December 9, 1957 was Monday

And the day Dancing With the Stars Champ, Donny Osmond was born, all so Sweet and Innocent!

Donny Osmond. Oh man. It's difficult for me to imagine how, thru the years, I journeyed from Utah to Pennsylvania to Virginia, to Las Vegas and then just cross town, here in Dallas, just to see Donny and his family. My dad fussed about spending all this money to see the Osmonds and my step-mother just fussed period--but, my Dad--he LOVED to tell folks what I did and where I went to see the Osmonds. Me thinks he liked it as much as I did. :)

Heck, Dad and I would even exchange thoughts, if he happen to catch the Osmonds on TV. In fact, I recall circa 1972, the Osmond Brothers were on American Bandstand. Dick Clark said they were going to introduce a song--he may even have said it could be their next single: My Drum. It was taped in a recording studio--I think. My dad came in the room, and asked, "Is that the Osmonds?" I told him it was. Dad responds, "Damn! That didn't even sound like them." The song really didn't either. It's another what if Donny and Marie didn't happen-Nothing wrong with Donny and Marie--yet, just wonder...

Today in 2009 Donny, now a grandfather, celebrates another birthday. May there be many more.

This this whole Donny Osmond and me thing will go on and on--until at least until the 12th of Never--which, by the way--was the first single Donny released after his voice changed. Then and ONLY, then, truth be told--did I start to think Donny wasn't so bad!

Donny Danced!

To win Dancing With The Stars Trophy! How cool is that? Plus, Donny sang, "Puppy Love"--a song I really did hate until Donny's voice changed! Kid you not.

I was sure of that after last night's free-style. It was Mya's trophy to lose, until the free-style. Kinda feel for her, yet not really. Kelly grew, and I admire that. I'm sure Daddy Ozzy was mush watching his baby girl grace across the floor.

But the night was for Osmonds and Osmonds only. Donny got his wife, Debbie, and her carried onto the floor. His kids. Sister Marie and who knows WHO else, surrounded them. Donny proved you can turn 52 on December 9, be a grandfather and out do two ladies that could be your daughters! Yep-it was Donny's night!

For me, to watch from the comfort of my own home. In my bed actually, under the covers in my purple jammies--instead of like yester-decade as a teenager, lingering in a service elevator-hours on end--just to catch a glimpse of an Osmond. As of tonight, I am more confident Donny ignores the AARP membership invites that turn up in the mail.

Just like I do.

Congrats to YOU, Donny!

Dance Donny Dance!

Yes indeed--Donny Osmond is the Dancing With the Stars Finals! And last night, Donny's second dance was to the Osmond Brothers' (before Donny & Marie-waaaaay before) first number one single, "One Bad Apple." Donny was draped in purple, which any Osmond fan knows was Donny's favorite color--remember his purple socks?

Donny survives to dance again against the daughter of Ozzy Osbourne and a singer who was born, in 1979, right before the original Donny and Marie variety show was cancelled for the right hoist the tacky trophy only DWTS the could pull off.

Stay tuned.

This Day

Bittersweet-

Would have liked

MORE

Of Michael's interface with the dancers or just him

More speaking. Just to get more of feel for him---

Guess you always want what you can no longer have.

Loved to watch the reaction of the dancers-

All so young and got so off just watching Michael rehearse and sing on stage

...alone...

They were gonna perform with MICHAEL JACKSON!

"This Is It" is for the us -

My misty eyes proved that--

To remember what really came first:

The talent. The genuis of

Michael....

Rest Now...

Dance With Donny

I didn't, but would like to.

Donny had so much fun tonight with Bruno. Then announced how Utah probably wouldn't let him back in, made me howl. Carrie Ann said Donny's outburst was "uncomfortable", however I say it was fun! OK--sure, Donny showed us he's a bit more than rock n roll, and gave night show hosts something to yap about--and also something to be replay-replayed, AND replayed on every entertainment show. Some will have a cow and say, "Donny Osmond did WHAT?"

Whatever. At least he didn't faint.

I think Donny is so surprised how he's doing on DWTS, he let his excitement just go.

Good for him.

Now if you will excuse me, there's ice cream awaits.

Donny Osmond Fun Friday FlashBack

I'm so into Dancing With The Stars--have been since I got curious when Dallas Cowboy Great Emmitt Smith danced all the way to the hoisting glass ball trophy. And this season, Donny Osmond has my full attention. I like a couple other guys, like Iron Chef Guy Mark and the Boxer Guy--but Donny....

Yea, the Osmond Brothers filled my 1970's and really beyond, with alot of good memories! I can see alot of you smilin' and rememberin' too. And you know Kodak Camera company made such a mint off all us Osmond fans :)

So because it's Friday, and just 'cause I like this splash of fun, cue up a little ditty to show how Donny had the movies even THEN: Yo Yo!

Thirsty Thursday and David Cassidy Too

Three thirsts on my mind.

First, looks like my lawn will get a good drink tonight. Clouds darken. It's a cool 85 degrees, plus I watered my own insides with my daily 74 ounces o' water. Stood full throttle on the scale this morning. Smiled because the number was alittle smaller. Now, I've not dropped all this weight. Nope, I'm honest, I've been quite lax in my exercise routine. So things haven't happened as quick as I'd like. I have cut out candy--notany peanut M & Ms is tough. Hmm. I may need to go back to what I did before--just munch a couple from a bag. Just to get a taste. That's how I weaned myself from taking on an entire pint of Blue Bell--which is the best ice cream in the land. Well, maybe in the south anyway. I still savor my Blue Bell--just not as much of it. There are some things I am NOT going without!

Another thirst is health reform. Since I've had this pesky little open heart surgery and must take a daily dose of coumadin, my health has taken on a whole new meaning, especially too, because I want my own business. I listened to President Barack Obama last night. I liked what he said. What bothers me is all the junk others are saying. Ya know my deal is, none of us know HOW this thing is gonna work. You can throw charts, grafts, labels of socialism and the cow jumped over the moon, yet NOBODY really knows how it will fare. What I like, somebody IS trying to do something about it. Stay tuned.

And my last thirst? The guilty pleasure of watching "Ruby and the Rockits" on ABCFamily Channel. The show itself--yea, well--I'm not 13, until I David Cassid pops on the screen OK--the guy will be be 60 on April 12. I can still see that 70's Keith Partridge shag he had. I do wish David were in the show more. Alas, it's not all about David, but Ruby. *sigh* Yes, his brother Patrick is attractive and looks so much like his mom, Shirley Jones--who appears next week shows up to meet the granddaughter she didn't know she had. My DVR will be ready! :)

To wrap all this up, it's Thursday and still summer, so cue up a 70's David Cassidy to remind us about Summer Days. And after that? A few spoonfuls of Blue Bell Strawberry Cheesecake beckon me as I watch a bit of the first game of the NFL season--just to tie me over until the REAL game on Sunday: Dallas and Tampa Bay...Thirst ON!

Donny Osmond on Wednesday July 24, 1974

On this day, in 1974 I met Donny Osmond up close and personal for the first time. This was at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. Way before Las Vegas was family friendly, I somehow got my Dad to take me to adult playground to see the Osmonds perform.

The Tropicana was booked, so we had to stay in the Hacienda Hotel. I was bummed about that, yet we did do breakfast at the Trop. After my we dined, a girl came up to me and asked me my name. Turns out, being in the whole pen pal thing at the time--real hand written letters sent through the mail for eight cents-Bonnie had written me to ask if if I wanted to be part of scrapbook she put together for the Osmonds. So I'd sent a note and a picture--and there she was right there in front of me. She was from.Oswego, NY. Anyway, a bunch of girls were outside the restaurant and I wanted to hang to. My dad really wasn't feeling it--however there were some adults there and he gave in--reluctantly. I'm sure the thought of his teen daughter in Las Vegas--alone-was not appealing. Anyway, after I met my first Osmond, Alan and his wife of eight days, Suzanne--I wouldn't have budged--period.

As I got to know the girls around me and saw my first pair of platform shoes--with sequins yet--I realized I wasn't in Iowa anymore. As us girls gabbed everything Osmond--I was amazed how many times some of them had seen the Osmond perform. For me, it was just once--in Des Moines, and tonight would be my second. Felt kinda outcast with concert going and being just one of the two black girls in the midst.

Commotion. Screams. DONNY! Girls crowded him, while the security guard tried to keep us at bay. Just few feet from him I stood. Regained consciousness enough to snap pictures. There is some picture of Donny holding a brush as he talks to a fan. Heaven knows where it is. Did I have some long, in depth chat with Donny, like; "Is purple REALLY your favorite color?"

Naw. In fact, we didn't chat at all. I don't even recall if I got my picture taken with him that day. I don't think I did. The picture came the next day, when that same security guard let us go back stage around 10am. All I remember is I made Donny laugh and I gave him some hat I had. A girl took our picture with my camera, with the hat donned on Donny's head. The picture came our blurry and I was heartsick. No digital in those day--so you know there would be a do-over.

On that first meeting--well, me meeting Donny than he'll ever remember meeting me--butterflies flittered in my tummy. I couldn't believe it. In PERSON! -if only for a moment as the security guard ushered Donny away.

As for the pictures-both are from 1977. The one above, I've shared before. It's from Las Vegas on the the 30th floor of the Hilton. I made Donny laugh again on that day. The one below is from Des Moines-when Donny and his family were on my turf for a concert! Just liked the the picture and I think Donny was calling me "Crazy" when saw me.

Now if Donny and I met today and I asked for an autograph? We'd both have to pull out our readers to make sure we could see what was going on! Gotta admit--would be fun, and I'm sure I'd make Donny laugh again. Then I was gonna let this day go by without a song--but it is Friday--plus I wrote about Donny Osmond, so why not the song that really made me notice him: The 12th of Never. See, Donny's voice had changed--and I liked it and liked him--finally. Up til then Donny was not my favorite Osmond. :)

Sunday Still...

IS the weekend! Hey, no work tomorrow and I am ALL over that!
Really need to put my laundry in the dryer and wash my dishes...
Why?
Or I could pet a cat, read a book and drink a cup o joe!
Like that a whole lot better.
Ya know, on this still the weekend, I think of folks that have come and gone in my life.
Even folks of recent times. Even folks that never knew me. Seasons change. And that's OK.
Memories never change.
And I smile
Like I smile a whole bunch because of music that conjurs up memories.
So I feel like savoring some more Rick Springfield and "Human Touch"
Somewhere along the way I saw this concert tour.
How more hot can somebody be?
Like I said Rick Springfiend ain't your daddy's AARP!
And now gotta get that cup o joe!
Enjoy the rest of still the weekend!

Rick Springfield Last Night

He was in town last night. Rick Springfield. And I MISSED him. Oh wow. Back in the 80's day, I usta know every tour stop the man had! Hot! Hot! HOT! Found out way too late --like too late last night-Rick was here.

I evidently didn't pay ANY attention to papers, the radio or even the all knowing world wide web! UGH. Woulda gone alone. No biggie. I've seen Journey, to Three Dog Night, to Tina Turner solo--so no prob. Heck, I coulda rode the rail to the front door of the venue. UGH.

I've not seen Rick in concert in about 4 years or so. There was an 80's time, my chum, Fifth Street Friend, would see 4 Rick Concerts in a week's span. One time after experiencing Rick's hotness on stage in Omaha, Nebraska, we started the trek on I-80 East to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A good couple or so miles away and Rick's next concert stop.

About forty or so miles outside of Omaha, Rick's tour boss took an exit in Atlantic, Iowa. How did we know? Because we were following them. There were two gas stations across the road from each other. We picked the wrong one. They went to the one that had the diner! Looking back, after a concert, I'd be hungry too! So we bee-lined it across the road. The time? Some where around midnight.

We got brave and went inside. Some of the guys were at the counter doing a chowdown on some good Iowa home cookin'. And Rick? A sign of the times: Rick was on a PAY phone! I recall Rick wore white boots with fur at the tops, and this was summer time. And oh, what did me and Fifth Street Friend do?

Nothing.

We had Rick Springfield to OURSELVES. In a gas station/diner, Norman Bates would find grand, and no other girls, we did NOTHING. I recall I had on some purple blouse with RUFFLES down the front and Rick Springfield was so close I could reach out and touch him. And we did NOTHING. No picture. No autograph. Hmm. Maybe I bought a pack of gum.

As Fifth Street Friend and I walked to the car, we were in the path of some of the band guys tossed a frisbee in the parking lot.

Wow. A pack of gum and a frisbee. No Rick Springfield.

Later on, when we watched Rick on some TV show, my step-mother shook her head, "You run after that man all over the country. And the way you run your mouth about anything, you don't even open your mouth when you had a chance! You should be ashamed of yourselves!"

I still am.

And I missed Rick last night....UGH!

So cue up "I Get Excited"--because Rick Springfield, who turns 60 in August, still gets me just! This ain't your granddady's AARP!

Missed March 19, 1971 being Friday

Too busy oogling the wisteria in my present day backyard and forgot another memory of this day.
However, on this Saturday 2009, when I don't have any strawberries for my oatmeal, I still gotta smile. See, back on March 19, 1971 I thought I'd pretty much died and gone to heaven. And on that day after Saturday 1971, I remember asking my best friend if she felt the same. And no, I didn't have the house filled with A & W onions or gallons of ice cream.

Great thought tho.

Nope. All bubblegummers, tweens (we didn't have that word then, but I'm sure they floated too), teenyboppers floated on clouds. THE two kings of Tiger Beat Magazine-dom were together! On one show! Bobby Sherman guest starred on The Partridge Family starring David Cassidy! This was way before vcr's. So we all had our tape recorders in front of our non 42-inch plasma or LCD TVs, to capture this momentous occasions.

Bobby looked so cute in that purple shirt --and oh my!--that choker! David was just cute period! As we swooned, and ran our tongue over our braces, we wondered if we would ever grow up to be girls Bobby and David would ever like. Could we? Would they?

After 38 years, I still wonder.

In the meantime, let's cue up a little "Stephanie" from that infamous episode. OK. I admit, I substituted my name instead. Anybody else do the same? :)