Saturday 9: The Candy Man

THE CANDY MAN (1972)

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

1) This song is from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder. The movie was remade as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. Which Wonka did you prefer?  Well, I thought Johnny Depp was very creepy in the role, but the Oompa Loompas in his version were way more fun. All in all, I'd have to say the original with Gene Wilder is still the better version to me.

2) In the movie, this song is sung by Bill, the candy store shopkeeper. Think about the last counter person you dealt with. We know that he or she likely didn't break into song, but did you two engage in conversation?  I believe I tried and she wasn't having it.

3) The lyrics tell us that The Candy Man can make the world taste good. What's the last thing you ate? Was it delicious, or just OK?  It was an iced pumpkin cookie and I thought it was delicious, but I am one of those obnoxious people who love pumpkin spice everything in the fall.
 
4) The most popular recording of this song was by Sammy Davis,  Jr. Sammy was in a horrific car accident when he was 29 years old. His cheek and nose were broken and he lost an eye. That he survived at all left him reflective and after his hospitalization, he converted to Judaism. Do you still worship in the faith you were raised in?  Yes and no. I was raised as a United Methodist. I'm still a Christian, but I have chosen to go the non-denominational route. One major difference is that I don't believe in baptizing babies. I believe it's something to be done as an informed adult after accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord. I chose to be baptized again as an adult, which really angered my mom and she refused to be there. She saw it as unnecessary.

5) Sammy was proud of the honorary college degrees because he received because never formally attended school. As a child, he performed on the road with his father and uncle. In addition to depriving him of an education, that lifestyle kept him from kids his own age. He would later describe his childhood as, "in a word, 'lonely.'" Give us a one-word description of your childhood.  Interesting.
 
6) Because he spent so much of his youth on the road, living on buses, trains and hotel rooms, he loved eventually having his own kitchen and being able to cook his own meals. This weekend, will you spend much time in the kitchen?  Possibly more than usual. The two younger grands are coming later and staying the night and until later tomorrow.
 
7) Sammy enjoyed experimenting with clothes and jewelry. What about you? Do you consider yourself conservative in dress or are you fashion forward?  Pretty conservative. I am horrible at knowing what pieces work together. I wish I had that talent.

8) When he died, Sammy was in debt to the IRS. Do you handle your own taxes, or do you use the services of an accountant?  We used to use H&R Block at my husband's insistence. I finally convinced him they were ridiculously expensive...example, our last year with them it cost over $500 to have them prepare our taxes and since they've started using computers, all they have to do is go in and plug in the new amounts from one year to the next. The woman who does our taxes now and also gives us financial advice that has saved us big time in the amount of taxes owed, only charges $60 to do our taxes.

9) Random question: If you had to tell nothing but the truth (not even the tiniest white lie) for 24 hours, do you think you'd get yourself in trouble?  No. Well, at least not in my normal life, because I try not to lie as it is. Not even the white lies to save someone's feelings...I try to just not say anything if possible in those cases. Work is the glaring exception. I am guilty there of telling the dementia residents some whoppers for their peace of mind....Ex. "Oh, your mom called. She wants you to have dinner before you come home." A lie because the resident is 90+ years old and mom has been gone for maybe 40 o4 50 years. We have to tell fibs like that because if we tell them mom is dead, they will freak out and mourn and grieve all over again. I pray God understands the need to protect them from that.

I hope you all have a great Saturday. As I mentioned, we're looking forward to the grands spending the weekend with us. Because of that, I probably won't be joining in Sunday Stealing tomorrow...and actually, I've been thinking about dropping it from my weekly blogging as a way to take back some time from the computer. The hours are becoming more precious and harder to come by. Anyway, have a blessed day and I'll see you Monday or Tuesday!