MOTHER'S DAY SATURDAY 9 MEME

Saturday 9: Mama Liked the Roses (1970)

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

1) In this song, Elvis tells us his mother loved tending the roses in the garden. Do you have a green thumb?

sorta?  I have tulips, tea  roses (2 different bushes), irises and hosta in the front yard garden.  I have wildflowers and hopefully morning glories will come up the trellis this year in the backyard/deck. I also have a snake plant in the living room and  purple African violets that are doing great in the family room. That's about it for me.

2) Mama would put the roses in a vase in the living room. Do you have cut flowers in your home right now? 

Not currently. But when I do it's usually some type of wildflower. 

 

3) Elvis sings that he found Mama's rose petals pressed in the family Bible. Have you ever pressed petals in a book? If yes, what occasion were you commemorating?

I have pressed wild  violets from my parents' central NYS backyard in one of my Bibles.  It's from one of my last visits with both my mom and dad alive so sometime before October 2012. 

4) OK, so now we know Mama liked roses. What about you? Would you prefer white, pink, yellow or red roses?

I prefer yellow roses for keeping in a vase but I grow pink and orange tea roses. 

5) Elvis' own mother, Gladys Presley, had a major impact on pop culture. When her son was 11, he asked for either a rifle or a bicycle for his birthday. She deemed the rifle too dangerous and the bike too expensive, and so he chose a guitar instead. The rest is history. Tell us about a special birthday gift from your youth.

I received the Meg Mystery series for my 12th or 13th birthday and loved those books!!  My oldest daughter now has them. I even remember the 4 titles:  Meg and the Disappearing Diamonds; Meg and the Secret of the Witch's Stairway; Meg and the Treasure Nobody Saw; Meg and the Ghost of Hidden Springs.  I also remember that the Disappearing Diamonds was Book 1. The 4 books came in a little box that stood up so you could see all 4 titles displayed.  

6) Abraham Lincoln credited his stepmother, Sarah, for her lasting influence on his life, saying she ignited his love of reading and learning. Tell us about a woman -- mother, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, Godmother, teacher, neighbor -- who changed your life for the better.

My grandma M (Dad's mom); my childhood pastor's wife (Ruth); my voice teacher in college (Ms H);  my high school spiritual mentors (Corky B and Selma P);my close friend and counselor (Cheryl S); my current pastor's wife and friend (Deb K)

7) Mother's Day is almost upon us. According to the National Restaurant Association, we like to eat out on this holiday, with revenue up more than 80% on Mother's Day weekend. When did you last dine at a restaurant? Was it a special occasion?

Last time I ate in a restaurant was 2 Friday evenings ago.  My small group celebrated the completion of our book study/Spring Semester ending. My daughters made a lunch reservation for Mother's Day at the very same restaurant so I'll be there again tomorrow!

8) Candles are a big seller for Mother's Day, too. What's your favorite candle scent?

Balsam or coffee (yes I have both and they're amazing).  I also absolutely love orange.  Most flowery ones I am allergic to. 

9) Sam is celebrating Mother's Day with her mother's favorite, Hershey Bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or chocolate with almonds?

Dark Chocolate with Almond or Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt or Pure Cocoa Chocolate (as in pure cocao/vegan chocolate)