Ava Gardner looking like Carmen in Seville, Spain, 1950

Have you ever had a song, or usually a song scrap, play over and over in your head all day long? You hum or sing the bit that you remember, trying to remember the rest while simultaneously wishing it would go away? The earworm – what a yucky word! – in my head the other day was the Toreador Song from the opera, Carmen, because it was the last song I heard as I was driving to my mother’s. – Maria

Do you eat cereal? I took this picture a few years ago in a hotel dining room and every once in a while it comes into mind and I start thinking that it would be fun to have one in my kitchen. A cereal station. I would choose granola, both store bought and this granola, Cap’n Crunch and Fibre 1. Which cereals would you choose? – Cris

I like almost all shades of green. However, I have often been disappointed by how the green on a paint chip actually looks on a wall. I forget how, but I found a strategy that is foolproof for me. I find an item in my house that is the exact shade I want and then I bring that to the paint store and ask them to create that colour. Eliminates the fool – me – and I am happy. Maybe one of the whites is the one Cris is looking for! What is your strategy for ending up with the paint colour you want?- Maria

I have a lot of stairs in my house. These are not them, however. I wish they were. To me, they are a practical, attractive blend of wood and carpet. They seem reasonably easy to keep clean and non-slip, which is becoming more of a priority as I get older. Do you like them? What is your favourite kind of stairs and stair covering? – Maria

“What’s Up, Doc?”

One of my favourite movies. Also one of my kids’ favourites. How I convinced them to watch it was to show them the hilarious chase scene first, to reel them in, and then they just had to watch the movie from the start to see how the characters all ended up chasing one another through the streets of San Francisco at the end. It really is one of the zaniest movies ever made. It starts with a ridiculous premise and ends ridiculously but it’s fun. If you’re looking for a film that is pure entertainment, this is the one. Madeline Kahn gives a wonderful performance as Eunice Burns. She steals the show. Actually, the entire cast is great. Watch it! – Cris

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