks or documents, do you use your middle name or initial?
Nope.

4) In 1945, when this version of the song was recorded, America lost Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Frank Sinatra said, "I lost a hero." What late, great American hero from our past would you like to honor today?
Ethan Allen.
Most people remember him for leading the Green Mountain Boys and the taking Fort Ticonderoga and bring the cannon to Boston. He was born in Litchfield, Connecticut.

5) Also in 1945, a 19-year-old "hoofer" waited outside the Los Angeles radio station where Sinatra was being interviewed. That was the beginning of the friendship between Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra. Tell us about your oldest friend.
We met in second grade and both liked science. The last time we got together was at our high school 50^th reunion.

6) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?
Not too careful but then again I don’t go out in the sun that much.

7) Mosquito bites can be a major summer annoyance. Are you scratching any itches right now?
Yes.
Of course after reading the question I’m itching again.

8) Emergency rooms report an increase in wrist injuries in summer, with people falling off bikes and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching hard-hit softballs. Have you  been to the ER or Urgent Care during 2019?
Knock on wood, not so far this year.

9) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend?
Nope.
On the menu for tonight is a hamburger with all the sides and tomorrow night shish kabab with rice pilaf.

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend.