Drink a Toast to WTIT Today

Saturday 9: Your Mother Should Know (1967)

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

1) This week's featured artists, The Beatles, invite us to get up and dance to a song that was a hit before your mother was born. Do you enjoy the oldies? How old must a song be before you consider it "old?" To me? As soon as it’s considered an oldie, or whatever passes for that now. Certainly, a year after it’s off the charts.

2) Paul McCartney knew bandmate John Lennon's mom, Julia, and credits her with introducing him to the ukulele. Do you recall any of your childhood friends' mothers with fondness? My friend, Galloping Gary’s mom Nancy, and I were close. She even mailed me a graduation card for high school. She wrote, "Now Bud is wiser!" She did not live till I graduated from college, she died of brain cancer.

3) Paul's own mother, Mary, tried to instill in her son a sense of pride in his appearance and saw to it he always left the house in a clean, ironed shirt. Paul says that, to this day, when he smells fresh laundry, he thinks of his mum. Is there a scent or sound that reminds you of someone you love who is no longer with us? My mom is with me in so many ways. But musically, with “Que Sera, Sera” Her favorite song, which was very ironic.

4) George Harrison was the only member of the band to have any formal musical training. His mother, Louise, supported her son's musical ambitions and made sure he got guitar lessons. Did you take music classes as a child? Yes, I was “taught” the piano by a sadistic son of a bitch who when instructed to teach me popular music taught me “Carolina in the FUCKING Morning” as in “Nothing Could Be Finer”. I hated it.

5) Ringo Starr was a sickly and often hospitalized little boy. His mother, Elsie, took a job as a barmaid so she could work at night, leaving her days free during visiting hours. When were you most recently in a hospital? Were you an admitted patient, there for an outpatient procedure, or visiting someone? I was the patient. I had yet another surgery on my neck in 2018. My ex-wife would later say “she stayed longer because of” the surgery. She should not have done me that fucking favor. Hmmmph. I feel better already.

6) Mother Winters always gave our own Crazy Sam peppermint tea to calm her stomach. Do you have any tried-and-true home remedies to share? Certainly not for stomachs. I just came back from a specialist.

7) Sam's mother always tips 15% in restaurants. Sam has worked in food service and is more judgmental, tipping between 10% and 25%, depending on the quality of the service. What's your tipping policy? Usually at least 25%.

8) Sam's mother still gets the Sunday paper because of the sales fliers. She makes separate lists for each store, picking up grocery and household items where she knows they are on sale. Sam thinks her mother's strategy is a waste of time and gas and prefers one-stop shopping (even better, online one-stop shopping). Are you more like mother or daughter? Daughter. I am totally on line.

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, although they have changed the names. Semi sweet is what “dark chocolate” is. Godiva was the first company to change. For a long time, and during their chocolate-tini craze, “milk chocolate was chocolate”. Now, semi-sweet is chocolate and the old “chocolate” became “milk chocolate”. I still like white chocolate the best.

My move is in two weeks. It’s all too surreal. I know, I've said that before. Hope your Mother’s Day is special to all moms! And if you’re a “fave aunt” I hope that you’re remembered. Tonight, I say goodbye to both my friends at WTIT, but WTIT itself. And while I’ve rationalized that this died with Johnnie’s passing, I know tonight I’ll really enjoy partying with my besties. I expect Billy, Greg, Rock & maybe Midnight. I invited Cos & Gary just CUZ. I haven't from Gary. Anyway, that’s why I ended the other blog. Because it will all be over tonight. You, enjoy your day!

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