Time for some duets... in my Music Video Roundup, Vol.5

It's been awhile since my last music video roundup, I did Vol. 4 way back in May 2022.  But I still enjoy gathering a handful of music videos and watching them over and over, so I figured why not share my recent favorites. 

As to why I enjoy watching these again and again, there's no good explanation.  I just do.  It's a short list this time, only 5.  But this go 'round they're all duets.

So on that musical note....

1. Dolly Parton & her sisters Stella & Cassie on The Porter Wagoner Show, 1970

Since Dolly Parton's passing I've been watching her music videos pretty regularly.  But this one I probably watch daily.  I just find it remarkable how Dolly owns that stage and she's only 24 years old!  Her sister Stella was 21, and Cassie (the brunette) was only 19.  But I love when Dolly gently admonishes Porter for not knowing her sister's names, and points out their "sweet mama and sweet grandpa", who are beaming in the audience.  

2. Les Paul & Mary Ford are at home and waiting for that sunrise, 1951

I don't know how or when I came across this duo, but am so glad I did.  (Mary doesn't play her guitar here, but she was a wonderful guitarist.)  These two were pioneers in multi-track recording, singing and playing to their own music.  In fact, they were the inspiration behind The Carpenters and their own sound.  Poor Mary Ford died in her fifties, in 1977 from alcoholism and diabetes.  I hope she found that sunrise.

3.  Meanwhile down under, there was "Young Talent Time" circa 1975-76

Hosted & produced by pop artist Johnny Young (who passed recently, this past August) this Australian variety show aired from 1971-1988.  Watching these young performers from the mid 1970s, I couldn't help but wonder what they're up to now.  They were teens my age, so they're in their sixties now.  They sang well together, and I am digging their 70's vibe.

4. Linda Purl & Jon Walmsley give it their all on The Waltons, February 17, 1977

I think Linda Purl was one of my favorite crushes in the 1970s, and she was sweet as can be singing I'll Fly Away, Oh Glory.  This has always been my favorite gospel (not that I have a lot of them).  Still, I only recently learned that it was my dad's too, he used to perform it in church with my Aunt Dena back in the day.

5. Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, The Ed Sullivan Show - March 30, 1969

Last December I shared a Steve & Eydie video from 1967, so I thought it fitting to end this list with another one.  And this song couldn't come along at a better time, given all our troubles in the world right now.  "Dear World", time for some real healing!

It looks like we have a full plate--me of course, and the Democrats too

Fried fish sandwich with homemade tartar sauce & white onions, roasted broccoli and some very spicy jalapeno macaroni & cheese

This is what I usually have for dinner on Fridays (with a big glass of grapefruit soda) but enjoyed it early tonight (Thursday) just to shake things up a little.  But I couldn't help thinking, while dishing up these big portions, that I wasn't the only one with a full plate after this week's mid-terms.  

There's not a lot I want to say here.  This afternoon my friend Margaret wrote a terrific editorial on the recent elections which you can read here.  We're on the same page opinions wise, though I can't express my feelings as eloquently as her.  And right now my brain is pretty wrapped up in it's own struggle with long covid and chronic inflammation.  

But I did want to say I very much enjoyed Tuesday night.  I felt like a kid again on Christmas Eve.  As the results began coming in, I baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and made a pot of hot coffee, stayed up late and enjoyed the show.  

Some of my favorite people live in the great state of Texas, but I know good people who live in Ohio, Kansas & South Carolina too.  Their own excitement was contagious.  And man, Georgia is a rock star!

I don't know where the Democrats plan to start in January, but I hope they make restoring those extended subsidies to healthcare premiums a priority--along with reinstating Medicaid and food stamps for the needy.   And end those goddamn tariffs and that godforsaken war!!!  Oops, there I go...

Y'know, the irony is I don't consider myself a radical liberal.  I see myself as a loyal Democrat with some conservative leanings, the older I become.  But these last couple years have been positively horrific.  Unless you're a fascist or asshole, that is.

Oh well, on that hopeful note... thanks for reading, I hope everyone has a great weekend!  

Thinking out loud: It's the day of and the day after... this

Sunday night I awoke around 3am with the left side of my face wet and one eye closed up.  This is how it looked Monday morning, after cleaning up.  

One side of my head feels like it's in a vise, a pretty hard return to my earlier days of long covid.  I can't help but wonder if this will ever end.  I was pretty bummed, it was a beautiful day and I was hoping to go into downtown Pittsburgh, to claim my long-awaited Senior Card for Pat Transit.  

People 65 and over get to ride public transportation--buses, the subway, the Incline all for free.  But you have to apply for your special ID card in person at the Port Authority downtown.

I'm so frustrated, so damn angry at how long this condition has gone on, I keep reminding myself things could be worse but when you're in daily discomfort it can be hard to do.

Over my birthday, an old friend reached out to me just to say hello.  It was wonderful hearing from Brenda again, the last we spoke was 10 years ago and before that, nearly 30 years.  In the 1980s, we were part of a group of twentysomethings that hung out together on a regular basis. 

In March 2024, shortly after I got long covid, Brenda's husband Mike, also part of our 80s group, died from cancer.  They were together 40 years.  Anyway, Brenda is seeing someone new now--actually, her first high school boyfriend--who's wife contracted covid the same time I did, but didn't make it.  I'm happy for Brenda, but what a damn curse this covid has been for so many.  At least I'm still here.  Still...

Can I share something silly?  It's dorky but honest-to-God true.  Yesterday afternoon I was in my kitchen making dinner, and had Youtube on the TV in my living room.  Some guy named Philip Mershon (who has a retro channel) was talking about terrariums, and when I heard him say "Here's some other 70's decor people used to cozy up their homes"  I hurried in to see what he was talking about, and saw this.

Look familiar?  I did not get the idea to buy my macrame owl from Philip--I got my owl last week, 4 days before he posted this video.  I just thought this was a weird coincidence.

I'm probably going to start seeing owls everywhere now.  As a matter of fact my blogger friend Margaret just posted a photo of one.  (Her neighbor set out a clay owl to ward off crows in his backyard. )

Well, I should wrap this up and get my day started.  My head isn't any better, but my eye is, at least.  Maybe it wasn’t even LC related.  I'm sorry for the dull read, I just felt the need to share.  I'm already working on my next post, which I hope is more interesting, so please don't give up on me just yet.  

And speaking of not giving up...

                                              Come on Blue Wave