saturday 9: First Christmas

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1) The song mentions snowmen and snow on a windowpane. Has it snowed near you yet?

I live on O’ahu in Hawai’i, so nope!

2) Diane Keaton sings that hearing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” makes her miss someone she loved who won’t be coming home at all. Is there a Christmas song that reminds you of a loved one?

Christmas in general does that. My dad was a Santa doppelganger, so it’s always a bit of a heart twinge for me, even as much as I love the holiday season. But one specific song? Not really.

3) After the song was first released for Christmas 2024, Diane said she appreciated how many people posted on her Instagram, sharing their “First Christmas journeys,” explaining how they navigated the first holiday season without a special someone. What have you recently posted on social media (other than this blog post)?

I haven’t. I’ve been on a social media near-total blackout but for Instagram, and I don’t think I’ve posted much there either.

4) Diane appeared in the Broadway musical Hair and sang in movies like Annie Hall and The First Wives Club. Still she didn’t consider herself “much of a singer.” How about you? What’s something you do, even though you’re not completely comfortable doing it?

Singing and dancing. I’m not bad at either, but I used to be better so I’m self-conscious about it.

5) This was Diane’s first and, sadly, her only record. She was nervous doing it, but it helped that the lyrics was written by her friend, Carole Bayer Sager, and that both Carole and her writing partner, Jonas Myrin, were with Diane in the studio. Tell us about a friend who came through for you.

Hmm… touchy subject. I’ve got a too long list of “friends” who disappeared when I needed them but who’ve always been all too accepting of my help when they needed it. But there have been some notable ones. Sadly, one of the ones that was there for me the most is gone now. Patience, I miss you every day.

6) After her 75th birthday, Diane said she was excited that new ventures were coming her way and she found herself saying “yes” more often. In addition to recording this week’s song, she accepted an unexpected offer from Look Optic to design eyewear. Have you recently tried something you’ve never done before? OR What’s something you’d like to try?

Definitely nothing recently, but when I’m healed, I want to take a ballroom class.

Now for some questions about the holiday season …

7) Do you display the holiday cards you receive?

Always!

8) This is a big time of hear for necklaces, hats and headbands decorated with jingle bells. Will you be wearing any bells this season?

I don’t know, maybe? I don’t have anything belled, but we’ll see!

9) The website Morning Save included these three items on their list of this season’s popular gifts. Would you rather receive: a. cup holder/phone mount for your car; b. sherpa lined clog slippers; c. set of three stainless paring knives with rosemary green plastic handles?

Hmm… probably the phone mount. My little Miata doesn’t have a good place for my phone. And Hawai’i is too warm for sherpa-lined clogs. As for the knives, I already have a great paring knife, so no need.