Saturday 9: On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe

Sam’s Saturday 9: On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe (1946)

On Saturdays I take a break from the heavy stuff and have some fun…

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Judy Garland sings about the train whistle and wheels. What sounds make you happy?

Well yesterday, it was the sound of the blender making my chocolate milk shake at a local hamburger joint.

2) She tells us that, since she loves dreaming of train travel, she must have "a little gypsy in her heart." How about you? Do you often dream of visiting faraway places?

Ha! Not only far away places but also on other worlds. Right now I’m dreaming of being on the planet Darkover.

3) Judy sings about a future when she's "old and gray and settled down." At what age do you consider a person is old?

Hmm… I would say, as a person who is in their mid-seventies, that it is when you are pushing up dasies.

4) This song is from the movie, The Harvey Girls. Filming was a time of stress for Judy. She was appearing before the cameras by day (she sprained her ankle in a scene where slips down a hill), recording the soundtrack by night, and dealing with lawyers regarding her divorce from composer David Rose. Yet watching the movie, none of the tension shows. Do you work well under pressure?

I used to. But having been retired for almost 20 years I say “What pressure?” Now I walk away from stressful situations.

5) Judy relaxed on the set by knitting and would make blankets and caps for the children of crew members. Do you knit?

Nope. I have no desire to learn, I found when I tried it very boring and hard to concentrate. My mind keeps drifting off thinking of other things.

6) Judy admitted she had a problem with tardiness. Do you strive to be prompt?

I do, but I’m a dismal failure. But now that I out a clock in the shower I’m better on arriving on time. However, I’m still usually putting on the last item of clothing as I run to the car.

7) In 1946, when this song was on the radio, cigarette cases were very popular. Since these metal cases were standard issue in the Army during WWII, many soldiers got into the habit of using them and continued to after the war ended. Women often carried fabric or leather cigarette cases that closed with a clasp like a coin purse. In the 1940s, elegant cigarette cases were a fashionable gift but today, they are largely forgotten. Did you ever carry one? Do you know anyone who did?

Nope.

8) Also in 1946, bikinis appeared for the first time on runways in Paris. How often did you don swimwear during 2022?

Here I have a cottage on the Cape and I have probably only wore a bathing suit two or three times last summer.

9) Random question: Thinking of your past romantic involvements, were you truly in love with one of them, some of them, or all of them?

Yes.