Saturday 9: Doris Day's Secret Love

This day finds me in Dallas with our daughter and her family.  I can't wait to see our youngest dance tonight in her solo competition.  She has done so well this year.

Doris Day was mine and America's favorite actress.  She lived a very productive life and I'm sure died a very gracious woman, just as she had lived.

Sam writes the questions around a popular song, and we answer them.  I hope you will hop over to her site and see how the other bloggers answered these nine questions.

Secret Love

Secret Love (1953)

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

Rest in peace, Doris Day (1922-2019)

1) In this song Doris admits she's spoken to the stars, "the way dreamers often do." Do you often daydream?

I don't think I'd call it daydreaming, but my mind will often take flight while I'm trying to go to sleep.  Not a good thing.

2) What's the last secret you kept? (It doesn't have to be romantic.)

It's still a secret!

3) While "Secret Love" was one of Miss Day's best-selling records, and the song won an Oscar, she did not perform it at the Academy Awards Ceremony. She said she was just too nervous to sing it live before an international television audience and an auditorium full of entertainment professionals. When did you last suffer an attack of nerves?

Probably our helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.  The nerves didn't last long but I was a bit shaky to begin with.

4) Doris' well-publicized attack of Oscar stage fright was unexpected because she began her career as a band singer, performing before live audiences every night. But she reportedly did develop more phobias over the years, including a fear of flying. Is there anything that scares you now, as an adult, that didn't frighten you as a child?

Getting old?  No, I'm already there age wise, and it hasn't been scary at all.  I really can't think of anything that frightens me now.  I know Who holds my tomorrows.

 5) Doris Day made 39 movies between 1948 and 1968. She said one of her favorite things about film making was working with costume designers on her wardrobe. Do you enjoy shopping for clothes?

I can imagine how much fun that must have been for Doris Day.  She wore the most beautiful outfits in all of her movies.  No, I don't enjoy shopping for clothes.  When I shop, I much prefer online or the small boutiques rather than a large department store.

6) Doris confessed that when she had to lose weight for a role, she gave up ice cream. If we checked your freezer, would we find any ice cream?

Nope!

7) In 1985 she hosted a cable show called Doris Day's Best Friends. She used the show as a platform to promote pet adoptions and animal welfare. Most of the guests were  celebrity friends who reportedly donated their salaries for appearing on the show to Doris' pet foundation. Did you more recently ask a friend for a favor, or perform a favor for a friend?

I most recently did some things for my sister who is also my best friend.  They weren't favors but things that needed to be done and I could do them.  Besides, I love doing things for her.

8) For more than 20 years, Doris co-owned the Cypress Inn in Carmel, CA. The Inn expects to continue on without her, and maintain the pet-friendly policies she introduced. Have you ever traveled with your dog or cat?

Before I had children, I used to take our Siamese cat with me when I visited my parents.  But, she hated the trip and I would have to sedate her to keep from killing her.

9) Random question: What's the last thing you complained about?

After downloading a particular security system on my new laptop, I got a notice that my own blog address was not secure and therefore a high risk.  I did complain about this sudden notice that my blog was an unsafe site to no avail.  So, I just unblocked it and so far my computer hasn't crashed.  It was just an over zealous scan I suppose.

Wednesday Medley: Dad, Sisters, Cookies & Stockings?

Today would be our dad's 100th birthday.  He died in 1994 and not a day passes that we don't miss him.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Daddy!

For you pet lovers, I must show you Miss Ellie, my sister's gorgeous Persian Cat.

She is a very serious feline but loves to pose for the camera.

As far as National Days go, this is a really strange one.  Who wears stockings these days anyway?  But, Terri has come up with fun questions for us to answer and I hope you will join us.

Your Friend From Florida

NATIONAL NYLON STOCKING DAY – May 15

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

If you are interested in knowing more about this crazy national day, check out Terri's post

HERE

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1.  Do you (men don't have to answer) ever wear stockings today?

Absolutely NOT!

2.  Terri can remember her mom wearing hose with the seam in the back.  Do you have any memories of those?

Yes, I remember my mother wearing stockings with seams and I wore them as well a few times.  I can recall how terribly difficult it was to get those seams straight on my skinny little legs, especially in the hot days of summer.  But did I ever feel grown up while wearing them.

We wore garter belt girdles back in the day to hold up our stockings.  I never needed a girdle back then, but that's what a young lady did regardless.

  During the war, when stockings were scarce, women would draw a line on their legs to simulate wearing stockings!  How far would you go to superficially fake something today?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this question, but I have had eyeliner tattooed on to fake the real thing.  I do remember my mother telling me about drawing the line on her leg to simulate hosiery when she couldn't afford a pair.  I suppose we all do certain things to enhance what is now lacking or slacking.

3.  Women actually rioted after WWII because Dupont couldn't keep up with the demand for nylon stockings!  Is there anything today you would riot for if the supply dried up (other than basic food and water needs)?

Gasoline!  I must be able to reach my family.  And what would I do without being able to take an occasional road trip?

4.  Pantyhose were first called Panty Legs.  I'm sure we all have worn pantyhose at one time or another (again, men don't have to answer). Do you still have a pair or three in a drawer?  Do you wear them?

I have worn a pair of pantyhose only once in the past two to three years or longer.  I still have a couple pair in my lingerie drawer, but they are probably dry rotted.

5.  This is also National Chocolate Chip Day.  Perhaps chocolate is something to riot for if we ran out?  Joe's favorite cookie is chocolate chip.  What is yours?

I'm not a huge cookie fan but I do like an occasional Neiman Marcus Cookie if someone offers me one.  Click HERE for the recipe and history behind the cookie.

6.  Please share something with us about your week.

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend in South Louisiana which you can read about on my Monday blog post HERE.

Sister Time

On Monday I had a regular every 6-month doctor visit in Baton Rouge.  Always grateful for another good report.

Today, Tuesday Dick and I are going to see the movie "Poms."

The rest of the week will be spent with routine matters.

On Saturday, I will drive to Dallas to see our youngest granddaughter, Ava Grace, dance in her solo competition.  It's time for some daughter/granddaughter together time.

Enjoy your week!

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend was spent at my middle sister, Gin's house.  We came on Thursday to help her get ready for a big family gathering.

Friday night found us at her oldest son, Eric's house for Crayfish Etouffee and all the fixings.

Their lovely home has the prettiest setting by a Cypress Tree slew.  I love the beautiful moss draping from every branch and tree.

The sunset through the moss draped trees was spectacular.

Saturday, we hosted the out-of-town guests at Gin's house for breakfast before going to her younger son, Doug's house.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Doug lives in the historic town of Washington, Louisiana, on Bayou Courtableau.  With all the rain we have been getting, the water is well out of its banks.

It was a stormy day but we were snug inside his and Pam's beautiful screened back porch.  It is such a lovely all purpose room, perfect for entertaining.

Sisters

  

Doug fried delicious catfish filets, and we had more food than we could possibly eat in one day.

Sunday, found us old folks sitting and relaxing on Gin's beautiful garden patio.

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend also.

Wednesday Medley: MOTHER'S

It is all about our mothers today on the Medley.

I also want to recognize the two beautiful mothers who made me a grandmother.

Daughter Christy

Daughter-in-love, Michelle

They are both the most amazing mothers and they are my blessings.

Click HERE to join Terri and the other bloggers who answered today's questions about their mothers.

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MOTHER’S DAY

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1. Where did your mom grow up?

My mom grew up in North Central Louisiana in a small town called Dubach.  There is an old saying, "If you're a Colvin, you must be from Dubach."  And she was.

This is an old family home from my mother's ancestry line, just outside Dubach that is now on the National Registry.  Notice the open hallway down the middle?  That is called a "dog trot" for obvious reasons and was characteristic of many early homes in the south.

2. Tell us about her siblings, if she has/had any.

Mother was the baby of 10 children - 3 girls and 7 boys - and born in 1918.  She is sitting between her parents in the picture above.  Her father died when she was only seven, shortly after this picture was taken, so her older siblings also played a role in her up-bringing.

 Did you have a favorite aunt or uncle?

I did have a favorite and it was Aunt Thyra.  She was a devoted aunt and mentor.  I admired her greatly.  That being said, I loved all my aunts and uncles and of course was closer to some than others.  They each had a special place.

3. What is ONE of your favorite memories you can share with us of your mom?

Oh my, there are so many.  I remember especially the times all three of us girls and our families would get together at our parent's home.  Mother was so much fun and we always loved our times together.

She was a devoted grandmother and dearly loved the great-grandchildren she lived long enough to meet. 

After the death of our dad in 1994, Mother moved to the town where we lived and continued to live near us even after we moved to a different city.  I treasure those years spent with my precious mom.

My most treasured memory of Mother is when she was on her death bed.  We girls and several of our children were gathered around her bed, just wanting to touch and be close to her.  She aroused and looked each person in the face and asked them specifically if they were saved and right with the Lord.  She died as she had lived; caring about the spiritual well-being of her family.

4. Please share a picture or two of your mom with us.

These were taken in approximately 1942 a year before she and my dad married.

1945 - Me with my parents

Taken a year before her death in 2005.  She would be 101 in November of this year.

This was our mother!

5. Let's not leave out the grandmothers. Share what you will.

My maternal grandmother lived with us until her death.  Since Mother was the last child, Mama always lived with her.  I loved her immensely!  She was the most gentle, loving, godly woman I have ever known.

I love this picture of my mother and grandmother because the deep love they had for each other is so evident.

Grandmother, my dad's mom did not live with us, but she would come a couple times a year and stay for a month or so.  We were never as close to her although we loved her dearly.

6. Do you have any special plans for Mother's Day? 

I will be spending Mother's Day with my middle sister.  We will be there for a weekend get-together with all her children and their families.  We are looking forward to that time together.

It's All About Freshness

This is truly a hodgepodge of a Monday post, but I hope you will enjoy it.

A couple weeks ago I added some fresh touches to the living room decor.  I love using silver and ironstone in my spring and summer accessories.

This beautiful urn, set in a silver tray, picks up and repeats the colors in my painting in the foyer.  The gold sculpture piece pulls out the gold in the trim of the mirror and is a conversation starter as well.

There is always freshness on the back porch.

This will bring a smile to your face

Is this a chick-flick you would like to see?

And speaking of freshness!

May God's "fresh" blessings be poured on you this week!

Libby