Saturday 9 - Colors of the Wind

 

This week's tune? Hear it here.

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1. Number 1 on the charts in August 30 years ago, "Colors of the Wind" is from the Disney hit, Pocahontas. Have you seen it?
   
   I think so. Don't know if I've only seen parts or the whole movie.
   
   
2. This song celebrates the glories of nature. Have you spent much time outdoors this summer? If yes, what have you enjoyed doing?
   
   Not as much as other years, because the temperature is far too high.
   You know: heatwaves and such.
   And I have done a lot of tidying and adjusting things in the house. And continued doing "my things".
   But I have tried to sit down every evening after dinner to read a bit in the gardenhouse. Didn't happen every day, but I have almost finished a book. Now I have new reading glasses, I think it's not only time to keep doing this, but also to start writing in the gardenhouse.
   
   I was also outside to work in the garden.
   
   
3. Lyricist Stephen Schwartz said he was inspired by the works of Chief Seattle, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Who is your favorite author?
   
   Don't know.
   I am very bad with remembering names anyway.
   
   
4. This week's artist, Vanessa Williams, came to national attention as Miss America 1984. In the talent competition she sang "Happy Days Are Here Again." Over the years, contestants have sung, recited original poetry, danced, twirled batons, performed gymnastics and demonstrated martial arts. Which of your talents would wow the judges?
   
   The talent to become an american as a Dutch person with a very critical political pen.
   But if I would ever compete I might just sit down, smile and say nothing.
   
   Or I would start telling about my work with the veterans.
   
   I don't have the feeling I need to show the world how good I am. I have never been very competitive.
   I was raised with the remark: "She is not handsome, but she is kind." So because I was put away, I had the habit to put away myself too. Now I just don't care to compete or show myself off.
   I know I am good at certain things, I can finally admit that to myself, but to put that on stage...
   But it would be nice to get some acknowledgement.
   
   
5. Her family tree includes William A. Fields, who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives in the late 19th century. Are you interested in genealogy?
   
   Yes, I am.
   The problem is that I am not sure if my mother was my real mother.
   
   I have researched my father's side and, yes, I have scottish ancestors...
   It's very interesting certain themes come back over and over again in the generations: music (singing, composing, piano/organ, dancing/ballet), writing, teaching, painting or photographing, adn interesting military experiences. It's a special experience to be part of that, as I see those themes back in my children.
   
   
6. Vanessa supports the non-profit Dress for Success, which helps unemployed and underemployed women prepare with career coaching, networking and professional attire. Have you ever gone into a job interview found yourself unprepared? Or, if you prefer, tell us about an interview you confidently aced.
   
   I was always prepared.
   But one time I had to travel by train and there was a problem with the train.
   I was more than an hour too late, as we got stuck on the rails.
   Luckily it was in the news, so the very sarcastic guy could check it every hour.
   
   I got the job.
   And it came in very handy that the guy had showed his feathers when I was too late.
   He didn't even ask how I was doing!
   So I knew that he wouldn't function well as a supervisor. That was a fact. It made me very independent and take my own decisions, and find my way in my profession.
   In the evenings he had a private practice at home. People who got therapy there certainly got all his attention and skills.
   That made me want to be there for everybody, also for the people who can't afford it.
   So I always worked for free, and even though I don't have a huge house and pension, I was able to support a lot of people. So it made things very worthwhile.
   
   Let's look at the summer of 1995.
   
   
7. 1995's best-selling new car was the Ford Taurus. That summer, dealers were promoting a 6.9% APR loan or $1,500 cash back with purchase. This summer, drivers with good credit might get a better deal because the average APR for new car loans is a little lower. Do you keep your eye on fluctuating interest rates?
   
   No.
   I don't have a car.
   My upbringing and the culture of my time was: don't buy what you can't pay. So no loans!! No need to keep an eye on the interest rates.
   
   
8. English yachtswoman Lisa Clayton made history by sailing solo around the world. It took her 10 months. Would you be comfortable spending months and months alone?
   
   We're having the youngest sailer who sailed around the world. The, then girl, Laura Dekker.
   Yes, I can be alone very well.
   
   
9. Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your baseball team doing this season?
   
   We don't have a baseball team.

. . .

About **Syl

Syl: "Life is a chain of challenges. Sometimes the largest challenges are we ourselves. Facing life, facing others and facing yourself requires either a worryless attitude or plain courage. Most of the time it is dealing with judgement. Maybe life is about getting rid of it."