Speedy Gonzales

What’s a song lyric that has stuck with you forever?

It has to be from Pat Boone’s version of the Speedy Gonzales theme song. I was telling my grandchildren about it only two days ago. It’s not the song itself. It’s the two comments by Speedy.

Hey Rosita, come quick. I have to go shopping downtown for my mother. She needs some tortillas and chilli peppers.

And the second one, as someone who grew up with what were called Green Shield Stamps, in the UK,

Hey Rosita, come quick. Down at the cantina they’re given green stamps with tequila.

Never Give Up

What’s a promise you made to yourself that you’ve actually kept?

I’ve always had a reputation as someone who doesn’t give up when things get tough. That hasn’t always been the case. But I’ve always said, “Don’t tell me it can’t be done because that will only challenge me to find a way to do it.” And in trying to stick to that, I’ve achieved remarkable results, even if they weren’t earth shattering.

But that habit kept me going when my wife passed away, leaving me to raise two foster children, both under ten years of age. Many people thought I would give up. But sitting down to dinner with them, today, nearly nine years later, I haven’t given up. And I don’t intend to. I’ll stick to the task, hopefully until it’s finished. And if I don’t get there, it won’t be for lack of trying.

Dinner With . . .

If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?

I think it would have to be John le Carrè’s George Smiley.

Most people are well familiar with James Bond, agent 007, probably because he’s an action figure. But George Smiley is that archetypal spy who isn’t seen, hiding in the shadows, both literally and figuratively, plodding along in his calm, quiet way, and biding his time until the moment is just right to act.

But then, maybe it would be interesting to get George and James together for an evening, just to compare notes.